Chat Live!
Presence of the Being pt 1
Author: Ciotach
Email:
Archive: Email me first. Ciotach
Rating: Pg-13
Category: Romance Action Adventure
Summary: While trying to come to terms with the events after Mind the Baby, John takes a joyride to a Earthlike planet and attracts the wrong kind of attention.
Disclaimer: Farscape is the property of NINE NETWORKS AUSTRALIA, SCIFI.COM, HALLMARK ENTERTAINMENT, AND THE JIM HENSON COMPANY. All Farscape characters etc, belong to them. This story and its content and original characters I create belong to me.
Author’s Note: Episode Spoiler: "Nerve", "Hidden Memory", and "Mind the Baby"
"Commander Crichton?"
Banging his head sharply on the module flight display, John Crichton swore and hit his com. "Yeah, Pilot, what?" Aeryn tentatively looked up at his outburst, before returning to her work on her Prowler stationed next to the Farscape 1.
"I have received data from a scan of a small uncharted planet that we will be passing within a few arns." Pilot's voice sounded via the communication link.
"Okay, and?"
"Well," Pilot's voice sounded hesitant. "I thought perhaps, you would like to see this planet."
John leaped down from Farscape 1 and walked to the shell shaped viewer, wiping his hands on a rag. "Okay, let's see it." He shrugged at Aeryn's curious look.
The viewer blinked to life, displaying the planet. John gasped, and moved closer barely daring to breathe.
Gauzy white clouds swirled about a deep blue surface dotted with dark landmasses. The feeling it invoked made him cautious. But, closer observation showed the resemblance was just that, a resemblance. The landmasses where too large for Earth and there were no polar ice caps on this likeness.
It was real! A feeling of homesickness hit him.
"For Christ's sake!" He thought. "It looks like earth."
"I would not have informed the crew regarding this planet. We have recently replenished our food sources, so, we haven't any need to trade." Pilot's image replaced the planet's image. "I have made a scan of every planetary object with a breathable oxygen atmosphere, that we have encountered in the last cycle. This planet has a Level 8 atmosphere." Pilot paused. "But, I realized you may be interested in the similarity between this planet and your Earth, as I remember from the false Earth. Also I have informed Zhaan." Pilot swirled, his arms moving it a quiet symphony over Moya's panels. "This planet has a impressive quality of flora."
"Could you show that again, please, Pilot?"
Okay it wasn't Earth, but it was damn close. John crossed his arms over his chest and contemplated the image on the viewer. He could hear Aeryn moving close beside him to the viewer, but didn't respond to her questioning glance.
The last few months had been HELL. From the first time the Peacekeeper, Larraq, and his commandos had boarded Moya, their lives had been dogged with danger at every turn. Aeryn's injury, Gilina's death, Talyn's rebellion, and dealing with Crais were taking their toll on the crew of the Leviathan. Their ordeals had strengthened their relationships and forged a kinship among them. For John Crichton the trials had bared a new existence, one he was unsure of.
The Aurora chair had been his personal nightmare, one he still woke to in the middle of Moya's artificial night, sweating, shaking, and reliving the flashes of intense light, and pain in his mind. He would lay in his quarters and actually experience the bone chilling cold of the cell he had shared with Stark, feel the rough mat he had lain on, fighting the panic, and nausea caused by the sieving process of the Aurora chair.
He knew he had been a little crazy in the weekens immediately following his rescue from the Gammak base. Slowly, it had come down to the good days, and the bad days. And right now he needed a good day.
"What do you say, Aeryn? How about some time Planet side." Aeryn leaned forward to view the script scrolling beneath the image of the planet.
"Have you interpreted this?" She pointed at the script as John frowned at it; Peacekeeper symbols were still hard for him to get. "They have stipulations for landing on this planet. One is Designated Landing, and two is no weapons."
"Right, we play nice and use the Valet Parking. No problem." He laughed sarcastically. "At least, I don't have a problem playing nice" The fact that for the first time in his life, the thought of going unarmed made John feel even slightly uneasy, frankly scared him. At one time the very idea of being armed or carrying any weapons would have been foreign to John. Now he thought nothing of rolling out of bed and strapping on a pulse pistol or hefting a pulse rife. What had he become, a Peacekeeper or merely a paranoid jerk?
"No, John, I will not go down there without a weapon to defend myself"
"Aeryn, everyone down there is going to be unarmed." Leaning against Farscape 1, John watched the former Peacekeeper. He was getting to know that look. "Why don't you give it a rest, okay? For one damn day let's walk down the street of some strange planet like normal people and not be armed to the teeth."
He saw her stiffen and held his breath as Aeryn slowly turned to face him. The gray eyes narrowed slightly as they settled on him.
