Harrigan's Heroes

by Warlord-Shirt

A trio of unlikely comrades are dispatched to find Crichton. But things don't go quite as planned. WARNING! Some chapters have higher ratings! Check chapter headings! NOW A FINISHED WORK.

20. Chapter 19 : Harrigan's Heroes!

Chapter 19 : Harrigan's Heroes!

Up on Moya, cabin fever was really starting to kick in. "We've been cooped up here, hiding behind this moon, for several days!" Jool complained "Surely it's safe enough to come out by now?"

Sikozu's patience was wearing thin. "In case you have forgotten" she stated, pacing up and down the dining room "there is a war on down there. If that Scarran warship sees Moya on its sensors, it will undoubtedly fire on us – and I have no desire to find out how much punishment Moya can withstand from the dreadnaught's guns before death. We should remain here until called. Aeryn or Dargo will surely comm us when the coast is clear. Even that Harrigan..." she frowns, still not quite sure where she stood about him "would call us in when it's safe to do so. I'd rather not spend any more time around that Scarran he's with than I have to, though". She shuddered at the thought of having to spend any more time in close proximity to a Scarran again.

"Ladies!" interrupted Crichton "Calm down! We can't risk Moya until we're absolutely sure that hostilities have ceased down there". Jool just sat back, arms folded, looking at the table and saying nothing – clearly not happy. "But what we might do is send out a pod to beat the bushes a bit" he added, in an attempt to raise Jool's spirits a bit "Perhaps we may be able to comm Aeryn or Dargo and find out what's going on. What d'you think, Pilot?" The nearest clamshell lit up, but Pilot took a few seconds before replying. "Moya and I would find that solution agreeable, Commander" Pilot eventually decided "She is also anxious to know if Officer Sun, Chiana, and Ka'Dargo are safe. A transport pod will be made ready". And besides, Pilot added in the privacy of his own mind, it will put at least a temporary stop to the incessant arguing of the past two days!

"I've got to check over the Prowler again" said Crichton, scratching his chin "so Sikozu gets this one, I think. Lady Orange, the DRDs should be preflighting a transport pod right now. If you could just take a short flit around, see what's going on, maybe contact Aeryn or the others, that'll be great". Sikozu just looked straight into Crichton's eyes for a microt or two, before saying "Very well. It can't be worse than listening to her moaning the whole time" , nodding at Jool, and walking off to the maintenance bay.

Crichton flopped back in his seat, head in his hands. "Oh, dear" he groaned "Something's gotta give soon. Or when Aeryn, D, and Pip come back there'll be another war going on up here. I hope we can get down for some shore leave soon. All of us need it". "Indeed so!" added Noranti "I know I need to see if any local apothecaries have a number of herbs and other supplies we are in very short supply of. Not to mention the fact that Rygel's spent most of the past day on a food binge – so we've only got one crate of stale food cubes left for provisions until we can resupply".

"Aeryn can deal with him" Crichton decided, not feeling up to dealing with Rygel's gluttony again "In the meantime, let's just wait to see what Sikozu finds out there."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Down in the maintenance bay, Sikozu had just reached the first pod. "Is everything ready, Pilot?" she asked. "Yes, Sikozu" replied Pilot "The pod is free of defects and fully fuelled". She then opened the door and walked up to the pilot's chair, sitting down, and powering up the engines. The hum from the aft end of the pod increased in intensity and pitch as the pod lifted off the deck, turned around, and headed for the portside shuttle entry hatch.

Once outside, Sikozu immediately saw the huge presence of the Cry Havoc still in geostationary orbit and immediately got on the commback to Moya. "That Scarran warship is still there" she reported warily "But sensors aren't showing active heavy weapons now. Anti-aircraft weapons are still functioning, so I'll try and stay clear and contact Aeryn or Dargo". "Got it" responded Crichton "Just be careful. Don't want you smeared across half the system, do we?"

Sikozu snickered a little, and tried to get within comm range of Ithlin spaceport. However, whenever she was about to enter comm range, the Cry Havoc's AAA attempted to lock on to the pod. "Frell!" she growled, getting back on the comm "Crichton, I'll have to risk atmosperic entry. I can't get to comm range out here without the dreanaught locking me up". A short "Go to it, and good luck" from Crichton was her reply.

After getting out of range of the Cry Havoc again, she directed the pod into planetary atmosphere and headed for the spaceport. As soon as she registered the spaceport comm transmissions, she started calling out on their private comms to Aeryn, Dargo, or Chiana. While no response coould be gained from Dargo or Chiana's comm badges, a bleary "Yes? What's up now?" from Aeryn came over the airwaves after that. A few microts later, Aeryn's sleep-dulled senses registered that it was her comm badge that the voice was coming from, and that the voice's owner was familiar to her. Grabbing the badge off the dressing table, she replied "Sikozu? That you? What's happened now?"

"Crichton called it 'cabin fever'" Sikozu replied dryly "Being stuck on Moya behind that moon for two days straight was not doing anyone any good at all. Rygel responded in his usual way by going on a food binge, so we've only got one crate of stale food cubes left. Jool was her usual sullen self. Noranti wants to sample the local plant life and apothecary shops. So nothing that out of the ordinary, really. Is it safe to land yet?"

"It's still rather hectic down here" explained Aeryn "but yes, it's safe to land. The war was thankfully short – it finished late yesterday. I'm glad that's over with. I'll see if Dargo and Chiana are awake yet, and we'll meet you at the spaceport". "No need to rush" cautioned Sikozu "I'll need to go and get Crichton and the others anyway. I'm just glad I got a few extra momens away from the bickering up there". Then she turned the pod around and headed back towards Moya.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Once back in space, she got on the comm back to Crichton. "So?" he replied "Can we safely stretch our legs a bit without getting them shot off?" "Aeryn believes so" Sikozu replied "It's still early morning down in the city. She was barely awake, and she's going to try and wake Chiana and Dargo as well, so we can safely take our time getting to the spaceport. I'll be back on board soon".

"Yeeehah!" hooted Crichton, drumming his hands on the table "Our favourite ex-Peacekeeper gives this planet a clean bill of health! Everyone, pack for a holiday!" Crichton ran off to his quarters to get Wynona and a couple of chakan oil canisters, then stopped off for Rygel. "Hey, Buckwheeeeat!!" Crichton yelled happily "We're all going out for some fresh air, and you get to come too. Get in that chair and down to the maintenance bay, so we're all there when Sikozu gets back to pick us up". Then he knuckled Rygel playfully on the head before running down to the maintenance bay.

"Grrr..." grumbled Rygel "I am a Dominar, Crichton, not a child's toy! Nevertheless, perhaps there may be some opportunity for profit to be had down there – and I'm fed up of eating food cubes! Must make sure the other get proper food more befitting my station in life as well...". He put his prized baubles back in their box, then sat back in his throne-sled and floated off to join the others.

Jool and Crichton arrived first, within ten microts of each other. Another few momens and Noranti turned up, carrying a large bag over her left shoulder. Then Rygel's chair screamed in at top speed, almost clipping Noranti around the head. "Well, where's that orange lunatic now?" he barked once he'd slowed to a stop "Probably got herself in trouble again. Well, I'm not helping her out this time". No sooner had he finished, than a cloud of steam marked the pod's landing a few metras behind them.

Sikozu opened the pod's hatch and leaned out. "Aeryn's going to meet us at the spaceport" she explained "Since she was going to wake Chiana and Dargo first, we should have almost a quarter-arn left to get there by now. We'd better be off". All of them stashed themselves in various chairs on the pod's small bridge, with Crichton taking over flight controls from Sikozu fro the trip down. "Just going out for a while, Pilot" John called over the comm "Don't wait up!" "We won't!" Pilot replied testily "Go on! You'll be late!"

Crichton wheeled the pod around in a tight turn, and fed in full throttle. Once they left Moya, and after a chorus of complaints at the sudden acceleration, he brought their speed down to a more relaxed level. "Not so quick next time , please" asked Jool queasily. "Absoultely!" added Rygel. He had been separated from his chair at some point, and crawled back into it thankfully. "That wasn't good for the Royal body. Especially the Royal stomachs! I'm going to need a LOT to eat before I forget that!"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "Rewards come to those who wait, Spanky!" replied Crichton, but he refrained from speeding up again for the ladies' sake. The pod slipped throught the atmosphere without a hint of beeping from the threat receiver, although the radar warning display went yellow a couple of times.

Aeryn took a quick shower before putting her PK uniform back on, along with her weapons. She slipped out of her room quietly, as she didn't want to alert Harrigan or those Scarrans of his either, then padded softly down the corridor to Dargo's room and knocked softly on the door. The door opened slightly, and Dargo (fully dressed) poked his head out of the gap. "What's happened?" he asked, with his hand on his qualta. Aeryn laughed slightly, saying "No Dargo, the war hasn't started again! Sikozu is bringing the others down in a transport pod. Go and get Chiana and meet me at the motor pool. Whatever you do, DON'T WAKE HARRIGAN! Or those Scarrans of his. We need a little private talk without Harrigan's over-sensitive ears picking up everything we say". "If you say so" Dargo replied. He understood her security measures, though he didn't think they were necessary. Oh well, he thought, I haven't lost a child to Scarran torture either – but these guys seem trustworthy to me.

