morethanapk

More Than A Peacekeeper
By ISIS
Disclaimers: Farscape is the property of Rockne S O'Bannon, Jim Henson Company et al. I make no claim on them. I borrow only. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Archiving: You're welcome to it; please tell me where it's at. (louiseboyden@earthlink.net)
Acknowledgements: Thanks as always to Quilt Lady for her great suggestions and criticisms.
Dedicated to a good friend who also died unnecessarily.

Nyal bent to the stony shoreline and picked up a flat grey stone. Then he drew back his arm and skipped it across the gently rippling waters of the lake. On the opposite shore, to his right, the deep ringing gong of the monastery called the faithful to prayers. He closed his eyes and listened to the sound. Then he shifted his concentration. On the left, faintly, he could make out the sounds of metal striking metal as young warriors trained in the courtyard of the military academy. He sighed, thinking again how the lake represented his young life. On one side, the contemplative life and mysticism of the priesthood; on the other, the action and danger of the soldier's career. He opened eyes filled with indecision and bent to pick up and skip another stone.
From behind him he heard footsteps and turned to see his best friend Tragoth racing towards him. The young RoAdan was clad in the green tunic and pants of the student, a uniform similar to the one he himself wore. Tragoth's youthful face split into a grin at the sight of his friend. He reached his side and bent over, trying to catch his breath.
"What a weakling!" Nyal teased. "Why are you so out of breath? It's not that far from your house to here!"
Tragoth grinned up at him, his golden hair tousled and his face covered with impossible freckles. "I'm no weakling!" he objected. "I ran from your house. The Terac is looking for you."
Nyal's face grew troubled at the news. "So soon? I thought I had to the end of the weeken to make up my mind. We only finished our exams this morning!"
Tragoth's expression was serious as well, upset at his friend's obvious distress. "What's your problem? You have been chosen to train with the Terac himself. It's a great honour. My parents would die if I were offered the same opportunity. I'm probably going to end up apprenticed to Chohar, the mechanic.You could be the new Terac some day. It's the highest authority on RoAd."
"I know, I know. I should be leaping at the chance." He bent and picked up another stone, skipping it across the blue waters. "I'm just not sure if it's what I want. It's so ... so ... boring. No excitement." He looked towards the academy. "A soldier's life. Now there's excitement!"
"Yeah, and pain and death," Tragoth said wryly. "Discipline and training and following orders."
"Altrose doesn't complain. And he and my father tell great stories about their campaigns."
"They're just that, stories. Ways for your brother and your father to deal with the atrocities they have witnessed. And been a part of." Tragoth picked up his own stone and threw it. "How can you possibly contemplate choosing a life that could leave you dead on some world, shot by some PeaceKeeper or other over a life of peace where you can help others? And explore the mysteries of the universe?"
Nyal looked down at his friend, who was shorter than him by a head, and felt a sudden guilt at his thoughtlessness. "Ah, Tragoth, I'm sorry. I forgot about your uncle."
Tragoth gazed across the water and smiled sadly. "That's okay. He died a long time ago now. And they said there was no pain." Then he looked up and his expression brightened. "So what are you going to do?"
Nyal looked at the monastery, its bell now silent, and then at the academy. "I don't know, Tragoth. I really wish I didn't have to choose." He skipped one more stone and then turned to his friend. "I guess I'd better go and see what the Terac wants. Race you back!" he cried, with a grin.
The two young RoAdans pounded into the courtyard of Nyal's father's home, neck and neck. Their youthful laughter filled the air as they playfully argued about who had reached the gate first. The argument turned into a mock boxing match, as they danced around and jabbed at each other. But the match came to an abrupt end as Nyal's father came out of the house followed by a tall, dignified figure in a golden robe.
"Nyal," he called, his voice stern. "Where have you been? The Terac has been waiting for over an arn."
The Terac smiled serenely and assuaged the old soldier's embarrassed anger at his son. "It is all right, General Arzak. Nyal is after all on vacation. He deserves a little free time after the exams. Exams that he did very well on, I might add."
Nyal looked up at his world's religious leader, his face filled with guilt. "I'm sorry, Ter Deska. I was not expecting you for another four days."
The Terac smiled again. "Not to worry, Nyal. I'm not here for your answer. I will indeed give you until the end of the weeken as promised. I know how hard a choice this is for you." His amber eyes bored into Nyal's, seeming to read his very soul. The youth squirmed uncomfortably beneath his gaze.
"Then why are you here?" Nyal blurted out. His father gasped at his forwardness, but the Terac silenced him with a gentle wave of his arm.
"I came to tell you that the TerMas dreamed of you the other night." This time both Tragoth and Nyal's father gasped. The TerMas was the RoAdan seer, second only in authority to the Terac. For her to dream of an individual was highly unusual.
Nyal's eye widened in shock,"Me? She dreamed of me? What did she see? Was it bad?"
The Terac's gaze was unreadable. "I cannot tell you the details. Suffice it to say that you will shortly be undergoing a trial. And the outcome of the trial will help you determine the path your life will take." The priest reached out and gently ruffled the golden hair of the youth standing before him. "It will not be easy, but it will leave you stronger." He turned and looked at the General then walked out the gate to return to the monastery.
Nyal stood in shock, his mind racing at the news. His father was also motionless, watching his talented son who was so unlike his brothers, and himself. Then he went over and draped his arm over his youngest boy's shoulder and turned him toward the house and his waiting dinner, pausing only to reach out a similar arm to Tragoth, who was like another son to him. Grinning, the trio went into the house.
The next day, Nyal tore through his breakfast and asked to be excused from the table. His mother smiled indulgently at him. Before he could get away entirely, his father asked him what his plans were for the day. Nyal shuffled his feet, afraid to say too much for fear that his father would find something for him to do. "I was planning on going to the market with Tragoth. I have a bit of my allowance left and we were going to poke around, maybe go to see a vid. Is that all right?"
The General looked at his youngest and then smiled. "Okay. But if you're going to the market will you do me a favour?" Nyal groaned inwardly, seeing his day of freedom suddenly turned into a misery of chores. His father reached around and drew his old pistol out of the locked cabinet he kept it in. "Would you take this to Rebu, the weapons dealer? He agreed to give it a good cleaning and recharging." Nyal's eyes opened wide at the responsibility his father was bestowing on him.
Nyal's mother immediately objected. "Arzak, do you think that's wise? Nyal is too young..."
"If he's old enough to decide his future, and responsible enough for the Terac to want him as a trainee, then he can handle this, Yanna," The old soldier turned to his son. "The charge is long gone out of it, but you still need to be careful. It's still a weapon. Remember what I taught you about handling guns?"
"Yes, Dada. Never point it at anyone. Always keep the safety on. It's not a toy," Nyal rattled off automatically. He accepted the gun in its holster from his father like it was a precious jewel. Then he headed out the door to meet Tragoth.
"Tell Rebu I'll pick it up the end of the weeken," his father called after him.
"Wow! Your father really let you take that to Rebu by yourself?" Tragoth asked in awe, as they made their way along the road to the central market in the bustling capital city.
"Yep!" Nyal replied proudly. "He said if I was old enough to decide my future I was old enough to do this."
"Can I see it?" Tragoth asked breathlessly.
"No, I better keep it," Nyal said, looking down at the gun in its holster he carried like a baby. Then he stopped. "I wonder what it feels like to wear it."
"You're going to put it on?" Tragoth asked, his eyes bugging out of his head.
"Well, that's the way it's designed to be carried, on your hip, not in your hands." He moved to the side of the road and fumbled slightly as he tried to strap the holster onto his hip and thigh. Then he slipped the gun into its holster. "How do I look?" he said with a wide grin at his friend.
"Like a little boy wearing his father's gun," Tragoth answered, teasing.
