Chapter 5

John was upset about being called up to command. He was nearing a critical juncture in his work and didn't like being disturbed. "What is it, Captain?" he asked as he entered commanded. His question trailed off as he saw the sight before them. "What…?"

"That, is First Command," Bialar said with pride.

John had always envisioned a Peacekeeper homeworld. Something like Coruscant in Star Wars. He had never imagined this. Stretched before him was what appeared to be a series of asteroids that were connected to create a massive base. There was room for command carriers to dock. In fact, it looked like there were a couple being built. Shipyards that seemed to be working on smaller vessels dotted the complex, as well. Some areas were clearly for habitation; he could see planetary terrain on a very large scale. It looked as though whole sections of very large asteroids had been terraformed. "I thought it would be a planet," he finally said.

The pride was obvious in Crais' voice as he spoke. "First Command began as a base to protect the approaches to the seat of Peacekeeper politics. Over time, it grew to encompass a shipyard. Over thousands of cycles, it has grown to occupy this entire segment of the asteroid belt. Rogue asteroids are herded away from the complex."

"Why not base it on the planet?"

"The politicians did not want the military based on the planet. It has become a symbol of who we are that we live and die among the stars, and First Command epitomizes that. We would never want to be based on a planet."

"Yeah, I can see that." The sight still took his breath away. "So, when do we dock?"

"We won't be docking. I will notify you when the transport is ready."

"Yeah, you do that." He saw Aeryn join them. "Have you ever seen this?" he asked her.

"No, but I've read about it."

He looked at her quizzically because she didn't seem the least bit overwhelmed. "Aeryn, this…complex is amazing. You can't tell me it doesn't take your breath away."

"It's a military installation. Why would it take my breath away?"

"It's huge, it's amazing. They can dock frelling command carriers."

"Yes, John, they can."

He was exasperated that no one shared his wonder. "Okay, fine, I'm going back to work until we go down there."

Velorek saw Aeryn enter one of the planetary simulations. He followed her. "I think that you've been avoiding me," he said playfully.

"Are you just now figuring that out?"

"I wish you wouldn't. I enjoy spending time with you."

"Velorek, I need you to realize that I am not your Aeryn."

"I do realize that, but you and her are so very much alike. I know that you would be happy here."

"I'm happy where I am. I have John and we are a family."

"But you've told me that you are on the run. Chased by Scarrans, your own Peacekeepers. Is that any way to live? Here you can have safety. You would have the protection of the Peacekeepers. And with the blow we are about to strike, it should remove the Scarran threat. You did admit that you loved me in your reality."

"I did, but that time has passed. What do I need to do to get you to realize that?"

"Are you sure that time has passed? I have seen the way you look at me. You may say that those feelings are gone, but I think you are wrong." He reached up and brushed her cheek.

She pulled away and turned from him.

He put his hand on her shoulder and ran it down her arm. "I would protect you. Under Crais' protection we would be safe, and you would know your children."

She closed her eyes. She knew that what he said was the truth. She had already seen proof of this with Kareth.

"Aeryn, you saved me, the gunships, and in turn, probably the Peacekeepers."

"No, I didn't." She was trying to hold back the tears. If what he said was true, if the gunships were part of the key to defeating the Scarrans, then she had doomed the Peacekeepers of her reality. She might have been responsible for Grayza's rise to power. "And that's why I can't stay here. We have to make things better."

He led her to a more secluded area. "Aeryn, what aren't you telling me? Why does this upset you so much?"

"You don't understand." She tried to get away from him, unable to cope with the feelings he was evoking.

"Help me understand," he pleaded gently.

"If what you say is true about the gunships, I have hurt my reality. I might be responsible for Grayza's rise to power, and her betrayal of the Peacekeepers. I need to go back to help, to prevent the Scarrans from gaining control."

He brushed her hair away from her face. "Aeryn, it's not your fault. There must have been some reason other than the failure of the gunship project that led to Grayza's rise to power. No one person could be responsible for that."

"But you don't understand, Crais left the Peacekeepers."

"It wasn't because of you."

"I could have given him John, and none of it would have happened."

"What are you saying?"

She briefly explained what led to Crais' departure from the Peacekeepers.