Dargo walked over to Chiana's room on the other side of the corridor after Aeryn had walked off down the stairs. Chiana stuck her head past the door after she opened it, saying "Hi, Dargo! What's..." before Dargo shushed her. "Quiet!" he whispered, placing one finger over her mouth to emphasise this "Sikozu and the others are coming down off Moya, and Aeryn wants to meet them at the spaceport". "I'm ready!" she replied gaily "I'll just get John and Talannah, and we'll be off!" Dargo shook his head from side to side, cutting her off. "No, Chi" he stated "Aeryn wants to talk to us all without them around. If anything comes up that they need to know, we'll tell them later. Besides, they're tired. Let them sleep off yesterday's exertions". He didn't exactly like it himself, but presumed Aeryn had a reason for the secrecy. Chiana grabbed her pistol, locked her room, and followed Dargo down the stairs.

Down at the motor pool, Aeryn had procured a staff car from the guards. Though the buggy would have been quicker, it was also noisier. Plus, Harrigan and his new 'comrades' – she growled a little at his choice of squadmates – would notice its absence far more quickly. A momen or two later, Dargo and Chiana rushed out of the guard hut door. "Over here!" she yelled, sticking her head out of the window. The pair ran over and got in the back of the staff car.

The gate guard lifted the bar, and Aeryn drove the staff car smoothly out of the palace grounds and off towards the spaceport. Shor looked up from where he was finishing off the last of the repairs to his car in one of the maintenance pits. "Hmm..." he pondered "Wonder where they're going?". When he saw which way they headed once out of the courtyard, he went on "Spaceport? And neither Harrigan or his woman are with them. I'll tell him about this once I've finished this off".

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Then he growled "Yow!" as he got a static shock through his spanner. He turned back to the recalcitrant repulsor mount that he was working on before. "Right..." he growled "You WILL submit, you rotten rajnot of a machine..."

Half an arn later, Harrigan woke up blearily from his place on the couch. "Tal..." he called "Bright is the day, and we don't want the victory parade to be planned without our input, do we? Get up!" The sound of female Scarran grumbling came forth from the main bedroom, and Harrigan walked in slowly to see that Talannah had pulled the covers over her shoulder and turned over into her pillow. "Mmmm..." Harrigan said happily, just taking in the sight of her lying there. Then he shook off those thoughts, and reached over and shook her shoulder. "Come on, dear..." he urged. She turned over and sat up to face him. "John" she asked plaintively "Can't I just get some more sleep for once?" Harrigan shook his head slowly. "No, dear" he said, grinning "We've got to get the refit preparations for the Cry Havoc started, and we should make sure we get our place in the victory parade – at the front, where we belong. Come on – get yourself up and ready, we gotta head off to the king's offices to wring concessions out of Orthal and the other allies for the refit expenses".

Talannah looked up at the man she loved, and couldn't help but smile at the sight of him standing there with his hands on his hips, waiting for her response. She leant forward to kiss him, replying with "Since it's our ship, I'll do that. Just for you, my love". She grabbed her uniform and weapons and headed for their shower cubicle. Harrigan's moral stand was severely tested by teasing thoughts of Talannah in the shower, and it took all his willpower not to rush in and join her. Half an arn later, she finally stepped out with her uniform, swords, and Viper on, ready for whatever the universe might throw at them. Harrigan made a beeline for the cubicle as soon as he emerged, his footsteps sending small shockwaves through the floor in his haste. He wasn't in there so long, wanting to be about the day's business straight away. He muttered softly under his breath as he put his weapons back on. "Viper...check" came his slight growl "G8C and ammo, check... Love, can you help with these scabbards please?" he called to Talannah. She walked over to him and tightened the belt and shoulder straps, taking the opportunity to just run her fingers over his chest carapace, feeling it soften and bend under her fingers. "Hmm...niiice" she said seductively, before breaking away.

"We'd better get Captain Kran and the others" Harrigan decided "The king may not let them into the negotiations, but I'd like them close by". "It lets them know we trust them as well" Talannah replied, as they headed for the door. "They'll need that. They're going out on a limb for us, and it'll help them to feel a part of it if they come along". When the couple emerged from their room, they found Captain Kran and the other Scarrans clustered around the door to Kran's room, talking. "Good morning, sir, ma'am" Kran greeted them "What's the business of the momen now?" "'Commander' will do, if you must address me formally" Harrigan told them "But as long as we're not in public, you can call me Harrigan, or John, if you like. I doubt Talannah would mind if you addressed her by name either". A nod from her direction confirmed this.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "Very well" Kran decided "What are we to do this morning?"

"Most of what's left of the morning, and some of the afternoon as well most likely, will be taken up with wringing refit expenses out of Ithlin's allies" Harrigan said, exasperated "A lot of diplomatic wrangling. But I'll ensure we get what we need, even if I have to bang a few heads together. The king may not be able to get you admitted to the gathering" he continued more cautiously "but I want you close by, anway. Just outside in the atrium, most likely. I'm sure your recon specialist has something in his bag of tricks he can use to keep you abreast of what's happening inside". A grin and a nod came from that individual, as he patted his equipment bag.

"That's settled then" Harrigan said, bringing one hand forward "Fall in, people". Kran and a couple of the others nodded to themselves, satisfied that things were as they should be; then the whole group moved in behind Harrigan and Talannah, instictively in patrol order. They went down the same stairs that Aeryn and the others took earlier, but turned the other way and went back towards the parlour that Harrigan used to make his entrance. When they passed a bunch of palace staff clearing away the rubble, Harrigan pointed out why. "This is where Talannah and I made our entrance to this floor before finding you lot" he explained "But, as you can see, I had a bit of a problem getting out". Kran's deep, gruff laughter startled the servants, who weren't aware of the Scarran's change in loyalties. Before they could run, Koronna said "Don't worry, we won't eat you. You're quite safe". "You had more than just a 'bit of a problem', dear!" Talannah reminded him archly, waving her finger under his nose "You got stuck in the dumbwaiter's lift shaft, and I had to jump on your shoulders to free you. If I hadn't, we'd be a permanent fixture in that wall!"

Harrigan kissed the tip of her finger as it passed by, adding "It made a big entrance statement as well, which is good for the image, if not the wall. We're big-time people, and we do things in a big-time way". Talannah smiled, and reminded Harrigan that they were coming up on the parlour atrium. Harrigan's left hand flicked through the signal for 'dispersed formation' and moved in through the open doors with the Scarrans behind him.

The room was quite large. Despite the hole in the wall from Harrigan's inpromptu target practice the day before, the room still looked fine. A large fountain occupied the centre of the room, blocking the view of the main entrance to the parlour – and also, Kran noticed, blocking those two diplomatic aides over there from seeing them easily. He crouched slightly and tapped Harrigan on the shoulder. The rest of the team followed their Captain's example and crouched down as well, panning their weapons ahead of them. "I see them, Captain" Harrigan whispered "I think one of you can have a little fun here. Koronna?" "Yes?" she asked, coming forward. "Can you knock those guys out quietly?" he asked. She smiled, whispering "Yes, SIR!" in reply. "Off you go, then" Harrigan urged. The big Scarran demo lady moved with surprising stealth, slipping up behind the civilian clerks without being heard. A swift CLUNK! marked skull hitting skull, then she dragged the bodies back to Harrigan.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "Tape!" Harrigan ordered. A roll of electrical tape was brought forward fromm the electronics specialist. Harrigan used up half the roll trussing the two aides up like mummies, and gagging them, in front of the fountain. "There" he said, satisfied with his handiwork "Much better, don't you think?" A chorus of soft laughs and sniggers of agreement came back from the Scarrans.

"Time to go in now, I think" Talannah said "They'll probably be wondering where we are. If we take the initiative by moving in before we're called, the advantage lies with us. It shows we're people to be taken seriously. They may not like the breach of protocol, but that's not important right now – at least not to me". Talannah's left hand flicked through the sign for 'wedge formation' and moved to Harrigan's right side. Kran moved up on Harrigan's other side, with the others taking up their own places as they saw best.

Inside, the Yoltur consul-general was trying to contact his aide over his comm. "That's odd" he said to the others "No response". Orthal's king replied "Could he have simply turned it off? I know that's happened to me once or twice". King Torthal spoke up next. "I had better summon Commander Harrigan for the next phase of negotiations anyway. Why don't you come out with me to check on your people while I do that?" Just as King Torthal and his colleagues were about to leave the table, a loud "Move in!" in Scarran came from the atrium. The doors swung in to reveal Harrigan's new squad moving in close formation into the room. Talannah's hand moved through various signals as she directed the others to various vantage points around the room. "SCARRANS!" yelled the Yoltur diplomat. Once he'd calmed down a little, he went on with "I thought the war was over?" "They're my new people" Harrigan explained "I persuaded them to sign on with me as my squad".

