newfriendsoldenemies

New Friends and Old Enemies
By Mark Sherstone
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Thanks: Thanks to Jessi and Angie for the betas!
Disclaimer: Regrettably I have no claim to Farscape.

The Marauder had been following the Renegade cutter for several weekens. The crew of three didn't expect to return from this mission after all it was considered a suicide mission by peacekeeper command. However the crew had no intention of getting killed for they had other ideas. They had been put on this assignment as punishment for various reasons but they had something or rather someone in common. That someone had not long escaped on a Leviathan named Moya.
The Marauder now accelerated toward the Cutter which almost instantly turned to face the incoming peacekeeper ship. The cutter's weapons powered up ready to fire. Less than a quarter arn passed before the cutter fired destroying the Murderer. As the fireball dissipated three suited figures could be seen floating toward the cutter. They were soon taken aboard the cutter and it made off at high speed deep into the uncharted territories.
Two cycles later:
John and Aeryn could not believe their eyes, for they had found a merchant with all the peacekeeper supplies you could ever want: weapons, parts for Marauders but most important of all parts for prowlers.
"How did you get all this?" asked Aeryn suspicious that so much peacekeeper equipment was on the black market.
"You came from the leviathan Moya do you not?" the trader asked
"Yes but how?" Aeryn said leaving her pulse rifle at the trader.
"Your reputation precedes you partially after the destruction of that Peacekeeper Gammak Base." replied the trader "I deal with a Renegade by the name of Captain Nirre Kain."
"I know the name. The peacekeepers have been trying to catch her for cycles." said Aeryn.
"True. If I may be so bold but you are Aeryn Sun are you not?"
Aeryn nodded
"Good. Kain asked me to give you this." The trader produced a small box from his robes "Only you can open it, for the key is DNA coded." he said had he handed Aeryn the box.
"How much are the prowler parts going to cost us?" John asked for he was wanting to out of here as soon as.
"Nothing. You may take what you need. I think Kain is looking for you both."
The look that went between John and Aeryn was indescribable.
******
Captain Nirre Kain stood on the command deck of her pirate cutter. She smiled with satisfaction. She and her crew of unlikely renegades had just avoided yet another Peacekeeper Command Carrier.
"You will have to do better than that, Scorpious, if you want to catch me!" she spat for she hated the Peacekeepers with a passion for what they had done long ago was still fresh in her mind. She also hated the Zenitan and Sheyangs. They were parities like herself but without honour.
Kain now turned to the former Zenitan, Staanz, who was bound and flanked by her security chief, Rodimus Kurn. "So Staanz." she said menacingly "Before I decide to space you you'd better tell me about the leviathan Moya. That's why you came to find me wasn't it?"
"Yes. I've only encountered Moya the once. Near the Flax." replied Staanz
Kain nodded "I know it. keep talking and I might let you live. despite the fact you managed to bring a Peacekeeper Command Carrier with you!"
Staanz looked worried and with good reason he knew that Nirre Kain's threat was very real for her cutter's had destroyed more than a few Zenitan ships over the cycles. "What do you want to know?"
"I want to know about the crew, that's all."
Staanz knew better than to ask to many more questions "They are all escaped prisoners. The Peacekeepers have been trying to recapture them."
"I know that you frelling idiot! I want to know about the crew as you have met them. Even if you did meet with them for a short time I'm hoping you have the information I want." Nirre paused and looked Staanz in the eye "For your sake you'd better." she said coldly.
******
Scorpious looked menacingly at the man before him "You lost her?" he asked standing and walking round his desk
"Yes. She is better then we thought." replied the Lieutenant.
"This Sebacean reneged Nirre Kain is very smart. But I will catch her."
"That Zenitan was not much use."
"I don't know. if he has done his job we will be able to track Kain. However Moya and Talyn are more important. Continue the search."
"Yes Scorpious."
******
"Thank you Staanz. You have been most helpful."
"I try. But why is Moya so important to you?"
"Do you really think I'd tell you? I have my reasons." Kain said laughing. she glanced at her security chief flanking him "Get this piece of dren off my command deck and his piece of dren ship off this cutter."
After Staanz had been dragged out Kain turned to her ops officer. "Send a message to our base. Inform the Suns that the information regarding their daughter Aeryn is correct she is still on Moya."
"Yes Captain."
Velorek entered the commad deck. He had been with Nirre for a little over two cycles. As had Aeryn's parents but they were of more value back at Nirre's base. Velorek had more than one reason to be here.