Nyal quickly pushed him and for a time their progress was marked by rough-housing and play boxing. Nyal felt strong and proud with his father's weapon strapped to his side. He felt like a man for the first time in his young life. As he walked, he let his fingers hover over the old pistol, caressing its metallic coldness, playing with the trigger, imagining what it would feel like to fire it.
As soon as they reached the market, Tragoth's interest was quickly captured by a vender selling model kits. Tragoth was a fiend when it came to building models of space craft, an interest Nyal did not share with him. Despite his seeming envy of Nyal, being a mechanic was all Tragoth really wanted to do. And he would be a good one. As his friend enthused over the latest kits in the vender's stock, Nyal amused himself by imagining that he was a soldier, downed behind PeaceKeeper lines, fighting to return to his unit, armed only with his trusty pistol. Forgetting his father's rules, he soon was drawing the pistol from its holster and shooting targets in his mind. He ducked down behind some storage barrels and pretended to take out enemy soldiers.
When the pair of PeaceKeepers strolled into his sights, it played right into his fantasy. He watched the armed, black-clad pair as they wandered through the market, oblivious to the looks of fear, bitterness, and hatred from other shoppers. They seemed to be concentrating only on each other. Nyal watched them for several microts. Though not at war with the PeaceKeepers, his world maintained an uneasy truce with the race that had overrun several neighbouring worlds. Nyal saw the male PeaceKeeper smile at the female and then she returned his smile. Smiling was not an expression that he associated with PeaceKeepers. He only knew them as ruthless and evil from tales told by his father and brother. He even thought he saw the male reach down and take hold of the female's hand, a tender, unPeaceKeeperlike gesture. Drawing the gun, he raised it, imagining that they were all that stood between him and freedom. With the safety on, he was unable to sight the gun to aim it. Flicking the safety off with his thumb, he raised the gun again and aimed at the PeaceKeeper male. His finger tightened around the trigger.
Just then the female turned to smile at the male and over his shoulder saw the gun aimed at them. With a startled cry, she pushed the male out of the path of the pistol. Behind him, Tragoth raced over to show Nyal his latest acquisition and stumbled, falling into his friend. Nyal's finger tightened involuntarily on the trigger and unbelievably the supposedly drained gun fired. Directly at the female PeaceKeeper.
***************
Commander John Crichton's world shattered at the tenth arn of the solar day on the remote world of RoAd Prime. Zhaan had convinced the crew to make a brief stopover. In her quest for the Delvian Seek, she wanted to consult with this world's priests. The religious of the the planet were very devout and Zhaan wanted a few days of quiet contemplation in one of their monasteries. Her request was quickly granted, by the Terac himself, the spiritual leader of the world. The rest of the crew was also granted landing rights, though when the planet's officials saw John and Aeryn, they hesitated. Apparently, PeaceKeepers were not their favourite visitors. Zhaan hastily explained John and Aeryn's status and permission was grudgingly granted for them as well.
John was overjoyed at the chance to shop. He had a very important purchase in mind and wanted to get it right away. Aeryn had noted his excitement and questioned him relentlessly about it. But he had refused to tell her what he was shopping for. Leaving her with D'Argo and Chiana, he had searched the market, finally finding a dealer that suited his needs. Despite the merchant's rather cold reception, John had found the perfect items and happily rejoined Aeryn and the others, his purchase tucked safely in his pocket.
D'Argo and Chiana had quickly slipped away, leaving John and Aeryn to wander rather aimlessly through the market. Several times, Aeryn tried to pry John's secret out of him, but he would only respond to her inquiries with a promise to tell her later. He smiled triumphantly at her frustrated expression. They walked along contentedly, ignoring the looks of hatred and fear that their PeaceKeeper appearance attracted. John could only focus on the beautiful woman at his side. After several microts of consideration, he finally got the courage to take her hand, walking along with it folded in his. Aeryn turned to smile at him and suddenly her expression changed to fear.
"John! Get down!" she cried, grabbing his arm and flinging him away from her. Then all hell broke loose.
John looked up from the ground where Aeryn's shove had landed him to see her gripped in some web of red light. The light quickly faded and she dropped to the ground like a stone. John crawled over to her and found her struggling to breathe. He pulled her into his arms. "Aeryn! Oh God! Aeryn, no!"
She looked up at him, her blue eyes filled with fear and pain. One of her hands reached out to him desperately, then she collapsed against him. John saw that she was not breathing. Laying her out on the dusty ground, oblivious to the crowd gathering around them, he began to administer CPR, alternately pumping her chest and breathing into her mouth.
"Come on, Aeryn, breathe!" he pleaded. "Live, Aeryn!"
From across the square, Zhaan saw the commotion as she walked with the Terac and the TerMas. Recognising John in the midst of the growing crowd, she raced to the group and elbowed her way through the onlookers. The sight that greeted her filled her with dread. She dropped to her knees beside the Human who was frantically trying to revive his Sebacean companion.
"Aeryn! Don't die on me! Please!" John begged, his actions growing more and more urgent as time passed without a reaction from Aeryn. Finally, Zhaan reached over and touched her throat, feeling for a pulse. She looked up at the Terac, who had reached the edge of the crowd. At his questioning glance, she shook her head sadly, then bowed it in silent prayer, tears streaming down her blue cheeks. Finally, she laid a hand on John's arm, stopping him from his frantic attempts to resuscitate Aeryn.
"She's gone, John," she said quietly.
The Human looked at her uncomprehendingly, then down at the lifeless woman on the ground before him. Lifting her into his arms, he howled in pain and loss. "No, Zhaan, no!" He bent his head to Aeryn's ear, as if whispering to her would bring her back. "Aeryn? Please, don't leave me!" When she remained silent, he bent over her still form and his body was wracked with shudders. Zhaan bent down and drew her devastated shipmate into her arms.
From across the square, Nyal watched the drama unfold as if in slow motion. He had seen the female push the male out of the way, then take the full charge herself. With the gun dangling from his nerveless fingers, he moved slowly towards the two PeaceKeepers. He watched the male PeaceKeeper crawl over to his companion and begin pumping her chest and breathing into her mouth, all the while pleading with her to live. Glancing down at the gun in his hand he saw that it was set to the highest level and instinctively knew that there was nothing that could be done. He felt his world darken around him. He paid little attention to the arrival of the Terac, focussed only on the Delvian as she knelt beside the pair on the ground. When the male howled and clutched the female to him, Nyal wanted to die himself. He dropped the gun as if it were a poisonous snake and ran over to the crowd, desperately wanting the woman to live.
D'Argo and Chiana, followed closely by a hovering Rygel, arrived on the scene soon after. When Zhaan indicated with a shake of her head that Aeryn was dead, D'Argo threw back his head and roared in anguish. A tearful Chiana buried her face in his chest and Rygel bowed his head and began to mutter the Hynerian Ritual of Passage.
The crowd parted again as the authorities arrived. Several heavily armed soldiers moved the curious back as a trio of judges stepped forward to investigate. Their expressions hardened mercilessly as they saw the two 'PeaceKeepers' on the ground.
"What happened here?" Judge Zera demanded. Several voices answered her question at once, all with differing versions. She finally held up her hand for silence. "One person at a time!" She pointed imperiously at a reliable merchant
"Someone shot the female PeaceKeeper", the witnessing merchant proclaimed. "From across the square,"
"Was there a fight?" Judge Roder asked, seeing that the PeaceKeepers both still wore their sidearms.
"No," another merchant offered, grudgingly. "They were just walking, not causing any trouble."
"Then why, who?"
"I did it!" a youthful voice rang out, slightly hysterical. "I shot her. It was an accident."
The Terac turned to see the shooter. It was young Nyal. He closed his eyes and sighed. The trial had begun.