"Being "armed to the teeth" as you put it, IS normal for my people. Besides, do you really believe everyone is going to be unarmed?"
"All right, I'll give you that. But I am sure there is probably some sort of armed force to enforce the rules."
"And you believe we have nothing to fear from this armed Force?" One dark eyebrow quirked up in question.
"We already know there is no Peacekeeper presence in this territory"
"Then, Crichton." Aeryn moved closer and looked John full in the face "You have just become jeopardous, to yourself and your shipmates. Never assume any planet is safe." She shook her head "I weary of protecting you from yourself or teaching you any concept of defense." The comment had caught him off guard. He had long ago recognized that D'Argo and Aeryn would never consider him a warrior, but John had thought they had come to include him as at least useful in the defense of Moya and her crew.
He could feel his face growing warm with emotion. That had hurt. Man, that hurt. Aeryn stood her ground before him, the formable Peacekeeper. NO emotion. "Fine, Aeryn. Stay on Moya. I'm going down."
"John, we do not need to trade" Aeryn implored. "We do not need to visit this planet."
"I know, but Zhaan will want to check out the plant life and maybe restock her medicine chest." He leaned forward to rest his hand on top of the viewer. "This planet reminds me of Earth."
The note of longing in John's voice frightened her and the expression on his face when he turned to look at her frightened her more. "I have to get away from the weapons and the non-civilian timetable you and D'Argo drill up here. Like you just said, Aeryn, you get tired of teaching me, well I get tired of trying to be the bad ass badboy you are trying to make me into." John scrubbed his hands over his face. " I can't make you understand, Aeryn, I don't think I like what I am becoming. Whatever that is."
These past monens had seen their relationship take many different turns. After their night on the false earth, Aeryn had retreated, angered and hurt at the deception and her own reaction. Larraq had awakened a sense of loss and remembrance of her lost way of life, and she had again retreated from John's affections.
All that changed as she stood before him and Stark over the limp body of the security officer in the containment cell on the Gammak base. She was stunned and angered by the look of death in John's eyes. If it had not been for her, John would not have been in that place waiting to die. John had infiltrated a Peacekeeper base to save her life, and in that microt Aeryn realized the bond between herself and this human.
What had he said? "How ya doing?"
She thought she remembered her reply. "I am better, now."
The rest of the escape was a blur of pain and exhaustion. Her only thought was to get John and herself back on Moya alive and safe. Lately, she was finding herself more, and more attuned to his emotions. She could sense the struggle in him though she was not sure she understood the reason for it. For weekens, she would awaken after the sleep cycle to tag unobserved behind him as John wandered the Leviathan fighting some inner demon.
"No, I don't understand at all, John" Aeryn moved beside him. "To go unarmed into a strange situation goes against everything I have been taught as a Peacekeeper."
"Then, where do we meet Aeryn?" John glanced at the woman by his side. "Do I lose my humanity and become a Peacekeeper, or do you give up the Peacekeeper code and try to do without a pulse rifle over your arm 24/7?" Turning towards her brought him eye to eye with Aeryn. What could he see in those beautiful gray eyes? Fear? He could certainly see hesitation. One step brought her strong lithe body against his. That Aeryn didn't immediately shy away from this contact gave him confidence and John ventured to run his hand slowly up her arm. His breath caught in his throat as he watched tiny bumps appear on the smooth skin beneath his hand.
Stepping behind her John continued to trace up her arm to caress one strong shoulder before sliding his palm against the nape of Aeryn neck and drawing the dark hair to one side. Leaning forward he let his breath skim the sensitive space. "Please, Aeryn, just one day?" He felt her shiver against his chest.
Before her, all Aeryn could see at this moment was the blue planet; all she could feel was JOHN. Part of her wanted to be with this human. As a Peacekeeper, Aeryn had never had a staunch connection with either a lover or a friend. The next assignment would break up any budding relationship. In the last cycle this human had dragged her, pulled her and pushed her into more strange situations than her whole career as a Peacekeeper. He was constantly pushing her to question the Peacekeeper prominence, and to think for herself. He forced her to feel. What? No one before could make her feel these emotions; John immobilized her and left her breathless.
But even in passion a part of her was still a Peacekeeper. With a small moan Aeryn let her head drop to her chest.
"I can't John… I just can't…." her voice broke as John removed his hand and let the curtain of dark hair slide through his fingers. Then he took a step back and left her cold and alone.
Slowly, she ventured to turn and look at him. John held up his hands, whether in submission or to forestall her from speaking, Aeryn could not tell. She could only look at the rueful expression on his face, the way he had caught his lip between his teeth. Shaking his head, John turned the left the hanger without another word. Aeryn's chest burned with regret, and shame. One day was all he had asked for. And the Peacekeeper in her couldn't give it to him.