"So Aeryn is still on Moya? Even after all this time?" he asked as he came up behind Nirre putting his arms around her waist.
Nirre tried to scold him but she failed utterly "Commander Velorek I should have you thrown in the brig for this." she smiled "Yes Aeryn is still on Moys and from what that Zenitan said she and the human, Crichtion are close."
"That's what I hear also. Scorpious thinks Critchon inflitrated his Gammak base for finding out about wormholes but that dosen't sound right when you learn that he had a tech fake work orders for a tissue graft that just happend to match Aeryn."
Nirre turned to face Velorek "How did you know that?"
Velorek smiled "I may be a renagde now but I still have a few friends in Military Tech who pass on information when they can."
******
"So what's the story of this Nirre Kain? Is she a pirate or what?" John asked
"She is a pirate." Rygel said "Before I was overthrown there was a Sebacean colony that rebelled against the peacekeepers. So the peacekeepers sent the Zelbinion to put down the rebellion."
"Our favourite pin up PK Dukra." John said sarcastically.
Rygel grunted "Yes. I'm not sure what happened but some of the colonists the Kain family was one of the largest escaped and have been surviving by piracey ever since."
"But they only attack Peacekeeper convoys and they hate Zenitans and Sheyangs with a passion. Almost as much as Peacekeepers," said D'Argo "for the Zenitans and Sheyangs are without honour. I have never heard of one of Kain's cutters attacking a defenseless ship."
"This Kain and her gang sound more like renegades than pirates too me." said John
"That's what they are as far the peacekeepers are concerned. Renegades." Aeryn said "But why would she be looking for us?"
"What makes you think she is looking for all of us?" said Chiana "it sounds more like she is looking for you and Crichton."
"Have you opened the box, Aeryn?" asked Zhaan
"No." Aeryn replied. She looked at Crichton who smiled and nodded. They both left command and headed for the terrace.
******
"Why that good for nothing Zenitan. If I ever get my hands on him he's dead." said Kain angrily as she looked at the tracking device that had just been found "Where did you find it Rodimus?"
"It was in the docking bay. Well hidden, too" replied her security chief.
"So, Scorpus wants to play hide and seek dose he?" mused Kain "Place it in an escape pod and....."
"Captain we have detected the Leviathan hybrid Talyn." informed her ops officer
"Good. We may yet find Moya. Plot an intersect course." Kain looked at the tracker. "And jettison that."
******
Aeryn and John were on the terrace, Aeryn opened the box. Inside were two peacekeeper Ident chips plus two data crystals. Aeryn took them out and studied them. Aeryn went pale
"What's wrong, Aeryn?" John asked
"These ident chips belong to my parents." Aeryn replied quietly.
"Whoa. What about the data crystals?"
"I don't know. I'll go and see Pilot." Aeryn looked at John "I don't want the others to know about the Ident chips till I've seen Pilot."
"I understand, Aeryn."
Aeryn stood and left for Pilot's chamber John stayed put for sometime after for he was wondering at the possibility of Aeryn meeting her parents.
"I hope she can." John said "No I hope me and Aeryn can." a smile spread across his face "Before I ask Aeryn to marry me I'd better meet her folks." John chuckled "Like she'd say yes." He now stood and headed for command.
******
"What is it?" Scorpious asked
"We have detected Talyn, Scorpious. Also, Kain must have found the tracker."
"The latter was to be expected. However, the former is good news. Alter course accordingly."
"Yes, Scorpious."
******
"How are you Crais?" asked Kain, not really meaning it. She had no love of this ex-PK, for she had lost five good cutter crews to Crais.
"I've had better days Kain. What do you want of me?" Crais asked, fear in his voice for he was worried it was payback time.
"Do you know where Moya is?" Kain asked. "Revenge can wait and I have no wish to harm Talyn."
Crais blinked. "At least I know where I stand" he said as Nirre nodded her agreement. "To answer your question: no, not really. What do you want with escaped prisoners?"
"My business, Crais. All I'll say is I need to contact one of the crew."
"So, Crais, you succeeded in your mad experiment even though I put in that wall."
Crais looked stunned "Velorek? You were to be excited for treason. How did you.?"
Velorek smiled slightly "I was still considered useful by those higher than you. I was spared, but it was no easy life. Once I ceased to be useful to them I was assigned to a very high risk mission in which Peacekeeper Command expected me to be killed. But, as you can see, I'm still very much alive."
Talyn bleeped happily for the thought of seeing his mother and her crew pleased him "Ah. Talyn tells me he can sense Moya. She is in this sector."
