Chapter 22 : Down to Earth

"First up, Captain – sick bay" Harrigan decided "We'll check up on how your other two are doing". Trannak slipped off to the flight deck's spare parts wing, with a distinct mutter of "...got plans for some stuff here, I have...". "Plus Dr Nrakal will want to get you fixed up, won't he?" prompted Talannah pointedly.

Captain Lazarus burst out laughing as they walked down the wide corridor. "You sound like my ex when you say that" he said. Then he continued more soberly with "But the military lifestyle didn't seem to agree with her. She told me it was either the air force or her. I don't think the fact that her daughter seemed to love being on-base with me really helped matters. When her mother asked her what she did, and she replied 'I learnt how to detail-strip and service an M4 rifle' she just about blew her top". "And you chose the military, Captain" Talannah said. "Of course I did!" Lazarus replied heatedly "My relationship with my ex had been strained for months! She'd been questioning why I couldn't spend more time with her instead of sorting out issues with my unit or elsewhere on base. If I didn't do it, it wouldn't get done right..."

"...and if it isn't done right, people die" finished Harrigan "I know, Captain. Into the transit car". Talannah pressed the button for sick bay and leant against Harrigan's shoulder for the trip, closing her eyes and resting. "Couldn't we walk there?" Lazarus asked. "Sure" Harrigan replied, stroking Talannah's brow lovingly "If you don't mind taking another half an hour or more getting there. This ship's about 35 miles long, Cap. Not a short jog".

Down at IASA, Jack Crichton was about to head home when his secure phone rang. "What now?" he asked crossly "I was just about to head home". A very rattled tech explained the situation. "S-s-s-sir" she stuttered fearfully "There's a gigantic m-m-monster of a spa-spa-spacecraft parked barely two hu-hu-ndred metres away from us!" She took a few seconds to calm down and have a drink of water, then went on. "Thing's as big as a city, sir! Any orders?"

"Just sit tight and watch it for now" Jack decided, head spinning "If its Captain makes contact, relay the call to me. No one else is to contact the crew of this unidentified newcomer – I'll get Canaveral to prep a Shuttle in case I have to go up and talk to them". "Suits me fine, sir" she replied, relieved "A lot of the people are snapping pictures already. Some are annoyed that they can't get the whole ship in the viewfinder in one go".

Leasa walked over to where her mother was making a few hurried notes. "Mother" she told him "The Commander and Sub-Commander have returned. They are on their way here. The Sub-Commander reports that the Commander is injured". Moratha's head jerked up at that. "He's hurt?" he replied, astonished "They must have got into a firefight after these two were brought to me".

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A loud boom reverberated through the room as Harrigan banged on the door. Talannah reached past him and pressed the green button to open the door, then Harrigan and Captain Lazarus walked on in, with her and Nrakal following behind.

The doctor immediately pulled the bandages and plasters off Harrigan's chest so he could have a detailed look. "That hurt's doc!" Harrigan hissed painfully "It's not a scratch! I took a hit from a light cannon!" Leasa ran up to take a look as well. "Are you badly injured?" she asked "Internal damage? Sit down, sir. We'll clean it up, and you'll be just fi..." Harrigan placed one finger over her mouth to stop her nattering. "Don't worry about it" he reassured her, laughing slightly "I'll regenerate in about a weeken. Maybe less. I'll just have to a little more careful until the carapace regrows completely. How long should that take, Nrakal?"

"Impossible to say for sure, Commander" he replied "You are the first subject to survive the full procedure". "Guess, then!" Harrigan urged. "Design specifications for this project would suggest perhaps two days for the outer carapace to reach full hardness. Maybe a further three to five at most until the ribbing plates catch up. But you'll be able to go visiting once the carapace is healed" Nrakal decided.

"What about my people?" Captain Lazarus prodded "What's their situation?". Nrakal hummed and hawed a little – which told Captain Lazarus that he wouldn't like what came next. "Despite everything I tried, the one on the left bed there" Nrakal explained, pointing to the hospital bed "could not be saved. His injuries were far too extensive. The other one is alive for now. But I'll need to watch him carefully for a few days. If he survives until then, we could probably transfer him planetside to one of your hospitals if you wish. But not till then".

Trannak had about twenty DRDs and Tovak pulling the underside of his Raider to pieces. "What are you going to do to this thing?" Tovak asked. "There's a bunch of spare heavy pulse cannons over there. I'm going to fit an extra one on my Raider while we have the time. The Raider's engine is strong – she'll handle the load". "How d'you want to do it?" Tovak asked, going over the wiring diagrams for a Raider in his head. These ships had been out of service in the Scarran military for some time, but they were still common elsewhere. "One either side of the centreline, fixed forward" Trannak said, looking his craft over "That way I'll have the same firepower as an old Stryker 1, in a much less obtrusive package". Tovak mulled this over, then said "It'll mean losing a little cargo space – not much, mind you – if you want to keep it hidden, but we can do it. It'll take a couple of arns, even with these DRD things assisting. So we'd better get started". Trannak hauled the lifter with the spare pulse cannon on it over to his ship, raised it into position, and the two of them (plus numerous DRDs) set to work.

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Captain Lazarus' face flickered between sadness at the loss of his men and rage at those who were ultimately responsible for the situation being as messed up as it was. "We'll deal with it together, Captain" Harrigan assured his old commander, squeezing his shoulder briefly "In a couple of days, once I'm better able to move around. In the mean time, you may as well get the guided tour. Most of my guys will be in the galley – yours as well, I expect – so we'll start there. I expect you're hungry anyway". "Right enough, Harrigan" a weary Captain replied "Just get me some food and some quarters. I need at least ten hours of sleep".

Urana escorted Captain Lazarus over to a full-body scanning unit of the same type as the one that scanned Harrigan back at the Project. "Just stand on the floor plate there, Captain" she directed him "That's right...stay still..." The scanning beams swept over him, cataloguing every aspect of his appearance and medical condition. "Apart from the stress" Urana said to the Captain "which I could see without the scanner, the scan shows a low level of essential nutrients in your body. You need to eat! Plus some lung damage – have you been exposed to carcinogenic substances, sir?"

"Carcingenic substances?" Captain Lazarus asked, slightly mystified. "Cigarettes, cigars, any tobacco products" Harrigan explained "You ought to know that even breathing other people's smoke can damage you own lungs by now. You've seen the TV ads, I'm sure". "One oe two of the unit smoke, yes" Captain Lazarus revealed "Including that one who's still alive back there". Harrigan's hand immediately went through a few signals which Urana had no trouble understanding. She nodded, said "Right away" and walked off towards the man's personal possesions. After finding his tobacco pouch, lighter, and cigarette papers, she flushed them all straight down the refuse chute before wiping her hands with satisfaction.

"He'll be pissed when he comes round" the Captain warned. "Well, then" Harrigan grinned nastily "I'll just have one of the Scarrans talk to him about my rules on board ship. Maybe even Captain Kran, he's really big on personal fitness and health issues. You remember him, I introduced the two of you when we all arrived". "That really massive one?" Lazarus replied "The one who looks like it's his mission in life to thump everything that moves?" Harrigan laughed lightly, saying "That'd be the one, yes. Normally, you'd get his sergeant to talk to him about it – here, Captain Kran does that kind of thing".

Talannah directed them all into the transit car again for the short trip to the galley. A sharp glare was enough to convince Harrigan not to push the issue this time. Harrigan spent several microts muttering about being mollycoddled, but a slight smile betrayed his feelings – he was really quite flattered that Talannah was so concerned about him. Five minutes later, they arrived at the nearest transit stop to the galley.

When they walked in, Kran walked up to greet them. "I see you are up and about, sir" he said "Glad to have you back with us". Troll came up to Captain Lazarus and said "So how are the other two? Will they make it?". Jane and Ghost turned to hear Lazarus' answer. "Our other demo man is regrettably now KIA" he said sadly "But Corporal Smithson will survive. The doc's going to keep him in for observation for a couple of days, though – then we can take him back Earthside".