"It was an accident," he sobbed. He stepped forward, his eyes glued to the still form clutched in the one called John's arms. "I was just fooling around. The gun, it was supposed to be uncharged. It went off. I shot her. I killed her." He bent his head in agony. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!"
John raised bleak eyes to look at the shooter for the first time. "A kid. You're just a kid," he stated bitterly. Then he bent his head and whispered to Aeryn's still face. "Why? Oh God, why?"
The three judges looked on in sorrow. "A confession of guilt, clear and simple," Judge Zera said resignedly and motioned to the guards to take the boy. A commotion at the edge of the crowd signalled the arrival of Nyal's mother and father.
"Nyal? Nyal!" Yanna cried. Nyal raced over to her and buried his face in her shoulder, repeating over and over that he was sorry.
General Arzak stepped up to confront the judges. "What happened?"
"Your son just confessed to the killing of the PeaceKeeper female," Judge Traysan replied sadly. "I'm sorry, General. You know the penalty."
The General drew himself up stiffly. "Death?"
"He confessed. In front of witnesses."
"You'll put my son to death for killing a PeaceKeeper? She was only a PeaceKeeper!"
There was a roar of despair from behind him. John leaped to his feet and charged the General, knocking him to the ground. D'Argo and several soldiers had to restrain him. Nyal watched in horrified fascination as the PeaceKeeper male struggled against the hands holding him. "Don't say that! Don't ever say that!" he cried at the downed General. "She was not 'only a PeaceKeeper.' She was more. She was so much more." His voice broke and he slumped in the grasp of the soldiers.
The assembled crowd watched the male PeaceKeeper react so strangely to the death of his companion. They were shocked further when the Delvian Pa'u went over to the PeaceKeeper and wrapped her arms around him, drawing him away from the soldiers, offering comfort that he willingly accepted. The other three travellers stood by, clearly mourning the death of one who should have been their enemy.
Over Zhaan's shoulder, John met the anguished golden eyes of the boy in front of him and sighed. He straightened up and nodded to Zhaan that he was all right. When the soldiers stepped forward again to take the boy into custody, he turned to the judges. "You're going to give him the death penalty? Because of an accident?" He looked at Aeryn's body. "Don't! Don't do it. She would not have wanted him to die over a stupid accident."
"But it is our law. There can be no exception!" Judge Zera exclaimed.
"Well, make an exception!" John yelled. "Don't compound the error by taking two lives instead of one."
The judges looked at each other, uncertainly. The Terac finally stepped forward. "There is another way. The boy can undergo the CoDrath." Those overhearing gasped in astonishment.The crowd buzzed as word passed through it like wildfire.
"But that is reserved for RoAdans only. You would defile our most sacred ceremony with the body of a PeaceKeeper?" Judge Roder exclaimed, shocked.
John glared at him and started forward again to be restrained by Zhaan. "The boy would live?" he asked, glancing at the trembling youth.
"Most likely."
"What does it entail?"
"We need the body of your friend ..." The Terac began, but John objected immediately.
"No! No way! I'm taking Aeryn back to Moya. We will give her a proper funeral."
"But there's a chance ... "
"I said no!" John cried and bent down to lift Aeryn's body into his arms, hugging her to him protectively. He looked again at the young RoAdan that had killed her, then down at Aeryn's lifeless face."You know what? I really don't care what you do," he finally said in defeat. Then he turned to Zhaan and the others. "Let's get out of here."
Nyal watched the sorrowful group walk away in the direction of the landing station. Then he turned to face the judges. The Terac watched the group as well, his expression unreadable.
The judges conferred amongst themselves for a time then turned to Nyal. "Since you have admitted it was an accident and the injured party obviously does not want to pursue the matter, you are being released into your parent's custody." Judge Roder turned to the Terac. "Is that acceptable to you?"
"For now," he replied cryptically.
Nyal's mother sobbed in relief as she grabbed her son in a strangling embrace. After a nod of thanks to the judges and the Terac, the General turned stiffly and went over to pick up his gun. Then he gently led his wife and devastated son home.
On board Moya, John stood beside the body of the woman he had grown to love. He had laid her out gently on a bed in the infirmary. Zhaan had activated a stasis field until they could prepare a funeral for her. The lost Human astronaut stared down at her beautiful face, so calm and peaceful. He tried to convince himself that it was only a dream, that she was sleeping and would wake up and smile at him brilliantly as she had done so many times recently. But as he grasped her still, cold hand in his and bent to place a gentle kiss on her still brow he knew that this time there would be no awakening. He felt drained of all hope and feeling, a bitter shell of his former self.
As he leaned over her again, memorizing her features for the long empty life ahead of him, he felt something fall from his pocket. He stared at the tiny box unseeing, Then his eyes filled once more with tears as he recalled their conversation of the night before. He dropped to his knees beside the bed, devastated as he remembered that it had been less than twenty-four arns since they had been together.
***************
Aeryn lay in John's arms, deliciously content after their love-making. John gently stroked her naked back, revelling in the feel of her head cradled against his shoulder, her silky hair spread out along his arm, her body entwined intimately with his. He reached down and pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. She lifted her cheek from his shoulder and smiled up into his eyes, then with a reluctant sigh, sat up, dragging his gold cover around herself modestly.
"Must you go?" John asked, disappointed at her obvious plans to depart. "It's early yet. Stay with me."
"I can't, John. The others will be up soon. What if they caught us together like this?" She looked back at him, her eyes expressing her desire to stay.
"Then they'd know how we really feel about each other," John replied. "Stay," he pleaded.
Aeryn stared at him, torn. John took advantage of her momentary hesitation to suddenly rise up and grab her two wrists. Then he swiftly flipped her over onto her back, pinning her to the bed, her wrists trapped in his hands on either side of her face, his body levered over hers. "What if I won't let you leave?" he said, grinning down at her wickedly.
Aeryn smirked back up at him. "Do you really think you could stop me if I wanted to go, Human?"
John looked down at her for a microt then sighed in resignation. "No. You're right. You could easily take me with one hand tied behind your back." Aeryn smiled in triumph. "But what if I made you want to stay?" John added, with another wicked smile. He bent his head to nibble at her collarbone. He was rewarded by Aeryn moving restlessly beneath him. He continued his sensuous assault, his lips and tongue tracing erotic circles on the silky skin of her throat. He smiled when he felt Aeryn tilt her head back to give him greater access and heard her sigh with pleasure at his caresses. "Do you give in, Aeryn? Will you stay?" he whispered, as he moved higher, nibbling at her sensitive earlobe. Her moan of surrender made him smile wider.
"I give in, John," she breathed. "Ankle! Ankle!"
John raised his head and looked down into her flushed face in confusion. "What?"
She stared at him with eyes darkened in passion. "Ankle! I give in !"
John grinned at her attempt to use Human slang. "It's 'uncle', Aeryn." He lowered his lips to capture hers, "Uncle!" He kissed her deeply, his body moving sensuously against hers.
He lifted his head finally and stared down into her face, his eyes memorizing her features. He studied her sculpted brows, her sapphire eyes, her high cheekbones and her sensuous mouth, curved into a smile at his examination. His previously teasing expression suddenly grew very somber.
"What, John? What is it?" Aeryn asked, concerned at his sudden seriousness.
"God, you're so beautiful! I love you, Aeryn Sun," John declared. " I love you so much."
"I love you too, John," she replied, her eyes glowing. "Thank you for allowing me to feel this."
He smiled at her and lowered his head to kiss her tenderly. She responded to him with growing passion, her body moving urgently against his. John released her wrists and slid his hands up to lace his fingers with hers. He raised his head once more and gazed down into her passion-darkened eyes. "Marry me, Aeryn," he said suddenly.
