A Whole New Universe (of Problems)

Chapter 16. Now What (Do We Do)?

Please Read and Review. I'd like to know what I'm doing right (to keep doing it), and what I am doing wrong (to correct it).

Tokyo-3, Japan
Katsuragi-Ikari-Soryu Apartment
Living Room

"He's awake." Stark said as he sat down on one of the kitchen chairs. "A bit confused, but that's normal." He looked expectantly at Crichton. "He will be hungry soon."

"That's easy to remedy, Buddy. Major? Any preferences for the kid? Allergies?" Crichton got up, and prepared a new stack of pancakes.

"No. As long as it's home made, he has no trouble."

Asuka snorted, but said nothing. Misao raised her hand shyly, "Could I… could I bring it to him?"

Misato shook her head, "I don't think it would be a good idea, mini-me. We don't want to overwhelm him. I'll do it this time, ok?"

Misao nodded back. "Ok. But next time I'll do it!" She smiled cutely.

Asuka took her plate, and left the table. She went to the little terrace, and claimed the table there to finish her food.

A few minutes later, Crichton finished stacking the pancakes on a plate, and put it on a tray. Along with a pot of strawberry jam and a glass of milk. "Here you go, Major."

Aeryn had finished her own stack, "This is very good, John. I'm gonna miss it."

"Well…" Crichton rubbed the back of his head. "It's not like it's gonna go scarce in the near future. We can get a ton of powder to Moya. Powdered milk too. That stuff last a very long time. Jam will end up spoiling, sure, but there are similar fruits back in the Uncharted Territories. I guess a couple of books on recipes could be useful to prepare our own jam."

Zhaan took a sip of milk. "Won't you stay here? It's your world, after all."

Crichton shook his head sadly. "It looks like it, but no. This is not my own world. Major Katsuragi and I had a long talk last night, and our histories diverge around the year 1992, when NASA went international and became IASA (1), that didn't happen here. After 2000, things got really bad and later, very weird weird."

Misato nodded. "And they seem to be going down to Hell ever since. The false Paradise is just the last blow to the world. If I got things right, everybody alive was absorbed into Instrumentality, but anybody who chooses to, can escape. We are living proof of that."

Aeryn looked at her. "Then, there's a chance people will come back."

Stark looked down. "Not many, I fear. A false paradise is still a paradise."

Harvey raised his mug to drink a sip of bitter, black coffee, he shuddered at the taste and took a longer sip. "Indeed." He whispered, "it takes special circumstances to even realice there's a trap. Due to my own…" he hesitated, "history. Yes, that works, I was in the perfect position to guide John back. I'm sure each one of the returnees so far has had their own personal reasons to come back to the real world. And those reasons are especific and unique to each person."

Pen-Pen, returned from his fridge, and commented, "Missed providers." He nodded decisively. "Lots of food, lots of chicks, no providers." He gesticuled with his flippers and claws, "Alone in Rookery."

Misato knelt down to hug her pet.

Shinji's Lovely Suite

Misato put the tray on Shinji's school desk. The boy had always been neat and ordered, almost neurotically so, and there was enough space. "Hey, sleepy head." She said softly. "How are you feeling?"

Shinji gasped, and scooted back on the bed, his eyes wide as saucers. "M-M-Misato?"

She smiled and tilted her head, "The very same, Shinji. Ah, sorry about scaring you."

"But… you…" he stammered, gesturing vaguely over his own belly.

She sighed, and sat on the chair. "Yeah… about that… I'm not sure I can explain it. One minute I'm bleeding to death in HQ, the next I'm back in college… with Kaji…" Her head hung down for a moment. "Then I'm swimming in an orange sea, and when I reach solid ground I see you on the beach with Asuka and two unknown guys." She perked up again, "And now, I'm bringing you breakfast to bed. You should feel very lucky, I don't do that just for anybody, you know?"

Shinji relaxed a bit. Then he blushed crimson. He couldn't speak for several seconds.

"Ah, you remembered that." She shook her head, sadly. He was about to speak when she took his hand. "What I told you after I…"

Shinji shuddered at the memory, his emotions almost erasing his peek on Misato's Instrumentality. He took several seconds to find his voice, secretly thankful for the accidental escape hatch Misato had offered. "Um, yes. But, I… I don't think it would be… right. For neither of us." He straightened up, eyes closed for a moment. "I know you said that to get me to do something. It was desperation, I realice it now. I won't hold you to it, Misato."

She sighed in relief. "Thank you." She whispered. For a moment, it seemed like she was about to say something, but opted instead to change the subject. "So, are you hungry? You slept for a long time, you know?" She put the tray on the bed. Shinji's stomach groaned, and he took the fork with some dread. Misato's cooking had never been good, by any definition of the word.

However, the pancakes smelled heavenly to his starved stomach, and he took a tentative mouthful. "These are really good, Misato!" He said enthusiastically. "Did you learn to cook?"

She huffed, "There's nothing wrong with my cooking, thank you very much, Mr. Undercover Chef!"