He listened intently and comforted her as she needed it. When she finished he brushed her hair and spoke in a reassuring voice. "Listen to what you've said. He declared you irreversibly contaminated. There was nothing else you could have done. Not without losing your life. You said so yourself. He made his own decision. You tried to convince him to be rational. Never blame yourself." He wrapped her into an embrace.

She realized what was happening and pulled away. "I need to go now."

"Aeryn," he pleaded.

"I just need to go." She hurried away, not wanting to talk any more.

Velorek watched her go. He knew that they belonged together. He just had to make her see that. He had been so close.

Lt. Teeg entered the lab. "Crichton, the transport will be leaving in a quarter arn. You need to change."

"I'm wearing clean underwear," he replied glibly.

Teeg ignored what he had said. "Captain Crais has determined that you are more likely to be received seriously if you are dressed appropriately. A tech officer's uniform is in your quarters. Captain Crais will be waiting for you at the transport. I suggest you not be late."

"Yeah, I know how irate he can get," he mumbled. "Okay, I'll be there." He didn't like the idea of wearing a Peacekeeper uniform. He was comfortable in his own clothes, but he didn't see that he had much choice. When he got to his quarters, he saw it was a uniform very much like the one he had worn when they had met Larraq.

He arrived a little early to the hangar and found himself waiting for Crais. Aeryn showed up shortly after he did. She was also attired in a Peacekeeper uniform. "I see they got you, too, babe."

"It's for the best. You know how Peacekeepers feel about outsiders."

"Oh, yeah, I do." He waited impatiently for Crais. He noticed Aeryn was shifting uncomfortably and was about to ask her what was bothering her when Crais arrived.

"You will be a technical advisor as I report to First Command about wormholes. You will remain silent and defer to me."

"You know, Crais, you have got to work on your people skills. Why are you briefing my plan?"

"Crichton, to reiterate, as you seem not have listened the first time, we are fighting for the survival of the Sebacean race. First Command has scheduled an appointment for us; I do not have time to waste on pleasantries. As to why I am briefing it, I am your captain." He herded them onto the transport.

John was about to protest when Aeryn jabbed him to keep quiet.

On the trip to First Command, John thought about the differences between the two brothers. There were times that Bialar Crais could be a nice personable guy, but those times were in private. Whenever the elder Crais was around his crew, he was all business and by the books. Tauvo, on the other hand, was actually fun to hang around. John had been working on teaching Tauvo, and a few of his senior officers, poker. He was starting to regret that because he was finding that Peacekeepers were very good at bluffing. Tauvo kept insisting that John needed to teach Bialar poker. John wasn't so sure

As they drew closer to First Command, he couldn't help staring out the window. He knew how large the complex had to be, but seeing it in person was nearly overwhelming. They approached one of the larger pressure domes. There was an iris door on the side of the dome that the transport flew towards. The iris opened as they approached, and John found they were in a hangar three times as large as the main hangar on the command carrier. He was pretty sure that Talyn or any one of the gunships could have easily fit inside.

"Try not to look too shocked," whispered Aeryn.

"Yeah, right. It's just so…big."

She reached over and squeezed his hand. "It'll be all right. We'll take care of the Scarrans and then we can go home."

"And you're sure they'll believe Crais and trust me?" he whispered.

"Yes. He trusts you, and you've seen how he is. This is how it would have been…"

"If Tauvo hadn't died. Yeah. Would have made a big difference."

The transport had settled onto the flight deck. John adjusted his tech's uniform. Even though he had worn Peacekeeper clothing before and impersonated Peacekeepers, he had never done so in the heart of Peacekeeper controlled space. Crais led them through the maze that was First Command.

After what seemed like a very long walk, they arrived at a reception area. There was a lieutenant sitting at the desk. "Captain Crais, you are expected. The council should be ready for you soon."

Crais seemed to take this as nothing unusual and sat in a chair against the wall. Aeryn and John chose chairs as far from his as possible so they could talk. The guards that had accompanied him took up position near the door they had come through. John noticed the other door had guards as well, though they were dressed in red and not black. "Are those guys the Imperial Guard?" he asked Aeryn.

She had no idea what that meant. "They are the specially selected Council Guard. It is a very important post. Now, you should be quiet."

Sitting around and doing nothing were two of the things he hated most. He rationalized it would be bad to draw undue attention and decided to follow her advice. It was about a quarter arn before the door to the council chamber opened.

