Dacaen's Story (4/6!)

---

Dacaen was worried. He knew that he needed to return to the planet to
complete the mission given to him by the Elders. But that wasn't the
only reason. He had to do it for Aeryn and Crichton, and for all the
other innocent people who had suffered on the planet for ages. He nodded
to himself and made his way to Crichton's quarters. It was time he told
the crew of Moya what he really was. Arriving at his destination, he
looked inside the room. Crichton was seated next to a sleeping Aeryn,
silently watching her, his hand stroking hers. The Delvian, Zhaan, was
also there.

When Dacaen stepped inside, John looked up. "Dacaen..." he said and
stood up. "Aeryn's still asleep."

"I know. I've come to tell you that I must return to the planet." He
said.

"Why?"

"I was sent there by the Elders to kill the beings that are doing this
to Aeryn. I nearly succeeded, until they captured me. Now that I am free
again, I must complete my mission." It was only part of the truth, but
it would be sufficient for now.

"Then I'll go with you." Crichton spoke up.

Dacaen shook his head. "No. You cannot go with me. You must stay with
Aeryn. You can't destroy those who are doing this to her."

"They're vampires, right? We encountered one before. He's dispersed. So
why can't we do it again?" he asked.

"Because... I can do what they can. I'm one of them. At least, for a
part." There, he had told them his secret.

"You're... a vampire?" Crichton asked after a few microts of stunned
silence. It had come as a surprise for him.

"Yes and no. My mother was one of the old ones. She was born on their
homeworld, before the Peacekeepers banished them. My father was a
Peacekeeper. The Elders are a group of 'vampires', as you call them, but
they took a vow never to harm a living being. They use their powers to
do good. I took the same vow," Dacaen explained. He looked at Aeryn. "I
can save her. Let me go back to the planet."

Crichton nodded. "I'll bring you there, in a pod. I'll wait until you're
done, then I'll..."

Dacaen interrupted him. "No. It is not safe to stay there. You will
bring me there, but you must immediately return to Moya."

"How will we know when you've completed your mission?" Zhaan finally
asked.

"Aeryn should wake up."

TBC