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Talannah walked off behind the kitchen counter. "My cookery capabilities may not be as good as Moratha's" she said "But I'll see what I can do. Otherwise, we'll be stuck with Scarran field rations and water". "If you're making it, my love" Harrigan crooned over at her, smiling "It's sure to be just fine. Better than fine, even". Talannah just smiled back at him, and continued into the kitchen area.

"Where's Tovak?" Harrigan asked, once all the greetings were over. Karroch went over to a tea urn and refilled the mugs for the others while Kran replied "Still on the flight deck, helping Trannak do some work on his Raider. Mucking around with the weapons, I think. I know they dragged a spare large pulse cannon from the spare parts section. Perhaps the old one requires replacement". "He's a Scarran like you, Captain" Harrigan replied, waggling a finger to and fro "How likely do you really think that is?"

"Not very, now that you say so" Kran laughed "I did hear him saying '...got plans, I have...' as soon as he saw our spare parts section. He's probably adding some more firepower while he can. I'll see if I can take a look later". Talannah came back with a huge bowl of crispy grolack, which Harrigan immediately piled into – not so much as stopping for breath until he was half-way through the contents the bowl. "Hmm..." Talannah pondered "Perhaps I should make some more...". Harrigan, mouth full, just nodded.

Once back in the kitchen, Talannah commed Nrakal in the sick bay. "Yes, Talannah?" he acknowledged. "Is it normal for my John to be stuffing his face like this after injury?" she asked. "It would seem so" Nrakal replied, thinking fast "His body needs a lot of energy to fuel the regenerative processes. Doesn't really matter what he eats – as long as it's high in energy. If you give him some contala tea, he'll probably even chow down on some of those field rations you complain about so often. The tea should mask the taste". "If you say so, Nrakal" Talannah said disbelievingly, raising her eyebrows. She poured out the contents of half a dozen ration packs, and brought it over to Harrigan with a full pot of tea.

Harrigan gulped half the pot of tea down as soon as he could reach it, and followed this up by piling in to the plate of rations. Ten momens later, he finally stopped eating. "WHAT have I just eaten?" Harrigan asked, a slightly odd look on his face. "At least six – it was six, wasn't it?" Ryalla asked. The others nodded. "Yes, six field ration packs. Without stopping, I might add" Ryalla finished. "I knew I felt a bit odd for a reason" Harrigan replied, walking over to the now half-full tea urn "I'll just drink this to wash the taste away...can't possibly get any worse..."

"It's gone co—"the recon specialist tried to say, but Harrigan had already tipped the top off the urn, picked it up in both hands, and started sculling the contents as fast as possible. Perhaps thirty momens later, he slammed the urn back onto the table. "Someone STOP ME" Harrigan said emphatically, shaking his head to clear it "if I ever decide to eat those field ration packs in such beastly quantities again".

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Tovak pulled his head out from inside the mass of wirng and heavy machinery on the underside of Trannak's Raider and yelled "Do a full connectivity check and fire-control test! Time to see if the extra gun's talking to us!"

"Copy that" replied Trannak over his comm. Both hands flew over the instruments, powering up the engine and main computer. "Engine in the green, no defects" Trannak muttered to himself "As expected. Tovak, you might want to back away. I'm powering up the guns". Tovak ran round the side of the Raider and up inside it to join Trannak on the bridge. "How is it?" he asked, checking over the instruments. Trannak pressed three more buttons, then waited. "Well, as you can see" Trannak said happily "both guns report armed and ready. No defects. All we need to do now..." "...is test it" Tovak finished "I'll call the Commander".

The initial bitter aftertaste of the combination of field rations and contala tea had now worn off. Talannah was gently teasing him about the rations, when Tovak's call came through. "Commander, sir" he called, from the bridge of Trannak's Raider "We've finished thr refitting of Trannak's ship. Do we have permission to take a test flight out to the belt to wring the bugs out of the system?" "Go for it, have some fun" Harrigan replied "I'll give it maybe eight or so arns before I contact Jack Crichton at IASA, so you've got until then to sort it out and get some rest".

Tovak switched the comm off and turned to Trannak in the pilot's seat. "Punch it!" he urged, flipping the remote control for the flight deck doors. Trannak gently lifted the Raider clear of the deck and applied the throttle, easing out of the Cry Havoc's flight deck at perhaps one-quarter power. Over the next two arns, Trannak pulled every orbital flight manoevre he could imagine. "We really need to test this in atmosphere" he groused, after flipping the Raider around a small asteroid "But now we're out here, we'd better do what we came for and test the guns. Fire-control – online". Tovak pressed three buttons, activating the HUD and arming the guns.

"We've got about six arns left before I make a call Earthside to let Jack know we're not here to kill everybody" Harrigan explained, back on the Cry Havoc. A huge yawn escaped before he could stifle it, which caused Talannah to add "So we'd all better get some sleep, so we'll be ready. For anything. Off to your quarters, people. I'll see to the Commander". Captain Lazarus led the few humans off to their quarters, and the Scarrans and Shor got in the transit car behind Harrigan. Harrigan just leaned against the wall of the transit car, and Talannah's shoulder, as the transit car moved off towards the bridge.

After the rest of the unit had got off at their quarters, Talannah prodded Harrigan awake from his drowsing. "H-h-huh?" Harrigan asked blearily. "Come on, sleepy head" Talannah replied, looking over and smiling indulgently at him before heaving him up onto his feet "Our quarters are over here. We'd better get you to bed. You'll heal better after some rest". Harrigan was sufficiently tired by now that he didn't protest when Talannah led him to the bed, relieved him of his unform and tucked him in like a small child. He nodded off to sleep almost immediately, with small snores sneaking out every few microts. Talannah put in a call to Keyah on the comm. "You'd better get up on the bridge, Keyah" Talannah ordered "We'll need someone to watch the sensors and listen out for any calls from the planet". ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------

Keyah was pacing up and down in her quarters, still wide awake and very bored when the call came in. She leapt at the chance to actually DO something, and replied "On the way, Sub-Commander. I'll wake the pair of you if anything happens. Don't worry about anything".

"What makes you think I'll be with Harrigan?" Talannah said, putting on an affronted tone. "Oh, come on!" Keyah laughed "I'm not stupid! Even a lobotomised brindz-hound could tell that's where you'll be. Just make sure you actually get some REST, Talannah". A defiant "Huh!" from Talannah, and the call was cut. She does have a point, though, Talannah thought to herself as she stood there watching Harrigan sleep, her love and need for him plain to see on her face. After a few momens, she took her swords and Viper off, put them on the dresser, and lay beside her love, except on top of the quilt instead of under it, where she joined him in sleep within a quarter-arn.

Two smashed asteroids later, Trannak stated "Well, that's about as good as I'm likely to get it without atmospheric testing, Tovak. Lock those settings in". Two pressed buttons and it was done. "We'd better get back quick" Tovak urged "We've got maybe five and a half arns before we go down to see the Commander's home planet and people – and I don't intend to be asleep for any of it. It'll be good to breathe real air and walk on real ground again". Trannak immediately firewalled the throttle and headed back for the Cry Havoc at top speed. "You've not been off Ithlin for more than a day or two" Trannak laughed "and you want to go groundside again!" "I'm an Army man" Tovak replied "My place is on the ground. Sure, I can fly fighters and such – but I'd far rather a gun in my hand, my pack on my back, and orders to go and stick my nose in someone else's business". "I'd have to agree with that last one" Trannak replied, eyes flicking between various instruments "Talannah's love for infiltration must have rubbed off on me during Deadhead orientation training. Sneaking into places is so much fun – even more so than flying".

