Mortality 101 Part 2
By Mark Sherstone & Stephanie Jeansonne
Disclaimer: We make no clam to Farscape or Stargate SG-1. They are not ours. We
are just using them for a bit.
Notes: Sorry about the change in co-writer. Anthony pulled out for whatever
reason.
Well looks like this is all there is folks. A thing called RL is being a major
pain in the eema
if this is ever finish I'll be sur to post it in the meantime enjoy!
Rating: PG
Feedback: Yes! marks@caverock.net.nz or jadetiger_16@yahoo.com
SGC:
"No, you are right Zhaan. Larraq was not on board long enough." said D'Argo
smiling.
"And even if he had been, John would had have something to say," said Chiana
"And it would not have been nice," said Rygel.
"Zhaan, the child is John's," D'Argo added.
"Children," corrected Jackson, "twins, I believe, at least that's what Frasier
told me."
The Crew of Moya turned to face Jackson, their faces unreadable
"Twins?" Asked Zhaan, sounding surprised and happy at the same time.
Before Jackson could reply, Doctor Frasier entered the Gate room. She stopped
momentarily upon noticing Zhaan but said nothing, she walked over to Hammond,
"General, a word please."
"Yes, Doctor?"
"Thor is not doing well. There is one possible hope - our homeworld, Sebacea."
"WHAT!! You want to save the Azgard?" Sputtered Crais
Hammond eyed Crais, "the Humans have a saying: 'Do not become what you seek to
destroy.' Think about that." He turned back to Frasier, "how long does Thor
have?"
"A day, two at most," said Frasier.
"That's not good. Where the frell has O'Neill got too?" Hammond wondered.
****
WOODS NEAR CARTER'S CABIN:
"Nice of you two to slow down," said O'Neill as he and Carter finally caught up
with John and Sarah who were still carrying the sleeping Aeryn.
"Sorry about that," said Sarah.
"I'm sure," said Carter.
****
SGC:
Hammond was now in his office along with Crais and the two PK Guards. He had
sent the crew of Moya off with Teal'c, Jackson, and Frasier. They wanted to
know about John and Aeryn's twins.
Hammond now dialed O'Neill's mobile again. "Colonel, where the hell are you??"
He paused, "I see. Good. I don't care if you do break the speed limit, get back
here NOW!" Another pause, "SG-1 has a very special mission as does the crew of
Moya. That's why I want you back here." With that, he hung up.
"Now what do we do?" Crais asked.
"We wait for them to get here and wait to hear from Command," said Hammond as he
looked at the phone in question.
****
CARTER'S CABIN:
Aeryn was now awake so O'Neill filled everyone in on what was happening. After
that, all of John and Aeryn's things were taken from the cabin and put in the
boot of the staff car. Everyone got in including Sarah and they headed back to
the SGC at full speed.
****
SGC MED ROOM:
"So what you're saying is, not only is Aeryn pregnant, but she is also going to
have two children?" Zhaan asked, "How, in the name of the goddess did this
happen?"
"Well, as Doctor Frasier explained," Jackson began, nodding at Frasier,
"Sebacean physiology, is structured in such a way that it is quite normal to
have two children at a time."
"I did not mean that," Zhaan said, raising her hand to forestall Jackson, "I
meant how did it physically happen? Aeryn and John were scarcely gone long
enough for something such as this to happen."
"It's kind of a long story," began Frasier.
"Most of them are," muttered Rygel from his throne, earning him exasperated
looks from all present.
Chiana began, "Well, it all started when this being called Thor appeared…."
****
SGC BRIEFING ROOM:
Hammond put down the phone, "Security confirms that they just entered the
compound. I told them to come straight here." He told Jack Crichton, DK, and
Crais who were impatiently sitting in the chairs around the table. Admittedly
they were impatient for different reasons. Crichton and DK were anxious to see
John and Aeryn safely back to the SGC, the tale of their rather odd behavior was
disturbing. Crais's impatience was twofold. One, he didn't believe that his own
people would actually help out their sworn enemies, the Azgard. Secondly, he was
also a little apprehensive about being around John. It might be forbidden by his
people's law to harm John, but that didn't mean he had to accept his brother's
killer with open arms.
Just then, Hammond, Carter and Sarah O'Neill walked into the room followed
closely by John and Aeryn, who both nodded curt hellos to the others in the
room. Noticing that several faces were missing from the
group they exchanged a short look.