"But King Torthal was telling us that a Scarran special forces unit was moving around the city recently" stated Orthal's king "And here we have a Scarran squad, equipped for battle, in the main diplomatic reception room. On top of this, we have had no response from our aides over the past few microts to our requests for assistance. You haven't killed them, I hope?"

Harrigan stepped smartly up to the Orthal king, placing his face right in front of him. "I'm being nice to you because you're royalty, and an ally of King Torthal here" he growled softly, no more than three denches from his face "So I'll give one warning. Irrespective of their past affiliation, they are my people now. M-I-N-E, mine, get me? Anyone who moves against them will answer to me, Highness. You have no need to worry" he continued in a lighter tone "You're quite safe with them here. Squad, stay put. I'll go and show them where their aides are". The Scarrans nodded their assent to this order. Talannah moved out with Harrigan and the locals, which surprised the Yoltur representative. "Why is she with us, and not with the others?" he asked, waving one hand back to the reception parlour.

Harrigan laughed, easing the tension in the air. "Not only is this lovely lady my first officer, she is also my 'matchless one' (he used the Old Scarran word again) and future wife. After we leave here, I intend to go back to my homeworld for a short while, where we will marry".

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Talannah wrapped her left arm around Harrigan's waist, leaned up against him, and smiled lovingly up at him; he placed his right arm around her and returned the smile with equal intensity.

"So you know a little of the Old Scarran language" the Yoltur diplomat replied, a little more easily. "I make a habit of studying dead languages; I wonder where you learned it?" "The Old Scarran language, and much of the old culture, Highness" Harrigan replied "Is not as dead as you think. But you'll have to find out the whys and wherefores for yourself. We're not telling". The Yoltur representative laughed easily, saying "Well, I suppose we all have our little secrets".

Then King Torthal looked over at the writhing bundle by the fountain and burst out laughing. This only incensed the two aides further, even though they couldn't do any more than wriggle and groan. The recon specialist stepped forward. "Should I cut them loose now, Commander?" he whispered, producing a knife. "Better had" Harrigan replied regretfully "I think His Majesty has a purpose more useful than fountain ornaments for them". It took about ten microts for them to be cut free – the tape had been would around very tightly, several times.

The two aides stood up, spluttering with indignation. The Yoltur clerk just walked over to his superior's side with a surly look on his face. The Orthal aide, however, went into full flow – ranting, raving, and generally carrying on about anything and everything. He obviously wasn't listening to reason, or even common sense – because he strode right up to Captain Kran and started berating him and tapping his chestplate. Eventually it percolated through his pride that this was not the safest thing to do. Kran just stared at him for several microts, then shifted his gaze to the offending digit. "Er... I'll just go and sit over here" the aide decided, and ran over to the wall seat by the outer door.

"Well, now that we're all here" stated King Torthal "Perhaps we can get started on the day's business?" The small group turned to go back inside; though when they entered the reception room again, the King asked the Scarrans to leave. "I'm sorry, but I must ask you to leave the room" he explained politely, but firmly "Talannah may stay, but if the rest of you could wait outside with the aides..."

While the king was speaking, the electronics specialist slippped a small listening device to the recon specialist, who passed it to Talannah, who placed it in Harrigan's left hand. When the doors were shut, Captain Kran bade the others to sit down. "Better make yourselves comfortable" he told the squad "If I know politicians, they'll be at this for arns".

Inside, the king asked everyone to sit. Refreshments were brought for all who requested them, and while the servant was pouring the king some contala tea, Harrigan stuck the listening device on the underside of the table and turned it on. "Testing, testing, one, two..." whispered Harrigan out of the side of his mouth.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- The recon specialist heard Harrigan's slightly tinny-sounding voice come over the small speaker they set up on the fountain edge, and turned to gave the thumbs-up to Captain Kran. Kran nodded, and beckoned the others to gather round.

"Though the war is now over" read the King from the report on his monitor "Severe losses were sustained amongst the militia regiments and my Royal Guards. Though I mourn the loss of my guards, they were doing what the were trained to do, what they swore to do – to protect this realm until death. Though I'd rather they were alive, they instead sacrificed their lives to see that we kept ours. Commander Harrigan here also did a sterling job in command of the city's forces - " "I did have the help of Officer Aeryn Sun for much of that, Your Majesty" Harrigan interrupted, slightly embarrassed "And General Ka'Dargo as well. It wasn't all me".

"Yes, yes" King Torthal continued, waving him off "Extensive damage was also inflicted on the perimeter defences of the city..."

"Oops!" Koronna said outside "We did that!", finishing of with a rather un- Scarran giggle. "Quiet!" urged Captain Kran.

"...but that can all be repaired, I am told, in approximately two solar months if we work around the clock. Replacing the fine men and women killed in action will of course take longer, but if our allies permit it..." , the Yoltur and Orthal representatives nodded, "...we will conduct a recruiting drive amongst their populations to replenish at least some of those losses. I also undertook to provide a suitable reward for you, Commander, in payment for your recent services. You requested a full refit of that dreadnaught you commandeered. Not only will that take two solar months, but all the zero-g qualified workers in our three cities, and a considerable amount of money"

Orthal's king spoke up. "King Torthal" he revealed "There is, in our city, a Plokavian weapons dealer and his crew. Their ship should be on your spaceport's docking list. I expect they could be persuaded to assist. They may have equipment and weaponry that the Commander may need. For a fee, of course". The Yoltur consul spoke up. "Begging your pardon, sirs" he interrupted heatedly "but Plokavians sell all manner of weapons banned by most major authorities and independent governments! If it's worth money, they have it – rules or no rules. Novatron gas, seismic disruptors, yech..." he finshed, brushing some imaginary creature away.

"What's all that about?" whispered Harigan to Talannah while the kings were talking about Plokavians. "Plokavians are good weapon dealers, it's true" she explained carefully "But much of their more...extreme...weaponry has been put on the proscribed lists. Poisonous gassses of the most revolting varieties, planet-cracking beam weapons, mutagenic bioagents, you name it. But they also do a good line of more conventional equipment that we'll need as well. They are among the best at refitting ships of all kinds. They'll be useful to have working with us". "That's good enough for me" Harrigan decided resolutely. "KING TORTHAL!" he yelled over the other voices. They quietened down. "We'll use him." Harrigan proclaimed "If their fee can be covered, and equipment paid for, get him over here so I can talk to him".

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "You're actually going to employ a Plokavian?" the Yoltur representative asked in stunned surprise "If anyone suspects you have Plokavian weaponry on board, they won't let you pass through their space! What will you do then?"

"This will be interesting..." Kran said, outside the doors. "Ten crindars says those kings won't let him do it" declared the remaining private. "Done!" replied Koronna. "Sssh!" hissed Captain Kran.

"Number one" explained Talannah gleefully "If we have Plokavian weaponry on board, who's actually going to be able to stop us easily in any case? Number two, if they don't fire on us, why would we fire on them? Unless we're being paid to, of course – and then we'll smash enough of the fixed defences aside to render the rest worthless, thus increasing the possibility of a peaceful solution to such a crisis. Number three, of course is this. A quote from my John's homeworld.. 'Verily thou art not paid for thy methods, but for thy results; by which means thou shalt killeth the enemy by any means possible before he killeth you' (Author's note : From various Richard Marcinko novels). Basically, gentlemen, the only rule in war is 'Win' – all others are optional".

"That's rather callous, isn't it?" asked the Yoltur representative, as the king of Orthal got on the comm to his Chamberlain to request the despatch of the Plokavian and his entourage "But I suppose it's just natural for a Scarran to think that way". Talannah laid her hand on Harrigan's to forestall any outpouring of wrath, and continued. "In war, diplomat" she said harshly "Scarrans are realists, if unsubtle ones. We use what works. Harrigan's species appear to think the same way, for the most part. If a little more restrained than Scarrans are".

"The Plokavians are on their way" Orthal's king explained, cutting in "ETA, one arn. Perhaps, as it's lunch time, we should call for a small repast in the atrium". "Sounds good to me!" Harrigan exclaimed "I'll just tell my people". Harrigan stood up and straight-armed the doors open as he went out to his squad.

"Get all that?" he asked the electronic specialist. He tapped the recorder he'd attached to the receiving unit. "Right here" he said. "You can relax for a while" Harrigan added "We've got lunch coming. We'll probably be here for the rest of the day sorting out the deal with the Plokavians – so if you guys want to get some rest or see the sights, go right ahead". "We wait here for you, Commander" Koronna replied firmly "Some of our gear needs routine maintenance anyway, recon over there needs his sleep – and truth be told, so do I. May as well get it after lunch".

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "That's the way!" Harrigan laughed "You'll work, and sleep, on a full stomach". He hunted around for an intercom box, but didn't find one. "Right!" he grunted "We'll do this the loud way. Plug your ears, people. Screech warning!" "What is he going on about?" the Yoltur and Orthal representatives asked together. "You'll find out in a few microts if you don't plug your ears!" Koronna said, with a slight grin on her face. Since all the Scarrans had plugged their ears in some way, the others followed suit.