Half an arn later, they slid in under the bay doors and landed back on the flight deck. "I've got enough fuel on board for the immediate future" Trannak said happily, powering his Raider down "so let's go and get some sleep before Talannah and the Commander need us again". Captain Kran met them as they walked off the flight deck, asking "So what was that all about, then?" in his trademark low growl. "Field testing" replied Trannak, smoothly but firmly "Tovak and myself added some additional firepower to my ship, and went out to test it". "And?" prodded Kran, turning to face them. "Mission accomplished" replied Trannak, looking right back at him "I'll need to test it in atmosphere to make sure, but everything's connected properly and working so far". "Good" Kran replied "Now your gallivanting is over, perhaps you'd better get some sleep. I'll get my wife to relieve Keyah on the bridge".

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Keyah had wound her comm desk chair as far back as it would go, and was dozing contentedly with a slight smile on her face when Moratha walked onto the bridge. Having been told about Keyah by her husband, Moratha called out "Keyah?" while looking over the walls and ceiling. Keyah jerked awake in her chair and called out "Over here, Moratha. Other side of the bridge. Comm desk".

"Tea?" Moratha asked, holding up a small insulated flask and a pair of cups. "OK" Keyah said with a slight smile "Just a half-one, though". Moratha sat on the edge of the comm desk and sipped at her tea while looking over the bridge. Before long, the two ladies were talking animatedly about their lives. "...so this is the largest number of Scarrans I've been around since I...left" Keyah said hesitantly "It has been a little trying, but the Commander has done much to ease the tension, especially for me". "If you don't mind me asking" Moratha probed "Why did you leave?"

"I'd had a few close calls with, well, with your people in command there" Keyah explained "When a bunch of goons in black armour stomped straight into the office and dragged a completely blameless colleague away, I knew something was up. It didn't take a diplomat's intelligence to figure out they'd eventually come back for me. So I high-tailed it out of Scarran space as soon as I could. I'd exhausted most legal employment opportunities on Ithlin when your husband told me that I might find a place here".

"You must have got caught up in the latest wave of loyalty assessments" Moratha explained "I heard about those. In preparation for the war with the Peacekeepers, the Ministry of Dissimulation, along with selected other units, are conducting purges of all those they consider 'unreliable' under the guise of regular loyalty assessments". When Keyah looked questioningly at Moratha, all she said was "The group my husband and I are part of has ways of finding things out. I don't know the how and why, I don't need to". Just as they were about to change the topic of conversation, the comm started crackling.

Keyah's right hand came up for quiet as she put her headset on with her left hand. "Unidentified spacecraft" the voice called "If you can hear this call, pick up. I am Jack Crichton. I'm in charge of dealing with people like you. Please acknowledge". The message repeated a couple of times before Keyah picked up. "Watch Officer, ESV Cry Havoc" she stated "What do you want?" "You speak English?" he replied, but only slightly surprised. "Yes, I do" Keyah replied "My Commander taught it to me. May I help you?" "My superiors at IASA – that's the Int—"Jack started, but Keyah interrupted with "International Aeronautics and Space Administration. Yes, I know. My Commander told us about that as well. Carry on". "As I was saying" Jack continued "My superiors would like to know your intentions for, er, visiting our planet – and how long you will be staying".

"What you mean to say" Keyah replied with a laugh "is that your boss wants to know if we're here to blow the planet up and kill everybody". "That's right" Jack replied "My son expected that the next contact with non-humans would be hostile. We don't want to take chances".

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- "You will need to talk with my Commander about that kind of thing" Keyah replied firmly "He's asleep right now. Recovering from injuries sustained in battle. Down on your planet".

"You've been down here already?" Jack replied, gobsmacked "When?" "Approximately one and a half of your days ago" Keyah replied "I'm surprised you have not been told. We rescued some friends of our Commander and brought them back here for medical attention". "Ah" Jack replied, sorting through a pile of papers on his desk. He found the appropriate one and placed it in front of him. "Radar operators on the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson registered two unidentified aircraft heading into North Korea at about that time" Jack said, reading the paper slowly. "That would have been us" Keyah replied "Our craft were not stealthed – you could have seen them. Please hold – I'll contact the Commander".

Harrigan had been awake for a few momens, lying back against his pillow. He was surprised to find Talannah asleep beside him – but when he saw she held true to his prohibition against close contact by laying on the other side of the quilt and leaving her uniform on, he didn't have the heart to shift her. Harrigan gently turned to a more comfortable position and drew both arms around his love, holding her close and stroking her face slowly. Talannah opened her eyes sleepily, smiled, and moved closer snuggling up to Harrigan and resting her head on his chest. Not more than fifteen microts later, the wall comm went off, announcing Keyah's call.

Talannah reached crossly for her personal comms. "It had better be good!" she barked harshly. Keyah laughed softly, before replying "Yes, Sub- Commander. I have a Jack Crichton on the line from IASA. He wants to speak with us. Is the Commander there with you?" You know full well that he is! Talannah muttered to herself. But what she actually said was "Yes, he is actually, Keyah. We'll be along in a quarter-arn or so". Harrigan came slowly awake, muttering "What's up, love?"

"Keyah called to say Jack Crichton's calling for you" Talannah revealed reluctantly. "Why couldn't he wait for a little while...", stroke, kiss, "...so we can have a little time to..." Harrigan's arms wound around her neck and pulled her down to him so he could kiss her more soundly "...ohh....relax a li....ohhhhh!...relax a little!" Talannah rolled on top of his quilt-covered body, where she sated her desire for him as much as she could for the next ten momens. "Come on, John" she said finally, breaking away "We'd better freshen up and get ready". A further fifteen momens later, the two of them emerged in full uniform and headed for the transit car.

When the two of them walked onto the bridge ten momens later, Moratha smiled at them and walked off back to her own quarters. As soon as she had left, Keyah said "So you decided to turn up then?"while standing there with her hands on her hips. Harrigan laughed, saying "We'll have to find her a man somewhere, Tal!" Talannah knuckled him on the shoulder, then turned to Keyah, who was staring crossly at the floor. "Yes, Keyah, we're here now" Talannah said, lifting her chin up so she could look at her "Don't worry about John, it's just one of his human peculiarites – you'll get used to them eventually. Give him a microt or two..."

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After the promised microt or two, Harrigan calmed down. "Put him on, Keyah, if he's still there" he ordered calmly. Keyah nodded, and put the call through. "His transmission has a visual component" Keyah reported "Shall I display it?" "On screen" Harrigan replied.

The face of an older man, looking about sixty, appeared on the forward viewscreen. "Jack Crichton, I presume" Harrigan asked him. "That's right" Jack replied "You comm operatoor must have told you who I was". "She did, yes" Harrigan explained "but I know you from Canaveral, before I left a little over a year or so ago". "How can that be?" Jack asked "I can't remember anyone like you!" "I have changed quite a lot since then, that's true" Harrigan said, laughing out loud "but I still recognise you from way back then, and your son's more recent description as well. I am John Harrigan".

Jack looked very sceptical. Harrigan did, after all, look very different indeed. "Can I come up and talk this over with you?" he asked. Harrigan shook his head, replying "No need. We have to bring Captain Lazarus and his troops back down to Canaveral in any case. As soon as our doctor gives the go-ahead, I'll bring them down. I suggest you have Army medics standing by. One of Lazarus' men needs ongoing medical care for his battle injuries". Jack frantically scribbled a reminder down on his desk notepad, then looked back up. "Will do. How long will you be?" Jack asked. Harrigan looked over at Talannah who held up one finger. "Maybe an arn – sorry, an hour" Harrigan replied "I'll have to wake the others first". "I'll have Canaveral launch site cleared for your arrival. Crichton out" Jack finished, cutting the call.

