Part 7: Exploring New Horizons
I told you so.I told you so.how many times do you have to hear that before you hit the dupe to shut him up.Only I find it unsatisfying to hit myself.maybe its time to look for new horizons.like my child.and.
Three Arns in Route Toward Planet Escabar:
John sat in his quarters locked in for the past five arns. Pilot had not answered him nor had he seen 1812, his usual companion. Laying down he had hoped to sleep but that too was not to come. Finally he just sat in the middle of bed. His mind play over everything Chiana had said, with flashes of Jack and the fight he had with Aeryn permeating, to heighten his turmoil.
He promised himself he wouldn't hurt her, but damnit she had ripped him apart. Getting up he paced, only to stop in the middle of the room throwing his hands up in the air; a frustrated scream came blaring out.
"You sound like mommy when she gets mad," a small voice said from the grated door. John spun around saw Jack standing there.
"Hey, Jack. What are you doing here?" John asked, coming closer. He spoke in a calm voice not wanting to scare or hurt the boy's feelings.
"I heard aunt Chiana howling about 'ou. Mommy was crying. I saw her when she thought I was 'leep." Jack looked up at his father; he so wanted to know. "I am three but I don't like mommy 'rying."
If a peacekeeper were to stick a knife in him, it wouldn't hurt as much as that did. 'I don't like mommy crying.' Lord he never wanted that to happen.and to.to hurt his son.yes his son like this. What kind of man had he become?
Kneeling down he came to Jack's eye level. "I'm sorry she is crying, Jack."
"Why don't you like her? I do." Jack reached his hand through the grate and patted his father's hand. "It's ok if you don't like me but 'lease like mommy."
Turn the knife my little one- you are good.
"Jack, I love you," John said, taking Jack small hand into his. "You are my son."
"Daddy, can I come in to see you?" Jack asked trying to get in.
"Sorry, kid, I'm sortta locked in here thanks to your aunt Chiana." John laughed. .
A DRD stopped beside Jack. "1812. Now I know where you have been. OK, get me out of here so Jack and I can get together."
Pilot was monitoring John ever since Chiana had requested for him to lock John into his quarters-- until she could reason with him. After the talk, Pilot decided Crichton needed to spend more time there to contemplate what had been said. Then, Pilot discovered Jack wandering the corridors. Moya became concerned, so she sent more DRDs to watch over him. Surprisingly Crichton's little DRD had assigned itself as a guardian of the little boy. Pilot unlocked John's door.
John stepped back as the door opened. Jack dodged into the room to his father's open arms. Hugging the child to him, he felt the rest of the ice melting. No matter what was between him and Aeryn, this child was not going to get caught in the middle. John knew his own father would kick him in the backside around the earth and then some.
John pulled Jack back and looked him in the eyes, a mirror of his own. John could see the intelligence. He was so astounded by it. He could never deny this child of his. He looked up to see Aeryn standing in the doorway with unshed tears in her eyes.
A faint smile came to John's lips. He said softly. "You have done good with him, Aeryn. Thank you for bringing him to me."
A tear trailed down her face at hearing the words she had so hoped for. When Aeryn had gone to check on Jack and found his room empty, she was full of panic. Comming Chiana she asked, " Chiana, is Jack with you?"
"No, why?" Chiana's concerned voice asked.
"He's not in his room.I don't know.Pilot!" Aeryn rushed down the corridor while calling out. " Pilot!"
"Yes, Aeryn Sun."
"Jack is missing." Aeryn tried to keep the panic at bay. Chiana joined her.
"Aeryn, I have located him at John's quarters. The DRDs have been monitoring him."
Aeryn stopped walking, and looked over at Chiana. Both broke into a run. She could hear Jack talking in his childish voice and a deeper one answering him. As they turned the corner Aeryn saw Jack in John's arms. Chiana came up beside her. A knowing smirk spreading on Chiana's face.
Planet Escabar..
John stood in command with Jack sitting on the strategy table, watching the twin binary stars with twelve worlds orbiting them. John observed a trail of matter as the gaseous blue giant siphoned off the smaller twin. John was more excited over this highly extraordinary occurrence, now that Jack was with him.
"See isn't that beautiful?" John asked excitedly.
"Yeah, daddy. Mommy's star?"
John frowned and looked down at Jack, who was looking at the screen. "Not quite." John pointed out as Moya maneuvered through the system. "See that great big planet?"