Harrigan stuck his head out past the atrium doors and put as much lung- power as he could spare into his screech. Once the echoes had died away, it didn't take more than a couple of momens for a servant to turn up. "Right, you" Harrigan ordered "I've got two kings, one consul, six Scarrans, and me in here – and we're all very hungry. Get lunch in here for all of us, pronto". Then he went back to the others to explain the situation. "I've just yelled at a servant a bit, and told him to get lunch. That gives us about an arn or so before it gets here". He stretched his arms and yawned a bit. "now I'm going to get a rest. Someone wake me up when it gets here". Harrigan then found a spot in a corner of the room, prodded a couple of cushions from the wall seats into a makeshift pillow, and lay down for some shut-eye.

Talannah just stood there, taking in the sight of him lying there resting, while a loving smile spread slowly across her face. Koronna came up beside her, and tapped her on the shoulder. She was startled a little, but soon relaxed when she saw who it was. "He must be having a civilising influence on you, Sub-Commander" Koronna said softly "You would have ripped someone's arm off in training if they'd tried that kind of thing". Talannah turned around to her ex-pupil when she heard those words. "I don't know about 'civilised', Koronna" she replied slowly "But I've definitely matured since meeting him – become a better woman and a better Scarran. I've only been with him a few solar months – but I don't ever want it any other way".

"He is rather handsome, isn't he?" Koronna replied, scrutinising Harrigan's body as he rested. A slight hiss slipped between Talannah's lips before she brought it under control. Then she told Koronna in no uncertain terms that she'd not tolerate any intrusion between her and her future husband – from anyone. "So he's popped the question, has he?" Koronna said slyly, waggling her eyebrows suggestively. "I'm not the only one who's changed" Talannah replied "You were a rather quiet pupil, from what little I remember". "I still am, for the most part. I do hold myself apart from people – preferring to put my whole attention on the job. But being around 'reek' over there..." she pointed to the recon specialist, who was asleep with head resting on his backpack "...has taught me to keep my eyes open and examine all my surroundings have to offer. When the others in our group saw me taking an interest, they started talking back to me. But I must have hung around with the snipers for too long when off-duty – because I'm fairly withdrawn on the whole, I don't talk much to people I don't know". Then another thought occurred to her. "Do you think we'll meet any more like him?" she asked, pointing at Harrigan. "There's no one else quite like my John" Talannah said "But if you mean a man of the same species, then that may happen quite soon. Though I think we'll have to talk to Crichton first. John thinks we'll need his help for the next leg of our journey".

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "But before the food turns up, I'll join my love for a rest" Talannah decided. She laid herself down by Harrigan, laid her head on his chest, and shut her eyes for a little sleep.

Koronna laughed a little to herself, and went to sit alongside Captain Kran. "An interesting pair, aren't they" Kran prompted. Koronna smiled, a little sadly, before replying with "Talannah was definitely prideful, harsh, and career-obsessed back in the Deadhead training corp. Once she'd been out on a few short field missions after her training stint, she started mellowing and becoming more flexible. It's done her good that he's managed to reach her heart like he has. Both of them seem better for it".

"You'd better get some rest" Kran said "There's still half an arn or so before the food is brought in". Koronna looked around. Even their sole remaining private had found herself somewhere to sleep. "May as well. You staying on watch, Captain?" she asked. Kran nodded. He'd noticed they way her expression had changed when Harrigan and Talannah were being discussed, but decided to wait and let her sort it out herself.

A little over the predicted half-arn later, a number of servants came in with tables and chairs, setting them up in one corner of the room. Then another group, pushing trolleys, came in and laid the table with various kinds of savoury dishes. Kran walked over to the table to see what was on offer. "Koronna will be pleased" he muttered on seeing sweet and sour Morlian arachnid, then he turned to the other end of the table where he saw his favourite dish. "Kruldan Scorcher again." he said hungrily "We ARE lucky. Better wake the others..." and let off a piercing whistle.

Harrigan was the first to wake. "What's up, Captain?" he asked. "Food's turned up, sir" Kran replied, adding "They've brought Kruldan Scorcher again!" Slowly the rest of the team got back up from their various resting places and walked over to the tables. "Come on, Koronna!" urged the electronics specialist "They've got your favourite". Her head snapped round. "Sweet and sour Morlian arachnid?" she asked hopefully. "Get over here before Kran eats it all" the private yelled.

Harrigan gently stroked Talannah on the cheek, just taking the time to enjoy watching her sleepy smile as she slowly awoke. "Hmmm..." Talannah said softly, smiling back at him "Lunch here, is it?" Harrrigan got up, reaching down to help her up as well. "Does look that way, love" Harrigan decided. He sniffed the air, amelling something familiar. "Kruldan Scorcher again! YES!!" he exclaimed "Better make sure the good Captain doesn't eat it all. Come on!" Talannah followed at a more sedate pace, joining Koronna as she was heaping Morlian arachnid onto her plate.

"Mind saving some for me?" she interrupted as Koronna was reaching for more. "Of course, Sub-Commander" she replied, moving off with her nonetheless large helping. Harrigan had already grabbed some Kruldan Scorcher and had secured seats for them both by the wall.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "Do you think the negotiations will go well?" Talannah asked between mouthfuls. Harrigan paused to think, a forkful of Kruldan Scorcher half way to his mouth, before responding with "Better than I'd hoped. The other diplo-guys don't like the fact that Kran's guys are still alive, or that you're with me – but they also feel very under the gun over not sending military forces. There'll be a lot of humming and hawing, arguing over minutiae, but we'll get what we need for the Cry Havoc. What I'm not looking forward to is talking to Crichton about getting back to Earth for a while. If anyone knows how to get back, he does. But it'll be difficult getting that out of him".

The King and his colleagues came out to join them. Being around a bunch of hungry Scarrans at mealtime was definitely not the Orthal king's idea of a good time – especially when the recon specialist waved a haunch of pronger sinew at him and grinned. To be truthful, the Yoltur consul didn't like it either – but figured that his city had lost enough face already by not sending forces to their ally, without him adding insult to injury by showing distrust of those who did their job for them. "Roast pronger sinew, yes?" he asked "I shall be sure to have some. If you haven't eaten it all already".

King Torthal came a little too close to Harrigan as he finished his Kruldan Scorcher. A punishing wave of spice-laden breath wafted over him, almost causing him to gag. Nose, ears, and eyes streaming, he sat down beside Harrigan. "What the hezmana are you eating?" he asked "I'm sure the vapours are stripping the paint off the walls in here". "That just shows the chef made it right" Harrigan explained, reaching for a jug of water and chugging the whole lot in one go. After putting it back on the table, he continued with "Kruldan Scorcher is a Scarran recipe – and it's just like its creators, extremely powerful and unsubtle".

"Are things going as you expect?" the king asked. Harrigan laughed, adding "Talannah asked exactly the same thing, Your Majesty! They don't like my guys at all. But the king of Orthal will come round eventually – he's got to square it inside himself first. I expect he's feeling bad about not sending forces to help you. Give him an arn or two, and his coffers will open. The Yoltur consul I don't know about – I'm pretty sure we'll get something out of him, but I think he got given some fairly tight orders before he came here – so it may not be much".

"We had better get back to the negotiations then, Harrigan" decided the king, gesturing to the reception room. "I'm sure your friends can finish all that off on their own". Harrigan gave Talannah a tight hug, urging her to follow him back in. She left her right arm around his waist, dropping her left arm to her side, and the pair of them walked back into the reception together.

After the doors closed behind them, the politicos all sat down together. Several more had turned up while they were eating – they appeared to be part of the Yoltur delegation. Just before the king called the meeting to order, a ferocious knocking came from a side door.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Over at the spaceport, the crew of Moya were having a few negotiations, and some outright yelling, of their own. "I don't know about you" Aeryn explained "But despite the previous few days, I find it extremely difficult to trust these Scarrans. We've been on the wrong end of Scarran wrath too many times for me to feel at ease around them. That Talannah's just bearable – but the new one? That giant, Kran? He looks like he's just aching for an excuse to hit something. All of them look at us like we're intruders"

Dargo laughed at that. "What's so funny?!" Aeryn barked. "They're just being military, Aeryn. They're a tight-knit squad – of course they treat us like outsiders. We are! They accept Harrigan because Talannah's with him, and because he's probably in the same line of work as they are". Dargo became more subdued, and went on "They don't know who we are, or what we do. Harrigan's probably told them about Crichton, so that's why they seem a bit more friendly to you, John".

"Scarrans who seem to like me" said Crichton "Well, that IS a surprise. Didn't think that would ever happen". "They may not" Sikozu interjected from her vantage point on the ceiling of the pod "Harrigan does know you, Crichton – and that is probably what's keeping them in line. They consider us allies of a friend, nothing more. We should be wary". "Why all this brou-ha-ha?" asked Rygel "They are willingly giving us money! Quite a lot of money, too. We won't go short for a while yet. I couldn't care less if they're Scarrans – they're obviously rich Scarrans, and they're sharing the wealth with us. We should stay until they stop giving us more money – then we get the yotz out of here!"