"We'll go get the others," John said to the assembled company. With that they
walked arm in arm out of the room. Jack Crichton and DK exchanged concerned
glances over John and Aeryn's behavior.
"What was that all about?" Asked Hammond bewilderedly.
"They've been acting weird ever since we found them," replied O'Neill.
"Almost as if they were drugged or something," added Carter, she lapsed into
silence, her expression
thoughtful.
"What was it you called us up for anyway sir?" Asked O'Neill picking up the
lull.
"We should probably hold that discussion until the others get back. I'd rather
not explain things more
than once, as it seems we have some decisions to make which would be easier to
make if everyone was here. So, you might as well tell me what's been going on
with those two."
****
SGC HALLWAY:
"What are we going to do about Crais?" Aeryn asked.
"Not much we can do. I might be able to get him off our backs, but he won't
forgive or forget I don't
think." John replied, "but we'll have to be civil to each other I guess."
Aeryn nodded, "but what happened in the woods? The last thing I remember was
going outside for a
bit of nookie up a tree."
John grinned, "funny, that's the last thing I remember too." Then he stopped
dead in his tracks and swung
Aeryn round to face him. "My mom was a Peacekeeper. I have a very dim memory of
being taken somewhere."
Aeryn looked alarmed, "oh god! They didn't."
"I think they did Aeryn. I think the Peacekeepers turned me into a living
weapon. And once you were
joined with me you had no choice but to follow the same orders." John said.
Both realized what had almost happened.
"How do we stop it happening again?" Aeryn asked.
"I don't know Aeryn," John said as he hugged her, "we almost wiped out my home
world."
****
SGC BRIEFING ROOM:
"So that's what we mean by acting oddly sir," said Carter, "And I think with
them being joined there is
some sort of link between them."
The three Sebaceans in the room looked at each other. Such living weapons had
been used before, but not
in a very long time.
"Well before everyone else arrives I need to make a phone call in my office,"
said Hammond rising from shi chair.
"To Command I take it?" Asked Sarah O'Neill.
"Yes," said Hammond, "I need some answers and reassurances."
"I'd better come too. I need to report in," said Sarah.
Hammond raised an eyebrow, "very well, Officer Crais, you had better come with
me." With that Hammond and Sarah O'Neill left the room.
Jack and DK were having a hard time reconciling what they had just been told.
What had had happened to John? Then Jack remembered when Mar'lin had taken John
away for a few days. What had the Peacekeepers done to his son?
****
SGC MED ROOM:
"By the Goddess, They were physically joined?" Zhaan asked. Everyone nodded.
"Not only that," said Jackson, "But they each know everything about the other;
they each have the other's
memories."
Zhaan's eyes grew wide at the thought.
"D'Argo, Teal'c. we need you and the others in the briefing room." John said as
he and Aeryn entered. "Zhaan?!" they exclaimed as one, "What are you doing
here?"
Zhaan rose and smiled brightly. "John, Aeryn, I'm glad to see that you are both
well," she said as she gently
embracing them. "After the others disappeared Pilot, Moya, and I feared
something truly evil had befallen
the both of you. Instead, it seems you have found another adventure."
"You don't know the half of it," Aeryn said as she and John exchanged glances.
To the others in the room it
seemed as if John and Aeryn had somehow communicated something in the brief
moment they looked at each other, but it was gone as soon as they looked up.
"Anyway," added John, "the whole story will have to wait until later, General
Hammond needs us in the
briefing room for something."
"Did he say why?" Asked D'Argo.
"No, but we assumed he would explain as soon as we brought you all back to the
briefing room," said
Aeryn.
"Then let us go quickly. It must be of great importance if General Hammond
wanted us all there."
Tea'lc put in.
John turned and held the door as the assembled group walked out.
****
HAMMOND'S OFFICE:
"I understand your concerns Officer," said the voice of Hammond's Sebacean
superior, "And we have received the report from Maybourne. Crais has well and
truly overstepped his authority, and what is worse, he has lied to Command. As
of now, he as no immunity."
Hammond smiled slightly at this news, "But what about Commander Crichton and
Officer Sun?
Surely they are not going to be left as they are?"
"May I speak with Officer Crais?"
Hammond passed the phone to Sarah O'Neill, "Officer Crais here, sir."
"Officer, as you know, Officer Kain has put in a request to leave Earth alone.
Due to Captain Crais's deception, or his stupidity, I'm not sure which, and
other factors, Earth will be left in peace. You are to defuse Crichton and Sun."