Crais got up to walk through the door, and Aeryn and John fell in behind him. They stopped shortly after entering the room and let Crais move to the center and do the talking. He made his proposal briefly and eloquently.

The council conferred for several microts before addressing Crais. "You have proof that these wormholes are navigable? All indications we have had are that traveling wormholes leads to death."

"My tech has allowed Talyn to safely transit wormholes twice. I have provided evidence on this data chip. We have proven that they can be used to travel quickly and arrive undetected. With the gunships, we would have the ability to destroy the Scarrans once and for all, before they use this same technology against us."

An aide took the chip from Crais and played it for all on the Council to see.

"Since you have proven yourself as a developer of new technology, we will grant your request. The gunships will be assembled under your command. When will you be ready to leave?"

"The final stages of planning are in progress. Through the wormholes we have determined the location of the Scarran's main stronghold. We are going through the data retrieved from the Scarran cruiser to plan our assault."

"And that is data that you have not provided us."

"For good reason, Admiral. This operation is very sensitive. I am concerned that the Scarran ship knew the location of my command carrier group. Their attack seemed too deliberate to be random chance. In the interest of safety and security it is best that only the four people that currently have the information remain the only ones with it."

"Are you saying that we are giving information to the Scarrans?"

"No, sir. I am saying that it is possible that the Scarrans have infiltrated our Command and have found a way to spy on us. I do not want to jeopardize the success of this mission."

The Admiral raised his eyebrows skeptically.

Crais did not want to risk losing this opportunity to finally end the conflict with the Scarrans and added, "I have not failed First Command, and I will not begin now. I will strike the death blow to the Scarrans."

"If that is the case, Admiral Grayza will go with you, as an observer, to ensure that the operation is a success."

Aeryn and John shared a look of concern. They would have to talk to Crais about this, just in case this Grayza was like theirs.

"Of course, sir. I will await her arrival on my command carrier. If you will excuse me, I will begin making arrangements for the gunships to rendezvous."

Crais was just turning to leave when Admiral Grayza spoke, "Captain, is he the tech in question?"

"Yes, ma'am. Lt. Crichton."

John cringed. He had not been happy with the 'demotion' but Crais had insisted it was much easier to create a lieutenant than a commander.

"Lieutenant, you are sure of this technology?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am, I am. I have proven that successful wormhole travel is possible. We are all proof of that."

"I would be interested in learning more about wormhole travel while I'm onboard. Dismissed."

"I bet you would," John whispered under his breath as they walked out of the room.

Once they were back on the transport, John said, "Captain, there are some details I would like to discuss with you once we return to the ship."

Crais was about to suggest they could discuss them there, but he could see the look of concern on their faces and he said nothing.

Tauvo was waiting for their return. Crais motioned for Tauvo to join them in his quarters. He sat at the desk, leaving them to stand. "What is it that you find so important?"

"Grayza, you can't trust her," John said.

"You mean to tell me that I cannot trust someone that is a member of the Council?"

"That's exactly what I'm telling you. In our reality she sold, well attempted to sell, the Peacekeepers out to the Scarrans."

"And you think that means she will do it here? You have already admitted that I am different and that Senior Officer Sun is different. Why would Grayza not be different as well? In all my cycles of dealing with First Command, I have seen nothing to indicate she is less than trustworthy."

"Oh, come on. What about the Heppel gland?"

"What Heppel gland are you talking about?"

"Look at her, Crais. That isn't normal."

Crais did not like being addressed so informally. "Captain Crais. And that is a serious accusation to make. Peacekeepers do not modify their bodies with alien glands."

"Captain, I just need you to keep an eye on her. I didn't trust her in my reality, and I don't trust her here. Have her scanned when she gets here."

"Crichton, you are overstepping your bounds. I have allowed you a great deal of leniency, but I will not do something to jeopardize my career. Be careful that you do not stretch my patience."

"Yes, Captain. But will you at least consider the possibility I could be right?"

"I will consider that she betrayed the Peacekeepers in your reality. Unless I see suspicious behavior, I will not authorize an investigation. And if you take it upon yourself to prove her loyalty, I will be forced to punish you. Do not make me do that. Both you and Senior Officer Sun possess important information that we need for our planning." The harshness had left Bialar's voice.

"All communications off this ship have been secured except with my specific approval, and it shall remain so. Our next planning meeting will be in two arns. By then the computer simulation of Katratzi should be complete."

