"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.

---------------------------------------

Part Twenty-three: The Truth.And Other Lies

Sikozu watched as Vanessa paced the holding cell the guards had taken her to. Even though the resolution on the screen was not the best, she could tell the young woman's emotions were raging out of control.

Behind her, Katsur stood patiently. Sikozu glanced at her then turned back to the screen. "Don't you think you were a bit brutal with her during your little talk, Lieutenant?"

"I find that, for the most part, no matter how intelligent the person, their logic is disrupted when their emotions begin to get the better of them."

"What were you trying to achieve?"

"If I can plant a seed of distrust in her mind, make her question the methods and motives of the people around her, the perhaps it will disrupt whatever plans they may have made."

Sikozu considered for a microt then nodded. "Does she strike you as the emotional type?"

"The impression I get from her is that she keeps her emotions contained. To look at her, you may believe she's calm, but inside her emotions are raging."

"Like her father. Crichton was always good at hiding his true emotions from the rest of us. He managed to conceal his true feelings for Aeryn for at least half a cycle. Tell me, Lieutenant, what are your aspirations?"

Katsur's eyes lowered and a thin smile crossed her face. "Honestly, ma'am, I won't be happy until I've attained at least a captaincy."

"Ambitious. Captain Abetan said you were driven. Would that have anything to do with your hybrid nature?"

"It's a contributing factor, ma'am. Because of the prevailing attitudes most Sebaceans have towards hybrids like myself, I have to work twice as hard just to prove myself as good as other, lesser qualified officers."

Sikozu smiled and walked closer to Katsur. "Isn't it fortunate, then, that there is a senior officer on this base who appreciates your efforts."

"Ma'am? The impression I get from Captain Abetan is that he tolerates my presence because he has no choice."

"Captain Abetan can be somewhat short-sighted at times. I, on the other hand, recognize the worth of the people assigned to me. I trust my meaning is clear, Lieutenant."

Katsur's smile grew. I believe it is, ma'am. Tell me, what did you have in mind?"

---------------------------------------

Vanessa stopped pacing and looked around the cell. It was big enough for a dozen people, with low benches along two walls. Both the ceiling and floor were glowing with a soft white light. It would have been soothing, if she weren't so angry.

Why didn't you tell me, she wondered. Why did you keep this from me? If you had found the way to Earth, why did you keep searching? Why didn't you tell me about the Slaughter of Olitas, Tashina?

Is John Crichton really my father?

Vanessa sat on one of the benches, leaned back against the wall and ran her hands over her face. What else have they been keeping from me? What secrets has Mattis been keeping? Though she tried, Vanessa couldn't keep the tears from running down her face.

She heard the cell's door open. Vanessa turned and saw John and Chiana walk in. On the other side of the door, she could see a Peacekeeper and a Pathfinder. The Pathfinder looked passive, while the Peacekeeper spoke.

"I would take the threat serious, Crichton. If you value your life and the lives of your daughter and friend, you'll help us."

John watched him for a microt. "I suppose it'll be unpleasant if I don't."

"Your friends will suffer if you don't."

"I think you need someone else to write your dialogue, man. You sound like you're reading from the Bad Guy Quote Book. Or started Malent's Cliché Fest."

The Peacekeeper growled in frustration and marched away. The Pathfinder watched him then turned back to John. "Be careful what information you give them. I fear they will only use it for conquest."

"Figure that one out for yourself, huh?" Chiana turned to Vanessa and frowned.

"Go peer into your crystal ball some more and see what other blindingly obvious facts you can come up with."

The Pathfinder stared at John for another microt then shook his head and walked away.

John watched the door slide shut and shook his head. "Children. Gotta keep'em away from the fireworks." He turned to Vanessa. "So what did you and the Lieutenant talk about?"

"Not a lot," Vanessa said. "She told me a few things she's researched, based on what she got out of my head while I was in the Aurora Chair. And she told me a few things she heard from Sikozu."

"Oh?" John frowned and sat next to Vanessa. "Anything interesting?"

Vanessa sighed. "Well, she told me something about Tashina that's raised my suspicions, something about Mom and you that's got me all confused.and something Chiana and Pilot should have told me a long time ago!"

She stood and walked across the cell. "Why didn't you tell me you'd found a way back to Earth?"

John glanced at Chiana and leaned back against the wall. "Did Sikozu tell you that?"

"No, Katsur did, but she got the information from Sikozu. Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's complicated, Vanessa."

"What else is new?"