"I think we should leave as soon as it is polite to do so" said Jool uneasily "Just saying 'Scarran' freaks me out. Actually having any close by – uurrrgh! I'm glad that I haven't seen that really big one – Kran, you said? – and the two women don't sound that nice either. It's as much as I can take being around Talannah". Then she thought of something else "I don't think they should be staying on Moya, either. Harrigan's a take- charge military type, and those Scarrans are the same kind of people as him. They like strong authority. If they hang around, they'll start giving orders and expect them to be obeyed – generally treating Moya like any other military ship. We don't work like that. We've become like family – a rather dysfunctional one at times, but family nonetheless. Let's not jeopardise that".

"OK, guys" Crichton said, scratching his head. "What about you, Chi?" "I don't much mind either way, old man" she replied "They've helped us out, well Harrigan has, when they didn't have to. I say hang around for a while, enjoy the sights, see the victory parade – have a bit of a holiday. Just relax".

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "Right, here's what I think" Crichton decided after a few momens thinking. Aeryn and the others turned towards him, ready. "We'll stay for the victory parade. I don't think either Scorpy, Commandant Cleavage, or the Scarrans – OK, the Scarran government – knows we're here for the time being. I think Harrigan wants to talk to me soon anyway – he seems to have something brewing he wants to talk about. I'll see what he wants and get back to you on that – we'll talk about what help to give together. Then we resupply and move on".

"You've actually come up with a sensible plan for once, Crichton" Aeryn said "I can't say I like it, but I'll go along with it". Dargo nodded, adding "It's good for me". "Me too" said Chiana "Dargo wants to stay in case he gets to be in the victory parade with Harrigan". "So what?" Dargo glowered "I played my part, I should get the recognition that deserves". "Not me" decided Aeryn emphatically "Now that the war's over, I'm perfectly content to fade into the background. Too many people know what we did here already – sooner or later the Scarran government, Peacekeepers – especially Scorpius or Grayza, and any number of bounty hunters will catch on to our presence here. The less there is for them to sniff out, the safer we become".

"I will go along with this plan, Crichton" Sikozu stated "You seem to be looking objectively at the situation for once. Since they have helped us financially, we do owe them something. When we find out how we can discharge our obligation, we should do so as soon as is practical and be away". "Always good to have you on side, Sputnik" Crichton laughed. Then he looked around for Noranti. She wasn't there. "Where's granny?" he asked. "Wrinkles?" said Chiana "She went herb-searching. A whole bunch of disgusting but medically useful plants were supposed to be sold around here. I think she's looking for something to liven up her stews as well". "Good" Crichton said "We have an agreement, then".

Back at the palace, the king opened the side door to see who was there. "Is Commander Harrigan there, Highness?" came a voice Harrigan recognised as Shor. "Yes, young man." The king replied "Make it quick". "Yes, Highness" Shor replied, before running over to Harrigan and Talannah. "Sir?" he gasped, catching his breath. "Yes?" Harrigan whispered, tapping Talannah on the arm to get her attention. Once he had the attention of both of them, he explained why he was here. "Aeryn and the others headed out in the direction of the spaceport this morning, while you were still asleep" Shor revealed "I was still busy fixing the car, or I would have contacted you earlier. That Nebari wouldn't stop talking – they seem to be meeting up with someone. I'm surprised they didn't take you two as well".

"They aren't part of our unit, Shor. They're just friends" Harrigan told him. "While I would have appreciated being told, they're under no obligation to do so. They probably wanted to sort a few things out amongst themselves. If it's about us, we'll find out soon enough anyway. Why don't you stop out at the buffet? I don't think the scarrans have eaten everything yet...". "Sounds good. I haven't even had breakfast" he said eagerly. "Try the Kruldan scorcher, if you're brave" Harrigan prompted.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "Hello, Shor" Captain Kran said as he approached the table. The other gathered round to observe this newcomer. "Er...hello" he said. Shor was a little frightened. Everything he had been told about Scarrans in school and then by his parents said that Scarrans were violent and untrustworthy. This didn't jibe with what he saw here – they seemed curious, but not hostile. "How do you know who I am?" he asked. "The Commander told us that you helped him earlier and described you" Kran told him. Shor nodded, before the electronics specialist asked "Are you joining our unit?". "Harrigan hasn't asked yet" Shor said, thinking about it "But he did say to stay close, so perhaps he may do. I'd like that. The militia officers have taught me how to shoot, and how to strip down and clean pulse guns, and...".

The private placed her hand on his shoulder, startling him. "You can explain after lunch" she said, smiling at him. Shor smiled back, slightly embarrassed, before following her over to the table "The others haven't eaten it all by any means. I'm Ryalla, and you are...?" "Shor." he said, loading up his plate "All I did was give Harrigan and Talannah a lift back to town". "He must have liked what he saw, or he wouldn't ask you to stay" Ryalla said encouragingly. "Harrigan said something about Kruldan Scorcher. What's that?" Shor asked. Ryalla laughed out loud, startling him. She's got a nice laugh, Shor thought to himself, and seems quite agreeable. "It's a very spicy meat stew" she explained "Very few people eat it. Only Captain Kran and Commander Harrigan indulge amongst us". "I'll try a little bit..." Shor decided, taking a serving spoon. Ryalla squeezed his shoulder in encouragement, which almost caused Shor to drop the spoon and splash gravy on the pair of them. Kran looked over to watch his reaction.

Shor swallowed a couple of spoonfuls. "Hmmm..." he mused "Hot, but not too..." Then the full force of the recipe hit him all at once. "GREAT STEAMING STRYKERS!!" he screamed, then took a running jump and landed face-first in the fountain, gulping down the water as fast as he could in an attempt to soothe his burning tongue, throat, and stomach. After a half a momen, the pain had subsided enough to talk.

The new members of the Yoltur delegation were really annoying. All they wanted to do was stonewall and obstruct, Harrigan thought, they don't feel obligated to chip in at all. Just then they heard Shor's scream as the Kruldan Scorcher did its work. Harrigan sniggered, saying "Oh, yeah! Shor's got a proper screech down pat already. He'll be right at home with us". "That's just cruel, love" Talannah chided him "Getting that young man to eat Kruldan scorcher without warning him about it first". "One of the team would have told him" Harrigan reassured her, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

"Perhaps we should get down to business?" urged one of the Yoltur delegation. "I've been trying to do that for the past ten momens" Harrigan growled, getting up and walking around to them "One would think that you had a hidden agenda that you are not sharing with your allies. That is not the mark of a good neighbour. It's the mark of a spy. Spies get shot, or decapitated – with their heads placed on spikes on the city walls. Wanna choose?"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Harrigan just stood there, staring at them, from a vantage point no more than four denches from their faces. "Military strong-arm tactics don't faze me" one Yoltur diplomat sneered "My time in the army has inured me to that". Harrrigan smiled nastily. "Oh, frell" Talannah whispered "The dren's about to hit the windmill now". "Never challenge a crazy man or a Scarran" Harrigan declared "because neither will back away. Since I probably have a bit of both in me, you haven't got a chance. An example must be made of you". He then grabbed the struggling diplomat by the belt, heaved him up off the floor, and threw him through the doors and into the fountain.

"Right, that's one problem solved" he said, rubbing his hands together. Then he stomped over to the other assistant, who raised his hands in front of his face. "That is the king's son, Harrigan!" the Yoltur consul-general barked "You may be able to get away with bashing a low-rank diplomat, but not royalty". "You're the Yoltur king's son, are you?" Harrigan asked him. The man nodded. "Very well. Then listen, and listen good. Your city and this one are allies. This city has helped you out before. Now it's your turn to reciprocate. If you're father's being a bit tight on the purse- strings, you can remind him that his domain would have fallen in short order after this one – and there would be no allies alive to help him then. Since you either didn't or couldn't send military aid, you can help provide compensation for those who did. Not just my guys, but rebuilding expenses for the city walls and medical assistance for the wounded, to name but two things. Or if you'd prefer, I can get my guys back on board a ship and fly over to explain it to him myself".

The royal son of Yoltur shuddered at the thought of Harrigan and his Scarrans stomping through the royal chambers, yelling at his father the king. Our troops are good by this world's standards, but we aren't up to the standards of this strange offworlder OR the Scarrans – we'd not be able to stop him doing whatever he wants to do. "I'll comm him and see what I can do" he said "But I can't guarantee anything". Harrigan gestured to the holotable, saying "Go to it, then"

Outside, the doors banged open and the scream of the ballistic diplomat got closer as he flew through the air and splashed down in the fountain. He got out of the fountain dripping water, and looked straight into the faces of five Scarrans and one Sebacean who was trying not to laugh. He stalked off to the other side of the room to dry out, completely ignoring the others present.