"I understand, sir. I will have Fraiser administer the shots. What about Captain
Crais?"
"His fate shall be decided by those he hunted, namely Commander Crichton and
Officer Sun. If he lives or
dies is up to them - that is the law."
"I understand, sir. Do wish to speak to Officer Kain?"
"Yes."
Sarah handed the phone back to Hammond, "Kain here, sir."
"Officer, are you sure about your plan to save the Azgard?"
"Yes. If they die out completely we would be no better than them or the Goa'uld,
come to that."
There was a long silence before the Sebacean superior spoke, "you are right.
Sometimes I think you should be in my place. Very well, you have permission to
continue. Good luck to us all." The phone went dead.
As Hammond put the phone down he looked at Sarah, "shots?" he asked.
"Yes. A neutralizer for the plague which Crichton and Sun carry. Once it is
given they will be safe and I will no longer be able to control their actions."
"Good. Let us go, Officer."
****
SGC BRIEFING ROOM:
Hammond and Sarah arrived before John, Aeryn and the others. They both spoke to
Crais in Sebacean so Jack and DK were unable to understand what was said, but
judging by Crais's face, the news was not good, for him at least.
Hammond and Sarah had just seated themselves as John, Aeryn, Jackson, Fraiser,
Teal'c and the rest of Moya's crew entered.
"Ah good," said Hammond, "everyone is now here. I shall now explain what is
happening."
Everyone standing found a seat around the briefing table and sat down to listen
to Hammond.
"Some of you here already know what has been happening in the past few hours."
Nearly everyone in the room nodded in confirmation. Hammond turned to John and
Aeryn, "just after the two of you left for the cabin, the Azgard you met on the
Azgard homeworld died." He paused, "they died of a disease which was engineered
by the Sebaceans. This disease was to be used only as a last resort against the
Azgard. It was not supposed to be used now, in fact, it was an accident that it
got loose at all." Here he looked at John.
"I have a feeling that I'm not going to like this," intoned John.
Hammond sighed, "John, you know that your mother was Commodore Mar'lin Ocom, a
Peacekeeper?" John nodded. "When you were born, High Command took a special
interest in you. Never before had there been a Human-Sebacean mix. It was highly
unusual. They wanted to see if your unique physiology had any advantages that
could be exploited. When you were about five your mother took you in to the
Sebacean outpost on this planet. There the scientists gave you the latent form
of Azgard disease. It was to become active only when you came into contact with
the Azgard."
Hammond looked down at his hands, "while you were there they also implanted a
powerful suggestion in your brain. This suggestion ensured their control and was
to be utilized if ever Sebacea needed to wipe out the Human race." Hammond
looked up at John's face.
Throughout Hammond's explanation John's expression had become more and more
livid. Every being at the table could clearly sense the anger, which radiated
from him in waves. Hammond braced himself for the explosion. Just as John's
anger came to a peak, his expression changed, in the place of his once mobile
features was a stone mask.
Sitting beside him, Aeryn frowned. A scant moment before, the white-hot fury she
had felt from him had
been giving her a headache, now it had shifted into a cold, controlled rage. It
was as if a sun's blinding
heat had given way to needle-sharp spines of ice. She sensed this, not through
his manner but from some small part inside herself which just 'knew.' She filed
this impression away for later.
"So, Sebaceans, my mother's people, thought of me only as some interesting
anomaly to be studied and used? A 'weapon' against a race I never met, and
eventually my own homeworld?" John's voice, though soft and controlled, held all
the menace of an impending thunderstorm.
"Son, many Sebaceans disagreed with High Command's orders. In fact, most
Sebaceans who had lived here on Earth openly protested," Hammond said.
"Don't be too hard on them, John." Jack Crichton spoke up softly. "When the
orders came for your mother to take you in for study, she flat out refused. They
eventually threatened to take you away from us by force, and we would have never
seen you again. She had no choice in the matter."
At this, John's angry look changed to one of defeat. "Still, because of me a
whole race may die. And
another almost did." Aeryn placed a comforting hand on his arm.
"Don't be too hard on yourself, John, we just might have an answer to both of
the problems," put in Sarah.
John looked Sarah in the eyes and she could see the defeat mixed with hate,
rage, and hope. Sarah knew this wasn't going to easy. "I have been authorized by
High Command to give you and Aeryn the neutralizer for the plague you carry.
This will keep Earth safe and I or any other Sebacean, for that matter, will be
unable to control either of you."