They took this as a dismissal and left.

Tauvo took a seat across from his brother after they left. "Do you think they have a point?"

"I don't know. There have been a lot of similarities between the two realities. We need to keep track of her computer activities while she is here. Ensure she doesn't make any unauthorized transmissions."

"I'll make sure it's done." Tauvo rose and paused before the door opened. "I hope this is over soon. I don't like the idea of wormholes."

"I know. Neither do I. Are you still sure we can trust them?"

"Yes. They have no love of the Scarrans. I like John. He may be a little odd, but he's a good man. Aeryn…she is very much like the one we knew."

Bialar knew that his brother had always secretly cared for Aeryn and envied the special privileges Velorek had earned. "Crichton assures me that it will only be a few more days before we are ready. That will coincide with our rendezvous."

As soon as Grayza was onboard, they left orbit and headed to the rendezvous point. Bialar, Tauvo, John, Aeryn, Lt. Teeg, and two of the gunship captains assembled in Crais' quarters for the briefing. As they were getting ready to start Grayza walked in. "I assume it was a small oversight not to tell me about this meeting, and one that will not happen again."

John shot Bialar an I told you so' look.

"It was my understanding that you were an observer, Admiral. As such I did not think that you would want to be involved in an initial planning meeting."

"I am here to ensure that the interests of First Command are protected. In order to do that, I need to be present at all meetings." She stood over Bialar indicating that she wanted him to relinquish his seat.

He stared at her for several tense microts before relinquishing his seat.

She surveyed those present. "I know why the gunship captains and Lt. Crichton are here. Who are the others?"

"Lt. Teeg my second in command, Capt. Tauvo Crais, commander of Churat, and Sr. Officer Sun, special commando."

"Why is she here? The others I can understand."

"Sr. Officer Sun has information about the Scarran base."

Grayza cocked an eyebrow. "I would be interested in hearing this information. You may begin."

Bialar began by pulling up the holo of Katratzi and outlining the initial phase of the attack.

"And you know where Katratzi is?" Grayza interrupted.

"Lt. Crichton can get us there through wormholes."

"So you know where it is, Lieutenant?"

"Yeah, I can get us there," John replied.

Crais shot him a look that reminded him to follow protocol.

"Yes, ma'am."

"And where is it?" she asked.

"That's a little harder to say. I can't always place things from a wormhole on a star chart."

"And you are basing your entire plan on this, Captain?"

"It is a sound plan. While this is new technology, it is proven. I trust Lt. Crichton's information, and the Council agreed to allow me do this. May I continue with the meeting?" Crais asked.

"Of course, Captain," Grayza said sweetly.

Crais briefed the attack without any further interruption, but he could tell that Grayza had comments. "If there are no questions, that is all I have. We will refine the plan in two days once we rendezvous with the rest of the gunships. Expect to attack on the third."

Grayza was shocked, "So soon, captain?"

"Yes, ma'am. The gunships can assemble quickly. The sooner we attack, the better."

"Of course," she replied nervously.

John was getting suspicious. He didn't like the way Grayza was acting.

The others, sensing the meeting was over, began filtering out of Crais' quarters. John, along with Aeryn and Tauvo were hanging back, hoping to speak with Bialar.

"Captain, I have some details I wish to discuss with you," Grayza said.

John and the others clearly realized that they would have to wait until later to speak with Bialar.

Once out in the passageway, Tauvo motioned that they should follow him. He didn't speak until they were in his quarters. "Something bothering you, John?"

"Yeah. Grayza. I don't trust her, and I trust her even less after the way that she was acting in that meeting."

"Aeryn?"

"I'd have to agree that she seemed overly nervous. Especially when it was mentioned we would be ready to act in a matter of days."

"Well, don't worry. Bialar has all comms shut down, and only he and I know where the rendezvous point is."

"Unless she gets it from him," added John.

"He won't give it to her," said Tauvo.

"Tauvo, if she has the heppel gland it might not make a difference. Trust me on this. I've learned first hand. She can get it from him." John cut off Tauvo's protest. "No. You can't resist this. Not without help."

"Well, it doesn't matter. All communications are cut off."

"Unless authorized by Crais," Aeryn said.

Tauvo ran out of his quarters, hoping he wasn't too late.