Shor, who had dried out a bit by now, looked over at Ryalla and laughed. "That went some way to offsetting the embarrassment of the Scorcher incident" he said "Harrigan's obviously getting down to business in his own unique way". "You said you know how to field-strip guns?" Ryalla asked. "Yes, why?" Shor asked quizzically. "Mine need a checkover. Are you up to it?" she teased him, waving a finger under his nose. Shor grabbed the waving digit, kissed it, and walked over with her to where her gear was. Ryalla looked pleased with herself as they did that, while Shor was wondering what the frell possessed him to flirt with a Scarran woman like that. Well, I don't suppose she minded much, he thought while looking over at her, or I'd be messily dead by now.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "Ryalla's made a new friend, I see" Koronna remarked sourly. "I see them" remarked Captain Kran "I don't think Ryalla's taken complete leave of her senses. She's got him doing the field maintenance on her rifle by the looks of things. At least she's come up with a way of testing him that he seems to like. He seems to like her – perhaps he's trying harder to impress her". "Let's go see" Koronna urged, slipping around the fountain with Kran close behind.

They saw Shor in front of several components laid out on a cloth. He prodded a couple of connections to the main coils, which appeared a bit fragile. "Ryalla, is there a spare coil over there? This one's fried" Shor muttered, throwing the dead component over to her. "Catch!" she replied, throwing the replacement over gently. Shor connected the new one in, then reassembled the rifle slowly and carefully. The size of the plasma rifle threw him off a bit, but he soon became accustomed to it. He finished off the check by running a tech scanner over it. "Clear and green, Ryalla" he reported. "Test it, then" she ordered.

Shor looked around for a suitable target, before seeing the drink glass of the Yoltur diplomat on the other side of the room. He drew the rifle close in to his shoulder, flipped the power to the lowest setting, placed the crosshairs where the glass will be when he swallows, then... Just as the wet diplomat takes a drink of water, the whine of the plasma gun was followed almost immediately by the noise of his glass shattering all over the floor. "Sweet" he proclaimed, handing the rifle back to Ryalla. "Not bad" she said, surveying Shor's handiwork "You'll need more training, but you're showing some promise already"

Ryalla sensed Shor looking at her. "Like what you see?" she teased. Shor turned bright red and looked down at the floor. "S-s-s-sorry ab-ab-bout tha-t-t" he stuttered "Haven't seen a Scarran woman at close quarters before". He reached up to the knot on her head where the little hair she had was tied up out of the way, and flicked it once or twice. "Didn't think they had hair either. Talannah doesn't".

"Koronna doesn't either" Ryalla pointed out. Shor slipped a little closer as Ryalla continued her explanation with "Most Scarrans don't – either they depiliate or they just don't have the right genes. I like it though". "It suits you" Shor said, lying down on the floor by her sleeping bag. He rested his head on the bag, saying "I'm too tired from fixing my car. Do you mind?" "I'll join you" she said, laying down beside him and putting an arm over his waist.

"That bears watching" growled Captain Kran to Koronna. "I won't have her messed about by some fly-by-night Sebacean. Keep an eye on them. Not too close – but close enough to discern his intentions". Koronna nodded and went back to checking her demo gear.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Inside the reception room, the negotiations continued. After the airborne aide adventure, things started going more the way Harrigan wanted – even if the King's allies looked over at Harrigan warily every time they made a proposal, in case he looked like throwing any of them out as well.

One arn in, another knock came on the side door. Harrigan opened the door slowly, saying "Yes?" to those standing outside. "We were told that someone here requested our services" the taller one stated "May we come in?" "If you happen to be Plokavian shipfitters, yes" said Harrigan, turning back to the king. He nodded, just as the Plokavian said "Yes, we are". "Got a job for you, I have" Harrigan explained after they had both got themselves refreshments "A big one too. Very big. I want a complete refit of my ship. You'll have the Ithlin spacedock at your disposal, and every zero-g qualified worker in Ithlin, Orthal, and Yoltur to call upon. How about it?"

"It sounds a very interesting endeavour" the shorter Plokavian said "But why do you need us? You undoubtedly have engineers of your own". "Not ones who have the level of skill my Talannah here says that Plokavians have" Harrigan replied, pointing at Talannah "Plus I want some stuff that only Plokavians can get for me. If you want to be the Plokavians in question..." Harrigan left the question hanging in the air. "So what are we working with?" asked the tall Plokavian. Talannah got on the comm to space tracking, telling them to get a visual of the Cry Havoc on the holotable.

"There it is" Harrigan proclaimed proudly "The ESV Cry Havoc. Approximately 35 kilometras long. Only came equipped with a small portion of its weaponry, too large a crew capacity for my needs, and weak engines. I want you to fix that". "That is a Fortress-class superdreadnaught" the shorter Plokavian said with awe "Only one has been built. How did you get hold of it?" "What I want to know" probed Talannah suspiciously "Is how you knew what kind of ship it was, and how many there are". "Me too" added Harrigan, moving behind them to cut off their escape.

The shorter one cracked first. "We were sent here on a contingency basis by the Scarran navy. If the invasion succeeded, we would use the captured spaceport and its workers to finish the loadout. Thankfuly, the Scarran Hierarchy seems to have written off the deposit they paid us". "So you know the ship" Harrigan said, prodding him in the chest. "We do" the taller one explained, slipping a chip into the holotable. The original projected loadout appeared on the model, new equipment winking into place on various parts of the display. "That is the original loadout requested by the Hierarchy. An invasion troop-carrier. Will this be the same as you request?"

"Nope" Harrigan replied "Got something much different in mind. Talannah, feel free to jump in and explain things if you need to...". Then Harrigan launched into a full accounting of what was required. The Plokavians consulted amongst themselves, looking over at the blueprints occasionally, before replying "It can be done. But almost 90% of crew capacity must be removed, along with associated support machinery". "Make that 95%" Harrigan ordered "Gives you a bit more room to play with, enough crew capacity for our needs; plus space to house guests and haul cargo. We shouldn't need more than 2500 crew capacity. Just make those quarters single staterooms – all of them." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "Put them in two blocks – up front near the bridge, and further back near the first fighter bay".

"Then we have a deal, I believe" the taller one said, holding out his hand "We have the equipment and weaponry you require on hand. Even the seismic disruptors. Our fee will, however, be large : 600 million crindars base. We will give a 20% discount for the use of your workers and spacedock. Total fee : 480 million crindars".

The Yoltur consul almost blew his top. "480 million?" he raged "Great Goddess, that's huge! Even accounting for the fact that our three cities will share the burden, we'll end up draining our resources to dangerous levels!" "Yes, we will have to make sacrifices" the Orthal king explained "But better sacrifices of money now, than sacrifices of lives and freedom under the Scarran jackboot. Begging your pardon, ma'am" he finished, bowing slightly in Talannah's direction. "No offence taken" she said "I'm not part of the Hierarchy any longer". Then she pondered the deadlock that they found themselves in. "Perhaps if you reduced your fee to 350 million crindars" she asked the Plokavians "they could be persuaded to accept it". "390" stated the taller Plokavian. The king shook his head, pointing down. "375 million" Harrigan decided "Since you did get to benefit from the Hierarchy's largesse as well. So? Do we have a deal?"

The two Plokavians started jabbering to each other, pointing at the holotable occasionally. After a few momens, they turned back to Harrigan. "For 375 million crindars, it will be done" the shorter one said wearily "We'll need every last worker you can get us in addition to our own, and it'll still take three solar months, but it can be done. Barely". The taller one held out his hand again. Orthal's king placed his on top. Yoltur's consul hummed and hawed, but after Harrigan let a crackle run over his arms he placed his hand on top of the others. Then King Torthal, and finally Harrigan. "What about the Scarran female?" asked the short Plokavian. "Harrigan commands" Talannah explained "If it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me". "Thanks, dear" Harrigan said lovingly over at her. Talannah smiled back and stood watching them. "Well?" she prompted.

Harrigan pushed the pile of hands down slightly, then lifted his up. "Done!" he said "Get to it! King Torthal, if you could please get all the zero-g workers ready to go ASAP?" "That will be best done tomorrow morning" King Torthal replied "The people will then be as well rested as they're likely to get. Work can start tomorrow. But the yard managers will need to hear from you now, to get the dock ready for your needs". He then summoned a military aide to escort the Plokavians to the spaceport. "Despite the enormous layout I've just committed to" he said dryly "You can keep your rooms in the palace until your ship is refitted. Your Scarrans likewise, although some of the servants may not like that. Will your other friends be staying as well?"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "For a little while longer, I think" Harrigan explained carefully "The close company of Scarrans is straining them more than I realised. Their previous experience with Scarrans has been tragic on a personal level. I'll need to get a little help from them, but they will probably want to be away from here afterwards. Our driver reports they left for the spaceport this morning. They should be back by now. I'll talk to them".

Once the Plokavians' footsteps had died away, the king continued on a happier note. "There will be a victory parade tomorrow" he explained "For the people to welcome their troops after the war. I'd like you, your lady here, Officer Sun, and the Luxan to be at the head of the procession – in the place of honour". Talannah ran over and flung her arms around him and hugged him tight. Harrigan returned the hug with equal fervour, murmuring sweet nothings in Scarran in her ear all the while.