John's eyes flashed with rage, "so it was you in the woods?" Sarah only nodded
her head. "But what about the Azgard?"
Hammond spoke again, "Doctor Frasier mentioned to me that there was one hope.
Our homeworld, Sebacea." Almost everyone looked at Hammond in disbelief. "It
seems High Command have a cure, but it is on our homeworld."
"And how do we get there?" John asked.
"In a word, Moya," Hammond said. The crew of Moya were about to make their
feelings known, but Hammond cut them off, "and before you all protest, there is
something else you need to know regarding Captain Crais," he said glancing at
the PK Captain. "It seems he has lied to High Command about his pursuit of John,
also it is illegal, and he now must face the consequences of his actions."
Hammond faced
John and Aeryn, "you two have the right, by law, to decide whether Captain Crais
lives or dies. If he lives, you may also decide on an appropriate punishment."
John and Aeryn looked at each other for a time. "How long do we have before we
have to give our answer?" Aeryn asked.
"The journey to Sebacea should be long enough," said Hammond, "but before I
explain anymore, I
think it is high time we made you safe, as it were. John, Aeryn I want you to go
with Frasier and Sarah
to the Med Lab. I don't want anything else going wrong."
John knew what Hammond meant only too well, as did everyone else. So silently
John, Aeryn
Fraiser and Sarah left for the Med Lab.
After a time Carter broke the silence, "why can't we just use the Stargate,
sir?"
Hammond sighed, "oh if only it were that easy. There hasn't been a Stargate on
Sebacea for thousands
of years. Not since our..." Hammond paused, "…disagreement with the Alliance of
the Ancients."
****
SGC MED LAB:
As Frasier and Sarah readied the shots, John noticed Aeryn staring down at her
hands. Seeing her
contemplative expression he tried to draw her out. "What's wrong, baby?" She
merely sighed. "Come on
Aeryn, talk to me." He said tilting her chin, forcing her to look him in the
eyes.
Her blue eyes were bright with unshed tears. "Oh, John, I'm sorry. All of this,
the threat to your planet, the deception, the pain, it was all done by my
people." A tear streamed down her cheek, "I'm so sorry. I…"
"Shhh...shhh …it's not your fault Aeryn. Don't think for a second that I blame
you for things you had no part
in." He wiped the tear from her cheek, and pulled her into a tender embrace. "I
love you Aeryn, no matter
what," he whispered. Pulling away he added, "besides, my mother was a
Peacekeeper so they're my people too."
Aeryn smiled at this, "thank you, John, I needed that." She then nodded at the
long needles Sarah and Frasier were preparing. "They're going to stick us with
those?"
"Shots don't really hurt that much," he replied with a smile. Aeryn grinned at
this remark. "That's not what I'm getting from some of your childhood memories."
"Yeah, well, I never really liked getting shots as a kid. I guess I wasn't
exactly the best patient in the
world."
She snorted playfully before replying, "there's an understatement. I can
remember you throwing tantrums to try to get out of getting a shot. It's pretty
weird remembering things that never happened to me."
John merely smiled and nodded his agreement for he could remember Aeryn's
'childhood,' not that
you could call it that by Earth standards. All that training and conditioning!
****
SGC BRIEFING ROOM:
"Did you say Alliance of the Ancients?" asked D'Argo.
"Yes," replied Hammond, "An Alliance of four races: the, Nox, Azgard, Furlings
and the Ancients. The last, the Ancients, are presumed extinct. The only reason
we know they ever existed at all is because they built the network of
stargates."
"Also, we once found a common meeting place." Jackson commented sadly, "but the
planet it was on
was unstable, so it has been lost for all time."
"The Ancients are not as dead as you may think; we have encountered them,"
D'Argo said. The look on the faces of SG-1, Hammond and Crais told D'Argo he
had everyone's attention
****
SGC MED ROOM:
Frasier and Sarah now had the shots ready. They walked over to John and Aeryn.
"Ok who's first?" Asked Fraiser.
Again John and Aeryn looked at each other and it seemed as though they spoke
without words. John smiled, "I'll go first."
Frasier nodded and inserted the needle into the main artery in John's neck.
Aeryn winced as she knew how much John hated needles, but soon it was all over.
"How do you feel?" Sarah asked.
"Like I got a head cold," replied John as he swayed slightly on his feet.
Frasier did a quick check. "Good. It's working. You'll feel a bit nauseous for a
few hours, but it will pass."
She turned to Aeryn, "your turn."
Aeryn looked a little unsure. "What about the children?" she asked.