Jack nodded his head.
"That's Escabar. I have been wanting to come here for sometime." John explained.
"Why?" Jack asked looking up at his father.
"Curiosity."
"Curiosity killed the pussy." Jack chanted.
A puzzled smile flickered across John's face. Laughing he corrected, "That's curiosity killed the cat. Where did you hear that from?"
"One of the vids aunt Chiana played of you."
"Mmmm, I'm going to have to check those vids out sometime."
"Daddy, are we going down on the planet?" Jack looked up at him.
"You're not. I don't know what the conditions are until I get there. I know your mom wouldn't want you to be placed in danger."
"Can I see vids on it 'ater?"
"Vids like in tour guide? I'll see what we can do. Where do you get these ideas?" John couldn't help but laugh.
"Aunt Chi." Jack seriously said.
Chiana had proven to be full of surprises. All she did was smirk around John like a Cheshire cat. Aeryn watched as the only people she loved interact just like she had so hoped for. Looking down at the console she marveled at the system herself. John had opened her eyes to things around her, but Jack gave her fresh eyes to observe anew.
"Commander, an official awaits your arrival in the great city." Pilot announced.
"Thanks, Pilot." John looked back over at Aeryn. Chiana stood by Jack. "Well does anyone want to go with me?"
Aeryn was about to speak when Chiana blurred out. "Jackie boy and I will stay here while you and Aeryn check it out. If it looks safe enough I'll bring Jack down for a short visit."
John looked over at Aeryn then started walking out of command. "If you want."
Hesitantly, Aeryn followed John. She hugged Jack on the way out, and gave Chiana a baleful look.
Landfall.
John had introduced himself and Aeryn to a tall, slim, bluish-gray alien species known as Escaions. Before entering orbit, Aeryn had gone to Pilot's den to learn about their communications with this planet. John's scientific inquires about the Escaions system was greeted with gratification.
On some level Aeryn couldn't fully understand how John was able to relate with these people. They were soft-spoken passive species that like to see the good quality of the species they dealt with. She remembered a human that had been like that in his first cycle on this side of the wormhole.
Recognition flashed in her mind. Looking at the Escaions from a different point of view. Maybe this was one of the reasons John wanted to meet them. He saw in them what he had once.what his species had.he was looking for that part of him that had been buried for to long.
Aeryn watched John transform before her eyes, from a cold bitter man into a compassionate one. She watched his face change, as new information was relayed to him. His features became grave, somber, as the sad tale of the Escaion's was unfolded. Aeryn noticed a light flicker to life deep in his eyes and recognized it as courage: pure and undiluted. Aeryn watched him draw a deep breath, as if he drew strength from it. He could relate to these people's history in peaceful exploration and gathering scientific knowledge through joint collaboration with others.
What Aeryn saw was not just emerging maturity, but something greater, a kind of agelessness. She understood, in that moment, why people were drawn to him. He had an indefinable quality that the word charisma didn't quite encompass. It was a presence, a way of being that radiated from him.
She watched now, keenly observant, as John became the center, as men older and more seasoned then he looked toward him, deferred to him, gave him a respect that went far beyond the fact he was an alien. Aeryn had the startling thought that somehow, she had managed to miss the essence of John.
The thought astonished her. And intrigued her.
A hovercraft came overhead, and she looked up as it descended toward them. They were escorted to the craft that whisked them away to the site John had inquired about. He had not really acknowledged her presence, but yet he would stop when she was not near him. She paid little attention to what the Escaions were saying. She stayed on guard always watching out for John. Looking at his face know, she was so taken with the absolute integrity she saw there. Who was he really? Had she ever known? Did she want to know? What would it cost her to find out?
What would it cost her not too?
Somewhere, Aeryn realized it had gone beyond choice. She felt compelled to discover who this man, she once thought she loved so deeply and so completely, really was. She didn't just want to go with him; she had to go with him.
As the hovercraft landed in the little glade, John broke from the knot of aliens that surrounded him, and turned back to her. He took her elbow and leaned close.
"What do you think so far?" He looked around the area. "Do you think we might can bring Jack down later?"
Nodding her head, "Maybe. Lets wait a little longer, then we'll see."
She was rewarded with that drop-dead-smile of his. Aeryn couldn't help but return it. John gazed at her before he turned away. The look of suppressed desire still smoldered there, she was sure of it.