Aeryn blinked up at him, confused. "Marry?"
"Yes, marry me. Pledge yourself to me as my mate," he said, growing more confident about the rightness of his request.
She smiled at him shyly. "But I just told you that I love you. Does that mean we are married?"
John grinned at her misunderstanding. He rolled onto his back and pulled Aeryn on top of him. Kissing each of her hands still entwined with his, he laid her palms against his chest, over his heart. "No, marriage is a Human custom, a very special ceremony. We would pledge our love for each other, but in front of witnesses. Our witnesses would be Zhaan, D'Argo, Chiana, Rygel, Moya and Pilot."
Aeryn looked less certain about the witnesses. "Why does anyone else have to know what is between us?" She was still unable to dismiss her conditioned fear of showing emotional attachments in public.
"Because they are our friends. And because I want the whole universe to know how we feel about each other. I want to say out loud that we belong together and intend to stay that way for life." He stared up at her, waiting for her answer. He watched as the war she fought against her PeaceKeeper training showed clearly in her face.
Then she met his gaze and smiled radiantly. "Yes, John, I will marry you. I think I do want everyone to know that I love you."
John grabbed her in his arms and rolled over again with a whoop of joy. He came to rest on top of her and grinned down at her. "You have made me the happiest Human in the Uncharted Territories, Aeryn," punctuating his words with quick kisses.
Aeryn grinned wickedly at him. "Since you're the ONLY Human in the Uncharted Territories, that's not saying much," she commented.
The happiest Human in the Uncharted Territories smirked down at the love of his life. "You're right, as always. I'm the happiest Human in the Universe!" he exclaimed.
"Much better," Aeryn agreed and pulled his mouth down to hers. Passion had quickly flared between them and no more words had been spoken.
***************
John raised his head from the bed and stood, grabbing the box and opening it to reveal two rings, his secret purchase in the market. The bands were simple, made of a metal resembling gold and lightly etched with a simple pattern. Taking the smaller one in his fingers, he lifted Aeryn's left hand and slid the ring onto her slender ring finger. His voice choked as he whispered, "With this ring, I thee wed, Aeryn." Then he placed the larger ring on his own finger. Bending to kiss her cold lips once more, he said his final good-bye.
"I love you, Aeryn Sun. I always will."
Placing her left hand gently over her heart, he turned away to join the others and make the preparations for the funeral.
***************
Nyal lay on his stomach on his bed, unable to weep any more. His parents had wisely left him alone. He thought he had heard the Terac's voice as well, but did not come out of his room. Every time he closed his eyes, he replayed in his mind the terrible events of that afternoon. He saw again the female push the male out of the way and take the shot herself. He remembered the fear and pain in her eyes as she was caught momentarily in the energy web. He opened his eyes to dispell the images, but could not stop himself from hearing again and again the anguished cry of the male PeaceKeeper as he clutched the woman's dead body in his arms. His eyes filled again with tears and he buried his head in his pillow desperate to shut out the awful memories. Finally he fell into an exhausted sleep.
The next day, he emerged from his room, pale and drawn. His mother immediately bustled over to him, anxious to ease her child's suffering, but he rejected her attempts to draw him into her arms. Instead he walked over to where his father sat slumped in his chair at the table and chose a chair facing him.
"Dada, tell me about PeaceKeepers," he requested.
The General looked at his son's red-rimmed eyes, the dark circles marring his otherwise relaxed features and sighed. "They are a ruthless race of warriors, who sell their services to those who can pay. They act as mercenaries for warlords and invaders. They claim that they are only maintaining the peace, but they have been responsible for more death and destruction than that caused by any of the civil wars and territory disputes that they supposedly settled."
"What are they like? As people I mean?"
"They are trained to be ruthless, unfeeling killers, obedient and loyal. And they are fanatically racist, believing themselves superior to all other races."
Nyal sat back, considering his father's words. "So killing one would not be so bad?"
The General looked at his wife for advice then back at his son. "Killing anyone is not right. As soldiers we kill in self-defense or to protect our way of life. The PeaceKeeper you killed yesterday may have been a member of a brutal race, but she was not a threat to you or your family or friends." Nyal's father sighed as he saw the effect his words were having on his son. "I know this is not what you wanted to hear, Nyal, but it's the truth. I'm sorry."
Nyal's eyes filled with tears, but he fought off the misery that threatened to overwhelm him. "I know, Dada. You're right. They were just walking through the market minding their own business." He bent his head. "I wish the male PeaceKeeper had allowed the Terac to perform the CoDrath."
General Arzak looked at his son, startled. "Why do you say that, son?"
"I would really like to have known her, the woman I ... I shot. There was something about her, something about all of them. It was different."
"Nyal?" his mother said, joining in the conversation.
"Well, Dada just said that the PeaceKeepers are racists, but those two travelled with a Delvian, a Luxan and a Hynerian. And that other one. Isn't that strange to you? I mean, I thought Delvians and Luxans were enemies of the PeaceKeepers."
Yanna and Arzak exchanged glances, surprised at their son's perception.
"And the male, the one they called John. His reaction was anything but unfeeling. He showed his emotions freely. He let the Delvian comfort him. He was obviously attached to the female, to Aeryn. He tried so hard to keep her alive. I've never seen anything like it, not even from the priests." Nyal's eyes filled with tears again at the memory. His mother came to stand behind him, gently rubbing his shoulders to comfort him. "They were both open with their emotions. Before I ... before it happened, they were smiling at each other, holding hands. That's not typical of PeaceKeepers, is it?"
"No, son, it isn't, " his father replied sadly. Then he laid his hand on his son's arm. "Don't think about it any more. The PeaceKeeper and the judges let you live. Be thankful for that. The CoDrath might have helped but it might also have meant your death. In time the pain will go away. Soon it will only be a sad lesson for you."
Yanna bent down and kissed the top of her son's head. "Do you want some breakfast?"
"No, I'm not hungry."
When she seemed about to protest, the General lightly shook his head. Nyal stood up and headed to the door. "I think I'll go for a walk, if that's okay?" At his parent's nod, he walked out into the bright sunlight, lost in thought.
The young RoAdan soon found himself back down at the edge of the lake where he had been skipping stones two days before. He stood gazing out across the waters, stunned as he considered the enormity of what had happened since he had been there. In his mind's eye, he saw again and again the unusual group, and he was more and more convinced that there was something strange about them.
"Only a PeaceKeeper!" rang through his head coupled with the male PeaceKeeper's agonized cry that she had been something more. The more he thought about it, the more he longed for the CoDrath. He desperately needed to know this woman, to ease his conscience that she was in fact a typical PeaceKeeper, that she somehow deserved to die for the atrocities she had probably committed. And a plan formed in his mind.
Nyal made his way to Tragoth's house and slipped into the courtyard unseen. He knew that his friend was probably hard at work assembling the model he had purchased the day before. Nyal stood under his window and tossed stones at it. Finally, Tragoth's head appeared, his hair uncombed and a smear of paint marking his cheek. When he saw who it was, he opened the window and stuck his head out, looking around in panic.
"Nyal! What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in your parents' custody!"
"They don't know I'm here. Come down. I need your help," he hissed urgently.
Tragoth looked around again to make sure no one was near. "Okay. I'll meet you down by the lake. In a quarter arn." He pulled his head back into the room and shut the window. Nyal sneaked away to return to the lake.
After what seemed like an interminable time, Tragoth appeared. He approached his best friend a little hesitantly, unsure how to broach the subject of what had happened the day before, or even if he should. He found Nyal much as he had two days previously, skipping stones in distraction. "Hey, Nyal. How are you?" he asked softly.