John shook his head trying to remove the scene for now, and pushed the control bar away, locking it in place for the pod's auto land to take over. In the end, Chiana had declined a road trip, (no lounges). Rygel had declared the planet primitive (no Hynerian delicacies). The weapon stipulation had also stopped D'Argo.
"Next Stop, Farmer's Market"
They alighted at the designated landing area and the first thing John noticed on exiting the transport pod was fresh air and the smell of dirt.
The "Armed Force" was immediately apparent. Set at regular intervals all along the perimeter of the designated landing area, were uniformed males. They appeared Sebacean in features and height, but unlike the Peacekeepers the crew of Moya had encountered, they lacked the egotistical demeanor, maybe a milder version of a Peacekeeper.
Except for a long silver staff, they seemed to be unarmed. All the arriving visitants were shepherded towards a central area that narrowed so that each was made to pass before a pair of guards before being allowed to venture into a main roadway. John suspected this was a kind of metal detector. This observation was confirmed when one green skinned habitue passed through and the silver staffs held by both guards began to hum like a tuning fork. An older guard wearing what passed for sergeant's bars moved towards the offender. "Weapons are prohibited on this world. Please disarm your person." He stated.
"Failure to disarm will result in repulsion." Mr. Green quickly produced a mean looking weapon of some sort from his long blue coat and surrendered it to the guard. With a quick nodded the weapon was taken away.
The older guard turned towards the crowd behind the offender, who was moving quickly down the roadway. "Your attention please. We are the Enforcers. Weapons are prohibited on this world." He repeated.
"Failure to disarm will result in repulsion. Further, any hostile reaction to being disarmed will result in detention of the offender. If a life is taken by hostile reaction, this will result in the offender being terminated." He added solemnly.
"Ok, so that's it?" John whispered to Zhaan as they passed through the guards. "I mean, no visitors pamphlet of rules? Like don't walk on the grass. What else can result in the offender being terminated?"
"Apparently, we are to conduct ourselves in a peaceful manner, and until a rule is violated we are free to move about as we please." Zhaan smiled. " I have no objection."
"Oh man, oh man, this is it!" John shaded his eyes against the glare of what looked like a noonday sun and took a long breath. " This is just like home." He shot a jaded look at the other travelers exiting their respective transports. "Well, maybe not just like home. You could never see a big orange guy with three arms at home."
Zhaan accompanied him, amused as they journeyed towards a city in the far ground. She was finding his excited mood contagious. John swept his arm out towards the green lush valley in front of them.
"This looks like Missouri. Dad and I used to go up to this lake up in the Ozarks…that's a mountain range on Earth…and fish." Zhaan laughed as John displayed series of sharp wrist movements. "Then, Dad would…."
At his pause, Zhaan turned to look at John frowning. Normally, the human would have continued on with his narrative and she and his other shipmates had grown used to the lengthy tales of John's homeworld, Earth. Lately, Zhaan had noticed John flounder during these recollections.
"John?" she placed a hand on his arm. Catching his lower lip in his teeth, John nodded at her concerned look but said nothing.
Sighing, Zhaan looked around and spotted a shady spot a few metras from the roadway. Turning to John with a smile she stepped off the road onto the green grass and moved towards the spot. Without a word John followed, as she knew he would, and dropped down beside her as she sat beneath the tree.
Zhaan watched silently, as John moved to wrap his arms around his legs and drop his head onto his uplifted knees.
There was an anxiety that rarely left him now where there had been none before. Before Scorpius, and his chair, and Gilina's death had happened to him. After his return from the Gammak base with his friend Stark, John had experienced some neurotic episodes brought about from the forced activity in his neurotransmitters. With Stark's unique assistance the episodes had subsided into a taut nervousness. After Stark's departure, John had seemed to return to his normal human self.
Then the pauses had started.
"John, can you tell me what you remember of your homeworld?" John tensed only a fraction at the sudden question, but he was not really surprised. Since their "unity" Zhaan seemed to be attuned to his emotions. With a sarcastic laugh he answered her. "Not nearly enough."
He rubbed his hands over is his face and smiled sadly at his friend. "And I think I am losing more every day." He stared straight ahead not seeing the valley before them. " I wasn't supposed to be gone for more then a day on my flight. I didn't take any albums or family photos with me. I mean, damn, I was supposed to meet Dad and DK for beer and steak afterwards" he laughed, but swallowed hard and looked down at the grass his eyes blurring and burning. "Their faces are starting to blur now. I don't know if was Scorpius or just time." Anger shined in the eyes he turned towards Zhaan. "I'm beginning to believe Scorpius ripped my memories out, viewed them for his precious information and left me lacking." He stood quickly, leaving Zhaan to look up at him: shading her eyes, waiting, listening. He stood with his back to her for a long while, silent. Zhaan waited. "I don't know who I am anymore, Zhaan." The admission ripped out of him.