He glanced at her, the fork halfway to his mouth. She laughed. It was the most beautiful sound to him. Like hope, and relief, and companionship, all at once. He couldn't help but joining her in laughter.

Aeryn exchanged a look with Crichton. The man just shrugged. "Guess they found something funny." Aeryn nodded without comment.

Pen-Pen warked, apparently it was his equivalent to a polite cough or clearing his throat. "Providers need laugh. They were very sad."

Crichton agreed, "I guess so, things were getting really bad at the end."

"Provider sent me away with Friend Two Crests. To protect me. Where's is Friend Two Crests?"

Crichton's brow furrowed in confusion. "Friend Two Crests?" He looked around to see similar expressions around him.

"Looks like Red Crests, but crest are smaller, her plumage looks like Small Provider, but longer." Pen-Pen offered.

Harvey put his mug on the table. "I think I'm getting the idea, must be a girl, with medium length hair, either braided or with pigtails. I am sorry, little friend, whomever you mean, must be still in the… orange sea? Does it translate?"

Pen-Pen looked down. "Yes. Miss her too."

Misao scratched Pen-Pen's head, "She might come back, you know, find her way like we did."

"Will she?" The penguin brightened up.

Crichton shook his head. "She might. She might not. It depends on her." He looked up and snapped his fingers, "Aeryn, did you bring a comm unit for me?"

"Here you go." She pulled a brooch from her vest pocket. Crichton wasted no time to put it on. "Pilot?"

"Hello, John." Pilot's voice came clear and sound. "Everything is okay down there?"

"Very well, Buddy. How's Moya? Still in maintenance mode?"

"Basic tasks are done. Moya is fit for basic operations, but needs time off for deeper maintenance."

They discussed briefly about the needed time.

"Do me a solid and check for the wormhole we came through. It's not just a regular one, this one connects two universes. Should be still there, and if we are very, very lucky, very small."

"Um…" Pilot paused. "I see. That explains some unusual readings. The background radiation is subtly different. Taking readings of the wormhole now."

"Thank you, pal. See if another ship could come through. I think I managed to shrink it after we passed through."

"Ah… yes. It is smaller now. About the size of Farscape 1 or Officer Sun's Prowler. The lander is, I believe, the biggest ship that could go through."

"Excellent! Please monitor it for a couple of arns and see if it fluctuates in any significant way. If you can, please check the nearest beach for sebacean size life signs. I'd like to know if any other human reconstitutes as I did. If they do, they will probably appear there."

"Very well. I'll keep a few senses focused there. In the meanwhile, what are your plans for the day?"

Crichton looked around, at the expectant faces. "I think we can take the day off and stay here. I mean, Tokyo-3. I have an idea. Harvey? Are you up for some exploring? There are a few items I would like to bring up to Moya."

"Sure. I think I have an idea of what you want. There's not exactly any urgency anymore, with the group reunited."

"Quite the contrary. I think, and I'll propose a vote later, once everybody is up and running. Stark!" The Banik almost jumped, but nodded. "Sorry. You keep the kid company, okay? I'll need a volunteer to write some signs in Japanese. The translator microbes would turn any text I try to copy to English."

Harvey raised his hand, and distractedly passed it over his bald scalp. "Scarran. Ugly language in any form."

Hesitantly, Misao raised her hand. "I could go, unless Misato thinks it's a bad idea."

From the terrace door, Asuka stomped her way in, "In the name of… Enough dilly-dallying! I'll go!" The redhead took her blood red jacket from the entry closet, and put her shoes on. "I need some air." She looked at Zhaan. "Or can't I?"

The delvian priestess stood up and looked at Asuka. "Stay calm and don't make any heavy efforts or sudden movements if possible." She gave her a glove, "Keep the bandages clean. Walking is fine, but don't run unless it's an emergency, no lifting heavy objects, especially with your right arm." Zhaan looked at Harvey and Crichton. "Make sure she does as I have instructed. I don't think there's much risk of infection, but it's better not to risk it."

Asuka snorted, "Won't you send me to rest? Doctor's orders?"

Zhaan sighed, "Bitter experience tells me you wouldn't obey. You have that look in your face. I'd rather have you watched than having you go off on your own."

Asuka grunted, and nodded once to Zhaan.

"However, I insist you take an infusion with you." She proceeded to fill up a drinking bottle with hot water, and threw a couple spoonfuls of some dried herb. She closed the cap, shook the bottle, and put it into Asuka's hands. "Drink a mouthful each hour. It's a soft analgesic and will help prevent infection."

The former pilot put the bottle in a backpack, "Um… thanks, I guess." She turned around, "Well? What are you two waiting for? A Sherpa? Move it!"

Crichton and Harvey humored her, though Harvey did take some pleasure in rolling his eyes.

Ruins of Tokyo-3
The Building Tool Store

"Okay, let's see…" Crichton tapped his chin thoughtfully, sweeping the store with the beam of his lantern. "Black paint, brushes. What else?"