Nyal turned around and Tragoth saw the ravages of guilt and sleeplessness on his face. He looked down sadly. "Nyal, I never said I was sorry for what happened. If I hadn't bumped into you ... " his voice trailed off. He took a deep controlling breath and continued, tears streaming down his face. "I never said anything. I just let you take all the blame. I'm such a coward."
Nyal looked at his friend in astonishment, then smiled sadly. "Hey, Tragoth. It wasn't your fault. I was being really stupid playing with the gun. I should have known better. My own father had warned me against all of it, but did I listen? No!" His voice turned bitter. "I thought I was such a big man, walking around carrying a gun. I am nothing but a stupid child." He looked across at the academy. "I know now what it's really like to be a soldier and I don't think I'm brave enough." His eyes crossed over to the monastery. "And now the Terac will not want me. I've proved in front of the whole town how stupid and ignorant I am. He won't want such an idiot as his apprentice now." He hung his head in shame. "I've really messed things up."
Tragoth stood by without a word, youthfully unsure how to offer comfort to his despairing friend. After an uncomfortable silence, he finally said, "Don't worry, Nyal. It will all turn out right in the end. It always does somehow." He placed an awkward hand on his friend's heaving shoulder.
Nyal turned to him and gave him a watery smile. "I know. And I'm going to make it all right. That's why I need you. I'm going to perform the CoDrath," he announced.
"By yourself? Are you crazy?" Tragoth was shocked.
"Sure, why not? I was tops in our class. I've done it three times already."
"You performed the Ly'u ritual and that was with the assistance of a Tan level priest. You've only witnessed the full CoDrath."
Nyal's jaw set stubbornly. "I can do it. I know I can." He heaved a great sigh and looked at his friend with determination and not a little desperation. "I have to do it. Don't you see, Tragoth. I keep seeing her die over and over in my mind. The male PeaceKeeper said she was more than a PeaceKeeper. But my father and the judges seemed satisfied that she was killed. One less monster in the galaxy. I have to know. I have to know whether her death was a good thing or a bad thing."
Tragoth was stunned at his friend's interpretation of the incident. "And if you find out she deserved to live, not die? What then?"
"Then I will finish the ritual and offer myself as her TerCho, as is our custom."
Tragoth shook his head in disbelief. "It will never work. You will kill yourself trying. These are very powerful forces you are considering fooling around with."
"Worse than a loaded gun?" Nyal shot back bitterly.
"Besides, you need her body. You cannot perform the ritual without her body. The Leviathan and her crew are probably long gone by now. And even if they're not, the male said something about a funeral. How do PeaceKeepers honour their dead?"
"I have no idea. I'm hoping they release the body into space. Most space-faring races do. Come on, Tragoth, I have to at least try. I'll never sleep again, I swear."
Tragoth struggled with the idea then smiled weakly at his friend. "Okay, I'll help you. What's the plan?"
"Can you get your brother's transport?"
***************
On board Moya, John wandered emptily down to his quarters. The crew had given Aeryn the simple yet dignified funeral they felt she would have wanted. Zhaan had chanted quiet prayers to her Goddess while D'Argo had spoken a touching tribute to Aeryn as a warrior and friend. Chiana and Rygel had brought forward flowers and gifts to lay in the capsule that had served as her coffin. Pilot had tried to offer a tribute but his voice had broken and he had been unable to go on. John had stood by, silently, letting the ceremony pass by him as if in a dream. With a glance at the shattered Human, Zhaan finally signalled to D'Argo to close the capsule. The tiny group of mourners left the docking bay and Zhaan signalled to Pilot to close the doors. John had felt the shutting of the doors as if it were the stopping of his heart. He watched bleakly as the tiny capsule was released into space. Then without a word, the group had broken up, each to his or her own mourning. Zhaan had tried to stay with John but he had smiled sadly and told her he needed some time alone.
Once in his quarters, John looked around and then found his recording device. He picked it up, feeling close to his father, who he desperately needed right now. Thumbing the record button, he began the entry he had hoped never to make.
"Dad, something awful has happened, the worst thing. Aeryn is dead. We just had her funeral." He choked and stopped the tape. Breathing deeply for control, he continued. "We were supposed to have a wedding, Dad, and instead we had a funeral. I can't believe she's gone. I keep hoping that I'll turn around and see her smiling at me from the door. Or find her down repairing her Prowler. Or exercising. Anything but this ... this emptiness." He turned the tape off and sat lost in memories for a time. Then he recorded again. "How did you ever cope when Mom died? I never really understood how devastating it must have been for you until this moment. I feel dead inside. I don't know how I can go on. She's always been there. Right from the start of this nightmare. I don't think I can do it without her." He broke down then, falling to his knees, the recorder gripped in his hand, deep sobs wracking his body.
He never heard the door to his quarters open or Zhaan approach him to kneel beside him. His first indication of her presence was when she folded him in her comforting arms. He sobbed out his pain and misery into her consoling embrace. When he finally quieted, Zhaan waited for him to speak. "Zhaan, Zhaan, what am I going to do? How can I go on without her?"
"You're going to endure, John, just like Chiana did after her brother's death, and D'Argo without Lo'Laan. And like your father did after your mother died," she said indicating his recorder.
"You heard me?"
"Yes, I came down to check on you."
"Then you know about the wedding. Aeryn had agreed to marry me, to be my mate. I finally convinced her to let her feelings out into the open."
Zhaan smiled at him sadly. "Yes, I heard. You were good for her, John. And she was good for you."
John stared at the Delvian with red-rimmed eyes. "I really don't think I can do this without her, Zhaan. You and the others are special to me, but without Aeryn ..."
"You will, John, because you are strong. It was one of the things that attracted her to you in the first place. You will go on and you will find a way to return to your Earth. It's what she would have wanted for you."
John sighed at her words. "You're right. It doesn't feel like it now, but deep down I do know you're right." John cradled her head in his two hands and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Thank you , Zhaan."
***************
The two young RoAdans watched the capsule being released from the massive Leviathan. Nyal couldn't believe his luck. Tragoth's reaction was more one of dread. He had secretly hoped that PeaceKeepers believed in cremation. Nyal urgently directed his reluctant companion to snare the capsule with the transport's grappling hook. Before the shuttle's cargo doors were closed, Nyal was unhooking his seat belt and scrambling back to check on their prize. Tragoth heard him whoop with delight. "It's her! Let's go back!"
Tragoth resignedly steered the transport back to the planet.
Once landed, the two youths quickly removed the capsule from the transport and stood staring at each other for a microt. "What now?" Tragoth asked fearfully.
Nyal was momentarily stunned, never really believing they would get this far. Then he straightened. "We need a private place to perform the ritual. What do you think?"
"How about that cave overlooking the lake we found last summer? I don't think anyone really knows it's there."
Nyal beamed at his friend, "Perfect."
The two conspirators lifted the surprisingly light capsule between them and carried it unseen to the cave. Once inside, Nyal knelt beside it.
"You're going to open it?" Tragoth asked fearfully. "Now?"
Nyal swallowed nervously. "I have to. It's part of the ritual." He reached down and released the seal on the capsule. There was a soft hissing sound and the capsule's cover popped open.
Inside the PeaceKeeper female lay as if asleep. She was dressed in a simple vest and black pants. At her side lay a pulse rifle, and a pistol was strapped to her thigh. Nyal was relieved at the obvious signs of war. However, he also saw flowers placed carefully around her head. Inside the capsule with her were several precious crystals. On one finger of her hand was a gold ring. That hand was laid very deliberately over her heart. He raised his eyes to her face. Even in the repose of death, he saw how truly beautiful the woman was. His heart sank in despair.
Nyal and Tragoth stared down at the body, unsure of their next step. Then Nyal straightened and took charge. "The body needs to be cleansed and prepared for the ceremony," he stated.
Tragoth's eyes bugged out of his head,"Cleansed? You mean we have to ..."