"Keyah, activate the PA please" Talannah asked. After she did so, Harrigan called out through the mike "Now hear this! Everyone to be ready on the flight deck for immediate departure planetside in a quarter arn". Harrigan grinned excitedly, whirling Talannah around in a double circle before putting her down. "This is my home planet, love" he said to Talannah happily "Once I- sorry WE, sort out Jack Crichton, we can talk to the base chaplain and sort out the main rreason for us being here". Talannah squeezed Harrigan tightly, then directed him to the flight deck. "We've just got enough time to walk there, John" she said "So let's take our time and enjoy it".

The two of them walked slowly, arms tightly around each other, down to the flight deck. Kran was just ordering them into rough formation when they arrived. "Don't worry about that, Captain!" Harrigan called "This isn't a parade inspection. First up, I just want to remind you of the need for caution. Do not talk to the press. Nothing at all. If they persist, thump them. Any statements will be given by myself, Talannah, or Captain Kran. I'd recommend you be extremely wary about talking to anyone else as well. Most humans are quite xenophobic – we don't trust non-humans easily. Jack Crichton's fine – as are his family. They saw John Crichton's crew when they were here. Do not tell anyone ANYTHING about our military capability. If we need to reveal that, ONLY I WILL DO IT! Get me?"

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"Sir, yes, sir!" was the reply. "Good" Harrigan replied "Very good. I will probably need to send some of you out to get some stuff for us, so I hope you remember your English lessons. Jack has translator microbes, so you can speak you own language to him – but apart from him, only a few US government people have them. So if anyone other than the people you see here, or Jack Crichton and his family, seem to understand you, shut up fast".

"Commander" asked Moratha "I would prefer to stay on board, if I may. My daughters also. Karroch can go with you if he wishes". "Pity" Harrigan said "You'd like it down there. But it may be useful to have someone back up here. Just keep a watch on the comm desk now and again, OK?" "As you say, Commander" Moratha replied, taking her daughters and heading back to the galley.

"Sir" Trannak spoke up "We are too many for one Stryker. I volunteer to take some with me in my Raider". "You can take Captain Lazarus' people, plus Shor and Ryalla" Harrigan told him. Shor was about to speak, when Harrigan added "You can take Shor's car as well – if it'll fit in the cargo bay". Shor took Trannak over to where his car had been secured. After Trannak had had a good look over it, he nodded and waved Shor over to the Raider. Trannak ran up inside and let the aft ramp down so Shor could drive on.

"Right" Harrigan decided "Hellbolt, grab a Stryker and take our recon guy, Karroch, and Tovak with you". "I'll go with you, Harrigan" insisted Captain Lazarus "No one down there, apart from Jack, will believe you're human – so you'll need me to smooth the way. My guys should be safe enough with Trannak as long as he's a good pilot". "He is" Talannah assured him "That's one of his better skills". "So, that leaves Dr Nrakal, Captains Kran and Lazarus, Keyah" said Harrigan, ticking them off on his fingers "and of course you, Talannah. We'll take the Harbringer, I think".

"Before you all run off..." Harrigan called out. Everyone stopped where they were. "...I want everyone in armour and carrying sidearms before we leave. That's Vipers for everyone – swords as well if you want to. This may be my home planet – but I want us prepared for any eventuality. Get to it, people!" A mad rush for the armoury followed – the only people not going were Harrigan, Talannah, Trannak, Shor and Ryalla, who already had theirs with them. "Us as well?" asked Troll hopefully. "No" said Harrigan "You've got enough toys already anyway. Make sure you've got everything".

Five momens later, everyone was properly equipped. "Let's move!" urged Harrigan "Jack's waiting for us down there. Just follow me out – Trannak first; then you, Hellbolt. I'll be taking my Harbringer – that black one over there". A few envious mutters came from the better pilots, but everyone went to their assigned craft.

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Harrigan ran up and tapped the access code on the Harbringer's keypad. As the door hissed open, the rest of his passengers caught up and followed him inside. Talannah went straight to her accustomed position as copilot, which surprised Captain Lazarus a bit at first. "I go by my John's side at all times" Talannah told him emphatically, which settled the situation. "Dr Nrakal – nav console; Kran - top gun; Keyah – tail gun; Captain Lazarus, you sit behind me at the flight engineer's console".

Talannah opened the flight deck hangar doors from her console. "We'll take it nice and slow" Harrigan called over the comm, as Talannah took the Harbringer out "Follow me down. It may have been over a cycle since I've been here, but I know where we need to go". He then flicked the comm off and took the controls back off Talannah. "Pilot's airplane" he muttered, giving a quick roll of the stick. "Captain Lazarus" Harrigan said "I'm hooking you in to the squad battlenet. Get your people ready to take your injured corporal off to the base hospital as soon as we touch down".

The three small craft formed a tight wedge, then tipped over and dove into the atmosphere. Trannak's Raider lagged behind a little, but caught up once Harrigan slowed down in atmosphere. "Shor" Trannak called over to him at the copilot's position, waving one hand to the controls "Take us down". "But this is your own personal ship!' exclaimed Shor, surprised Trannak would trust him this far "It's like me and my car, I'd hardly let anyone else drive it". A burst of Scarran came from further back. "Yes, Ryalla, I'd let you, don't worry!" Shor reassured her, then placed his hands firmly on the control stick and throttle. "The Raider's an old design, it's not as powerful as those Strykers or the Commander's Harbringer. It's a lot more forgiving to handle as well. I've made sure your car's properly lashed down, so make a few manoevres if you like". Shor made a few gentle manoevres, then moved the Raider up on Harrigan's left wingtip. "We're on you left wing, sir" Trannak called over the comm "Just giving Shor a bit of atmospheric flight training – hope you don't mind. My ship's a bit easier for a first-timer than those Strykers". A loud laugh came over the comm. "Go to it, Trannak!" Harrigan called out "He's not likely to do anything stupid with both his lady love AND his car in there, us he?" Trannak had a good laugh himself at that, replying "No, sir!" before cutting the call.

Shor blushed bright red, huffing a little at Trannak laughing at him, but kept a steady hand on the controls. Troll proved not to be so lucky in the cargo bay - he didn't stop laughing until Ryalla kicked him hard in the groin. An agonised "...ooooohhhh, shiiiittt...." was all that he managed to say afterwards as he folded up in a lump on the deck. Ryalla rubbed her hands together in satisfaction before sitting back down. "Carry on, dear" she called up to Shor "Just a little re-education – not a problem. All done".

Hellbolt moved up on Harrigan's right wingtip. "On your right wing, sir" he reported "All fine over here. No residual radioactivity from hauling all those warheads either – which is one problem I had worried about. Tovak's in the copilot's chair, and Karroch's in the tail turret. No probs. I would have preferred to have Karroch up here, but there's only two seats on a Stryker's bridge as you know".

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"Don't worry about it" Harrigan called back "He'll get his chance eventually – just as you will".

"Captain Lazarus – time for you to call base" Harrigan told him. Then he turned to the nav console "Nrakal – the frequency's set, number fifteen, set him up please". "Done, Commander" Nrakal replied. "All yours" Harrigan urged, waving the Captain on "The system here will transmit visual as well – so try to look good". Lazarus thumbed the 'speak' button, and called "Captain Lazarus to base camp, Captain Lazarus to base camp – please acknowledge". He went through two repeats before someone picked up.

Down in the barrracks, several other members of the company were lounging around – but the mood was tense. No one had heard from their fellows in North Korea since the hostile contact, which manifested in the constant walking back and forth and staring out through the windows of the rec room. When the call came through it generated a scrum as all the unit present there tried to answer the call. The Lieutenant brought in to replace Harrigan eventually calmed everyone down and returned the call. "Captain? Is it really you? Are you injured, sir?" "If that squawk-box down there hasn't blown its camera again, turn it on" Captain Lazarus barked back "And find out for yourself!"

