Part V: Then There Were Three
The colorful autumnal countryside welcomed the sun after four cold, rainy days. Aeryn walked down the village street carrying Aeryanna on her hip. She was looking through the market for something special for dinner. The villagers moved about haggling over items they needed or wanted to trade.
After she gathered everything she needed, she started to walk back to their hovercraft. It felt wonderful to be alive and carefree. For the moment, she would only think of clear skies and the warmth of the sun. Naiad, one of Chinook's wives joined her. She had taken Aeryanna from Aeryn, and was making a fuss over the baby. They were at the outskirts of the village headed past a thicket when Aeryn heard the sound of a pulse weapon charging. She pushed Naiad with Aeryanna behind a tree.
Aeryn felt a searing pain in her side and gasped as she saw the blood staining her shirt. She ignored the pain as she dove behind another tree taking her weapon out ready to return fire.
A shadow moved across the narrow path. A tree limb exploded just about her head, propelling her backwards, knocking the breath out of her as she hit the leaf-carpeted floor. Aeryn lay still, as blackness swirled about her, as she struggled painfully to regain her breath. The earth seemed to vibrate deafeningly and she felt as if she were being shaken to pieces.
As realization was coming back to her, a gentle hand reached out to her. "Please, let me help you."
"Aeryanna?" Aeryn gasped out breathlessly.
"She is safe." Naiad answered her. She laid the sobbing baby down next to Aeryn.
Aeryn tried to control her thoughts. "We're still in danger!"
"No, Aeryn. The guardsmen are here. The assailant got away."
Through the ringing of her ears, she could hear heavy footsteps moving around them. Still she sat up and took the baby in her arms ignoring all of the pain. Aeryanna wouldn't be comforted and continued to sob. Naiad checked Aeryn over, she asked, "Can you stand?"
She moved her legs experimentally, and bit her lip as she felt a sharp jab of pain in her ankle. Her Peacekeeper training came into play to simply disregard the pain. Handing the baby back Naiad, she stood up hobbling on one foot for a moment. Looking down at her shirt she could see blood on her side, despite that she took Aeryanna back, and let Naiad help them walk back to the village.
John had been with the leaders of the village going over plans for farming. He had left Aeryn and the baby in the village with Naiad to do some shopping. Laughingly she had told him to go and talk of dirt, while she collected what they needed for the special meal she was preparing for tonight.
That had been two arns ago. Bored John could only think of joining his family, when the doors bust inward and a raised voice filled the chamber. "There has been an attack on the ladies."
"What ladies, Eon?" One of the council members asked.
"Aeryn Sun and Naiad Endur." The young man exclaim excitedly.
"What the frell? John shouted.
"Where are they? Chinook bellowed.
Eon jumped back as both men moved forward firing off questions at the same time. "Near the market at the thicket. Someone fired at them and the baby. It has been reported that Aeryn Sun had been injured."
Crichton was out the door with Chinook on his heels. John's face was drained of all color as he ran out of the building. His mind ran in circles deliberating about Aeryn and the baby. The Grimnik and his Hunters came to mind...then bounty hunters.
At the medical faculties, Aeryn felt warm strong arms encircle her from behind. John held her securely-yet with a curious gentleness. She felt his warm breath on her cheek as his lips moved to kiss her. Leaning back, she laid her head on his shoulder glancing into his worried face, his blue eyes narrowed in concern.
"Aeryn, you seem to have gotten yourself into another mishap," he said in a teasing voice, despite his savage look. Aeryn could feel him shaking with fear and suppressed anger. She watched him pale at the sight of her blood. His arms tightened around her waist.
"Yes, trouble seems to have found us again," Aeryn managed to answer pertly enough before Aeryanna demanded her parent's attention.
Aeryn was feeling fretful as the arn passed slowly. She had only sustained a flesh wound, which was rapidly healing, and her ankle was now less painful. She was stiff and sore from bruises and outraged muscles, plus she was worried about Aeryanna. The healers had checked the baby over and declared her to be in good health.