Sarah smiled, "you'll be getting a weaker form of the neutralizer so it will
take longer
to work but your children will be all right."
Both Aeryn and John smiled and soon Aeryn had had her shot. They were all about
to leave for
the briefing room when Thor made his presence known
"John Crichton!" Thor said, "you have the future of the Alliance of the Ancients
in your
hands - do not fail."
"I will not, Thor. I promise you that."
"Good. You and Aeryn are the key to the Earth Sebacean Alliance, too. In time,
The Great Alliance will have six races: Human, Sebacean, Azgard, Nox, Furlings
and the Ancients."
"The Ancients?!" Exclaimed John and Aeryn in unison.
Even in Thor's weakened state he seemed shocked by the fact John and Aeryn knew
who the Ancients were. "You have encountered them?"
"Yes. They made me believe I was here on Earth once with Aeryn," said John
bitterly as he remembered what had happened.
"Using your memories," Thor commented. "That way often brings out your worst
fears. You feared for the safety of your friends and the one you love. Will the
Ancients ever learn?" Thor wondered. "Go…the future of the Great Alliance awaits
you." With that, Thor lapsed back into unconsciousness.
****
SGC BRIEFING ROOM:
"They made a simulation of earth?" Carter asked.
"Yes. John thought it was real and he went against what he thought were his own
people to save Aeryn. He thought Rygel and myself dead," said D'Argo.
"For crying out loud, what for?" O'Neill asked.
"To see if Earth was suitable as a home for them," Rygel said, "and you failed
badly. They have enough
resources to make one more journey. There is a tale of a planet that would
welcome them with open arms."
"Well I wonder what they would say if they knew the Azgard consider us on the
way to being the fifth
race in the Alliance," said Jackson.
****
MOYA:
Pilot and Moya were worried about the missing crew. It had been almost a solar
day without contact, but
for some reason they knew that soon their crew would return. All they had to do
was wait, and wait they would.
****
SGC BRIEFING ROOM:
Before the discussion could continue John, Aeryn, Frasier, and Sarah arrived.
They confirmed that the threat to Earth had been dealt with. Everyone also noted
that John and Aeryn still retained the ability to
'talk' to each other merely by looking at the other.
"Now to more pressing matters," said Hammond. "Who is going to Sebacea?" Crais
was going
whether he liked it or not. "Volunteers?"
"I'm going," spoke both John and Aeryn simultaneously. They grinned at each
other then at the rest of the room.
"Are you sure you two feel up to it?" Asked O'Neill, seeing that they both
looked a little pale and tired.
"Pretty much, it should pass soon," replied Aeryn as she sat. John stood behind
her and placed his hands on her shoulders. She moved her hands up to cover his,
and tilted her head back to smile at him.
"Ok, that's two," said Hammond smiling at the two very much in love people in
front of him. D'Argo was also smiling.
"Well, I'll have to go then to make sure you two don't get into any trouble."
Before the two could retort, Zhaan spoke up. "I shall also go. I told Pilot and
Moya that I'd see what had happened. They will be worried by now about their
crew."
"Well, I'm going back no matter what anyone says. I don't want to stay *here.*
No offense, John."
"None taken," he replied amiably. "I'll admit you haven't exactly seen the best
bits of it."
"I don't know about that," put in Rygel. "The food here was most excellent. In
fact, I wouldn't mind
staying to sample more of that stuffing…."
Aeryn quickly cut him off. "Sorry, Sparky," she smiled to herself, finally
understanding the meaning behind the word. "You're definitely coming with us."
"Bad enough that that frelling excuse for a biped insults me without her
starting in," Rygel grumbled under his breath. Aeryn only grinned at his
response.
"I don't suppose I get a say in whether I go or not," said Crais. The two PK
guards now stood behind
him, but now they were to make sure he didn't escape, not merely as an escort.
"Correct Captain Crais," replied Hammond. He turned to face SG-1 who he knew
would may well want to go. Hammond was right; he saw it on the faces of Carter
and Jackson. They wanted to go all right. They were scientists and had their own
reasons for going. Colonel O'Neill and Tea'lc were harder to read.
"Colonel, is SG-1 up to the task?"
O'Neill looked from Hammond to Carter, Jackson and Teal'c then sighed, "well
General, looks like SG-1 has volunteered."
Hammond smiled, "good. Be ready within the hour or arn as the case maybe. We'll
all meet in the Gate
Room. Dismissed." Everyone rose from their chairs to prepare when suddenly a
voice spoke up.