"That's my captain!" the lieutenant replied happily, and within a couple of seconds or so, the visual came online as well. "It IS you, sir!" he exclaimed. Several others jostled the lieutenant, trying to get a look in. "Calm down, you lot!" Lazarus ordered "You'll see me soon enough – we're coming into Canaveral right now. I'll get my pilot to divert to the barrack parking lot – there should be enough room for this lump if we're careful...Anyway, roust Ned out of the sick bay – we've got a casualty on board. Coropral Smithson's gotta get into the ICU fast – the doc here's stabilised him for now, but he needs some serious fixing soon, before we lose him".

A distant "On the way!" came from the barracks sick bay, as Ned grabbed his medical bag, and two volunteers. They carried a stretcher. The whole unit surged en masse out of the barracks and over to the base parking lot. "That damn Brad's in the way..." muttered one sergeant "How the hell are they going to put down their chopper with that in the way?" "Uh, sarge?" a corporal said "It ain't a chopper, sarge...like a black pancake with wings, sarge..."

Trannak's Raider came up alongside the Harbringer., further startling the troops. "That landcrawler is blocking my LZ!" Trannak groused "If it's cleared, we can all put down here – barely". "Frag it!" Harrigan ordered "Blast it! Can't let an errant Bradley come between me and my happily ever after!" Trannak armed the guns and brought up the targeting HUD. "You sure, Trannak?" asked Tovak. "The Commander himself ordered it so" he replied, loosing a punishing blast from both guns into the Bradley.

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All the American troops dove for cover as the beams hit home. The Bradley was completely atomised, barely a few tiny pieces remaining to float down to the ground.

A black limo was arriving at that very time – but the driver almost lost control when Trannak's Raider blasted the IFV to pieces. "Leave it here" Jack Crichton ordered from the back seat "Once they land, I'll walk the rest of the way. You wait here". Hellbolt's Stryker made landfall first, at the south end of the huge base parking lot. Then came Trannak's Raider at the north end. Finally, the Harbringer settled to the ground in a cloud of dust. Lazarus' company got up off the ground, brushing the dust off their fatigues and inched carefully towards the three ships.

Harrigan could barely contain his excitement at being back on Earth. "Come on, people! We're here! Let's go!" his happy voice urged. "Hold it, John" Lazarus cautioned "Calm down a bit, mate. Get your negotiator out here – we may need her. Then we leave slow, sure and measured. Me first – my guys will want to know I'm here. Then you and your lady there, and the orange one, Kran last. Once they get over the shock of seeing you still alive, then the others can come out of their ships too". Nrakal relayed the plan to the others – a swift "Copy that" frrom Hellbolt and "Copy that" from Trannak, and they were set.

Jack Crichton strode up to where the troops were standing, about fifteen metres from the Harbringer's nose. "Lieutenant, stay where you are" Jack cautioned "The rest of you, too – stay put. I have authority over alien contact on Earth. Just wait. If your people are with them, we'll find out soon enough. But I make the first move". They didn't like that, but the lieutenant nodded at his troops and they stayed still.

The Harbringer's bridge door slid open and down, making a stairway for those within. A soft "...oohhhh...." from almost everyone later, and Captain Lazarus stepped out onto the tarmac. "CAP!" yelled the troops, rushing past Jack's ineffectual protests. After a few congratulatory back-slaps, the Captain waved them off. "Calm down, people" he told them. "Any survivors?" asked the lieutenant anxiously. "Some, yes" Lazarus replied, pointing to Trannak's Raider "They're in that ship there. As soon as Ned gets here, we'll run Smithson over to the hospital". "Anyone else in there?" the lieutenant asked, looking up into the Harbringer. "Er..." the Captain replied "...you might not want to do that...". A loud SKKKREEEEE!! of delight from Harrigan coming out the other way drove him back to the others.

"Who in the zarking fardwarks is THAT?" several troops exclaimed, staring up at Harrigan's giant seven-and-a-half-foot frame as he strode out onto the base for the first time in many months. Bending down to touch the tarmac, he said "I'm back..." softly, before ramping up the volume and yelling "HARRIGAN HAS RETURNED!!" and finishing it off with another screech. "Harrigan?" the lieutenant replied in disbelief "Lieutenant Harrigan? The old L-T I replaced over a year ago? I find that hard to credit". His right hand started to reach for his pistol, but Lazarus' hand stopped him before he could reach it.

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"Button it, Dante" Lazarus ordered, steel in his voice "It's Harrigan all right, whatever he might look like. But more than just his looks have changed. He's a lot grimmer and nastier than he was. I'd really suggest you don't go for any weapons, you won't survive what he'll do back to you".

"As you say, Captain" Lieutenant Dante replied, moving his hand away from his gun. "Don't worry about anything" Harrigan assured Dante, resting one huge hand on his shoulder "Neither me or my guys will hurt you. Your guys are allies of my guys – we won't bite. Now let's get your Corporal over to base hospital". "NED!!" Harrigan bellowed happily at the top of his voice "NEEDLE NED, YOU FRELLING MALINGERER, GET OVER HERE NOW!"

A very rattled Ned, and his two stretcher-bearers, ran over. "You HAVE changed, L-T" he said "At least on the outside. Most of your attitude's still the same". Then he turned to the others, saying "It's him, guys. Definitely him. Can't mistake it". Harrigan turned and barked out half a dozen Scarran words back at the Harbringer. "That's no language I know" muttered Dante. "Of course it's not" Harrigan replied, turning back to his ship "It's not French, or German. Not Russian or Greek. Not even Mandarin Chinese. It's Scarran. Come on out people!"

Keyah was the first to arrive, and walked over to Harrigan. She was the subject of a few admiring stares from the Americans (to whom she smiled in return) before she said, in fluent English "So this is my Commander's home world. I look forward to seeing more of it while we're here". "You speak English?" Dante asked, stunned. "Of course she does" Jack laughed "She's a Kalish. My son had one with him when he was here last. They learn languages by hearing them. It would not take her long to learn our language". Keyah walked up to Jack, asking "So you have seen one of my people before?" "Yes, I have" Jack replied "Not quite like you – she was slimmer and a little shorter. But it was a real eye-opener when she wall- walked in front of us".

Keyah gave off a short laugh, then turned to watch Talannah come out. This one was clearly well used to battle, Jack thought. She carries those swords and that pistol like she's been born to it. "So you are Jack Crichton" Talannah said, walking up to him and shaking his hand. Jack was surprised at Talannah's height – about four inches taller than himself – and her strength – it felt like she was crushing his fingers – but replied "Yes, I am. The Lieutenant must have told you about me". "He now has the rank of War Commander, Mr Crichton" Talannah corrected "As much as I can tell, that's much like a three-star General in your own militaries. Maybe even four-star".

Trannak heard Harrigan yell out to them. "Drop the ramp, Shor!" he barked back to the cargo bay. Shor pressed a button on the bulkhead, which started the ramp winding down slowly. "You humans" Trannak called, addressing Captain Lazarus' people in fair English "Get your comrade to medical care right away. You'll go out first. Shor, WAIT UNTIL THEY'RE CLEAR! Then you and Ryalla can hot-foot that car of yours out and make your entrance".

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As soon as the ramp hit the ground, Troll and Ghost lifted up the stretcher with their comrade on it and walked out, Jane following. "Ned!" she called "Over here!" Ned and his orderlies ran over and took the stretcher from Troll and Ghost, who were grateful for the chance to re-sling their weapons so they weren't digging into their kidneys.

Shor jumped into his car and slammed the door shut. "All OK, Ry?" he asked. Ryalla gave Shor a short squeeze on the shoulder, replying "Just fine" and finishing off with a smile. "STAND CLEAR!" Shor yelled in English. "What's that all about Jack asked, then he got his answer when Shor's car shot out of the Raider, pulled a hairpin turn, then screeched to a halt in front of Jack Crichton.