"Will Talyn take us to Moya?"
"Yes. I don't think I'll be able to stop him."
"Captain sensors have picked up Marauders and Prowlers heading in this direction." interrupted her ops officer.
"That means there is a command carrier near by," Kain said.
Kain and Crais looked at one another "Scorpious."
"We had better starburst while we have the chance" Crais said.
"Yes. On to Moya" replied Kain. The link with Talyn went dead. She smiled. Aeryn Sun was in for a very pleasant surprise. "Soon, Aeryn Sun, soon." turning to her ops officer "Follow Talyn. We might as well ride his starburst."
"Yes, Captain."
******
Aeryn was in Pilot's chamber. What she and Pilot had seen on the data crystal had been almost unbelievable. It had been a short message from both of her parents. They both said that they were alive and well and they were proud of her, for she was more than a peacekeeper, and that Nirre Kain was looking for her to tell her more.
John walked into command. his mind was still spinning at the possible thought of meeting Aeryn's parents.
"John, what is wrong?" asked Zhaan upon noting he distracted look.
"Oh, nothing. Well, not nothing. But Aeryn asked me not to say anything just yet."
"Where is Aeryn?" asked D'Argo
"With Pilot. She's checking some data crystals that were in that box."
"Data crystals?" asked Rygel.
"Yes, Spanky. But If you try anything I'm not going to stop Aeryn from killing you."
"What would be so important that Aeryn would kill me if I were to procure them?" asked Rygel, even more intrigued.
"Shut up toad" said Chiana. "Whatever is on those crystals, I think it's personal. Very personal."
D'Argo grunted. "I agree with Chiana."
John smiled "You could say that Chiana."
******
"Report, Lieutenant."
"Talyn and Kain's cutters were here. However, they starburst before we could cut them off."
"I'm hardly surprised. They will not wait for us to catch up. But, we are going in the right direction."
"It would seem so Scorpious. Also, a long range Marauder reports that Moya may be in the sector."
"That is interesting news. First, we have a Zenitan who is looking for Kain. Then Kain finds Talyn. Talyn and Kain will soon find Moya, that I do not doubt. But why?" Scorpious mused as he walked around his quarters. "I wonder. Whatever became of Officer Sun's parents?" he asked.
******
Aeryn entered command. She looked more preoccupied than John had.
"Are you alright, Aeryn?" John asked as he came to stand beside her.
Aeryn shook her head. "I don't understand it, John," she said looking into John's eyes.
"Understand what?" asked Zhaan, worried about the ex-peacekeeper
"Why my parents are involved with Nirre Kain." said Aeryn
Everyone else in command looked at Aeryn, except for John has he had suspected something. Had Aeryn just said what they thought she had?
"But your parents are peacekeepers. Aren't they?" asked D'Argo
"Yes they are. But the chose to have me out of love not to just fill the ranks, so they are no ordinary peacekeepers." Aeryn got a distant look in her eye "I remember when I was young and my mother came to see me one last time before she was transferred. She was a Lieutenant then. I can remember her telling me that she and my father loved me, but did not wish me to be raised as a peacekeeper as they had. It was not what they would have chosen or wanted for me." Aeryn had begun to cry. John, not knowing what else to do, did what came naturally: he put his arms around her. "I will never forget her last words to me 'Aeryn if the time ever comes, remember, you can be more.'". As she spoke, Aeryn looked into John's eyes.
John smiled slightly "But what of your father?"
"I never met him. All I know is his name, Talyn, and that my mother loved and missed him very much. The only other thing I know is that they are both alive."
"We may soon know more Officer Sun," announced Pilot's image.
"How so?" asked D'Argo
"Moya has just detected another leviathan and what appears to be one of Kain's cutters exiting starburst." Pilot's eyes went wide "The Leviathan is Talyn!"
"What? Are you sure Pilot?" asked Aeryn.
"Yes, very sure. It is Talyn."
******
"Officer Sun's parents were declared missing in action, presumed dead, just over two cycles ago" said the Lieutenant.
"That would be not long after Officer Sun was declared IC would it not?" asked Scorpious
"That seems right. Do you think the events are linked?"
"It seems likely. What were the Suns' last assignment?"
"They were both assigned to a Marauder that was shadowing Kain's cutter. The last transmission was that the Marauder had been discovered and they were in a fire fight. Then the transmission went dead."
Scorpious pondered this for a time. "What if the Suns were not killed, but freely joined Nirre Kain?" He smiled, for he began to understand. "I think the Suns are looking for their daughter, Aeryn Sun."