"Wait a moment," Jack Crichton interjected from where he and DK were still
sitting. "You guys aren't going anywhere without us." Everyone turned around in
surprise.
"Dad, you can't come. It could be dangerous. You two could get hurt," John
replied softly.
"John, your mother wanted to see the end of all this. If she could do it, so can
I."
"Sir, your wife was a highly trained Peacekeeper officer. You could very well
get hurt," Aeryn replied.
"Aeryn," he replied taking her hand pleadingly, "I have to do this for her." He
looked pleadingly into Aeryn's eyes.
She stared straight back at him and then slowly smiled. "All right, Dad." Jack
smiled lovingly at her.
Behind Aeryn, John took in a breath, ready to begin an indignant refusal. Aeryn
quickly turned to him and looked in his eyes. < They'll be fine, love, I know
it.> John closed his eyes slowly and sighed, he then
looked back up at her. < I just don't want to lose them, aside from you they're
the only family I have left.> She caressed the side of his face < I know
dearest. But he raised you and you made it just fine.>
"Yeah" John softly sighed and then smiled at her.
"Well, Dad, DK, looks like you two are coming with us."
DK smiled, "I'm still having a hard time wrapping my brain round all this. I
mean I work for IASA who has been searching for proof of other life in outer
space, and I've been best buds with said lifeform as long as I can remember!"
John rolled his eyes, "DK your timing *really* sucks, you know that?" DK just
grinned evilly.
Hammond smiled, "son by the end of this you'll be used to it."
Both Sarah and Fraiser smiled as well. "I can see why Thor said that you and
Aeryn will be the key to the Earth Sebacean Alliance." Sarah said.
Aeryn nodded, "we both know what it means to Human and Peacekeeper."
"Couldn't have put it better myself babe," John said, "but we have the future of
the Azgard and that of
the Great Alliance of the Ancients, in our hands."
Everyone nodded soberly. There was a lot of work to be done and not much time.
PEACEKEEPER COMMAND:
The Peacekeeper council met for what would be a turning point in their history.
All of the Peacekeeper
brass were there from the Grand Admiral down to Fleet Captains.
Grand Admiral Renz now stood, "in the past few solar days I've learnt that our
hated enemy the Azgard has been exposed to our last weapon...by mistake."
"Mistake? How?" Asked Fleet Captain Macton Tall.
Renz smiled, "something of a long story, but it involves the son of Commodore
Mar'lin Ocom, John Crichton."
There was a gasp of horror from most everyone in the room.
"The human?" Asked Tall, shocked.
"Yes the half-Human," answered Renz, "only the most highly ranked officers have
ever known the truth about the Human, but that's only one reason you are all
here. I've also been informed that the escaped Leviathan Moya will be here very
soon to collect the antidote for the disease that the Azgard have."
"Why would we help the Azgard?" Asked Commodore Larraq.
"Because we would be no better than the Azgard if they were to die out,"
answered Admiral Talyn Sun.
Captain Tall smiled, "at last I have you, Ka D'Argo."
"Oh I think not former Fleet Captain Tall," said Renz. "Macton Tall you are
here by charged with the murder of your own sister Lo'Laan and the setting up of
her Luxan husband for her death." Tall was about to argue. "Save it for the
tribunal, Tall," said Renz coldly, "you've dishonored us all. Guards!"
****
SGC:
"How will we be greeted on Sebacea?" Asked D'Argo. "For I know, I will not be
welcomed by Lo'Laan's
family."
Hammond smiled, "if all goes well, Ka D'Argo, none of you will need to worry too
much, for as we speak
there is a Peacekeeper Council meeting taking place at which I hope you will all
be cleared of the charges
against you."
"How have you managed that?" John asked.
"Do you remember when you and Officer Sun told me of your adventures and the
fact Crais was after you?"
"Yes," Aeryn replied.
"I passed that information along to my contact with Command, known to all as
Colonel Maybourne."
"For crying out load Maybourne's one too?!" Exclaimed O'Neill.
"Yes Colonel, he is," replied Hammond, amused. "As I was saying, I also made
mention of Fleet Captain Macton Tall's description."
****
PEACEKEEPER COMMAND:
The council meeting ended successfully although there were still those who were
unsure of the move
to help the Azgard. However, once the whole story regarding the crew of Moya
and that of Captain
Crais had been explained, everyone knew the importance of saving the Azgard.