A few base personnel and MPs were beginning to congregate around the landing site when Captain Kran strode out of the Harbringer. The sight of such a large and obviously non-human soldier caused a few of the MPs to reach for their guns, but a swift "Stand down!" from Captain Lazarus stopped that, though not the wary (and in some case, obviously hostile) stares. Kran just ignored these, walking over to Harrigan and reporting "Ship's locked down. Are the others secure as well?" The two of them saw Trannak finally leave his Raider, locking up on the way out, so he looked over at Hellbolt's Stryker. Hellbolt was still on the bridge, waiting for the OK to leave. Kran waved him out, so within fifteen microts the recon specialist, Tovak, Karroch, and Hellbolt jogged out on to the parking lot, locking the Stryker down behind them. "All safe and secure, Commander" Hellbolt said jauntily, then turned to Jack Crichton and said "I'm Hellbolt. Pilot, commando, and general can-do man. Also available to escort unattached young ladies to events on your social calendar". He finished off this little presentation with a bow towards GI Jane.

"That's everybody, Mr Crichton" Harrigan said "I'll commandeer the spec-ops barracks and stash my guys there..." Jack shook his head, responding with "No way. We'll put you in the VIP quarters. I'll have to shove out a Major and a Captain, but they'll have to squish in with the rest of the officers for once". After Ghost led Captain Kran and the others to their rooms, Harrigan explained his more important need. "Jack?" he whispered, looking back and forth. No one except Talannah – good. "Yes, Harrigan?" he replied "Why the secrecy?" "You might find this a bit odd...but we need to have a word with the base chaplain" Harrigan said uneasily "Though we came to brief you on you son's welfare – and General Franklin on the status of my old crew – the most important thing I'm here for", his tone became far more loving, "is to make Talannah my wife". Talannah wrapped her arms around Harrigan's neck, pulling his head down to meet hers, and gave him a long, hard, ardent kiss.

Jack and Captain Lazarus broke into wide grins. "Congratulations, John!" Lazarus exclaimed "I really hope your married life goes well. You're still the hard-charging soldier I knew way back when – but when you're around Talannah you turn into a teddy bear, though a very large one now". Harrigan nodded, a delighted smile spreading across his face as he drew Talannah close – just holding her, enjoying her closeness, stroking her face tenderly – and Talannah did the same for him, too.

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"We haven't had a military marriage here for quite some time" Captain Lazarus mused, scratching his chin in thought. "I'll have a word with him and see how things go. He'll be pleased to exercise part of his reponsibilities that don't involve dead people – but it may frighten him dealing with, well, aliens". "We'll come along with you, then" Harrigan said, one arm still around Talannah's waist "He'll need to speak to us before the marriage service anyway...so let's get over there right now".

"I'd better get back to the office" Jack said reluctantly "I'll need to advise the President and the Joint Chiefs that your presence isn't the start of World War 3. So you may get some government people coming over to...talk...to you a little". "You mean 'interrogate' don't you?" Talannah probed caustically, fingering her Viper. "Since 9-11, we've become a lot more careful when it comes to letting foreigners in" Jack replied, and was about to continue when Talannah started again. "If they badger my John too much" she said, putting a lot of emphasis on 'my' "I'll chop their heads off. John's still injured – he took a direct hit from a vehicle in Korea, a BMP wasn't it love?" "Yes, Tal" Harrigan replied, pointing out the carapace scars where the round had blown through to Jack "Damn 73 hit me right here. He soon saw the error of his ways, though – from the angry end of several plasma rifles, as it should be".

Jack looked closely at the scars, saying "You'd better not make that too widely known. If it gets around you're proof against heavy weapons, we'll have more wild hysteria than we can deal with..." "Without killing people, anyway" Harrigan finished, sighing "We could quite easily cut down many times our number with our plasma guns. But that will only justify people's hostility to non-humans. I've already told all my guys not to say anything to the press – all we have to worry about speech-wise is Talannah, Captain Kran, and myself. The others are under orders to thump any reporters who don't take 'No' for an answer. Let's get over to see this chaplain".

Over in the base chapel, the chaplin was sitting in his study, tyring to prepare his sermon for the next Sunday morning. "...Oh, Lord..." he prayed, reaching his hands towards the ceiling "...please show me what You want me to preach. Please also give me something to do that doesn't involve funerals or death letters...". Then he continued bringing the rest of the issues of his day before God, only stopping when Captain Lazarus knocked lightly on the chapel door.

"Yes?" he called. "Captain Lazarus, chaplain. With erm..." Captain Lazarus faltered, still unaccustomed to Harrigan having more authority than him, then continued "...General Harrigan and..." , he looked over at Harrigan pleadingly, who whispered 'Colonel', "...yes, Colonel Talannah, to see you". "Come in" the chaplain replied, shutting off his PC. When he saw who was in his church, he just stared bug-eyed in shock at the sight of an obvious non-human being so close. "We aren't demons manifesting in this church, chaplain" Harrigan said easily "Talannah isn't human, that's true – she's Scarran. But despite my apppearance, I'm as human in here...", Harrigan tapped his skull, "as you are, padre. There's a few more of my people around, over in the VIP quarters".

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"Why are you here?" Chaplain Larris asked. "If you mean 'why are we on Earth'" Talannah told him "you don't need to know that. But if you mean 'why are we in this building with you', that I will say. I wish to marry John Harrigan". Talannah stretched her arm towards Harrigan so the chaplin knew who she meant, then drew Harrigan close for a hug.

Several expressions fought for supremacy on the chaplain's face. "Weellll..." he mused aloud "...there's no actual prohibition in my denomination's doctrine about marrying aliens. Though I'd have to say it's not an issue the senior pastors thought would ever come up". "Can you do this though?" Harrigan prompted. "Yes, we don't have a military-like chain of command – we only ask for direction on issues we're not sure on, or issues of serious wrong-doing. I don't see a problem with marriage – I'm just glad this doesn't involve hospital visits or death letters. I'm curious on one thing – why don't you use, well, your own people's marriage rules". Chaplin Larris cringed a bit at that, he could tell Talannah was bigger than him – and Harrigan even more so.

Talannah laughed easily, dispelling his tense mood. "I want to be married under my future husband's ways, on his world. He has told me a little about what may be expected, but perhaps you could clarify this for me?". Chaplin Larris sat down on one of the chairs in the main church, cracking his knuckles, and proceeded to explain the Bible's views on marriage to the pair of them. "You stress commitment and faithfulness" Talannah said "Good. I am a military woman – I understand the need for these things". "I also use the original marriage vows given by God, instead of the more airy-fairy ones some use. The words 'Love, honour, and obey' were put in for a reason – God has set it down that the wife should be submitted to her husband's authority".

"I am already submitted to his authority" Talannah told him "I am second in command of our unit. He commands". "Good. You're half way there already" Larris encouraged "But his authority as you husband extends off the field of battle, in your home. With any children you might have, especially". "We don't even know if that's possible yet" Harrigan said "We're going to try our hardest, though". Talannah leaned over and kissed him, snuggling tight against his shoulder. "Yes, I suppose you are!" Larris laughed as well.

Shor was taking a leisurely drive around the base, talking to Ryalla, when she spotted a small entourage coming towards the church. "Commander" she commed in "Unidentifed vehicles approaching your location. Four in number, luxury landcars. Orders?" "Round up the others" Harrigan barked, dropping into Scarran as he usually did in emergencies "Get them over here now". Shor cut in, adding "Sir, I slipped a few plasma rifles in the trunk. Will we need them?" "I really wish you hadn't done that" Harrigan replied, exasperated "But now you have, pass them out when the others arrive".

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"Sorry, sir" Shor finished. "Next time, just ask, will you?" Harrigan replied "Hauling around heavy firepower like that may well blow a mission some day if it's found. Remember that". "I doubt Ryalla will let me forget" came Shor's response "You know what she's like". Then he cut the call and followed the signs to the VIP quarters as fast as he could.