When the separated, Harrigan said "Myself and Talannah would be very pleased to be there. General Ka'Dargo as well. But Officer Sun no longer earns her living that way any more – she prefers to put that part of her life behind her and remain anonymous". "As you prefer" King Torthal replied "I suggest you apprise your Scarran comrades of the situation, and Ka'Dargo as well. I'm going to get some sleep".

As the king went out of the side entrance, Harrigan and Talannah went back into the atrium. The recon specialist was awake, ordering more drinks for the squad, when he saw them coming. "Double that" he ordered, shooing the servant out and waking Captain Kran. "How are the negotiations going?" Kran asked. "They're done" Harrigan told him "We eventually got what we wanted. I'm sure you noticed the ballistic clerk earlier..." Kran laughed at that "...which proved to be just the catalyst required to jump-start the negotiations. We've all got three months as guests in the palace until it's done".

"Very good, sir" Kran said. When the rest of the unit roused themselves, Talannah told them of the results. "A servant just got a message from the local police HQ" Shor revealed "Dad's going totally off his block wondering if I got myself killed in the war. He's got the police out looking for me – but they can't get in the palace. I'd better contact him..." The electronics specialist rose up in front of him, raisng a hand to stop him. "No need for a public phone" he told Shor, tapping his bag "I can hook you in from here". He was as good as his word – the Scarran swiftly assembled a communit from various components in his bag, switched it on, and pulled Shor over. "Go on..." he prompted. Ryalla stood beside him as he punched the number in, and soon a picture came on the small screen.

After a quarter-arn, Shor finally managed to talk his father down. "I'll come round to the palace and pick you up" said the slightly tinny voice, before the call was cut. "Shor?" asked Ryalla. "Dad wants to come and take me home" Shor explained "Despite the fact I'm legally responsible for my own actions, he wants to take me back – whether I want to go or not. He doesn't like the military at all". Harrigan stepped up to Shor and laid a hand on his shoulder. "We'll sort that out right now"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "ATTENTION TO ORDERS!" boomed Harrigan. Everyone in the room, including Shor, stood to attention. "On this day, at 2030 hours local time, we welcome pilot-trainee Shor to the ranks of the 1st Deep Space Irregulars. Our first recruit! What say you?" A loud cheer came from the Scarrans, and Shor got the surprise of his life when Ryalla gave him a long, passionate kiss on the mouth. This was greeted by a louder cheer and a laugh. She then whispered a few words to him, after which he nodded.

A slightly chubby male Sebacean stormed up to the door, with a young woman in tow. The Scarrans, and Harrigan, had secreted themselves out of sight – so all the man saw was Shor. "Son?!" he shouted "Where the frell have you been?" Before Shor could explain, his father launched into a tirade at the military for 'stealing' his boy to fight their battles. "And you've driven me mad as well!" the young lady yelled at Shor, stepping up to him "Going away with that wild man Harrigan and his soldier mates!". She then proceeded to give him a stinging slap on the face. Before she sould land a second blow, Shor barked out one of the words Ryalla had spoken to him earlier.

The landscape virtually sprouted Scarrans of all shapes and sizes, the squad moving up behind their newest comrade. Ryalla had grabbed the girl's wrist in an iron grip, and explained a few of the fact of life in regard to Shor's new status and how easy it would be to crush every bone in her hand to powder. "What was that you shouted to bring this lot down on us?" Shor's father asked. "It was Scarran" Shor said "It just means 'Contact!' Ryalla there told it to me". He pointed out which one was Ryalla.

"So which of you is responsible for luring my son away from his family?" Shor's father demanded. Harrigan stepped forward, saying "No-one 'lured' him anywhere. He helped myself and Talannah when help was needed. He told us of his prefernce for a military life, and the experience he had already accumulated toward that end. His exceptional driving led me to recruit him into my unit. He still needs a little toughening up, but he's showing promise as a pilot already. He'll be very useful".

Ryalla nodded,and smiled a little as well. "So" the Sebacean girl said angrily "If signing Shor up into your band of marauders wasn't enough, you've enticed him away with a Scarran tra-". Harrigan slapped his hand over her mouth, whispering "Don't go there. The rest of them are very short-tempered when it comes to people insulting their squadmates. Koronna especially won't like you slagging off a younger Scarran woman in front of her". "Who's she?" the girl asked belligerently.

When Koronna stepped forward, Shor's father almost lost his lunch. "My chief bodyguard's smaller than her!" he exclaimed in shock . "My speciality is demolition" Koronna said, answering his unspoken question "I blow stuff up. I like blowing stuff up. If Ryalla and Shor were recreating in your car, I could blast the back off it without them noticing".

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "Have you, son?" asked Shor's father. "No!" Shor laughed back "Even if Ryalla was agreeable, I've got a bunch of new things to learn. I'll barely have time to breathe, let alone..." and left the last part hanging in the air.

"He's with us now" Harrigan said, finishing the argument "His unit will look after him, train him, see that he has what he needs. Life in our unit will be hard for him, but rewarding. If you would be off, sir" he continued "We should be off to meet our allies, and you're in the way. Pack up!" Harrigan yelled "Move out!" The Scarrans pulled all their gear apart and put it in their backpacks; Ryalla made Shor do all of hers, 'just to get him used to it' as she said.

"She's a hard taskmaster, Dad" Shor said in passing "But such a beautiful one, don't you think?" and grinned. "Move it, trainee!" Ryalla barked, slapping him on the shoulder. Shor waved goodbye and ran to catch up with Captain Kran. A persistent cry of "Move it! Move it! Move, move, move!" came from Ryalla's direction as she urged Shor onwards. "Don't worry" Harrigan reassured him "We'll train him up right. He'll be fine, and a credit to his family. Gotta go!" He than ran off as fast as he could to catch up with the rest of his unit.

When they got back down to the front courtyard, Aeryn's staff car was just pulling up with Crichton and the others jammed in the back. As they all piled out, Harrigan collared Crichton and explained the situation. "Everything went well this end. The victory parade's on for tomorrow, the king wanted to borrow Aeryn and Dargo for that, as well as Talannah and I". "No" said Aeryn flatly "I did that as a favour for you, and now I wish I hadn't. It reminds me of Peacekeeper service, and all that went with it. That part of my life's behind me now - permanently". Harrigan shrugged, adding "That's pretty much what I figured, so I told the king that as well. He didn't much like it, but he'll get over it. What about you, Dargo?"

"Absolutely! Count me in!" Dargo exclaimed happily "I understand Aeryn's reticence, but don't share it. If the locals want to shower me with gifts, applause, and commendations that's fine by me!" "Thought you'd say that!" Harrigan laughed, slapping him on the back "Be out in front of the palace at 11am tomorrow morning. Crichton..."

After the others had gone back up to their rooms, Harrigan took Crichton aside. "I need to ask you one last favour" he asked "We want to go back to Earth for a short while after the ship's refitted. Since we don't know the way back, perhaps you can help out" "You do realise, don't you, that wormhole travel is highly dangerous?" Crichton told him "Not to mention that a bunch of weird-ass craetures have taken it on themselves to act as wormhole police, so any trip by you may draw their attention. Most of all, this capability must not fall into the hands of any of the major powers".

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "Can you put any necessary gubbins in a box that we can stick on the hull?" Harrigan asked "Koronna can rig up a demo charge in with it, so when we get back we'll just jettison the box, hit the charge, and no incriminating evidence for anyone to find. How about that?"

"I'll discuss it with Aeryn and the others" Crichton said "They'll scream blue murder about it, but should come round eventually. The only real problem is, since the last wormhole to Earth was destroyed, I'll have to create another – which I haven't done before. I know the theory – but no practical experience. What ship are you taking, anyway? That little black one?"

"No way" Harrigan responded "Now I've got the Cry Havoc, I'll use that. We'll take that, and ride in style". "Whoah!" said Crichton in shock "Will that thing manoevre well enough in the wormhole? And what about the effect such a large ship will have on Earth when it arrives?" Harrigan mulled that over for a momen or two before answering. "It should" he replied carefully "It's getting bigger engines, so we'll have more speed and manoeuvrability to go along with the bigger guns. Just as long as you can make a nice, big, wormhole for us to ride in. Now we'd better get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a big day".

Harrigan jogged off to his room, with Crichton following more sedately behind him. "Oooooh, boy" Crichton muttered as he walked up to his and Aeryn's room "Harrigan doesn't ask small favours, does he? Oh no, not him..." "What favour?" asked Aeryn, picking up Crichton's faint griping. "Into the lions den I go..." he muttered under his breath, before picking up the volume again . "Harrigan wants to go back to Earth for a while" Crichton explained "That means wormhole. He wants my help". "WHAT?!" Aeryn yelled "No, a thousand times no! What happens if that 'Einstein' finds out, and asks you to explain yourself? Or any of our vast list of enemies catch up with him? I don't trust those Scarrans not to run to the Hierarchy with anything you give them, to collect a fat reward and commendation".