"Now look! We found the way back to Earth by accident."

"An accident you can repeat."

"It's not really a good idea to be critical of things you don't understand."

"Then enlighten me."

John's eyes lowered and Vanessa could see pain in them. "Moya got to Earth before the rest of us. Unknown to Pilot and Sikozu, the Peacekeeper commandant, Grayza, left something, some creature onboard Moya. It followed us down to Earth. It.it killed my friend and his wife, and almost killed my father and my sister. That was why we couldn't stay. If the Peacekeepers found Earth, they'd decimate the planet. I couldn't take that chance."

Vanessa closed her eyes and lowered her head. "Are you my father," she whispered.

"That's even more complicated."

The cell's door opened. Aeryn, Mattis, Tashina and Rea filed in under the watchful eye of four armed guards. Mattis watched the guards for a moment then turned to Vanessa. "Sorry, Vanessa. We tried."

Vanessa walked up to Mattis. She glanced at Aeryn and Tashina and said, "Have you lied to me, too?" She saw Tashina's eyes go wide with surprise, while Aeryn's face remained calm. "Have you?"

Mattis looked confused. "Lied to you? What are you talking about?"

She stepped closer to Aeryn. "Is he really my father? Is John Crichton my father?"

Aeryn stared at Vanessa, caught by surprise. "Why would you ask that?"

"Sikozu's working with the Peacekeepers," Chiana said. "It came from her."

"Ah. Well. Frell me dead."

Vanessa's voice was a cold hiss. "Is he my father?"

Aeryn looked quickly at John. "That's.complicated."

"Complicated? Why is that everyone's answer to everything?" Vanessa turned to Tashina. "And you! When were you planning on telling me you were involved in the Slaughter of Olitas? And don't you dare tell me it's complicated!"

Tashina's head lowered. "I didn't tell you because I was ashamed, Vanessa. Our intelligence reports said the Scorvians had established an outpost on Olitas. My strike group was sent in to take it down. We hit them hard and fast, not giving them a chance to respond."

"Tashina, there were five thousand people killed in that assault." Mattis rocked back on his heels. "When you frell up, you frell up big time."

"I heard about Olitas," Rea said. "It was bad intelligence. The Scorvians had a program of disinformation that worked very well this time. The group leader disappeared not long after the assault."

"Lhatan and I felt it would be better to go away. Perhaps, one day, I'll be able to live down what I've done. Vanessa, can you forgive."

"Not now. Maybe one day, but not now." Vanessa stepped away from the others and focused her attention on one wall.

Gotta stay in control, she thought. There's too much at stake. I can't let my emotions get the better of me.

She didn't react when she felt Mattis's arm around her shoulder. "Should I ask what all that was about?"

"Peacekeeper mind-frells, that all. Don't worry. I'm fine." Vanessa turned as the door snapped open. "Stay sharp. It won't be long."

A single guard stepped into the cell, his pulse rifle trained on Vanessa. "You! With me! Now!"

"Where to," Vanessa asked, her voice cold.

"No questions! Walk!" The rifle came up to his shoulder.

She considered for a microt then nodded. "All right. I have a few things to tell Sikozu."

John looked uncertain as he stood and took a step forward. "Vanessa, what."

"I'm going to tell them about Xhalax. I'm going to tell them everything." Her face was an unreadable mask as she followed the guard out.

As the door closed, John sighed and returned to the bench. "Well, everything's going as planned."

Aeryn sat next to John and nodded. "So far. They didn't search us very well."

"Yeah, they never learn." Mattis looked down the sleeve of his coat then checked his pockets. "Everything's still here. How're you doing, Rea?"

Rea looked around then shrugged. "This is going against everything I've believed in my whole life." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'll be all right."

Mattis nodded and watched Tashina walk to the bench. He looked around at the others, then sat next to her. "How could you keep this from us, Tashina?"

"It was fear and pride, Mattis." Her head hung low. "I suppose it's time to move on. Assuming we survive this, I'll leave Moya. Lhatan will be upset; he enjoys living on Moya."

"Don't worry about it," John said. "Remember, she's my daughter. We're all about trust and forgiveness. Right, Aeryn?"

Her only reply was a threatening look.

---------------------------------------

Vanessa stepped into the office and looked around. Sikozu and Katsur stood by a console, studying a screen filled with information. "Lieutenant, have I got something for you."

"I'm sure you do," Sikozu said. "How much do you know about wormholes?"