John was just outside the doorway talking to the authorities. She could hear his voice rise in anger. All she wanted to do was take Aeryanna with John and go home. The healer came back saying she could go, but prescribed that she continued to rest. He gave Crichton a small packet of herbs. It would help her to sleep. Several microts later John slipped his arm around Aeryn, who carrying the baby, as they walked toward their hovercraft. Chinook walked with them.
John tried again. "Chinook, you have to talk to the council again. Having the village's guardsmen around is calling attention to us."
"I know, my friend, but the orders come from a higher authority. I couldn't disobey them even if I wanted too. They will be out of sight. You will never know they are there."
"Only if our enemies are watching us," said Aeryn, looking up from the sleeping child. "I am sorry Naiad was caught in middle of this."
Chinook stopped, blocking their progress. "You misunderstand. I am thankful that you saved Naiad. It's the threat placed against your child that has everyone infuriated. To threaten, to harm or take the life of a child means death on MoNod. Even the Hunters know this."
He continued walking with them. "Karo is sending a tracker. We will know what creature threatens you by tomorrow. In the meantime, the guardsmen will stay close to your home. Please, my friends, do this for Aeryanna."
John slept with Winona next to him prepared for whatever... he had said. Aeryanna's bed had been moved adjacent to theirs. Moving about the room silently, Aeryn's Peacekeeper mode was in full action. Chinook's words about Aeryanna came back to her. She would protect her daughter at any cost. She marveled over everything that had happen since Aeryanna was born, who would have imagined...
When Aeryn had agreed with Crichton to have this baby, she was not prepared. Large waist, backaches, swelling feet, sickness, dizziness; the list went on. In her last stage of pregnancy, Aeryn had wanted to go into the village to walk amongst the people. As much as she loved John, she needed to get out of the house. The need to get out was so strong she had threatened to leave him behind when he protested. Knowing when to give in, Crichton got the hovercraft ready. He had started keeping a small bag full of her clothes and things for the baby. He placed it in the hovercraft to be handy whenever they ventured out. Mystified Aeryn had asked him once what it was for.
"On earth when a woman is going to have a baby she keeps a bag packed just incase she has to rush to the hospital to have the kid."
"Hospital?" she frowned.
"Medical facility."
"Oh. So this is were you sent your females to get kids." She teased him.
"Funny, Aeryn. Ha-ha."
Once they made it to the village John had insisted, they visit Chinook and his family. He explained that Chinook's third wife just gave birth to a boy.
"When did you learn this and how is it I didn't know?" Aeryn inquired.
"Naiad stopped by on the way home. You were still asleep. I didn't want to wake you."
As they walked by vender's stalls John stopped, looking at baby things. "What are you doing now? We have a room full of stuff for the baby."
"I thought we would get a gift for Chinook and Dara's child."
"Why?"
"It's just polite where I come from." He had reached over to pick up a soft looking toy. "Hey, this is cute." Motioning to the vender he wanted to pay, Aeryn looked around for something.
Smiling John asked. "What are you doing?"
"Being polite. What do you think of this?"
It was later that night, late into the sleep cycle, before Aeryn was finally able to drift off to sleep. Her lower back was hurting and the baby was constantly moving. As the day had worn on she had been experiencing first pains of labor. She was apprehensive about telling anyone. Aeryn didn't want to give up her baby; she wanted to keep her close for a while longer. Her fears were ridicules, she knew no one would take her child away from her, but still the feeling remained as Peacekeeper residue. So she dreamed... . Voices surrounded her. Blinding lights filtered in from behind her eyelids. Ruff cold hands touched her body. One unemotional cold voice cut sharply into her mind. "Yes, that's right, the baby will make a fine new recruit."
Aeryn tried to scream...noooo. She tried to fight to keep them away. "Sir, it isn't pure Sebacean..."
"Officer Sun, you have disgraced the Sebacean race with this half-breed... Destroy it!" The voice commanded.