The only two who remained in the Council chamber were Grand Admiral Renz and
Admiral Talyn Sun.
"I'll just be glad to see Aeryn again." Talyn admitted to his old friend.
"Indeed my friend," said Renz. "It seems she has done well, although by
accident, in picking the son of
Commander Ocom as her husband."
Talyn smiled, "I wonder what other surprises they have to tell us when they
arrive?"
****
SGC DEPARTURE ROOM:
It hadn't taken long for everyone to assemble in the gate room for departure
since most of the group didn't have much in the way of baggage. Jack Crichton
and DK each had their small travel bags they had brought with them and the
members of SG1 each had a backpack. Carter's backpack seemed to be the
heaviest. Seeing her hefty load, O'Neill smiled.
"I've heard of people being prepared, but don't you think you're overdoing it a
bit, Sam?"
She smiled sheepishly. "Well, the ship we'll be on *is* biomechanical. I thought
I'd do some tests while we're on board." Her next comment was directed at Moya's
crew, "if that's all right with you guys."
"Of course it's all right with us, but you'll have to ask Pilot and Moya
yourself," Zhaan answered.
"And as long as the procedures don't hurt Moya I'm sure they won't mind," added
D'Argo.
Aeryn and John were staring at the sizable pile of crates and bags that held
their gifts.
"How in the heck are we going to be able to carry all this through the gate?"
Aeryn muttered to herself. O'Neill, standing behind her, overheard.
"If everyone pitches in we'll be able to get them all in one go," he said
grabbing a crate. "Well almost everyone," he amended, grinning at Sam.
"Thanks," said John.
"That's what friends are for." Soon everyone but Sam and Rygel had grabbed a
crate or shouldered an extra pack.
"So is everyone ready?" asked Hammond, seeing the nods from the group. He turned
and gave the signal to the control room and the gate started up.
Both John and Aeryn who had been unable to appreciate the beauty and wonder of
the gate in their first trip through marveled at the power they could feel
running through the gate as it dialed. They both closed their eyes as they felt
it thrumming through their bones. They could almost see the pattern woven by the
gate as the water-like effect shimmered across the gate's surface and exploded
outward before finally settling down.
"Woah!" They both breathed in awe.
"Man that was weird," said John, shaking his head as if to clear it. Aeryn
nodded.
Their friends looked at them oddly. Crais stood off to the side with his two
escorts to either side.
General Hammond nodded to them. "You two will stay here. Crais will not give us
any trouble, will you?" Crais shook his head sharply. "Report in to Maybourne
as soon as you can." The guards saluted him and left.
"All right, we'll do this in groups. Moya's crew with Jack and DK first, then
SG1, myself and Crais."
****
MOYA:
Pilot's eyes grew wide when he saw that the Stargate on the planet below Moya
had activated. A smile crept across his face or as much as it could, when he
noticed that Zhaan and the rest of the crew had come
through safely. He knew there was a story to be told and he would find out soon
enough.
"Yes Moya, our crew has returned. They have not abandoned us as I feared. You
are, as always, wise Moya." With that Pilot began making preparations to
starburst as soon as the crew were aboard.
****
PLANET:
John and Aeryn were the last of the first group through the gate. As they walked
toward the others to await the arrival of SG-1, Hammond and Crais. They held a
private conversation just by maintaining eye contact.
<That was something wasn't it Aeryn?>
<Yes. The Ancients built the Stargates, didn't they?>
<That's what Thor said. Do you think the fact that we could feel what we did,
even see what we did, is a result of the Ancients planting the wormhole
technology in my brain when we were on the false earth?>
<That would make sense John. And since we were joined for a time we share each
other's memories, even the wormhole technology.>
<Man, we not only know how to make wormholes, but we also know how to build and
master the Stargates. The Goa'uld would want us dead if they ever knew.>
<But they never will, my love. And for the time being we mustn't say anything to
the others.>
<Yeah, they'd freak.>
By this time they had met up with the rest of Moya's crew, Jack and DK were
waiting, too. The next through the Stargate was SG-1. They soon joined Moya's
crew.
O'Neill glanced up and asked, "so where's the taxi?"
John and Aeryn grinned, "Moya's transport pods are about a mile or so from here,
remember?"
John said, "D'Argo and Zhaan have gone to get them. They should be here pretty
soon."
"What about that ship of Aeryn's?" Asked Jackson.
"My prowler, you mean?" Asked Aeryn. Jackson nodded.