John finally turned towards her and Zhaan wondered at the look of determination on the human's face. He dropped down in front of her on his heels and looked into the deep, serene, blue gaze. "I'm not John Crichton, scientist, astronaut. Not anymore." He declared. "But, I am not a warrior, or the Peacekeeper, Aeryn seems to want me to be. I can't seem to find me, not right now."
Shaking her head Zhaan moved forward and cupped his face in her hands. John was still as she slowly leaned towards him and touched her forehead to his. Half-expecting unity right then and there, John tensed slightly, but relaxed when a warm soft peace washed over him. He could almost hear Zhaan in his mind. "Be at peace." But Zhaan was speaking to him, a mere whisper.
"I know you. You ARE John Crichton, your ARE a scientist, an astronaut, a galaxy traveler, a fugitive, your have been hunted and have been the hunter. You have became more."
Breaking their contact, Zhaan smiled serenely at him. "You are still the human that D'Argo and I pulled on to Moya a cycle ago. John, each step we take leads us down another path, which in turn changes with our footsteps. Our experiences, be they good or bad, have shape the way we are at this arn, this microt. But, your soul is still here.
" Zhaan lightly touched his chest. "I cannot help you construct your new persona, I am afraid none of us can. But, I believe I can speak for the others, when I say you will still be a part of this family we have carved out of sheer adversity. " She took his hand into her warm grasp. "Whatever you finally settle into."
Choking on his emotions, John grabbed her to him and held her tight. After a while they broke apart with shared laughter.
"Blue Lady, Prozac's got nothing on you."
She didn't understand a word, and felt loved.
On impulse John dropped to the ground and kissed the green grass. Frowning, Zhaan moved towards him. This was a rite she had never witnessed John do before. Was this a typical Earth ritual?
John lifted his face from the cool ground "Ahhhhh…Land." Standing he brushed some really great dirt off his chest and pant legs. Closing his eyes John lifted his face. "That feels sooo good .I really needed this sunshine. I'm gonna think it's a sun."
Zhaan joined him, smiling " Yes, this planet is very well situated in its orbit and rotation. The planet alignment is also fortunate" She agreed.
"Okay whatever, Zhaan, just go with me on this okay."
"Gladly, John"
Entering they found the city clean and a well-stocked open-air market with a vast variety of fresh produce.
Not one foodcube was in sight.
"Look at this." John hefted a palm size fruit. " This looks like a strawberry. Except strawberries aren't purple and about five of them will fit in your hand." He took a whiff of the fruit. "Smells good though."
"You are welcome to try the taste of it, Stranger" the woman behind the table smiled and offered John a small dagger. Returning her smile John nodded and accepted the dagger.
The natives were friendly. A Sebacean looking type of bipod, they were small and slight with various shades of beige skin and hair. The main fashion for all the natives seemed to be some gauzy type of material, also in shades of beige and brown.
The fruit oozed dark purple juice when he sliced into it and tasted sweeter then a strawberry. " Mmmm, we have got to load up on these." Shifting her market basket Zhaan accepted a slice of purple fruit
"Yes, John it looks lovely, but you and I really shouldn't consume any of this before it has gone into the element analyzer on Moya."
"I know, but I got a good feeling about this place." John sampled another slice and looked around the market. " I don't know. I just feel at home here."
A sharp organized movement caught his eye and John turned to see a group of men in dark gray uniforms of some sort.
"Heads up, Zhaan, looks like the local cops are out" John nodded toward the group. Zhaan gave them a curious glance then continued her "shopping".
"Yes, I see them, John, we are merely visitors." She smiled to reassure her shipmate. "We have broken no rules. Please John, we may be at ease here" His sudden vigilance pained her.
"Yeah, Okay I'll buy that, but why are they coming this way?" The group of ten enforcers marched towards them and halted abruptly in a precise military manner ten paces from the "strawberry" booth. John caught himself reaching for his right thigh, where the pulse pistol Aeryn had given him would normally rest. The unconscious gesture and its unintended meaning annoyed him. He viewed the group cautiously.
There was no questioning the fact that this group of uniformed males, and others like them around the city and market, was the local law enforcement . They were an intimidating presence.
As casually as possible, John moved between Zhaan and the pack of enforcers. John mentally ticked off the potential reasons for the attention they were getting.
Raising his hands, he tried the first obvious one. " I am not a Peacekeeper."