"Aeryn, dear!" Crichton pleaded softly "1) I actually trust Harrigan. He may have been a little odd back on Earth, but he'd always come through for you if you needed him to. Turn-around's fair enough, 2) Harrigan and his lady seem to have those other Scarrans under their firm control. Even Kran won't go against them. Safe enough, I think, and 3) After all that money they gave us, which they didn't have to do, don't you think they've earnt a little trust from us? I wouldn't mind sending Dad a short tape saying how we're going. I'll get Harrigan to bring back some chocolate, icecream, and other food. Rygel will be in gastronomic heaven for a month when Harrigan brings back popcorn, sugar, chocolate, and stuff for him! I still haven't shown you how to barbecue a good Earth steak yet, so I'll get Harrigan to bring back some of that and a barbecue as well – we've got gas here, so no shortage of fuel..."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Dargo and the others overheard Crichton and Aeryn arguing, and came in to find out what the problem was. "Harrigan wants me to rustle up a wormhole for him to go back to Earth for some shore leave" Crichton explained. "That is not a good idea, Crichton" Sikozu told him "Do not let you friendship with him blind you to reason. This knowledge you have must be kept secret to protect it, you, and by extension, us from attack by the major powers. Since you have declined to assist the Peacekeepers..." , everyone substituted 'Scorpius' here, "...with their research program to help prevent Scarran domination, I must conclude that you consider the knowledge too dangerous to disperse to anyone. Besides, I would not trust those Scarrans, friends or not".

Dargo countered this with "You have no experience with military personnel, do you? While I don't like Scarrans either, Sikozu, these have pledged their loyalty to Harrigan. For them to do that for a non-Scarran is a major undertaking on their part. If Harrigan gives his word to keep the knowledge secure, I think we can believe him".

Strangely, Noranti spoke up on Harrigan's behalf. "Though I do not know about wormholes" she said "I do know people. There is no sense of misdirection or untruth about this Harrigan. If he says he will do something, he will do it. He can be trusted, I think".

"You've seen him with Talannah. Incurable romantics, the pair of them. I think he wants to go back to Earth to marry her" said Chiana, smiling "Whatever else they may want to do there - I do remember that they were going to report back on how you were, amongst other things – I think that Harrigan can be safely trusted with what you know, John".

"I'm calling the issue on the table" stated Crichton finally "All those who believe we should not give Harrigan any wormhole knowledge, say 'Nay'". Aeryn, Jool and Sikozu voted 'Nay'. "All those who say we can trust Harrigan and his people with wormholes, say 'Aye'". Dargo, Chiana, and Noranti voted 'Aye'. "Right" Crichton decided "With three against and three in favour, I'll exercise my casting vote. Help will be provided". When Aeryn looked away, Crichton elaborated on his discussion with Harrigan. "He did actually bring up the security issue himself, Aeryn" Crichton explained "He suggested having his demolition expert rig a charge in the phase-shifter/stabiliser, so he can blow it after they return. I'll talk to him about wormhole navigation tomorrow, after the parade; but apart from that, he's as good as he's going to get".

"I hope you are right in placing your trust in Harrigan, I really do" said Aeryn bluntly "Because if you are not, wormhole knowledge will make its way into the hands of those whose only thought is to use it as a weapon. Whole planets, systems even, could disappear for ever". "I know, love" Crichton soothed her "But Harrigan can be trusted. Not because he's human – you remember what some of my people were like when we were there – but because he's given his word"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "He's the kind of guy who really believes that a man's word is his bond" Crichton continued "He reads a lot of fantasy fiction – he like all those books and movies of heroic fantasy. That will have soaked into him over time and affected his way of thinking and his self-image. Not only will he do what he promised because it's right , but also because it fulfils his image of the way a hero's supposed to act. I'm sure at some level, he considers himself like one of those characters in the novels or movies he likes – and saving this city will only reinforce that. Now let's get some sleep".

The next day, Harrigan and Talannah were awakened by an over-eager Dargo banging on the door. "Come on, come on!!" his booming Luxan voice rang out "We've only got an arn before the parade starts! Get up, get ready, go, go, go!" The pair of them immediately jumped up and ran for the shower. After about half an arn of Talannah teasing Harrigan and almost starting a water fight, they finally got themselves smartened up and in uniform. Thankfully, the servants had laundered their uniforms – they were smelling rather rank indeed after two days of constant war. Afte strapping on their guns, including the G8Cs, they strode out to meet Dargo.

"The king is anxious to get underway" Dargo said, urging them on. When they got down to the palace's side entrance, they were greeted by a cheer from the assembled servants and other soldiers in the parade. "Where do we go?" asked Harrigan. "Up on the back of this vehicle" Dargo replied, pointing to where a car had been fitted with a small railed podium. "Come on, dear" Harrigan prompted Talannah, reaching down to her. Talannah jumped up to him, wrapping her arms around him tight and leaning into his shoulder. "It's going to be new for me, too, Tal" he reassured her "Don't worry about it. Just enjoy it. We'll be there for each other". Then he turned to Dargo. "Up, D!" he ordered happily. Dargo bounded up on the left side of Harrigan on their makeshift podium. Once he was on, Harrigan looked back at the parade, and whirled one finger around in a circle above his head in the signal for 'move out', then kicked the back of the driver's compartment, leaving only a small dent, to let their own driver know to move out as well.

The parade moved out throught the city centre. The king had declared the day a public holiday, so all the people could welcome their troops properly. Harrigan, Talannah, and Dargo waved freely at the waving, cheering, and yelling locals; a few more impressionable young women blew kisses to Dargo, which he returned with enthusiasm. Many threw flowers as well – some more enterprising younger people even broke throught the barrier of police and Royal Guards to come up and congratulate them personally.

The parade took a couple of arns to move through the outer edges of all the major Lord's territories. By the time they'd returned to the city centre, an even larger crowd had come out from behind their TV sets to see them in person.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- The king, taking a microphone from his Lord Chamberlain, stepped up to address the people. The people of the city cheered their ruler as they saw him alive and well.

"Citizens of Ithlin!" he proclaimed over the PA. "Today we mark the end of this short but savage war for our continued freedom. Our enemies were driven away and our city saved. This was not without cost – many men and women in the militia units have not returned. Many more are still receiving medical attention for their injuries sustained in battle. My own Royal Guard sustained serious losses protecting you all – as did those of your Lords, who joined with me to ensure we remained free. Some of these troops are here in the parade today – others are your fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. Let them all know how much you appreciate their service for you all".

The king stopped for the populace to cheer the troops again. "But all our valiant troops would have been swept aside if not for the fortuitous help of a small group of brave offworlders" he continued "Three of whom are here today. They may look unusual, some are even of races we would normally consider hostile – especially by those who fought so recently. Take no heed of their race, or appearance. Note only their help and courage in our defence. People, I now give you WAR COMMANDER HARRIGAN!"

The applause increase in volume until it felt like a solid wall of noise. Harrigan raised his hands for silence, and in response the noise slowly subsided. "People!" he yelled "Yes, I did lead the military of this city against its enemies. But I could not have succeeded without them staying true to their posts and their calling to defend this city. Many paid the ultimate price, and were killed in action so that you may live. But more survived to return to you today. Your military officers performed excellently as well, showing decisive leadership and command responsibility. But I could not have done as well as I did without three special people. One is recovering from the exertions of battle, but on my left I present to you General Ka'Dargo, a Luxan. Wherever the fighting was fiercest, he was there with me, leading by example, urging on your troops, killing many enemy soldiers himself. To my right is Talannah, a Scarran, and such an amazingly wonderful one – in every way" Harrigan paused to hold her close and kiss her, in full view of the TV cameras. "My dear Tal" Harrigan crooned "I don't know what to say – except I just can't live without you". Talannah just hugged him back, reassured by his presence there with her, replying "Nor me without you, my love".

Harrigan turned back to the people. "Some of you may want to vent your anger on some sections of this city simply because of the species of those who live there. Do not do this. Just because someone may be a Charrid, or a Scarran, or any other race, does not mean automatically that they are hostile. In the medical corps, we have had several Scarran doctors assisting in surgery. Many people are alive today who may otherwise have died – because they received medical help from these same Scarrans"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "You should treat them as fellow citizens, irrespective of the colour of their skin or native language. You will need everyone to come together to rebuild the city in the coming months from the battle damage it has suffered. Many people are even now working to refit my own spacecraft as we stand here. Support them in every way you can. I hand you back to your King" Harrigan finished, pointing back to King Torthal.

The King took a wooden case and withdrew medals from it, which he draped over the necks of Dargo, Talannah, and Harrigan. He handed a small box to Dargo. "See that Officer Sun receives hers as well" he whispered, out of microphone range. Then he turned back to the microphone, saying "May you accept these small tokens of thanks from a grateful city. Citizens of Ithlin, I give to you the saviours of our city, the 1st Deep Space Irregulars."

"HARRIGAN'S HEROES!!"

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