"Yes. We need to strip the body and wash it. Then dress it in the ceremonial robes."
Tragoth stared down at the beautiful PeaceKeeper in horror. "Who's going to do that?"
"You'll have to," Nyal said, coughing uncomfortably at the thought.
"Me? Why me?"
"Because I have to prepare for the Ly'u."
Tragoth looked at his friend in fear. "I can't do it, Nyal. She's too ... too ..."
"Beautiful?" Nyal supplied.
"Female. It's too weird. I can't. I'm sorry."
Nyal sighed in resignation. "Well, I can't either."
Tragoth thought for a moment, "We need a female to do it."
Nyal responded bleakly. "Who would help us?"
Tragoth brightened, "My sister, Marana!" he exclaimed.
Nyal looked at him in surprise, "Why would she help us?"
Tragoth smirked at his friend. "You really are dense sometimes. Marana's had a crush on you for ages. If you asked her to jump over the moon she would try."
"She has a crush on me?" Nyal repeated in satisfied wonder. Then he blushed. "Why didn't you say anything?" he accused hotly.
"Because she threatened to kill me," Tragoth replied matter-of-factly.
"All right, go and get her," Nyal replied, looking down at the PeaceKeeper female in her capsule. "And don't forget the other stuff we need. Hurry! My parents are going to start looking for me pretty soon."
Several arns later a wide-eyed Marana sat beside her brother in the now darkened cave watching Nyal prepare the last elements for the Ly'u ritual. At a nod from the youthful celebrant, the brother and sister moved around the cave, lighting the candles that had been placed in niches in the walls, while Nyal lit the candles surrounding the body of the PeaceKeeper female he had killed. Washed in fragrant water and anointed with oils, the beautiful woman was now clad in long blue robes of softest silk, 'borrowed' from Tragoth's mother's closet.. She was laid out on the floor of the cave, her hair unbound and her feet bare. Nyal hovered uncertainly over her.
With a nervous grin, he knelt beside the body. "Here goes."
He let his hands hover over the woman's head and took several deep breaths, letting himself drift into the reading trance. With his mind he delved into the depths of the PeaceKeeper's memories, memories that were still encoded in chemical storage in her brain. Adjusting himself to the unique chemistry of her Sebacean physiology, he smiled as her past was suddenly revealed to him, like pages in a book.
His smile turned quickly to a frown as he saw her early life, cycles of training and fighting and killing. He saw campaign after campaign through her eyes, as world after alien world fell before the PeaceKeeper onslaught; an onslaught that she was a part of, mindlessly obeying orders, desperately burying any guilt or horror she might have felt at the atrocities. In a way, Nyal felt disappointment that the beautiful woman he had killed was in truth a typical PeaceKeeper.
Just as he was about to withdraw, something changed dramatically. He saw the other PeaceKeeper in her memories, dressed strangely in an unfamiliar uniform. He saw her step forward to defend him from her own captain, felt her fear as she was arrested along with him. He continued to probe her more recent memories, and saw her fight again and again to save her alien friends. He relived her struggle to understand the technology needed to save the Hynerian; her quick rescue of the Luxan when he was blown out into space; her desperate blinded placement of the PeaceKeeper beacon to divert the Vorkarian trackers; her willingness to sacrifice herself to her former Captain to save her friends; her offer to allow the Leviathan's Pilot to kill her to save the others; her desperate fight to restore the Delvian during their on-board famine.
And through it all, the male PeaceKeeper, John, was there, holding her while she fought off the effects of an mad scientist's experiments; comforting her as they faced death in a stranded transport pod; opposing his entire world to keep her safe; risking his life to save hers again and again. And he felt her grow and change as she grew closer to her shipmates and the Human ( as he now knew him to be) in particular. Nyal blushed at some of her more intimate memories. His heart twisted in pain as he saw again her desire and love for the Human and her recent agreement to be his mate, an agreement that flew in the face of everything she had been raised to believe.
He sighed in resignation, knowing that the woman indeed deserved to live as the Human had declared. She was truly more than a PeaceKeeper.
Just as he was about to withdraw, he sensed something else, on the very edge of his consciousness. He searched with his mind for the source, running his hands over the PeaceKeeper's body. Tragoth and Marana watched in wonder as his hands suddenly rested over the woman's womb and his eyes opened in astonishment.
"Nyal? What is it?" Tragoth asked in a hushed whisper.
"Oh Gods, she's pregnant! She carries another life within her," Nyal answered in despair.
"Can you perform the CoDrath on them both?" Marana asked, fearfully.
"I don't know! I don't know!" Nyal wailed, pulling his mind from the PeaceKeeper and her child.
***************
In his stark chamber within the monastery, the Terac sat meditating. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the breathless arrival of one of the acolytes. He sat still for one more microt, then sighed and turned to accept the young priest's message, a message he was already aware of.
"Yes," he said as serenely as he could.
The acolyte bowed abruptly and then launched into his news. "Ter Deska, the TerMac requests your presence in the inner chamber."
"And are you aware of the reason for her summons?" the Terac asked with a gentle smile.
The acolyte blinked up at him in shock. "You must be aware ... Someone is performing the CoDrath. Every priest above a Violet level can feel it."
The Terac smiled serenely at the agitated apprentice. "Yes, my child. I feel it too. There is nothing to worry about. It is not unexpected." He rose to his feet and looked down at the acolyte. "Tell the TerMac I will be with her shortly."
Reassured, the young priest raced out of the room to deliver his message.
The Terac sighed and offered a prayer to his Gods to protect the young Nyal in his trial.
***************
"What are you going to do now?" Tragoth asked his friend nervously.
"I must go on. I must complete the CoDrath," Nyal said with determination.
Marana gasped, "Why? What did you see?"
"I don't really understand it all, but I know that this woman was not a typical PeaceKeeper. She deserves to live. The male with her was not even Sebacean. He belongs to a race called Human. She risked her life again and again for him and for the others, aliens who are enemies of her race." He looked down at the woman lying dead before him.Unconsciously he stroked her silky dark hair. "And between them, the Human and her, they have created a new life. She does not even know it yet. But she will welcome it, I know." Nyal looked up at his friends. "I have to try."
Tragoth and Marana bowed their heads in acknowledgement of their friend's decision. Then they prepared for the dangerous ritual.
Nyal again opened his mind to the memories of the woman lying on the ground before him. But this time his mind stretched farther to draw on the life energies around him. He opened his senses to the birds, the animals, the sunlight and plants, delving into the earth to feel the insects and even the very heart of his planet. Taking a little bit from each of them he assembled it into a glowing ball of energy. He felt his mind quake at the power of it. Then he directed the life force towards the mind, heart and unborn child of the woman lying before him. He struggled to convince her heart to pump again, her brain to function and her newly formed child to live.
Tragoth and Marana clutched each other in fear as Nyal cried out in pain. They watched him fight to bring the PeaceKeeper and her child back to life. Their own senses were overwhelmed by the forces that shimmered and crackled around them. Suddenly the candles blew out as one and the cave was plunged into darkness.
After a brief microt of shock, Tragoth shifted, pulling out a lighter. He quickly found a candle in a niche in the wall beside him and lit it. Marana did the same, lighting several candles in the cave, enough to cast a dim glow over the figures before them.
Tragoth cried out involuntarily as he beheld his friend Nyal collapsed over the body of the PeaceKeeper. His face was pale, as if drained of all life energy. Brother and sister held their breath as they waited to see if Nyal was dead. Then with a sigh, he started to move. He groaned in agony and sat up. Tragoth beamed at him in relief. Marana started to question him when another sigh caught the trio's attention. The threesome watched in shock as the Pecaekeeper female sighed again and then opened her eyes.