"But why?"
"Because, you frelling fool, if you bothered to read their files you would know that Officer Sun's parents chose to have their daughter because they loved each other, not just fill the ranks."
******
The crew of Moya was waiting to greet their visitors in the docking bay. Crais entered, followed by Nirre and her security chief.
"I do not know whether to thank or kill you, Crais" Aeryn said.
Crais looked a little amused by this "Thank, I hope" he said. "If you really want to kill me you will have to wait your turn, as Nirre Kain has first option on that, I believe."
The crew looked at Nirre. Their reactions varied. D'Argo's was one of recognition and greeting. Zhaan, Chiana and Rygle's were of greeting. Aeryn's was one of respect and greeting. John was taken by Nirre's beauty. He had always thought Aeryn looked good in almost anything she wore. Hell, Aeryn looked good in her black flight suit! But Nirre. Wow. John didn't really manage to hide the fact he was staring, "admiring the view" as it were.
Nirre smiled knowingly at John for a moment, before turing to D'Argo. "Ka D'Argo it is an honour and pleasure to see you again."
The looks on everyone's faces was priceless.
"And the same to you, Nirre Kain" replied D'Argo.
Before anyone could ask, Nirre came up to Aeryn. "You must be Aeryn Sun. I am honoured to meet you at last. Your parents talk of you often. They are proud of you, Aeryn. And that's why I am here. Is there someplace more comfortable we can go to talk?"
"Yes, this way," said John as he headed for the mess hall.
Aeryn was about to follow, but Nirre caught her by the arm and soon the two women were alone. "I want to pass on a message as we walk" said Nirre as she now followed the others. "Also, you have your parents blessings." At Aeryn's confused look Nirre simply smiled.
Aeryn followed Nirre's gaze. Aeryn's eyes came to rest on John Crichton. "How did they know?" she asked.
Nirre smiled again "You are not as alone in the Uncharted Territories as you may think. Another reason why I'm here."
******
Scorpious looked pleased. As pleased as he ever did. Soon he would have Nirre Kain, Crais, and Crichton. "Is everything ready?" he asked the Lieutenant.
"Almost. Any final orders?"
"Yes. I want Kain, Crais, and Crichton alive. The others are unimportant."
The Lieutenant nodded and walked for the door. As he reached it, Scorpious called "and I want Aeryn Sun alive as well. She will prove useful in getting Crichton to talk."
******
Minutes later, all were seated in the mess hall.
"So, Nirre," said Zhaan "why have you gone to such time and trouble to find us?"
"I mainly wanted to find Aeryn, for her parents wish to see her again and meet Crichton." Nirre paused for a moment. "As I understand the two of you are very close."
There was a long pause before Aeryn spoke. "That can't be the only reason?"
"No. You are not alone, any of you. There are people out here in the Uncharted Territories that know the truth. My pirate band and I will help, when and were we can." Nirre paused. "I would ask you to join, but I know you all have a different path to take than mine." Nirre made eye contact with each member of the crew as she spoke. "Zhaan, you wish to find Delvia and free it from the Peacekeepers. Rygel, you wish to have your emipre back someday. Ka D'Argo, you wish to find your son. Chiana, I could use a good thief like you, but when the time is right." Last she came to John and Aeryn. "And we have the most unlikely couple in the galaxy. Aeryn you can never be a peacekeeper again."
"I know. I am more."
"Rodimus, why did you Join Nirre?" John asked Nirre's Security chief, diverting attention from himself, for he didn't really want to face the fact that he to could never really return home. That was not quite true. He could not stay permanently. It would not be safe for him or Aeryn. He still wished that he could take Aeryn back to Earth someday.
"My commander and unit was betrayed by Peacekeeper command. My planet was not as advanced as the Peacekeepers, so our government deiced it would to our advantage to join up with them. It was a mistake."
"Betrayed?" D'Argo asked hotly "How?"
"Not even I know the answer to that Ka D'Argo" said Nirre. "Also, Kurn was declared mentally defective, for he can be very eccentric sometimes." As if to prove her point, Kurn did a very good impression of Chiana. The head tilting and flicking was just right "See what I mean? Even so, he is incredibly loyal to us all. There is no one else I would rather have as my Security chief."
John grinned "You know, Rodimus reminds me of Mad Murdock from the A-Team." At everyone's stares he continued. "Earth reference. Forget it." John looked Nirre in the eye. "So, how do we go about meeting Aeryn's parents?"
"It's to dangerous at the moment. I'm being followed by Scorpious" Kain said.
