"Be Human"

Disclaimer: I didn't create the Farscape characters. You know who owns the Farscape characters. Caralynn Adrasteia (Carly), Murphy Greenfield, Scott Madigan, Zoe Baird and Arissia are mine…all mine…

Part Two: The Gang's All Here

Angels and demons were circling above me
Breaking the hardships and starry ways
The only one who doesn't know happiness
Is the one who couldn't understand its call

From "Inner Universe"
From Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex

Arissia looked around at the assembled faces and smiled at the puzzled looks all but one of them wore.

"I'm sorry," she said. "Did I say something wrong?"

For a few microts, all John could do was stare. "I'm sorry," he was finally able to say, "but could you run that by us again, 'cause I think we're all a little fuzzy on what you said. Are you claiming to be God?"

Zoe said, "She's telling the truth. Arissia is the being humans refer to as God, the one who created the universe."

"Did it really take seven days," Carly asked.

"It actually took a few nanoseconds to get it started, then I just let it go. I tend to think of the universe as a work in progress."

"You don't look like any kind of supreme being I've ever heard of." Aeryn glanced at John. "Didn't you tell me your god was usually portrayed as an old man?"

"That's one narrow interpretation. To be honest, though I am powerful, I'm not the all-powerful being that most humans think I am. I may have started this universe, and I did create one life form, but I left everything else to develop on its own."

John holstered his pulse pistol and considered what Arissia said. "There is something I've always been curious about, something I've wondered as long as I can remember. Where did you come from?" John waved a hand toward the Center Chamber. "Let's all have a seat."

As she followed the others into the compartment, Carly said, "I know someone who'd say you're not supposed to ask that question, that the origins of God are a matter of faith."

Murphy nodded. "You're right. Wes would be beside himself at this opportunity."

"I've always wondered about that sentiment," Scott said as he took a seat. "Why would she give us the intelligence and curiosity to conceive the question if we're not supposed to know the answer?"

"I didn't give humanity anything, Scott. As to where I came from…that's a tale. Do you accept there was another universe before this one?"

"I accept that it's possible there was a universe before this one. There's really no way to know."

"Trust me. There was a universe before this one. In that universe, there was a race of being that were identical to humans. We had allied with a race known as the Mhal'rheni, who were experts in time travel. Between our two races, we explored the past and increased our understanding of what came before. Then it was proposed going all the way back to the explosion that created our universe. I was the one chosen to go back and make the observation."

Arissia closed her eyes. "So I went back. To my surprise, I found someone there, watching me. Before I could investigate, something went terribly wrong. Rather than simply being observed, the uncontrolled energies of the explosion flooded through our time portal and began to unravel the universe, destroying it on a subatomic level. Though it seemed like moments to me, the universe I knew was destroyed over the course of a few thousand years. When it was finished, only I, existing only as energy, and one small, atom-sized particle of matter survived."

"What about that someone you found at the beginning?"

"Ironically enough, he was a time traveler from the universe previous to mine, which suffered the same fate as my own. He told me that it was up to me to shepherd this new universe, just as he shepherded my universe. It was his hope that this universe wouldn't suffer the same fate as the universe before it."

"What happened to him?"

"He said he was passing beyond the veil. I assume he's dead; I haven't felt his presence since this universe started. So I've made sure this universe continues on as it should. That includes making sure no one tries to witness the creation of the universe."

"You created one race? And which race might that be?"

Arissia smiled. "I'm sure there are people on Earth who would argue that the race I created was humanity. It wasn't. The race I created was Zoe's, the energy beings known as the Dolwa."

Aeryn turned to Zoe. "You're not human?"

"No. I'm an energy being who merged with the body of Scott's murdered lover. In my natural form, this is what I look like." Zoe closed her eyes and her body seemed to collapse in on itself. A moment later, she looked like nothing more than a glowing sphere of light surrounded by a larger, shimmering sphere. After a microt, she returned to her human form.

"You didn't do that when I met you before."

"I usually don't conceal my abilities. If I was…will be hiding them, then I must be concealing my true identity. It'll be interesting to find out why."

Just when I thought we were finished with the weird-ass crap, John thought. He stared at Zoe then turned back to Arissia. "So, are you the one who brought them here?"

"No. Whoever it was brought me here also."

"But you're God."

Arissia shrugged. "When I assume a human form, I'm subject to everything that would affect a human. But that also says that whoever our abductor is, he's extremely powerful."

Carly exchanged a look with Murphy. "Can you get us out of here and back to where we belong?"

"I would if I could. Something seems to be blocking me. Zoe, can you transport?"

"No. Something's blocking me, also. All the rest of my abilities are intact, but I can't…" Zoe looked around, long red hair trailing like a mane, eyes wide.

"What's the matter?"

Zoe looked around again. "My people have a limited precognitive sense. It's imprecise, but it at least gives a hint that something's about to go wrong."

John and Aeryn exchanged looks. "Pilot, is everything all right?"

"For the moment, Officer Sun. All of Moya's systems are functioning normally, and no one else has appeared. We're still on course for…wait…"

"Pilot? Don't tell me…"

"Six more people have appeared on tier twelve. In appears that four of them are fighting the other two."

John sighed. "It's started to feel like old times."

"I was getting used to the quiet." Aeryn drew her pulse pistol, glanced at Carly and Murphy, then turned to Scott and Zoe. "I know they're armed. What about you two?"

"No problem." Scott reached under his coat and pulled out a long, cylindrical device. "Just like the old Boy Scouts, I'm always prepared."

