"Apparitions" Time: Twenty-five cycles after Dog With Two Bones Rated: PG

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 Twenty-One: The Good Of The Many.

Lieutenant Misata Katsur looked up from the console and watched Captain Abetan approach. "They've launched a transport pod, sir."

Abetan studied the information that filled the terminal screen and frowned. "Still no sign of Talyn?"

"Not at the moment, sir. However, I think it would be prudent to expect Crais and the gunship to show up soon."

Abetan nodded and watched Katsur type instructions. So what did you and our Chief Scientist discuss, he wondered. Katsur had spent several arns in the Chief Scientist's office. When she had come out, all Katsur would say was that they had discussed the interrogation she had conducted on Tries'tall. Abetan couldn't help but think there had been more to their conversation than that.

"What are they up to," he muttered, more to himself than to his aide.

"Moya is a standard Leviathan, sir. It's possible they're waiting for Talyn to arrive before they take any action."

"And the transport pod?"

"Further reconnaissance, to supplement the intelligence they gathered when they were here the first time."

"Perhaps, Lieutenant. Dispatch a squad to guard the ancillary research facility, and a second squad to locate the transport pod and its occupants. Also have a Prowler squadron standing by. Communcations, open a channel."

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"Vanessa, the Gammak base is calling again. They're starting to sound annoyed."

Vanessa glanced at the clamshell and smiled at Pilot's image. "Then I guess we should answer them. Are you ready, Dad?"

"Why do I feel like I'm getting ready to board another command carrier?" John looked down at the console and sighed heavily. "I wish D'Argo was here."

Vanessa patted him on the back and smiled. "Maybe we'll be able to take a little vacation after this and visit him and Jool." She looked back as Chiana walked into Command. "Time to fly."

"I hope this time goes better than the last time," Chiana said as she ran her fingers over her bandaged right shoulder. "Keep an eye on him, Vanessa. Things tend to go boom when he's around."

"Thank you, Pip. Your faith in me is overwhelming." John closed his eyes and sighed. "I still can't believe D's a farmer. Let's do this. Pilot, let's talk to them." He squared his shoulders as the image of a tall, bald- headed man appeared on the screen. "Hello, Captain. What can we do for you?"

The Peacekeeper captain looked surprised then nodded. "Well, if it isn't the great John Crichton himself. I must admit I always pictured you a little more.intimidating."

John looked quickly at Vanessa then back at the screen. "Sorry, have we met? I don't think I caught your name."

"No, we haven't met. However, I feel I know you well, if only by reputation. I am Kelis Abetan, commander of this Gammak base. I believe your daughter has met my aide, Lieutenant Katsur."

Vanessa glanced at the lieutenant and waved. "Hello, Lieutenant. Why am I not surprised you survived the leveling of the Tries'tall base?"

"A good officer always finds a way to survive," Katsur said.

Abetan glanced at his aide then back at the pickup. "Is the Ancient with you?"

"Not anymore," Vanessa said. "When we found out he was actually working for you, he tried to sabotage Moya's starburst system. I stopped him."

"You killed him?"

Vanessa shrugged. "I did what I had to. Now, has anyone explained the danger of wormhole technology to you?"

"Our Chief Scientist is well aware of the dangers, as well as the potential benefits. She's very anxious to discuss the experiments with you."

"Well, always up for a meet-and-greet. When."

"A question, first. Who was on the transport pod that launched earlier?"

"We had a bit of a disagreement," Vanessa said. "My mother is tired of wormholes and wants nothing more to do with them. Several members of the crew agreed with her and decided to leave Moya."

Abetan pursed his lips and considered the statement. "I'm having a hard time accepting that. The crew currently on Moya has never shown signs of refusing to follow your direction."

"You should have seen some of the arguments we had here on Moya."

Katsur raised a small noteboard. "Arguments? Interesting that neither you nor the traitor Bohr have any memory of arguments. A few disagreements, but nothing that I would consider major. I've sifted through your minds, Vanessa, so it's pointless to lie to us."

"Who's lying? Just because you haven't found anything in all the clutter in my mind."

"Actually, based on what I found in that clutter, I tracked down some interesting information about one member of your crew."

"Oh really?" Despite herself, Vanessa found herself interested in what Katsur had to say. "Anything you feel like telling me right now?"

"That can wait." Abetan turned to Katsur, spoke quietly to her then turned back to the screen. "The team on the transport pod, what are their orders?"

"No orders, Cap'n," John said. "Like Vanessa said, there was an argument and half the crew left."