This statement didn't bring any response. Maybe they didn't like the dagger the native had offered him. Maybe this was considered a weapon. Determined not to be the offender, John juggled the small knife and presented the handle to the nearest soldier.
The enforcer glanced sharply to his right. This must have been his superior who returned this silent inquiry with silence. It only took the younger soldier a second to get the hint.
Feeling foolish, John finally turned and returned the dagger to the native girl behind the "strawberry" stall. Glancing around him, John noticed that the natives near him didn't seem very concerned by this show of force. The only ones showing the least bit of interest were the "strangers", as the natives called the visitors to their planet. John turned to Zhaan. She shrugged, helpless to explain.
Abruptly there was movement at the back of the pack and a pathway was formed.
From the back of the group an older native proceeded up the pathway and stopped before John and Zhaan.
The appearance of the older native seemed to cause a stir, as the natives at the stands suddenly drew forward, making a strange soft cooing noise.
Trying to keep an eye on the armed force before him, John glanced warily around at the natives starting to gather about him. This one must be some sort of dignitary.
"I bid you peace and welcome" the older native bowed." I am Ghel, First Reliance of The Second Presence of Trader City." The announcement was met with another series of cooing noises from the crowd around John and Zhaan.
It certainly didn't seem to be a threatening move and John forced himself to relax.
"I am not a Peacekeeper." He felt this bore repeating. "My shipmate and I bid you peace and we wish you no harm." He added the last as he had heard Zhaan announce many times before. This earned him an another bow from First Reliance. Keep it smooth, John, and get the hell out of here.
"No, while we are unsure of what species you are, we are aware you are not a Peacekeeper,." the First Reliance assured him. "I am here to escort you to The Second Presence of The Being."
At this statement, the crowd around John buzzed with excitement. John turned to see Zhaan frowning thoughtfully at the First Reliance.
"Really. Well that's just great." John smiled and took Zhaan by the elbow " Mr. First? Your Reliance, could you give us a minute?"
"Zhaan" he whispered. "I don't think I am the 100th shopper here."
Zhaan glanced around John at the waiting dignitary and escort.
"I am unfamiliar with this situation, but they seem to be honoring you, John." She gently gestured towards the crowd of natives watching them with anticipation.
"The natives see this as a privilege, that is very obvious. I cannot decide if they are chanting, or excited to view this noble, or are excited to view you," Zhaan smiled.
John looked back at the cooing crowd.
"Yeah, well that gives me the creeps. And, I don't like the sound of The Second Presence of the Being thing. It sounds too Zen for me."
"Well, we do not want to insult them, but if you are uncomfortable with this attention we will refrain." She assured him.
"Okay, let's refrain." John stepped back "First, could you please handle this with The First." He grinned at her.
With an incline of her head Zhaan turned towards the awaiting dignitary and performed the ritual P'au greeting.
"I am P'au Zotah Zhaan, This is John Crichton." She indicated John. "We are honored by your offer for visitation. However, we must regretfully decline it." Zhaan finished with an honoring bow and beside her John followed her lead.
The First Reliance was stunned. He glanced around him in question as the crowd began to also mutter in confusion.
"I do not understand. Are you refusing my escort" he stammered.
This was going badly. John could tell by the red flush that was creeping up the older native's face that their turn down had been taken as an insult. The crowd was getting restless.
"Look, we are just visiting." John said. "We are not interested in the guided tour of the Being Presence. Thanks." With that John cupped Zhaan's elbow and turned to go, only to find the way blocked by two enforcers.
"No, John Crichton," Ghel spoke behind them. "I now know it is you who do not understand." At a flick of his fingers, the pack of enforcers moved to either side of John and Zhaan. "The Second Presence of the Being has summoned you to appear before her. This is not an invitation."
"Well, Zhaan, call up D'Argo and Aeryn." John sighed. "Tell them we'll be a little late getting home. Looks like we are off to see the Second Presence of the Being."
The walk to their summons with their "escort" was thankfully short. Ghel walked in the front of the small band, stiff backed and silent. Behind him followed John with Zhaan by his side. Flanking them, and bringing up the rear were the Enforcers. The modest entourage was attracting a lot of attention. Both the Enforcer type and the smaller beige inhabitants of the planet lined the route.
Trying to allay his uneasiness, John forced himself to relax and mark the scenery as the small band passed beyond the markets and into the city proper. The buildings and what John took for residences arose from ground as if the land produced the city itself. Kind of looked like adobe. Vegetation was everywhere, crawling up the sides of the dwellings, giving the city an appearance of a dense forested mountain. In the center of this green city, was a gigantic structure of slim spires of ground, greenery cascading from it. This was their destination.