"What were you saying?" Chaplin Larris asked in confusion "I couldn't understand a word". "That was my people's language" Talannah replied "Most of us can speak at least a little English, but we may slip if we're stressed or don't know a word". Talannah prduced a small hypo, saying "These are translator microbes. They let you understand whatever's being said to you in most languages. You won't be able to speak a new language, but you will understand it – at least general conversational stuff. Shall I?" "I have them already" Jack Crichton said, walking inside "My son brought some when he visited. They're perfectly harmless". "Very well" Larris said apprehensively, so Talannah jabbed him with the hypo and released the microbes into his bloodstream.

Then she started talking in Scarran to him, and a few seconds later he was able to hear comprehensible words. "Wow..." he said, awestruck "Amazing. You were speaking your language to me, and I understood you clearly". "Yes" Talannah replied "I may want to say a few things to John when we take our marriage vows. I'll probably use Scarran since I don't yet know a lot of the more complicated English words yet – and most of these vary with context as well. This way you will hear my love and need for him expressed in my native language".

Shor burst in through the door of the chapel. "KNOCK, WILL YOU?" yelled Harrigan "We were having a private discussion!". "Sorry, sir" Shor replied in apology "But I've got the rest of our people arming up outside. Those cars will soon be here". "Probably the President's representative, T.R. Holt" Jack explained "He was the head of the American delegation when my son arrived. He's quite forceful, somehwat obstructive, and very USA- centric. He'll press and probe for all he's worth – especially once he's seen those ships you came in". "He's not getting in any of them, nor getting any blueprints or tech specs. He'll be stuck with whatever your son gave him, and like it too. Come on, let's get out and see..."

"Form up, people!" Harrigan told the others. Several of Captain Lazarus' people had come out to see what the fuss was all about, and formed up with them. "No itchy trigger-fingers! It's probably a government rep come to test his authority. Watch – but leave the talking to Talannah, Kran, or me". The Scarrans took up positions behind Shor's car, with Shor and Ryalla inside it. Troll and Ghost took up positions at the front of the car with the recon spcialist. "You don't have to be here" Harrigan told them. "No, sir" Troll replied "We don't. But you got us out of North Korea when you didn't have to – so we'll stay with you for now".

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The small group turned into the military portion of Canaveral and proceeded smoothly towards the landing site. Ghost had his rifle up and was scanning the vehicles for recogniseable faces, but didn't find any he knew. "Binoculars, please?" Jack asked. Captain Lazarus passed his over.

After a few seconds, Jack lowered them again. "It IS T.R. Holt" Jack confirmed "With some Secret Service agents – probably bodyguards". "Ghost, since you're here..." Harrigan said mischevously "Pop one of his front tyres. Bring him down a peg or two".

T.R, Holt smoothed down his suit jacket, preparing himself for the upcoming contact. This time John Crichton's not here, he thought happily. I'll make sure I get something out of this new lot – and it'll stay ours as well! Just then a loud bang swept over them and the car lurched to one side. The driver managed to stop before crashing, but it caused minor panic in the Secret Service chase cars until they realised no-one was hit. "Don't worry" he told his driver "We'll get out here and walk. It's not much further. These military people and their asinine games". Four agents stayed with the cars, and four came with Holt up to Harrigan's gathering.

"Stop!" Harrigan commanded "Or should I say 'Holt!'". He treated the others to a wide grin for his little play on words. "Keep moving, they won't kill us" Holt told the agents with him. Harrigan stepped out in front of his group and loosed a low-power charge into T.R. Holt, dropping him to the tarmac. It was only a stingbolt, not even enough to cause unconsciousness, but it let Holt know that Harrigan meant what he said. It took several seconds of trying before his legs responded well enough for him to stand up again, but he managed it eventually.

"Move up" Harrigan whispered "Those SS agents won't like all this firepower around their charge, but who cares..." The Scarrans moved up behind Harrigan still in formation. Shor and Ryalla got out of the car and moved up with Troll and Ghost. "Well, you've made your point" Holt said, irritated "Whoever you are. I am the President's advisor on extraterrestrial events. We need to talk. Now". "Frell off" hissed Talannah, stepping up beside Harrigan "We have our own private business to deal with first. You aren't invited. So get lost before I lose my temper". "You are on American soil, miss" Holt reminded Talannah "We make the rules here". "Neutralised by the fact" Kran responded "by the fact that we have all the firepower here. Those little guns your people are carrying won't penetrate our armour". "Calm down, Captain" Harrigan told him "While that's certainly true, there's no point in rubbing their noses in it".

"We may decide to talk later" Harrigan explained to Holt "But it will be LATER – not now. I suggest you relax. Get something to eat, have a drink or two, see the sights – we'll find you when we need you". Harrigan tuned his back on them and waved Holt away, walking back to his own people.

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"What do we do, sir?" the lead Secret Service agent asked. "We'll do as they suggest for now" Holt decided, rubbing his chest where the bolt had hit him. His leg wobbled a bit, the effects of the electricity still affecting him in minor ways, before he brought it under control. "We'll give them until tomorrow morning. If that really is Harrigan, his manner certainly fits how Senator Beasely described him. Far too full of himself". Like you're not, the agent said in the privacy of his own mind.

"Stand down for now, guys" Harrigan told the others "Put the plasma guns back in the trunk of Shor's car. Go and get some rest if you want – but hang around if you like. Talannah and I are just finalising our wedding preparations". Everyone rushed over to congratulate the happy couple, adding their compliments and good wishes. "I hope" said Kran happily, "that married life will be as exciting and rewarding for you two as it has been for Moratha and I". He smiled, remembering all the happy times he and his wife had shared over the years. Harrigan and Talannah looked at him, then at each other and wrapped their arms around each other for a quick squeeze before heading back to the chaplain. Ghost ran off to the barracks rec room, returning with a carton of Coca-Cola cans and various bars of chocolate to introduce his new friends to. The rest of Captain Lazarus' squad joined them, setting up a small camp on the lawn, and soon them and Harrigan's people were swapping stories and getting along well.

Despite Harrigan having landed properly about an hour ago, news had just reached General Franklin's office in the shape of a note dropped off by his new aide. The aide had transferred to Canaveral after Harrigan had left, so hadn't heard of his reputation – good or bad. If he knew of his General's connection with Harrigan, he'd have smashed the door in to get the news to him.

General Franklin was just going over the upcoming launches for the next few months, trying to figure out the necessary security arrangements. Also trying to write a plea to the Joint Chiefs for more Patriot missile batteries and Avenger AA vehicles to protect the launch site from suicide attack from the air. Al-Qaeda and their allies hadn't yet made an attack inside US soil, but General Franklin believed in planning for all contingencies. "Pity that Senator Beasely's on the Senate Armed Services Committee" the General muttered under his breath, reaching for the next note on the pile on his desk "Because he's considered it his mission in life to make my life hell ever since Harrigan thumped his son".

He brought up the note. "Can't possibly get any worse..." he muttered, and gave it a look. As soon as he saw 'Harrigan' written on it, he perked up a little, saying "Where is he now, then?" After reading the rest of the short note, he ran out into the outer office and collared his aide as he was talking to an Israeli colonel. "Why the hell didn't you tell me that Harrigan had come back, Captain?" he bawled at the Captain. The Captain hadn't yet seen General Franklin in such a mood. "Honestly, sir" the Captain replied diffidently, sorting through his papers "I thought it was a hoax. One of Lazarus' team playing a trick on us. You know how they get".

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"YES, I KNOW HOW THEY GET!" the General yelled before calming down "I also know Lazarus' company is amongst the best spec-ops team the Air Force has got! They really looked up to Harrigan – they wouldn't joke about this. I'm going to have a look". As General Franklin grabbed his cap and strode out of the office, the aide tut-tutted to himself. If General Franklin just played the Army system the way the Colonel does, he'd be on the Joint Chiefs by now – but instead he associates himself with counter-culture maniacs in the special operations companies. Not that he really minded – it meant more opportunities for him. He picked up the phone to advise T.R. Holt of the General's intent.

