"Happy birthday, Crichton." Aeryn said.
She was the first to congratulate him as he entered the common room.
Crichton was surprised to hear these words coming
from her.
He smiled as he gazed upon her beautiful eyes.
"What's
all this then?" he asked.
He looked around the common room, staring at the many strange decorations which were displayed and hung around the chamber.
"It´s a birthday party." Aeryn
said.
"A birthday party?" Crichton asked surprised.
"That's
what humans call it, don't they?"
Crichton smiled.
"Yeah,
they do."
He had almost forgotten that it was his birthday
today.
He wondered how they had found out about it.
"Happy birthday, Crichton." Zhaan said as she kissed his cheeks and helped him to his seat.
"Whose idea was this?" Crichton asked the
Delvian beauty.
"Mine." Zhaan said smiling. "I thought it
would be a nice surprise."
"It is." John said sincere.
"I
had some help of course." Zhaan went on.
"Chiana helped. And
D'Argo too."
"And I helped too." Stark said.
The Banik sat in the corner of the room, gazing at Crichton with a kind smile, which hoped for gratitude.
"Thank you." Crichton said. "I really appreciate what you've done for me."
"You
should!" D'Argo said as he appeared behind Crichton and laid his
hands upon his shoulders.
"I've put a lot of effort into
this."
On the table stood various dishes and foods, most of
which Crichtons favourites.
"And can I just say something
else..." D'Argo continued.
"I could well be the best cook in
the universe!"
The Luxan laughed loudly as he slapped Crichton's
shoulders and face and sat down on the other side of the table, next
to Chiana, who welcomed him lovingly into his arms.
"The food isn't that good." Rygel said.
They laughed.
"Well, at least it´s better then that Hynerian 'fellack' you made last time!" Chiana replied.
They laughed even louder.
"It's
a Hynerian delicacy!" Rygel said.
"You peasants don't have
any sense of taste!"
As the others helped themselves to their foods and began eating, John couldn't help but smile as he watched his friends enjoy their meals.
"Enjoy yourselves guys." Aeryn suddenly said. "I'm going to Command."
"Hey!" Crichton said. "Don't go! Stay! Eat!"
"No, I already ate." Aeryn said.
"Come on." Crichton said as he grabbed her arm.
He couldn't help but notice how soft her skin felt.
"Do it for me." he said softly.
"Come on, Aeryn!" D'Argo said. "It's Crichton's birthday! You can't leave early!"
"Apparently I can't." she replied.
Aeryn seemed apparently unwilling to stay, however when she sat down, she moved her chair very close to Crichton.
John
looked at all of his friends on Moya.
He realised that it had been
a long time since he had seen them all this happy.
"What's the matter, John?" Zhaan asked.
Her loving smile seemed to
share her happiness with everyone who gazed upon it.
John smiled
back.
"On Earth," he said. "it is a custom to sing to the
one who's birthday it is.
I would like you all to sing for
me."
"No, no, no." Aeryn said. "I'm not going to sing."
"I'm definitely not going to sing." Rygel said.
"Come on you guys!" Chiana said smiling. "This could be fun!"
It was hilarious.
Crichton could still hear his
friends sing in his ears.
Probably one of the most happiest
moments in his life.
One of the most happiest memories.
Crichton didn't know why he was reminded of this moment, as he flew across the heavens of Yo'brakh in a stolen Marauder, fleeing from Peacekeeper captivity and running away from death.
Such a
happy moment.
So long ago.
Before the Shadow Depository.
Before
the neural-chip.
Before Aeryn's death.
That, once happy memory, now only made him sad.
Lightning pulled the human out of his dreams and memories and back to reality.
The phenomenon
lit up the sky in front of Crichton, showing the mountains in front
of him and ten Prowlers heading towards him to intercept him.
They
were flying in formation, and reminded Crichton of a flock of
birds.
Crichton's Marauder had no weapons.
Crichton had
figured that out pretty soon.
He was defenceless against
attacks.
The Prowlers could shoot him down in an instant.
The
only advantage Crichton had was that his Marauder could go much
faster then the Prowlers that were pursuing him.
Crichton
wanted to leave Yo'brakh. Enter outer space.
He knew that the
Prowlers couldn't outrun a Marauder. Especially in outer space.
The
only thing that stood in the way was a Peacekeeper Command Carrier,
which would shoot him down or capture him before he could escape the
planet's orbit.
So, either way, he was screwed.
Outer
space wasn't an option. Landing was definitely not an
option.
There was no way out.
The only thing he would be
doing was postponing his funeral.
Crichton had no clue what to do next.
He wanted to go home.
Memories of Moya played in front of his eyes again.
Strange.
A ship full of aliens
has become so normal.
It has become home, even.
He had some
trouble deciphering the Sebecean symbols and controls, but due to his
experience with flying Aeryn's Prowler, he knew how to work with
them.
Swiftly he pushed some symbols and opened a communications
channel.
"Moya! Pilot! If you can hear me...this is John. I repeat, this is John Crichton. Can you hear me? Please respond!"