John's communication badge clicked to life. "Crichton, tell me, what is happening, NOW." Aeryn's aggravated voice boomed in the small antechamber they were shown into.
Ghel whirled about to glare at John. Expelling an explosive breath he made a sharp gesture to one of the guards. "John Crichton! That is the last time your shipmate will interrupt. I can not allow this in the Audience Chamber."
John shrugged and handed the com badge over to the guard. He would be relieved to be rid of Aeryn's irritated tirade himself. Immediately after Zhaan's message, Aeryn had come over John's com with a series of irritating comments about everything from the mess he had gotten Zhaan and himself into, to something about a body part. If the rest of Moya's crew had any comments they were not getting a word in. Yes, Ms. Sun had made it perfectly clear. She was pissed.
Before them a set of double entry ways swung open and the "Visitors" were lead into the Audience Chamber. The room itself was enormous, a vast cavernous chamber with sleek stone walls arching up to end in a circular opening to the sky above. The light fell upon a circle of sand directly in the center of the room.
The room was packed with people, all dressed in elaborate clothes of fine materials and all awaiting the Second Presence's… presence. All eyes in the room turned towards the newcomers and the crowd fell silent.
Ignoring the stares, Ghel lead his guests to the front of the room. He situated them next to the small arena of sand in front of another entryway. Most noticeable to John were the two parties represented in the Audience Chamber. To their right were the Enforcer types, not uniformed, but recognizable as the exemplification of that race. To the left were the Beige brigade. The two groups were not mixing.
John crossed his arms and tried to look nonchalant. Beside him he saw that Zhaan had adopted the serene priestess demeanor. Designs on the wall caught his attention, and John frowned trying to follow the depiction. A intricate design scrolled into a series of waves, the waves continued to include a figure of some sort and proceeded to the other side of the shape to end in another sequence of waves, John leaned closer, in the light it appeared to be a woman. Complex loops embraced the woman motif, spiraling up the thin upraised arms ending in a large globe. Below the woman design were successions of men figures forming a semicircle at her feet.
All attention turned immediately to the entryway as the large door swung open.
A big Enforcer type emerged from the portal. He stopped and gave the crowd a once over before moving to the side of the entryway. John classified this guy as bodyguard.
Whatever John had expected to enter from the entryway, it was not the slim creature that followed. The Presence entered the room. She paused at the far edge of the small arena and surveyed the room with a imperious look
It was just a kid! thought John. She looked to be around Chiana's age, maybe younger. For all her youth, she was impressive, majestic even.
She stood before the gathering, tall and proud, her stately garments falling about her slim form with a tall circular collar that framed her short ivory curls.
When her sight fell on John, the large tawny eyes widened in surprise, and she inclined her head towards Ghel in question. Ghel detached from the crowd and crossed the sand to her side.
"O'Lyne, I have brought the one the Being summoned." He motioned sharply towards John and Zhaan.
Before John or Zhaan move the crowd to the left began to stir in irritation and one older Beige type spoke up.
"O'Lyne, I protest." He shouted above the discord. "Ghel should not have brought these strangers beyond the markets." He glared at Ghel. "It is a disgrace for them to be here."
"Esen," an Enforcer type took up the argument. "Surely, you do not think that these strangers would be present, had not the Being summoned them."
The young girl tilted her head slightly toward the speakers, and her eyes lowered to give them a slanted look.
"Dakar," she admonished softly, "Esen, do don't attempt to disrupt this gathering. This is not a trade or commerce assembly for your leagues to dispute over. The Being has called this audience and has asked that he be here." O'Lyne gave each speaker a warning glance. You had to hand it to her,. John thought. She whipped both men back in line in a microt, and didn't even raise her voice. She might be young but she was in control.
She moved closer to the edge of the arena before beckoning towards John and Zhaan. "I ask you to come closer." "Here we go." John threw Zhaan a harassed look and both stepped forward.
"No." They froze. "Only you." O'Lyne pointed a slim finger at John. John paused at this command. With a complying nod Zhaan stepped back, but gave John a concerned look.
A cold feeling of dread started in his chest. There was no leaving this place, that much was clear. Sure, the guards only held those silver spears, but something made him think this was not a command to be ignored. But why only himself and not Zhaan also?
The crowd was starting to murmur at his hesitation. John let out his breath, gave Zhaan a reassuring grin, and stepped, defiantly as possible, onto the sand.
Once there, in the direct survey of the young woman, John suddenly felt awkward. Did he bow or just stand there. What? Then, with good old American attitude, John gave her a low slow salute.
To his surprise, a small smile quirked at the edge of O'Lyne's mouth.
Ghel moved quickly to his side. "He is called John Crichton."
"And John Crichton can speak for himself," stated John.