"I had a look after we crashed. Think we can get the old girl to Moya or at
least close enough for Pilot to grab it in the docking web," answered John. "Yo!
Pilot! How have you been?"
"It is good to hear your voice again, Commander. What has happened?"
"Too much Pilot, too much. We have some guests coming too. You better have the
DRD's ready about six more rooms."
"Very well Commander," replied Pilot.
At last Hammond, Crais, Sarah O'Neill and Doctor Fraiser arrived. John looked a
little surprised by the appearance of the two women. "What are you two doing
here?" He asked.
Fraiser smiled, "Aeryn's pregnant remember?"
"And I have to report to command." said Sarah.
"Oh," John felt silly.
Zhaan and D'Argo arrived with the transport pods, and soon everyone and
everything were aboard.
John and Aeryn had already made it to Aeryn's prowler and soon all three ships
were aboard Moya.
Everyone disembarked in the docking bay to be greeted by a hand full of DRD's
and Pilots image on one
of the clam shell viewers.
"Commander, when you said we had some guests, I was not expecting so many. And
what is HE doing
here?" Asked Pilot looking at Crais.
Aeryn and John smiled at Pilot. "It is a long story Pilot," Aeryn said, "but
we'll have plenty of time to explain everything."
"But first I think we need to make introductions," replied John.
John turned and introduced the members of SG-1 who were taken aback by Moya's
size and Pilot's appearance. Then he introduced Hammond, Sarah and Fraiser.
Last of all, he turned to his farther and DK,
"and this is my farther and best friend, Jack and DK."
"I am honoured to meet you all. It has been some time since Moya and I have had
so many on board." Pilot paused a moment, "Moya says she is ready to starburst.
Any destination in mind?"
John and Aeryn replied together. "Sebacea, Pilot. Our homeworld."
The look of shock on Pilot's face was matched by a shudder from Moya.
"Oops. Guess we had better explain everything to Pilot and Moya fast. Who wants
to start?"
John asked as his eyes swept the group.
2 arns/hours later
On route to Sebacea
"And, well, that's about it." finished John.
John and Aeryn had taken turns over the last two
arns doing most of the talking, the others adding
pertinent information whenever they felt that
something
was being left out. For their part Pilot and Moya had
listened with barely a sound except for Moya's quiet
humming and Pilot's occasional questions.
"Moya and I can see you've had quite an adventure
while you were away." He addressed John and Aeryn.
"As a fellow mother Moya would like to offer her
congratulations
on the conception of your children. I offer my
congratulations as
well." Both Aeryn and John blushed slightly.Pilot
continued.
"We will not be close to Sebacea for several more
arns.
Your friends are all welcome to look around as you
will.
There are also extra rooms for our guests if you wish
to
rest for a while."
John turned to D'Argo "Could you Zhann and Chaina
show our guests to their rooms and let them settle in As myself
and Aeryn have something we need to talk about." as he spoke
John glasned in the driection of Crais.
D'Argo nodded "Very well Ceichtion." he said grufly
So everyone went their sepret ways. John and Aeryn went
to the treecae and everone else went to what passed for crew
quaters on the way Crais was put in a cell and locked up.
O'Neil and Teal'c offered to keep an eye on him as they weren't
to excited about all the sciance stuff they knew was going to happen.
Soon Carter Jackson Sarah Fariser and Hammond all had rooms
and were setlling in.
The view from the treeace as always was berthtaking
but John knew he couldn't enjoy the view today. He turned
to Aeryn who was sat next to him deep in thought.
"So what do we do with Bailar Crais, Aeryn?"
"I don't know John. He's not an evil man."
"No just single mainded."
"Turvo was the only fmaily he had."
"I know Aeryn. But we have his life in our hands."
"That we do my love."
a long slance fell between them before John
spoke again "I can't give the order to sentance
Crais to death. I'm not a killer if I have a choice."
"That's your human side talking."
"That's my better side talking you mean."
"You still fell bad about Trovo's death not to mention
Hassan even though you didn't do it."
"So I'm human, well half human."
"So by letting Crais live it's your way of trying to blance
the scales Right?"
John smiled "Something like that babe."
About the same time John and Aeryn were talking about
Crais' future Carter and Jackson had been taken by Zhann
to Pilot's chamber. As they entered Pilot looked up brefily
and several DRD's scuttled out of the way. Carter had so
of her equipment with her but she couldn't get over seeing
Pilot in person as it were for he was huge and quite unlike
anything else she had ever seen
TBC hopully one day maybe.........