Aeryn woke up with a scream... "NO!"
Crichton fell out of bed onto his knees his weapon in hand within microts while scanning the room. The dim moonlight was enough for him to see Aeryn sitting up in the middle of the bed; tears streaking her face. Both of her hands embracing her pregnancy. Putting Wynona down he crawled back on the bed.
"Aeryn honey, you all right? Are you in labor?" He asked.
"John, don't let anyone take our child away from us...please promise..." she grabbed him by the arm. "Promise."
"Of course that is a given. You had a nightmare didn't you?" He slowly eased her into his arms.
"Yes, the Peacekeepers wanted her as a new recruit, but when they discovered she was a half-breed they ordered her death." She shook from the onslaught of emotions.
"They are not going to take her. Aeryanna is our child, and you know we will do whatever it takes to keep her safe." He soothed her. Aeryn grasped as the pain grew more intense.
John managed to get the lights on. "How long have you been in labor?"
Sniffling. "I don't know since this midday.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He started throwing cloths on.
Aeryn looked up at him. "What are you doing?"
"Getting you to the medical facility." He rushed around the room like a madman.
"John, slow down there is time yet." Aeryn leaned back into the pillows.
He stopped what he was doing. John looked at her as if she was crazy. "Aeryn?"
Another sharp pain hit her. They were starting to come in waves- getting closer together.
After the last intense pain, she said. "John, I think it is time to go."
Aeryanna Leslie Sun-Crichton was born at sunrise. She made everyone aware of her presence with the first new breath she took. Everyone was certain she had a healthy pair of lungs. Aeryn had been so nervous at holding this tiny new born. John stood by her bed. He reached out his hand rubbing Aeryanna's head. He had said something about miracles.
Aeryn couldn't take her eyes from her daughter, but asked. "Miracles?"
Laughing softly, he said. "Yeah, I found the love of my life across the universe, miracle number one. Now I have this beautiful new life we created together, miracle number two."
For the moment everything was right in their little world, miracle number three.
The colorful autumnal countryside welcomed the sun after four cold, rainy days. Aeryn walked down the village street carrying Aeryanna on her hip. She was looking through the market for something special for dinner. The villagers moved about haggling over items they needed or wanted to trade.
After she gathered everything she needed, she started to walk back to their hovercraft. It felt wonderful to be alive and carefree. For the moment, she would only think of clear skies and the warmth of the sun. Naiad, one of Chinook's wives joined her. She had taken Aeryanna from Aeryn, and was making a fuss over the baby. They were at the outskirts of the village headed past a thicket when Aeryn heard the sound of a pulse weapon charging. She pushed Naiad with Aeryanna behind a tree.
Aeryn felt a searing pain in her side and gasped as she saw the blood staining her shirt. She ignored the pain as she dove behind another tree taking her weapon out ready to return fire.
A shadow moved across the narrow path. A tree limb exploded just about her head, propelling her backwards, knocking the breath out of her as she hit the leaf-carpeted floor. Aeryn lay still, as blackness swirled about her, as she struggled painfully to regain her breath. The earth seemed to vibrate deafeningly and she felt as if she were being shaken to pieces.
As realization was coming back to her, a gentle hand reached out to her. "Please, let me help you."
"Aeryanna?" Aeryn gasped out breathlessly.
"She is safe." Naiad answered her. She laid the sobbing baby down next to Aeryn.
Aeryn tried to control her thoughts. "We're still in danger!"
"No, Aeryn. The guardsmen are here. The assailant got away."
Through the ringing of her ears, she could hear heavy footsteps moving around them. Still she sat up and took the baby in her arms ignoring all of the pain. Aeryanna wouldn't be comforted and continued to sob. Naiad checked Aeryn over, she asked, "Can you stand?"
She moved her legs experimentally, and bit her lip as she felt a sharp jab of pain in her ankle. Her Peacekeeper training came into play to simply disregard the pain. Handing the baby back Naiad, she stood up hobbling on one foot for a moment. Looking down at her shirt she could see blood on her side, despite that she took Aeryanna back, and let Naiad help them walk back to the village.