"John Crichton." The tawny eyes smiled at him shyly. "Welcome to Bura, I am called O'Lyne, I am the Second Presence of the Trader City. The Being wishes to speak with you."
"Okay." John peered behind her. "So, where is the Being then?" Any remark from O'Lyne was cut short as the sand around John's feet began to shift and stir.
"What the hell?" John started to move back but was stopped by Ghel's grip on his forearm.
"John Crichton." O'Lyne's stern voice stopped him and she stepped off the edge of the arena onto the sand with him. "Be at ease. It is only the Being."
The sand stirred and rolled towards him as she stepped closer and John threw off Ghel's hold and stepped a few steps back towards the far edge of the arena. "The Being?" At a gesture from O'Lyne, Ghel ignored his inquiry and stepped up into the crowd gathered about the arena
"The Being will not harm you, John Crichton." O'Lyne implored. "Yeah, where have I heard that one before." John felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Rattlers.
Before him, O'Lyne stopped and with one last pitying glance she closed her eyes and crossed her arms before her. Surprised at this posture, John was still.
The sand turned and started towards the motionless girl. John stared in amazement as it began to crawl up O'Lyne's elaborate dress tinting its fabric with a golden sheen. Slowly the sand enveloped the slim figure staining the girl's pale skin in a bronze tone. Metamorphosis complete, The Being's eyes opened.
When the golden glance landed on him, John felt the hairs on the back of his neck raise.
Slowly, the Being approached him, silently scrutinizing him. The young O'Lyne was gone, and before him stood a powerful, superincumbent Being. Her very power blazed from her demeanor.
The Being moved to his side and boldly surveyed John up and down. John followed her movement, keeping the Being in sight as she circled him. This was not good. He felt like a mouse in the claws of a cat.
"John Crichton." The bold velvet voice startled him. It was completely unlike the soft voice of O'Lyne.
A smile traversed her features at his reaction. "I have communicated with the Leviathan, Moya. She emits very strong emotions regarding your existence."
"You what?" John stammered. He wasn't sure if it was her statement or the meaning that shocked him the most. "You talked to Moya?" The Being nodded and continued her examination of the uneasy human before moving to stand eye to eye with John. "This Presence's existence and prosperity are also of importance to me," The Being stated. "Her dedication to my will is notable, and I seek to recompense her." She reached forward to lay her hands palm flat on John's chest.
Move, his mind was screaming. Move. But he couldn't The change in his perception was so slight that at first John wouldn't have noted it, but for a vague impression that something was not right, something he couldn't put his finger on.
On the edge of his vision John could see that Zhaan had not moved from her place beside the arena. By the look on her face, he could tell she was worried, but strangely he didn't feel concern for himself.
The arms that reached for him were a gray, white, brown mottled color and the faint smell of warm sand reached his senses. The hands that fanned out against his chest were warm, and the sensation was exciting. John felt a surge of euphoria envelop him, arousing every nerve.
"John Crichton, I return your kiss." The Being moved her hands boldly up to John's face and pulled his mouth down to meet hers. "I desire you as mate to this Presence." She breathed against his lips. Her declaration was lost on John. Her eager kiss was the answer to his heightened sensitivity and he returned it with an intense fervor.
A burning caress moved over his body, sliding under his shirt, and John groaned at the sensual rush caused by the contact with his bare flesh. He reached for the feeling, running his hands over the slim back, irritated at the feel of clothing, pulling the willing body closer against his. He felt a shuddering response and deepened the kiss, devouring the soft mouth beneath his, losing himself in the erotic elation.
"Crichton!"
This resounding cry was enough to break through the euphoria, and John mentally jerked back to some sort of physical existence. With a quick shake of his head he opened his eyes and tried to focus, but the sensation was still on him.
Resisting, he broke the embrace, and tried to step back from the Being, realizing too late that he was entangled in the long train from her dress. Falling backward, he instinctively grabbed for her and she landed to top of him, temporary knocking the breath out of him. They landed in a cloud of sand as O'Lyne's contact with The Being was broken by their fall.
O'Lyne was the first to recover, and she drew back in shame and outrage. John's eyesight focused enough to see the bodyguard jump forward to snatch up O'Lyne and carry her up and out of the sand arena.
Just then, John himself was hauled roughly up by the front of his shirt and off the sand. Shaking his head, his vision cleared to behold his rescuer. Aeryn Sun.
John barely had time to register the irritated look on Aeryn's face, before she released her hold on his shirt. He fell against her to grab about her waist in confusion. Her smooth leather clad leg felt rough to his still amplified state, and John struggled for control over his breath and emotions. Even in his dazed state he knew he was asking for a pounding outright, if he didn't resist the urge to caress Aeryn.