I told you so.I told you so.how many times do you have to hear that before you hit the dupe to shut him up.Only I find it unsatisfying to hit myself.maybe its time to look for new horizons.like my child.and.
Three Arns in Route Toward Planet Escabar:
John sat in his quarters locked in for the past five arns. Pilot had not answered him nor had he seen 1812, his usual companion. Laying down he had hoped to sleep but that too was not to come. Finally he just sat in the middle of bed. His mind play over everything Chiana had said, with flashes of Jack and the fight he had with Aeryn permeating, to heighten his turmoil.
He promised himself he wouldn't hurt her, but damnit she had ripped him apart. Getting up he paced, only to stop in the middle of the room throwing his hands up in the air; a frustrated scream came blaring out.
"You sound like mommy when she gets mad," a small voice said from the grated door. John spun around saw Jack standing there.
"Hey, Jack. What are you doing here?" John asked, coming closer. He spoke in a calm voice not wanting to scare or hurt the boy's feelings.
"I heard aunt Chiana howling about 'ou. Mommy was crying. I saw her when she thought I was 'leep." Jack looked up at his father; he so wanted to know. "I am three but I don't like mommy 'rying."
If a peacekeeper were to stick a knife in him, it wouldn't hurt as much as that did. 'I don't like mommy crying.' Lord he never wanted that to happen.and to.to hurt his son.yes his son like this. What kind of man had he become?
Kneeling down he came to Jack's eye level. "I'm sorry she is crying, Jack."
"Why don't you like her? I do." Jack reached his hand through the grate and patted his father's hand. "It's ok if you don't like me but 'lease like mommy."
Turn the knife my little one- you are good.
"Jack, I love you," John said, taking Jack small hand into his. "You are my son."
"Daddy, can I come in to see you?" Jack asked trying to get in.
"Sorry, kid, I'm sortta locked in here thanks to your aunt Chiana." John laughed. .
A DRD stopped beside Jack. "1812. Now I know where you have been. OK, get me out of here so Jack and I can get together."
Pilot was monitoring John ever since Chiana had requested for him to lock John into his quarters-- until she could reason with him. After the talk, Pilot decided Crichton needed to spend more time there to contemplate what had been said. Then, Pilot discovered Jack wandering the corridors. Moya became concerned, so she sent more DRDs to watch over him. Surprisingly Crichton's little DRD had assigned itself as a guardian of the little boy. Pilot unlocked John's door.
John stepped back as the door opened. Jack dodged into the room to his father's open arms. Hugging the child to him, he felt the rest of the ice melting. No matter what was between him and Aeryn, this child was not going to get caught in the middle. John knew his own father would kick him in the backside around the earth and then some.
John pulled Jack back and looked him in the eyes, a mirror of his own. John could see the intelligence. He was so astounded by it. He could never deny this child of his. He looked up to see Aeryn standing in the doorway with unshed tears in her eyes.
A faint smile came to John's lips. He said softly. "You have done good with him, Aeryn. Thank you for bringing him to me."
A tear trailed down her face at hearing the words she had so hoped for. When Aeryn had gone to check on Jack and found his room empty, she was full of panic. Comming Chiana she asked, " Chiana, is Jack with you?"
"No, why?" Chiana's concerned voice asked.
"He's not in his room.I don't know.Pilot!" Aeryn rushed down the corridor while calling out. " Pilot!"
"Yes, Aeryn Sun."
"Jack is missing." Aeryn tried to keep the panic at bay. Chiana joined her.
"Aeryn, I have located him at John's quarters. The DRDs have been monitoring him."
Aeryn stopped walking, and looked over at Chiana. Both broke into a run. She could hear Jack talking in his childish voice and a deeper one answering him. As they turned the corner Aeryn saw Jack in John's arms. Chiana came up beside her. A knowing smirk spreading on Chiana's face.
Planet Escabar..
John stood in command with Jack sitting on the strategy table, watching the twin binary stars with twelve worlds orbiting them. John observed a trail of matter as the gaseous blue giant siphoned off the smaller twin. John was more excited over this highly extraordinary occurrence, now that Jack was with him.
"See isn't that beautiful?" John asked excitedly.
"Yeah, daddy. Mommy's star?"
John frowned and looked down at Jack, who was looking at the screen. "Not quite." John pointed out as Moya maneuvered through the system. "See that great big planet?"