Asuka grabbed a bucket and put it in the shopping cart. "You better bring water based paint instead of oil based. I hate the stink. It gives me a headache."

Harvey replaced the paint in the cart. "Here you go, Miss Soryu."

"Drop the formalities already. If I have to call you by your name, you have to call me by mine."

"As you wish." Harvey smirked.

"Hmm…" Crichton looked around. "Maybe there's some stuff here we can use back in Moya. Pilot?"

"John." The voice answered. "There has been no changes to the wormhole, no activity on or around the beach. Nothing that Moya has detected."

"Cool to know. I'm calling you about another matter, we are at a home improvement store. Basically, tools and construction stuff. Anything you guys need? Maybe we can get it here."

"Yess. Moya needs some iron, a third of a sakmar at least, though a half sakmar would allow her to build a reserve." Pilot reported. "There are several other elements she needs, but iron is the most needed. I'll prepare a list."

"Ok, Pilot. I think that's easy to find. We will gather some samples and bring them up later for you to check up."

"Much appreciated, John. I'll let you know what Moya needs later."

"Fine, see you soon, Pilot." Crichton ended the transmission.

"Ok, let's get some nails, tools and whatever you see that's made of either iron or steel. Nothing complicated, we want the metal."

"So," Asuka drawled, "that was your piloting Pilot friend?"

"Hey, good one, Princess." Crichton smirked mischievously. "Do you mind if I use it later?" He didn't wait for her answer. "Yeah, that was him. I'll introduce you two when we get up to Moya."

"I'll believe that when I see it."

"What? Isn't Zhaan proof enough that there are extraterrestrials?" He huffed.

"Not really. She could be a very dedicated actress, willing to fully shaving her head, eyebrows included, and spend three to eight hours being painted blue." (2)

Harvey put a can of black paint in the shopping cart. "She has you there, John." He nodded to Asuka, and grinned, fully displaying his serrated teeth. "The weird shape of my teeth could be a congenital defect or prosthetic pieces crafted by a demented dentist." He left to look for something else, chuckling.

Crichton raised a finger, "Just wait and see, Princess. The guys up in Moya are a different story. Now, let's get to work." He pushed the cart along the aisles of the abandoned store.

Shinji's Lovely Suite

The boy finished his stack of pancakes, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and looked at Misato.

"Really? Aliens?"

"As far as I've seen, yes. Just the fact that now I can understand what Pen-Pen is saying would be enough to convince me. But seeing a blue plant woman is on another level. I've been watching, discreetly, of course," she preened jokingly, "everything she touches, in case she has blue make-up, but nothing so far. I'd say she's actually blue."

"What about Stark?" Shinji asked, putting the tray over the night stand and putting his feet on the ground. "He seems normal, apart from his iron mask…"

"Well, he looks human enough, yes; and I'm not sure what's the deal with that mask." Misato shrugged. "Maybe he is… you know…" she waved her hand up and down in front of her face, "disfigured?"

"Maybe." Shinji conceded.

"The guys who found you at the beach say they are human, though I'm not completely sure about the guy with the Hawaiian shirt; the others are aliens, even the ones that look human, like the woman he's in a relationship with, and your friend Stark."

"What do you think?" He asked.

"I think they are telling the truth. Their ship doesn't look like anything I've ever seen. There's no space for any propulsion system I know. The DRDs are too advanced for remote control toys. I'd have to see more before deciding. Though for now, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt."

"And if they are real aliens?"

"Now, that's one of the big questions, isn't it, Shinji?" Misato leaned back on the chair. "It seems they will not stay here. On Earth, I mean."

"What other questions are there?"

"Will the people come back? To begin with. And the other in my mind is, if they are really able to space travel, do we go with them?"

Instrumentality

He looked around.

Everything was right where it should be.

Everything was exactly as he knew it would.

Everything was the same quality it had ever been.

Every scuff and chip on the paint was there.

The sound was perfect.

Each chord rang true, not a single note out of place.

Slowly, Shigeru Aoba, rock star on tour, rose to his feet.

He caressed the strings of his beloved guitar. Without any haste, he took the instrument by the neck.

And crashed it against the wall.

"Fake!" He hissed through clenched teeth. "All is fake!"

The world dissolved around him, turning into a sea tinted in orange.

He swam to the surface.

Author Notes

(1) International Aeronautics and Space Administration, there's little information about it, apart from the obvious implication that it was the successor to NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). It was probably a joint effort with the European equivalents to NASA. The 1992 date for its founding was arbitrarily chosen by myself.

(2) I'm not sure about how long did Virginia Hey spent on the make-up chair to become Zhaan, and it would depend on how much skin the character would show, but three to eight hours would probably cover the application of the elaborate make-up. The bit about completely shaving her head is true, including her eyebrows. Unfortunately, Virginia Hey was adversely affected by the make-up, and her health deteriorated. Instead of replacing her as Zhaan, the character was killed off, though her absence was noted several times in later episodes.