John raised an eyebrow. "A lightsaber?"

"Gunstick. Don't let the size and shape fool you."

"Wouldn't dream of it. What about you, Zoe?"

Zoe shook her head. "I don't need a weapon, John." Her eyes glowed for a moment.

"Pilot, send more DRDs to watch D'Argo." Aeryn tightened her grip on her pulse pistol and felt her heart begin to race, anticipating action. "We'll split up and come at them from both sides."

Arissia watched the six of them start for the door. "If it's all the same with you, I'll join Pilot and try to figure out who's behind this."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. Despite the number of wars that have been fought in my name, I really don't like violence."

John shrugged. "Your choice. To get to Pilot's…"

"I know the way, John." Arissia smiled and left the Center Chamber.

Murphy stared at the door. "You know, I have my own vision of God…it wasn't her."

"Discuss it later. We have a fight going on downstairs.

Aeryn slid to a stop as she rounded the corner, Carly and Murphy close behind her. A man and woman were in the center of the corridor, fighting what looked like upright lizards. The man was fighting hand-to-hand, while the woman swung a long sword.

Aeryn blinked. "Well, this is turning into a regular reunion."

"Someone you know?"

"I'll explain later. Antandra! Down!" She raised her pulse pistol and opened fire on the lizards. A microt later, Carly and Murphy followed suit.

The woman grabbed the man and dragged him to the floor as a hail of pulse blasts and plasma charges struck the lizards. The four disappeared as they fell.

Archangel Antandra Pandora raised her head and looked around. "Why can't our lives settle down?"

The man shook his head and wiped sweat from his dark skin. "That would be boring. Although, an explanation would be greatly appreciated."

Another man's voice, which seemed to come from Antandra's belt, said, "If you wanted a peaceful life, then perhaps it would've been better for you to resign your commission. We appear to be in familiar surroundings, Archangel."

"Yes, I know, Parsifal. I recognize the walls." Antandra smiled and stood. "Hello, Aeryn. It's good to see you again, though I'd like to know how we got back to Moya."

"We seem to be having a rash of people appearing out of nowhere." Aeryn holstered her pulse pistol. "How did you get here?"

"We were walking through a park near our home. It seemed rather peaceful when those lizard creatures came out of nowhere and attacked us. The next thing we know, we're here...wherever here is." The man shook his head. "I'm Mathias Crowe, Antandra's husband. You're the one who showed up with Antandra a couple of years back, right?"

"Yes." Aeryn tensed at the sound of running feet. She relaxed when she saw John, Scott and Zoe round the far corner.

John stared and lowered his pulse pistol. "Well, I didn't think we'd ever see you again. You're looking well, Antandra. Is Parsifal still with you?"

"Of course, Commander Crichton. The Archangel would be lost without me."

"You're looking well also, John. You and Scott were brought here, too, Zoe?"

Zoe blinked. "What year are you from?"

Antandra looked confused. "7781. Why?"

"Because we haven't met you yet," Scott said. "We're from 4495. So the situation, as it exists now, is that we have people from four different points in history, all of whom have had John, Aeryn and this ship."

"Except that we haven't encountered Aeryn yet," Zoe added. "And then there's Arissia."

"We've never seen her before," John said. He leaned against the wall and considered. "Whoever's behind this must have some reason for grabbing her."

"Who's Arissia," Mathias asked.

"Arissia Mastani, someone else who appeared out of nowhere. She went to Pilot so she could try and figure out who's behind all this."

The feeling that someone was standing behind her came over Aeryn just before they heard the voice.

"Do you want to know who I am?"

Aeryn frowned and looked around. "Did anyone else hear that?"

"You mean a deep, rumbling voice asking if we wanted to know who he was?" Murphy nodded. "Yeah, I heard it, too."

John stepped away from the wall and looked around, his hand drifting toward his pulse pistol. "Come out, come out wherever you are."

"I am here, but I'm not. Do you want to know why I've brought you together?"

"I'm not in the mood for games," Aeryn said as she drew her pulse pistol and scanned the corridor.

"That voice is familiar," Mathias said, "but I can't place it."

"Yes, of course you recognize my voice, Mathias Crowe. You once knew me quite well. It's because of you that I no longer have a physical form."

Mathias exchanged a confused look with Antandra and shook his head. "I'm afraid you have me as a disadvantage. What was your name?"

"That would spoil the surprise."

Aeryn looked around the corridor again. "Pilot, is Moya picking up anything?"

"No, Officer Sun. There is nothing registering on Moya's sensors."

"Can you hear this voice?"

"Yes, but I am at a loss as to where it's coming from."

In the background, they heard Arissia gasp. "Oh no," she said. "I know who it is! Mathias, remember back…" Her voice disappeared in a sea of static.

John slapping his comm. "Pilot? Pilot?" His only response was silence. "Okay, whoever you are, if you have a beef with Mathias, fine. What do the rest of us have to do with it?"

"You all were involved in some way. Although, I do admit to taking the wrong Madigan and Baird. I looked at the wrong time period. But no matter."

"Oh wonderful," Scott muttered. "I'm in trouble for something I haven't done yet. What is it I did to piss you off?"

"Again, that would spoil the surprise. Now, it is time for you to work for your freedom."

"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose."

"Thank you, Janis Joplin." John glanced at Scott then upward. "What is it we're supposed to do?"

"You will see. It is time."

The corridor was plunged into darkness. It felt to John like he was falling.

The sensation faded a moment later, leaving…

…nothing…

TO BE CONTINUED