Aeryn lay on the hard ground, blinking against the faint light around her. For a microt she struggled to remember what had happened. Then the memories came flooding back to her, the gun, the shot, the pain and fear. She sat up suddenly, "John!" Then she groaned in pain as the abrupt movement sent aches shooting through her body and head. After a time she heard rustling and raised her head and looked around her. She was in some sort of cave, dimly lit by candles in the walls and all around her. Against one wall, three youngsters, RoAdans, huddled in fear. Aeryn's eyes widened as she recognised one of them as the boy who had fired the gun at John. Instinctively, her hand dropped to her side to find her own pistol, but all she felt was soft cloth and no holster. She looked down at herself to find she was dressed in silky blue robes. Scrambling to her feet, she backed against the wall opposite the children.
"What's going on? Where am I? Where's John?" she said, trying not to show her fear.
The boy who had shot her stepped forward tentatively. "You're on RoAd Prime. You've been ... injured. But you're better now. I'm Nyal," he stated with a short formal bow. "This is Tragoth and Marana," he added indicating the boy and girl behind him.
Aeryn backed away slightly, her blue eyes filled with accusation. "You shot me. You were going to shoot John. Why?"
Nyal bowed his head in shame. "It was an accident. I'm sorry. I was fooling around with a gun and it went off. I didn't mean to hurt anyone."
Aeryn's expression softened and she looked at the contrite youth in front of her. Before she could speak, she was hit by a wave of dizziness. Nyal stepped forward and supported her with surprisingly strong arms for such a gangly boy. "Come outside. You need some fresh air," he said rather imperiously. With a quick nod at the other two, he helped the Sebacean woman out of the cave into the soft chill of the night.
"I need to find John, get back to Moya. Where is he? Where are the others?" Aeryn said weakly, leaning on a large rock.
"Don't worry. We'll get you back to your ship. And the Human." Nyal smiled at her to reassure her. "They're all right."
Aeryn looked at the boy sharply, suspicious once more. "How did you know John is Human?"
Nyal looked down, somewhat embarrassed. "I know a lot about you. To save your life, I had to perform the CoDrath. It's a very sacred ritual. I had to read your memories first. So I know all about you, your past, your flight from the PeaceKeepers and why. And I know about you and the Human."
Then it was Aeryn's turn to be embarrassed. She studied the boy and saw from the way he would not meet her eyes how much he had really seen.
Behind them there was a nervous cough. "What are you going to do now,Nyal? How are we going to get her back to the Leviathan?" Tragoth asked.
"We'll go to my house. My father and the Terac need to know what we've done. And I need witnesses when I make myself her TerCho. The Terac can signal the Leviathan," Nyal said helping Aeryn to her feet.
As they made their way along the path back to Nyal's house, Aeryn stumbled over the hem of the long trailing robe and cursed softly. "I can't wait to get my own clothes back," she complained. One look at the threesome had her stopping again. "Where are my clothes?"
Nyal coughed again nervously. "Uh, we had to burn them. It's part of the ritual. We washed you and put you in the ceremonial robes."
Aeryn stared at him, her cheeks tinged with pink. "We?"
Nyal's expression grew shocked at the turn her thoughts were taking. He hastened to correct her. "Oh no! We didn't ... I mean not Tragoth or me. It was Marana. We would never do that! I mean you were dead, but we couldn't ..."
At his words, Aeryn stopped again and stood in amazement. "Dead? I was dead?"
Tragoth cursed softly and Nyal hung his head again. "Yes. The shot killed you. But we brought you back ... I mean I did, through the CoDrath."
"The others. Do they know I died?"
"Yes. We retrieved your body after they gave you a funeral. I'm sorry."
All the colour drained from Aeryn's face and she closed her eyes. For a microt the young RoAdans thought she might faint. Then she opened them and began walking more briskly. "Come on," she ordered, when they did not immediately follow her. "I've got to get back to Moya. I've got to let them know I'm alive."
***************
Moya's crew assembled for a silent evening meal. None of them could look at the spot beside John where Aeryn habitually sat. Every now and then D'Argo or Chiana would glance at their Human companion in concern at the way he merely picked at his food, not really eating at all. Zhaan caught their worried looks and shook her head lightly. Finally, without a word, John rose, cleared his place and left the central chamber.
"Is he going to be all right?" D'Argo asked quietly, when the Human was gone.
"Eventually," Zhaan answered with a sigh. "But he's going to need all our support and caring to get through this."
The rest of the crew, even Rygel, nodded in quick agreement.
Just then, Pilot's image appeared on the viewscreen. The symbiont looked very tired, his eyes filled with infinite sorrow. "Excuse me, Zhaan, but I have a signal coming in from the Terac. He's in a ship approaching from the planet. He's requesting permission to come aboard."
"Does he say why?"
"No, only that it's very urgent."
Zhaan looked at the others, who nodded, "Bring his ship aboard, Pilot. I will go down and meet him in the docking bay." Pilot's image disappeared.
"Should we tell John?" Chiana asked anxiously.
"No. I don't think he wants to have anything to do with the RoAdans right now," Zhaan replied as she cleared her own place and headed for the door.
"Perhaps I should join you, Zhaan," D'Argo stated.
"I don't think that the Terac poses any threat. He is a peace-loving man. But I would welcome your support," Zhaan said with a smile. She waited for the Luxan to join her and together they headed for the docking bay.
The golden manta-shaped transport of the RoAdan Terac was already secured in the docking bay when Zhaan and D'Argo arrived. Several DRD's scurried around, some of them with weapons, D'Argo noted with satisfaction. He was pleased to see he wasn't the only one suspicious of the Terac's presence. The hatch to the shuttle opened slowly and the Terac himself emerged, arms outstretched to indicate his lack of weapons. He stepped down onto the deck and straightened, his long golden robe flowing around him.
"Ter Deska," Zhaan said, smiling as she stepped forward to greet the RoAdan spiritual leader, ignoring D'Argo's muffled curse at her clear dismissal of any threat.
The Terac stretched out his hands and took both of Zhaan's in his, "Pa'u Zhaan," he responded with a smile. "It is indeed a pleasure to see you again."
D'Argo watched the exchange nervously, his hand ready to draw his ever-present Qualta Blade. He was dimly aware of Chiana and Rygel slipping into the docking bay behind him.
"Why have you come?" Zhaan asked curiously.
"I believe my apprentice should explain," he answered and stepped aside to allow the young Nyal to emerge. The boy looked uncertain and very frightened, particularly when he saw the Luxan standing defensively behind the Delvian. Something in the transport attracted his attention. He made a gesture, telling whoever to wait and then squared his shoulders and stepped down.
The expressions on the faces of the crew hardened when they recognised him as the boy who had killed Aeryn. D'Argo even began to growl menacingly. Zhaan looked up at the Terac, some of the welcome gone from her eyes. "Why have you brought this child here? I thought we said everything there was to say down on the planet."
"It's about the CoDrath ..." the boy began nervously.
D'Argo stepped forward then. "John made our wishes quite clear. We will not allow you to perform some ritual just to clear your conscience. Besides, we have already given Aeryn her funeral."
Nyal smiled shyly at the Luxan. "I know." Then he turned and signalled to the person inside the transport.
Zhaan stepped back and exclaimed, "By the Goddess, Aeryn!" when she saw the Sebacean step out of the transport. Chiana and Rygel whispered "Frell!" in astonished unison. D'Argo's reaction was more violent. He drew his Blade and aimed it at what he saw as an apparition of their dead companion. "What manner of sorcery is this?" he demanded.
Aeryn straightened up and gazed at her friends patiently, knowing how shocked they must be at her appearance. "D'Argo, it's me. It's really me. I'm alive."