John had been with the leaders of the village going over plans for farming. He had left Aeryn and the baby in the village with Naiad to do some shopping. Laughingly she had told him to go and talk of dirt, while she collected what they needed for the special meal she was preparing for tonight.
That had been two arns ago. Bored John could only think of joining his family, when the doors bust inward and a raised voice filled the chamber. "There has been an attack on the ladies."
"What ladies, Eon?" One of the council members asked.
"Aeryn Sun and Naiad Endur." The young man exclaim excitedly.
"What the frell? John shouted.
"Where are they? Chinook bellowed.
Eon jumped back as both men moved forward firing off questions at the same time. "Near the market at the thicket. Someone fired at them and the baby. It has been reported that Aeryn Sun had been injured."
Crichton was out the door with Chinook on his heels. John's face was drained of all color as he ran out of the building. His mind ran in circles deliberating about Aeryn and the baby. The Grimnik and his Hunters came to mind...then bounty hunters.
At the medical faculties, Aeryn felt warm strong arms encircle her from behind. John held her securely-yet with a curious gentleness. She felt his warm breath on her cheek as his lips moved to kiss her. Leaning back, she laid her head on his shoulder glancing into his worried face, his blue eyes narrowed in concern.
"Aeryn, you seem to have gotten yourself into another mishap," he said in a teasing voice, despite his savage look. Aeryn could feel him shaking with fear and suppressed anger. She watched him pale at the sight of her blood. His arms tightened around her waist.
"Yes, trouble seems to have found us again," Aeryn managed to answer pertly enough before Aeryanna demanded her parent's attention.
Aeryn was feeling fretful as the arn passed slowly. She had only sustained a flesh wound, which was rapidly healing, and her ankle was now less painful. She was stiff and sore from bruises and outraged muscles, plus she was worried about Aeryanna. The healers had checked the baby over and declared her to be in good health.
John was just outside the doorway talking to the authorities. She could hear his voice rise in anger. All she wanted to do was take Aeryanna with John and go home. The healer came back saying she could go, but prescribed that she continued to rest. He gave Crichton a small packet of herbs. It would help her to sleep. Several microts later John slipped his arm around Aeryn, who carrying the baby, as they walked toward their hovercraft. Chinook walked with them.
John tried again. "Chinook, you have to talk to the council again. Having the village's guardsmen around is calling attention to us."
"I know, my friend, but the orders come from a higher authority. I couldn't disobey them even if I wanted too. They will be out of sight. You will never know they are there."
"Only if our enemies are watching us," said Aeryn, looking up from the sleeping child. "I am sorry Naiad was caught in middle of this."
Chinook stopped, blocking their progress. "You misunderstand. I am thankful that you saved Naiad. It's the threat placed against your child that has everyone infuriated. To threaten, to harm or take the life of a child means death on MoNod. Even the Hunters know this."
He continued walking with them. "Karo is sending a tracker. We will know what creature threatens you by tomorrow. In the meantime, the guardsmen will stay close to your home. Please, my friends, do this for Aeryanna."
John slept with Winona next to him prepared for whatever... he had said. Aeryanna's bed had been moved adjacent to theirs. Moving about the room silently, Aeryn's Peacekeeper mode was in full action. Chinook's words about Aeryanna came back to her. She would protect her daughter at any cost. She marveled over everything that had happen since Aeryanna was born, who would have imagined...
When Aeryn had agreed with Crichton to have this baby, she was not prepared. Large waist, backaches, swelling feet, sickness, dizziness; the list went on. In her last stage of pregnancy, Aeryn had wanted to go into the village to walk amongst the people. As much as she loved John, she needed to get out of the house. The need to get out was so strong she had threatened to leave him behind when he protested. Knowing when to give in, Crichton got the hovercraft ready. He had started keeping a small bag full of her clothes and things for the baby. He placed it in the hovercraft to be handy whenever they ventured out. Mystified Aeryn had asked him once what it was for.