"I know plenty," Vanessa said as she watched the guard leave the office. "But I know someone who knows even more."

"We already have your father," Katsur said.

Vanessa's head tilted to one side. "Didn't you say he might not be my father? At any rate, I'm not talking about him. There's an Ancient onboard Moya."

Katsur exchanged a look with Sikozu. "It was our belief that he was dead."

"He is. I killed him myself. He was trying to sabotage Moya, and I'm very protective of Moya and Pilot, even though they've kept secrets from me all these cycles."

"So then who are you talking about?"

"Another Ancient showed up not long after Jack was taken care of. She took the form of my mother's mother and has been working with us. With a little persuasion, I'm sure she'll be as helpful as Jack was."

Katsur considered for a microt. "I'm not certain that will be of use to us. The Ancient we had been working with was not as helpful as he could have been. Like the Pathfinder, he kept hinting at the knowledge he had, but was slow in sharing it."

"Again, that shouldn't be a problem. She gave me wormhole knowledge. I know almost exactly what my father knows." Vanessa began to pace around the office, noticing a comm and a pulse pistol on another console.

Sikozu glanced at Katsur then walked up to Vanessa. "And you would willingly share this information with us? Up until now, you've be driven to bring this project to an end."

"Let's just say I've had a change of heart. I've been thinking about it, and I'm tired of running around, bouncing from place to place. I want to help people, but I don't really have the resources onboard Moya."

Katsur looked pleased. "I'm sure an arrangement can be worked out. Who else besides the Ancient is onboard the Leviathan?"

"Only Lhatan, Tashina's husband, and Stark, a Banik. I want assurances that neither they, nor Pilot, nor Moya will be harmed in any way. That means no control collar on Moya. I know how you Peacekeepers feel about Leviathans."

"As Lieutenant Katsur said, arrangements can be made." Sikozu nodded slowly and looked pleased. "We'll get started immediately."

"First things first." Vanessa gestured at the comm. "Can I call Pilot and let him know? I don't want him and Moya to panic when Marauders full of Peacekeepers begin to arrive." Sikozu nodded once.

Vanessa picked up the comm. "Pilot?"

Pilot sounded concerned when he answered. "Vanessa? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Pilot."

"Are you sure? You sound disturbed."

Vanessa closed her eyes. "There are some things you and I have to talk about later, but that's not important right now."

"I see. I believe I know what you are referring to. It will be good to clear the air."

"Yes. But as I said, that's for later." Vanessa took a deep breath. "This is the call you've been waiting for."

"Understood. Connecting you now."

Katsur took a step forward. "What are you doing?"

A man's voice came from the comm. "Yes, Vanessa?"

"Crais! Now!"

Sikozu grabbed her arm and tried to pull the comm away. "Stop! What are you doing?"

Vanessa pulled her arm away from Sikozu and spun, backhanding her. As the Chief Scientist dropped to the floor, Katsur rushed her. They struggled for several microts, each one trying to reach the pulse pistol first.

Vanessa's hand closed around the grip. She brought the pistol up and swung out at the Lieutenant. She felt the weapon make contact with the side of Katsur's head. As the Lieutenant tumbled away, Vanessa took aim for her and raised the comm.

"Pilot?"

"Yes, Vanessa?"

"As soon as you're clear, break orbit and start out of the system. We'll rendezvous with you as soon as possible."

"Understood. And Vanessa.I'm sorry."

Vanessa closed her eyes as she felt tears begin to well up. "Don't worry about it. We'll discuss it later. Crais?"

"We're enroute now, Vanessa."

"Good. Stay with the original timetable. I'll contact you within the arn." Vanessa lowered the comm and turned back to Katsur.

"I should have known you wouldn't cooperate so quickly. Very well played, Vanessa." She stood slowly and adjusted her jacket. "What now?"

"Now we bring your wormhole project to an end. One other thing." Vanessa took a step closer to Katsur. "I am Vanessa Sun, daughter of Aeryn Sun and John Crichton. I don't care what you have to say about it."

She took a deep breath and waved the pistol at the door. "Come on. Let's take a walk."

"What about Sikozu?"

Vanessa glanced at the Chief Scientist. "As much as I'm sure that Dad and the others would love to get reacquainted with her, Sikozu's going to have to stay here. Let's go."

Katsur hesitated for a microt, considered the pulse pistol aimed at her and sighed in resignation. "Well, this was a good posting," she said as she led Vanessa from the office.

---------------------------------------

TO BE CONTINUED