For a microt the group was frozen into a stunned tableau, then Zhaan raced forward and hugged Aeryn tightly, tears flowing freely from her beautiful blue eyes. "Aeryn, thank the Goddess! You are alive!" Chiana and Rygel soon followed, and Aeryn was enveloped in their exuberant embraces. Finally D'Argo lowered his Blade and with a roar of pure joy, grabbed the overwhelmed ex-PeaceKeeper and spun her around in the air until she laughingly begged him to put her down. Around them DRD's spun out of control and Pilot's image on the viewscreen was unabashedly tearful.
Zhaan turned to the Terac and Nyal, her own tears of happiness still streaming down her face. "How? How is this possible?"
The Terac turned to the young RoAdan and ruffled his hair, "It seems young Nyal here took matters into his own hands. He and his friends retrieved your friend's body and performed the CoDrath themselves. It was a very dangerous trial, but he succeeded in bringing her back from the dead." He looked down at the boy who blushed. "I knew he was talented. I never realised how truly gifted he is. He will make a fine apprentice, and perhaps even Terac some day."
Nyal met the Terac's smile with an astonished gaze. "But how can I be your apprentice? I must remain here on Moya with Aeryn. I have to be her TerCho, her indentured slave, as punishment for my crime."
Hearing his words, Aeryn turned to him and smiled. "The Terac explained to me about that part." She came over and took his hand. "You can't come with me. You've seen my life, all our lives. You know how dangerous it is. I can't let you throw your life and promise away for that."
"But it is our custom; it is demanded!"
Aeryn grinned at the Terac and then down at the boy. "Okay, I accept you as my TerCho." The rest of the crew gasped. "You have to obey my orders then, right?"
"Yes," Nyal said, bowing submissively.
"Then I order you to be the Terac's apprentice, to study hard, and obey him in everything. I order you to spend your life improving yourself and doing what you can to make your world a better place for your people. I order you to pledge yourself to peace, not war, and especially not weapons," she added with mock severity. The boy blushed again, a deep golden tinge. Then she bent down and kissed his cheek before straightening and ruffling his hair. Her kiss made him blush even more. "Now I really have to find John," she said before turning and running out of the docking bay.
Once out in the corridor, Aeryn called for Pilot, "Pilot, where is John?" She spoke to the corridor, having no commlink.
Pilot's voice came through Moya's speakers. "He's on the terrace." Aeryn lifted the hem of the blue robes she still wore and began to race to the terrace. "Aeryn, I would recommend caution. Commander Crichton took your death particularly hard. The shock of seeing you alive could hurt him."
Aeryn smiled at Pilot's consideration, "Thank you for the warning, Pilot." She slowed as she neared the door to the terrace.
On the terrace, a mourning John Crichton leaned against the cool clear 'window' of Moya's wall that separated him from the stars outside. Behind him, he could clearly see the sunlit horizon of the planet where his life had ended. Feeling dead inside, he closed his eyes and pressed his cheek to the glass-like material. He heard the door to the terrace hiss softly as it swung open and the soft rustle of skirts.
"Zhaan," he sighed wearily, "Why haven't we left this god-forsaken planet yet?" When there was no reply, he spun around impatiently to repeat his question. And stood stock still at the vision in front of him.
Aeryn stood silently inside the door of the terrace, dressed in unfamiliar blue silken robes, her feet bare and her dark hair loose about her shoulders. For a microt, John thought he was having hallucinations, until the 'vision' suddenly launched herself across the space separating them and into his arms. He staggered back with the force of her impact and wrapped his arms about the living, breathing woman he had believed gone from his life forever.
"Aeryn? Oh my God, Aeryn? Is it you?" he cried hoarsely, clinging to her like a drowning man to a lifering, burying his face in her hair, his body shuddering.
Aeryn held him close to her, her hands caressing his back, whispering to him to calm him. "Yes, John, it's really me."
John lifted his head and stared down at her, still not believing what his eyes and arms clearly told him was true. He touched her face, her lips, her shoulders while his eyes beheld her own eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "You're alive, my dearest love. Oh God, Aeryn, you're alive," he whispered in wonder before lowering his mouth to hers, kissing her hungrily, desperately. Aeryn sighed and gave herself up entirely to his kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing herself against him.
After a time, John lifted his head again and smiled down at her, tears of joy streaming openly down his face. Aeryn stared up at him and her hungry eyes started to note the dark circles under his red-rimmed eyes and his haggard appearance. "John," she cried in concern, "What happened to you?"
He grinned at her, the lop-sided grin that always made her heart lurch in her breast. "You happened to me. Your death. It was the worst thing I've ever had to face." He pulled her to him fiercely. "Don't ever do that again!" he exclaimed.
"Do what?"
"Die!" he said, his arms tightening almost painfully around her.
Aeryn smiled up at him sadly, "I can't promise that, John," she said. He realised how unreasonable his request was and looked away sheepishly. Aeryn took his face between her two hands and turned him to face her. "All I can promise you is that I will never leave you. Not as long as there is breath in my body."
He smiled down at her serious expression and then kissed her brow tenderly. "I guess that will have to do," he said, before lowering his lips to hers once more.
Some time later, John and Aeryn returned to the docking bay, arm in arm. Nyal saw them first and smiled happily at Aeryn. She returned his grin almost shyly, then looked up at John. The Human approached the boy slowly, his hand outstretched. To John's great surprise, Nyal reached out his own hand and shook John's. Aeryn grinned as she realised that the Earth practise of the handshake was yet another piece of information the young RoAdan had gleaned from her memories.
"I wanted to hate you for taking Aeryn away from me. For doing it under such foolish circumstances," John stated without preamble. Nyal blushed at his candor. "But I find myself thanking you for bringing her back to me, to all of us." He surprised the young Nyal by suddenly hauling him into a strong embrace.
When he was released, Nyal smiled up at the strange Human and then leaned in conspiratorially. "She really loves you, you know."
John grinned back at the the boy. "I know. And I love her."
The Terac turned and started to head towards the transport. Nyal saw his move and took John's hand once more in a strong handshake. "Please take care of her. She's very special. I know that now."
John gave the boy's hand one more shake and then turned and said more to Aeryn than to Nyal, "I know. I think I've always known."
Nyal saw the Sebacean blush at his open expression of his feelings for her. Then suddenly he remembered something important he had forgotten in the excitement. He raced back to grab Aeryn's hand and draw her apart from John.
John watched Nyal speak quietly to Aeryn and her reaction astonished him. All the colour suddenly drained from her face. She questioned him, obviously not believing what he was telling her. The boy nodded vehemently. An expression of wonder passed over her face and she let her hand rest lightly over her stomach. Then she smiled and bent down to kiss the boy's cheek again. Nyal blushed again, gave her cheek a shy peck and then stumbled onto the Terac's shuttle.
Aeryn came to stand beside him once more, a bemused expression on her face. With his arm around her waist, John drew her back to join the others behind the closing doors of the docking bay. He looked down to see Aeryn watching him, a look of consideration on her face. The others were already on their way out the door when Aeryn stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"Do you still want to marry me?" she asked him out of the blue.
"What?" he choked.
"Do you still want us to get married?" she asked again, her expression telling him that his answer was very important to her.
"Of course I do," he said sincerely. "In fact, I already consider us married." He lifted her left hand where his ring still rested and kissed it tenderly. "I kind of jumped the gun."
She gave him one of her uniquely brilliant smiles. "Good," she replied. "Because I have another surprise for you."
"Better than the surprise of you being alive?" he asked, teasingly.
"Possibly," she answered cryptically. Then she kicked out impatiently at the robes that threatened once more to trip her up. "But first I have to get out of this stupid outfit!"
John leered at her, "Can I help?"
Moya's halls rang with Aeryn's happy laughter as she headed to her quarters, with John in close pursuit.

FIN.