"On earth when a woman is going to have a baby she keeps a bag packed just incase she has to rush to the hospital to have the kid."
"Hospital?" she frowned.
"Medical facility."
"Oh. So this is were you sent your females to get kids." She teased him.
"Funny, Aeryn. Ha-ha."
Once they made it to the village John had insisted, they visit Chinook and his family. He explained that Chinook's third wife just gave birth to a boy.
"When did you learn this and how is it I didn't know?" Aeryn inquired.
"Naiad stopped by on the way home. You were still asleep. I didn't want to wake you."
As they walked by vender's stalls John stopped, looking at baby things. "What are you doing now? We have a room full of stuff for the baby."
"I thought we would get a gift for Chinook and Dara's child."
"Why?"
"It's just polite where I come from." He had reached over to pick up a soft looking toy. "Hey, this is cute." Motioning to the vender he wanted to pay, Aeryn looked around for something.
Smiling John asked. "What are you doing?"
"Being polite. What do you think of this?"
It was later that night, late into the sleep cycle, before Aeryn was finally able to drift off to sleep. Her lower back was hurting and the baby was constantly moving. As the day had worn on she had been experiencing first pains of labor. She was apprehensive about telling anyone. Aeryn didn't want to give up her baby; she wanted to keep her close for a while longer. Her fears were ridicules, she knew no one would take her child away from her, but still the feeling remained as Peacekeeper residue. So she dreamed... . Voices surrounded her. Blinding lights filtered in from behind her eyelids. Ruff cold hands touched her body. One unemotional cold voice cut sharply into her mind. "Yes, that's right, the baby will make a fine new recruit."
Aeryn tried to scream...noooo. She tried to fight to keep them away. "Sir, it isn't pure Sebacean..."
"Officer Sun, you have disgraced the Sebacean race with this half-breed... Destroy it!" The voice commanded.
Aeryn woke up with a scream... "NO!"
Crichton fell out of bed onto his knees his weapon in hand within microts while scanning the room. The dim moonlight was enough for him to see Aeryn sitting up in the middle of the bed; tears streaking her face. Both of her hands embracing her pregnancy. Putting Wynona down he crawled back on the bed.
"Aeryn honey, you all right? Are you in labor?" He asked.
"John, don't let anyone take our child away from us...please promise..." she grabbed him by the arm. "Promise."
"Of course that is a given. You had a nightmare didn't you?" He slowly eased her into his arms.
"Yes, the Peacekeepers wanted her as a new recruit, but when they discovered she was a half-breed they ordered her death." She shook from the onslaught of emotions.
"They are not going to take her. Aeryanna is our child, and you know we will do whatever it takes to keep her safe." He soothed her. Aeryn grasped as the pain grew more intense.
John managed to get the lights on. "How long have you been in labor?"
Sniffling. "I don't know since this midday.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He started throwing cloths on.
Aeryn looked up at him. "What are you doing?"
"Getting you to the medical facility." He rushed around the room like a madman.
"John, slow down there is time yet." Aeryn leaned back into the pillows.
He stopped what he was doing. John looked at her as if she was crazy. "Aeryn?"
Another sharp pain hit her. They were starting to come in waves- getting closer together.
After the last intense pain, she said. "John, I think it is time to go."
Aeryanna Leslie Sun-Crichton was born at sunrise. She made everyone aware of her presence with the first new breath she took. Everyone was certain she had a healthy pair of lungs. Aeryn had been so nervous at holding this tiny new born. John stood by her bed. He reached out his hand rubbing Aeryanna's head. He had said something about miracles.
Aeryn couldn't take her eyes from her daughter, but asked. "Miracles?"
Laughing softly, he said. "Yeah, I found the love of my life across the universe, miracle number one. Now I have this beautiful new life we created together, miracle number two."
For the moment everything was right in their little world, miracle number three.