Jack nodded his head.
"That's Escabar. I have been wanting to come here for sometime." John explained.
"Why?" Jack asked looking up at his father.
"Curiosity."
"Curiosity killed the pussy." Jack chanted.
A puzzled smile flickered across John's face. Laughing he corrected, "That's curiosity killed the cat. Where did you hear that from?"
"One of the vids aunt Chiana played of you."
"Mmmm, I'm going to have to check those vids out sometime."
"Daddy, are we going down on the planet?" Jack looked up at him.
"You're not. I don't know what the conditions are until I get there. I know your mom wouldn't want you to be placed in danger."
"Can I see vids on it 'ater?"
"Vids like in tour guide? I'll see what we can do. Where do you get these ideas?" John couldn't help but laugh.
"Aunt Chi." Jack seriously said.
Chiana had proven to be full of surprises. All she did was smirk around John like a Cheshire cat. Aeryn watched as the only people she loved interact just like she had so hoped for. Looking down at the console she marveled at the system herself. John had opened her eyes to things around her, but Jack gave her fresh eyes to observe anew.
"Commander, an official awaits your arrival in the great city." Pilot announced.
"Thanks, Pilot." John looked back over at Aeryn. Chiana stood by Jack. "Well does anyone want to go with me?"
Aeryn was about to speak when Chiana blurred out. "Jackie boy and I will stay here while you and Aeryn check it out. If it looks safe enough I'll bring Jack down for a short visit."
John looked over at Aeryn then started walking out of command. "If you want."
Hesitantly, Aeryn followed John. She hugged Jack on the way out, and gave Chiana a baleful look.
Landfall.
John had introduced himself and Aeryn to a tall, slim, bluish-gray alien species known as Escaions. Before entering orbit, Aeryn had gone to Pilot's den to learn about their communications with this planet. John's scientific inquires about the Escaions system was greeted with gratification.
On some level Aeryn couldn't fully understand how John was able to relate with these people. They were soft-spoken passive species that like to see the good quality of the species they dealt with. She remembered a human that had been like that in his first cycle on this side of the wormhole.
Recognition flashed in her mind. Looking at the Escaions from a different point of view. Maybe this was one of the reasons John wanted to meet them. He saw in them what he had once.what his species had.he was looking for that part of him that had been buried for to long.
Aeryn watched John transform before her eyes, from a cold bitter man into a compassionate one. She watched his face change, as new information was relayed to him. His features became grave, somber, as the sad tale of the Escaion's was unfolded. Aeryn noticed a light flicker to life deep in his eyes and recognized it as courage: pure and undiluted. Aeryn watched him draw a deep breath, as if he drew strength from it. He could relate to these people's history in peaceful exploration and gathering scientific knowledge through joint collaboration with others.
What Aeryn saw was not just emerging maturity, but something greater, a kind of agelessness. She understood, in that moment, why people were drawn to him. He had an indefinable quality that the word charisma didn't quite encompass. It was a presence, a way of being that radiated from him.
She watched now, keenly observant, as John became the center, as men older and more seasoned then he looked toward him, deferred to him, gave him a respect that went far beyond the fact he was an alien. Aeryn had the startling thought that somehow, she had managed to miss the essence of John.
The thought astonished her. And intrigued her.
A hovercraft came overhead, and she looked up as it descended toward them. They were escorted to the craft that whisked them away to the site John had inquired about. He had not really acknowledged her presence, but yet he would stop when she was not near him. She paid little attention to what the Escaions were saying. She stayed on guard always watching out for John. Looking at his face know, she was so taken with the absolute integrity she saw there. Who was he really? Had she ever known? Did she want to know? What would it cost her to find out?
What would it cost her not too?
Somewhere, Aeryn realized it had gone beyond choice. She felt compelled to discover who this man, she once thought she loved so deeply and so completely, really was. She didn't just want to go with him; she had to go with him.
As the hovercraft landed in the little glade, John broke from the knot of aliens that surrounded him, and turned back to her. He took her elbow and leaned close.
"What do you think so far?" He looked around the area. "Do you think we might can bring Jack down later?"
Nodding her head, "Maybe. Lets wait a little longer, then we'll see."
She was rewarded with that drop-dead-smile of his. Aeryn couldn't help but return it. John gazed at her before he turned away. The look of suppressed desire still smoldered there, she was sure of it.