Abetan nodded. "We have a squadron searching for them, so we'll know the truth soon enough. You gain nothing." Another officer stepped up to Abetan and whispered something to him. "Our Chief Scientist wishes to speak to you."

"Well, put her on."

The image on the screen changed. Abetan and Katsur were replaced by a woman who looked deceptively young. Her shoulder length red hair was tied back and matched the color of the outfit she wore. Her face was calm but Vanessa was sure she saw contempt in her eyes.

John and Chiana gasped. "John, that's.that's." Chiana stammered.

The woman smiled. "It's good to see you again, Crichton, Chiana. The cycles have been good to you."

"Crickets," John muttered. "Sikozu."

Chiana walked up to John's side. "I always used to wonder what you were up to after all these cycles."

Sikozu's smile grew slightly. "Really?"

"No. I haven't thought about you since you left."

Vanessa considered the image on the screen and frowned. "Is anyone going to tell me who this is?"

"She was with us twenty-four cycles ago," John said quietly. "I told you about the time I was stranded in my module after Moya had been sucked down a wormhole, right? When I managed to hook up with a dying Leviathan named Elak? She showed up then and stayed with us for a cycle or so. She allied herself with Scorpius and hung with him when things got frelled. We lost track of her after that. Picking up where Scorpius left off, Sputnik?"

"None of you ever realized just how great the Scarran threat was," Sikozu said in a tightly controlled voice. "Just because they haven't attacked doesn't mean the threat has gone away."

"Same old story," John said. "You might try singing a different tune."

Sikozu looked down and seemed to gather her thoughts. "Are you aware that there has been an increase in the number of skirmishes along the borders between Peacekeeper and Scarran space?"

Vanessa nodded. "I've heard a thing or two about that. The Scarrans have been creeping further and further into Peacekeeper space for the past twenty-five cycles. It's only a matter of time before they decide to finally take that last step an launch a massive attack."

"So you see the nature of the problem. Think of the potential loss, all the cycles of history and accomplishment, not just by the Sebaceans, but by all the civilized races in this part of the galaxy. The Scarrans will spread through the region like a plague of insects, killing everyone who stands in their way. Millions of lives will be lost, many of them the same lives you've spent the last few cycles trying to help. That is why it's so important to develop the weaponry we need based on wormhole technology. The Scarrans do not have a comparable weapon system. This will allow us to strike them before they strike at us."

"So, you and the Peacekeepers are doing this, trying to develop doomsday weapons that may very well destroy the lives and history you're trying to save, out of the goodness of your collective hearts?" John shook his head slowly. "You're going to have to come us with something more than that, Madam Scorpius."

"Crichton, don't you understand what's at stake? Are you willing to live with the death of millions on your conscience?"

"A lot of people have died because of me, Sikozu." John lowered his eyes. "Sometimes, I think I've wasted all those deaths. You can go find yourself some other accomplices in your quest for galactic domination."

"How long do you think it will be before the Scarrans locate your homeworld, Crichton? Could Earth stand against the Scarran fleet?"

John's face grew hard. "Don't go there, Sikozu. Not even your Peacekeeper buddies know where Earth is."

"You have to help us!"

"Girl, I don't have to do anything. In fact, I don't even have to continue this conversation. Pilot."

"Wait! Crichton, examine your options. You could continue this conversation here on the base or you could attempt to reason with the squadron of Prowlers Captain Abetan will launch a microt after you break the connection."

Vanessa laughed. "Is that a threat?"

"Take it as you will."

John shook his head slowly. "Look, Sputnik, don't threaten me. I've been threatened by experts. Scorpius, Peacekeepers, Scarrans, Nebari, TV network executives.experts at threatening my very existence. You don't even make the first cut. Still, why let any unpleasantness spoil the reunion?"

"Agreed. But in the event you're entertaining any thoughts of opposing us, that squadron of Prowlers is still going to launch. Their orders are to open fire if you fail to cooperate."

"Fine. Be that way. We'll launch in a few microts."

Sikozu smiled. "Make sure you bring Chiana with you. I can't wait to see my old friends again." The screen blanked.

"Well, that was unexpected." John frowned. "Doesn't change anything, though. We'll still stop them."

"I'll give the Peacekeepers this, they're dependable. Pilot, you know what to do. Shall we go? You two have a reunion to attend."

As they left Command, Vanessa tapped her comm. "Lhatan, we're going down. Help Xhalax finish the displacement engine. And Stark, any prayers would be greatly appreciated."

"As I said before, I always pray for you, Vanessa. May the goddess watch over you."

"Someone better watch out for us," Chiana muttered. "I feel like we're walking into hezmana again."

TO BE CONTINUED