Keyah was just discussing militay life in the US Air Force for women with Jane, when she spotted an especially ornate uniform. Its wearer stopped to talk to one of the base security people, she saw, then walked over in their direction. "Captain Kran?" she called. "Yes, Keyah?" he replied from where he was showing Troll his plasma gun "What's happening?" "Visitor, Captain" she replied "If the decoration on his uniform is anything to go by, a high-ranking officer". Kran growled in irritation at the newcomer's arrival, and yelled "CONTACT!"

"Defensive positions!" Kran continued "We've got unknown personnel approaching. Recon, right flank. Ghost, left flank. Troll, here with me in the middle. The rest of you, spread out!" Most of the Americans hadn't seen Captain Kran in battle mode before, and weren't sure how to react to orders from a non-human they didn't know. When they saw Troll and Ghost move as directed, they reasoned that it must be OK for them to obey his orders, and followed suit. Some got a nasty glare for not being too quick, but all arived at their assigned places. "Ghost, what do you see?" Kran asked. Ghost raised his binoculars and took a good look at who was coming towards them. He immediately put the binoculars down again, saying "Stand down, guys. It's General Franklin". The Scarrans looked a little suspicious when the Americans relaxed and put their weapons down. "Did the Captain tell you to put your weapons down?" asked a slightly annoyed Ryalla "No, he didn't. So why did you?"

"That's General Franklin" Jane explained to her "The base commander. Very understanding to us special operations people. He's perfectly safe". Keyah over heard this, and got up to walk over to the General. When General Franklin saw an unfamiliar woman not in uniform approaching, he wondered whether his aide was right about a hoax. "Miss" he asked Keyah warily "Would someone by the name of John Harrigan be over there by any chance?" Keyah smiled, saying in perfect English "The Commander is not available right now, General Franklin. He and the Sub-Commander are in the chapel with the chaplin. Perhaps you would like to stop with us until he returns".

"And you are..." General Franklin asked. Must be a camp follower or someone's daughter – she doesn't look too old. He was swiftly proven very wrong when Keyah replied "My full name is Keyah Karimu Kalifa Kamara. I am the comm officer on board our ship. I also specialise in infiltration and sabotage", revealing the Viper and daggers under her jacket.

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"You're a soldier?" the General asked, stunned. What HAS Harrigan been up to while he's been away, and where? "Of a sort" Keyah replied, guiding the General to where Captain Kran was sitting. "Our unit doesn't exactly follow regulations" Keyah explained, laughing "None of us fit into a specific job or responnsibilities. But we all seem to come together well when needed".

Captain Lazarus walked over from outside the chapel and saluted. "General Franklin, sir" he said in greeting "How nice to have you join our motley crew this fine day". "So Harrigan is here then, Captain" General Franklin asked, letting out a sigh of relief. Captain Lazarus isn't the joking type – so it must be true. "Yes, General" Lazarus confirmed "He's in the chapel right now. I'd wait, sir, if I were you...". "Why?" asked the General, not understanding why. "Harrigan's not as you last saw him" Captain Lazrus replied. Several laughs came from the rest of his team, and a few from the Scarrans as well. "He has...changed...sir. He also wouldn't appreciate the interruption right now, especially after T.R. Holt butting in".

"Oh, so the President's envoy has turned up?" General Franklin said "But Holt's involved in ali...oh my...". The General finally caught on to the fact that most of those around him weren't human. "Captain..." General Franklin asked "What the hell is going on here?" "Not too sure I know myself, General" Captain Lazarus laughed. Once he saw the General's expression, he added "Don't worry, you're perfectly safe with them. This lot extracted us from North Korea two aircraft much like that one...". Lazarus pointed to the Stryker taking up most of one end of the parking lot, then finished with "...and brought us here. We would have been dead if they hadn't intervened. Whatever else they are, they're first class spec-ops troops, General".

"So do I hyave to go and drag him out, then?" he asked anyone who might be listening. A buzz on his comm alerted Captain Kran, who turned to General Franklin. "Generaal..." Kran said in somewhat broken English, before lapsing into Scarran "Oh, frell this! Get the General translator microbes, Doctor!". Doctor Nrakal came forward with a hypo. "Don't worry, General" Nrakal explained in better English than the Captain did "These will enable you to understand speech in languages other than your native one. May I?" The General nodded uneasily, so Nrakal jabbed him with a dose before he changed his mind. "Ow..." the General remarked, before Kran resumed his speech. "General" Kran said "General? Commander Harrigan's on his way out now. Do not be alarmed, despite his appearance – it is him". "I can understand you!" General Franklin said in surprise. "Of course you can" Keyah explained "That's what translator microbes are for".

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When Harrigan and Talannah finally walked out of the chapel, the chaplin beside them, General Franklin could hardly believe what he saw. "THAT is Harrigan?" he exclaimed with shock "How the hell did that happen?" "Don't know, sir" Captain Lazarus replied "I think that knowledge doesn't get spread too far. I'm sure he has his reasons". "I'll ask him anyway" General Franklin said firmly "I'm a General, you know. I can ask questions like that".

"General Franklin" Harrigan said easily "Glad to see you're the same irascible old curmudgeon we all know and love. How are y..." "Where the hell have you BEEN, L-T?" he interrupted "And how did you end up looking like a refugee from a medieval fantasy?" "John is more than a Lieutenant in your military now, General" Talannah said, hushing the General "He commands a special-operations unit of his own now, and a warship of his own. His rank is now War Commander. Equivalent to a three-star General in your own system, easily so". "You are?" General Franklin asked, looking over at Talannah. "The second in command of our unit" Talannah told him "and John's fiance. That is the right term, isn't it, John?"

Harrigan leaned over to deliver a kiss, saying "Yes, love – that's it". "So what do you think, General?" he asked General Franklin happily. "Weeeelll..." he replied, somewhat shocked "I'm glad you're finally settling down, Harrigan – but with an al..." Harrigan held up his hand to stop General Franklin before he could finish the word. "Don't say that, General" Harrigan warned politely but firmly "My people domn't like that word, and neither do I. I consider them people, just as you are. Outside appearance doesn't matter. I suggest you do the same". General Franklin caught the steel in his tone, which certainly wasn't there before he left. "So you have a General's authority now" General Franklin said "That's a heavy weight , Harrigan. Just don't screw it up". "I have the lovely Talannah there" Harrigan explained, pointing to the same woman who addressed him earlier "as my second in command, and Captain Kran as my infantry training officer, to make sure I do not". "Which one's Captain Kran?" General Franklin asked. "Captain Kran, front and centre!" called Harrigan. General Franklin almost jumped out of his skin with shock when confronted by the seven-feet-two-inches tall heavily built Scarran. "That's me, General" the Captain revealed "I am Captain Kran".

"Well, you certainly know how to pick them, Harrigan" General Franklin said, then got back to business. "There's an Israeli colonel in my office" he continued "Since your flight up there, no one over there has heard from Mary. The Israeli government think we're hiding something, when in reality we probably know less than they do. That corporal's girlfriend has been badgering me to lift the 'cloak of silence' around his disappearance, and reveal to the public what he's been involved with. She reckoned we'd been using hiom as a guinea pig at Area 51".

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"That's not as far from the truth as you think" Harrigan replied "But is there anywhere more comfortable we can discuss this, sir?" The General thought quickly – my wife will get the surprise of her life seeing Harrigan again, especially like this! "My house" he decided "Captain Lazarus, get your people squared away in barracks now. It took a lot of markers to get you back here – let's not waste the effort by leaving this mess all over the tarmac". "Sir" the Captain reminded him "Harrigan's ships should be secured properly. I'd like to get my people doing that. I'll cover it as an exercise in guarding a landing zone. Which it is – the weirdest landing zone we've ever guarded, but who cares..."

"OK, OK" General Franklin decided. "If you'd get in the car..." Harrigan urged, pointing to where Shor's car was idling "we'll take you there. The rest of us can walk".

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