Vaguely, he became aware that someone speaking and tried to focus on the words. Blood was pounding in his ears. Whether Aeryn liked it or not, he was staying right where he was. Right now, he knew he couldn't function at any intelligent level. But, lying against Aeryn, he could pick up her unique scent and John wondered if this was the place to be if he was going to be decent anytime soon.
"John, are you all right?" Zhaan's concern face appeared before him.
John regarded her with a stunned look and started giggling. Aeryn gripped his shoulder at her hip, and give a rough shake causing his vision to blur.
"Zhaan, I think he is more than all right." She gave John another rough shake. "What exactly is going on here? I am not going to ask why he didn't stop this lewd display of public mating; he is clearly under the influence of some frelling mess. But I am going to ask you." She jabbed an accusing finger at Zhaan.
"Hey, where's your gun?" John murmured through his daze. At his level he could see that her hip holster was empty. Something was good about this. He couldn't remember what.
For a microt she started to give him another shake, tell him what she thought of his stupid question, but stopped. He looked up at her dazed, his eyes glazed over, shinning like Ortinian water crystals, just as they had that night on the false earth. He was visibly fighting the grip of some kind of stimulant and looked pitiful.
"I secured it in my Prowler," she answered him more gently. "At the landing area."
His head was finally feeling more normal, and John ventured to stand up with Aeryn and Zhaan's help. The change in his position was almost too much, and he grabbed his head as it started to spin. What was it that made these aliens want to mess with his mind? Although, it hadn't been all that unpleasant (it made Unity with Zhaan look tame) he didn't think he could take many more brain games.
Damn, had he really groped the Presence in front of the whole damn crowd?
Judging by the murderous look that O'Lyne's bodyguard was throwing him, John would say that about summed it up. He was probably lucky to be alive right now. Guess he had Aeryn to thank for that.
O'Lyne was still in the arms of her bodyguard, hiding her face against his chest, shaking.
John could sympathize. Whatever the Being had done to them, it was more powerful than Spanish fly.
"Where did you come from?" He asked Aeryn. "Or how did you get here so fast?"
She wasn't going to tell him that she had already been on her way to join him, when Pilot had relayed Zhaan's messages to her in the Prowler. Most of her comments on John's comm unit had been made in flight, and on her way to their location, given to her by Pilot. How he had known where to locate John and Zhaan, she had not thought to ask.
"I thought you and Zhaan were having trouble." She smirked at him. "Imagine my surprise."
John cleared his throat; he could feel his face going red. "Yeah, well…. Thanks for the wake up call." Aeryn was silent. She wasn't sure why she had reacted the way she had. She was surprised at the pain she had felt at the scene she had encountered. Never one to react without thinking first, the cry was out of her before she had known it.
"Crichton, if you have your bearings yet, I suggest we leave. And I suggest we are gone before this discussion is over."
"Discussion?" Suddenly, John realized the roaring wasn't all in his head. The room was in chaos.
Just then Ghel came forward, out of the disputing parties. "John Crichton, this is most exciting. To have the Being herself choose a mate for O'Lyne. This is most fortunate for this city." He patted John's arm delighted, failing in his excitement to note John's stunned stare.
"Mate! Whoa!" John brushed off the First Reliance's hand. "Someone better start doing some fast talking here, bud. I don't know how you guys do things around here, but I don't usually go around acting like some drunken prom date."
"It would appear, John, that their goddess wants you for a mate." Zhaan explained.
"Yes, our planet has chosen you." Ghel added nodding.
"Your planet?" His head started pounding and John tried to right his thoughts. He didn't know if it was the after effects or Translator failure. "Okay, This much I get, your Being likes me. A lot. But what is or who is the Being."
"Ghel, what is the meaning of this. The Thelrians protest!" The enforcer Dakar broke from the contingent and moved towards the First Reliance.
"I must, for once, agree with the Thelrians," Esen joined in. " Ghel, please explain this choice. Why has the Being chosen this stranger? Not in recorded times has there been any other than the Buran as mate to a Presence."
"Councilors, please." Ghel raised his voice over the clamor. Only at the gestures from the two leaders did their respective groups begin to quiet. He looked at the two leaders hesitantly. "The Being has selected the next mate for her Presence. We must, for the prosperity of our city, accept him."
"Why has the Being decided now, to chose this creature." Dakar motioned towards John.
"Human." John interrupted. "I'm a human"
"And if the Being has decided to chose any other than the Buran in this matter," Dakar continued, ignoring John, "why not a Thelrian."
"I am astonished at your objection to this preference, Dakar. It was your race that brought the strangers here, with your greed for their goods, to feed your alien need," Esen accused.
Continued...