"He's very close too," added Crais
John became very dark. "The comfy chair" he muttered. "Gilina. He'll pay for that."
Crais raised his eyebrows. "You can not hope to defeat him, Crichton. Scorpious will not rest until he has you and the wormhole technology you possess."
"Maybe not, but I'm getting sick of running. We managed to destroy his Gammek base, didn't we?"
"John, the Gammek base was one thing. A fully armed Command Carrier is quite another,"Aeryn said, concerned.
"I know Aeryn, but we do have Talyn and Nirre's cutter. And if Scorpy is as close as you say, we'd better be on our guard."
Nirre smiled. "That's why I have a man on Talyn. After all, Talyn being part peacekeeper, we can scan for any activity." With that she touched her comm. "Commander, report."
"Nothing as yet Captain, but with Scopious that doesn't mean much" Velorek replied.
Aeryn went white "Velorek? I thought him dead," she said in almost a whisper.
"As did I," said Crais. "But it seems he was useful to those in High Command."
"But how? why?" Aeryn asked. She had to know, for her sanity's sake.
Nirre smiled again. "He will tell you all that you wish to know. He wants to see you, Aeryn." she turned to look at John as well "Both of you. Go now while we have time."
Both John and Aeryn nodded and headed for the hanger bay and Aeryn's prowler. Soon they were on Talyn. Velorek turned to face John and Aeryn as they entered Talyn's small command deck. He smiled a genuine smile at them both."I'm pleased that you have both come. Aeryn, I said you could be so much more."
Aeryn smiled weakly, for the memories of her past still haunted her. "Yes, you did Velorek. And how did I repay you?"
"You handed me into Crais" Velorek said ,matter of factually. "But I don't hold it against you, Aeryn. The Aeryn Sun I knew then could have done nothing else. But you've changed so much, all because of a human."
"No, not just because of John, but because of my mother, you and John" Aeryn replied truthfully.
Velorek raised his eyebrows slightly. "You never called me by my first name, Aeryn. The two of you must be very close."
Aeryn felt very self conscience. "John and I are just um. friends" she said.
"And I'm a Luxan warrior. Aeryn, you can't fool me."
"No, I suppose I can't. But how? Why?" Aeryn asked at last.
"I was to be executed for treason, but those higher than Crais deemed me still useful. So, I was placed in the care of Scorpious." John shuddered at the thought of anyone being placed in Scorpious's 'care' for any length of time. Velorek noticed John's reaction "I see you've had first hand knowledge of Scorpious then, human?"
John nodded "Yes. The Aurora Chair."
"That should never have been made. But I had no choice."
"You were involved with that frelling thing?" John demanded.
"Yes, but at the time I had no real idea as to what it was, and by the time I did find out what it was and what it was for, it was too late. Scorpious took it to the Gammek base you destroyed, and my usefulness was all but over. I was reassigned to a Marauder that was to follow Nirre's cutter to her base, or be destroyed trying. There was only three crew: myself and your parents Aeryn."
Aeryn's eyes went wide "My parents? Why?"
"I don't know. They never said. When we heard about the prison break, and that you had been declared irreversibly contaminated then escaped with a Luxan and a Sebacean-looking alien, all three of us decide then and there that we would join Nirre and look for you and Moya. And that's what we've been doing."
Before either John or Aeryn could respond Talyn bleeped in alarm. All three moved to the scanners. Velorek was the first to speak. "It's Scorpious. He's trying to block us so the Leviathans can't starburst."
******
"Understood Velorek." Nirre cut the comm link. "Crais, get back to Talyn and prepare for a fire fight." When he didn't move, Nirre barked "NOW CRAIS!" Crais looked stunned but there was something in Nirre's face that made him nod and run like the wind to the docking bay.
D'Argo, Zhaan, Chiana, and even Rygel looked surprised at what had just transpired between the renegade and the ex peacekeeper.
"We must get going now, too, and as soon as John and Aeryn get back you must starburst. Understand?"
D'Argo nodded. "I understand Nirre" he said solemnly.
Nirre nodded a quick good bye. She and Rodimus were soon back on the cutter.
John, Aeryn, and the rest of Moya's crew were all in Command watching as the net of prowlers and Marauders closed in on them.
"We can't starburst, they're too close" informed Pilot.
"Check and mate. End game." John said.
"Crichton, this is no game" D'Argo countered.
"I know big guy."
Just then, Nirre's cutter shot into view, firing all it's weapons at the marauders and prowlers directly in Moya's starburst path, obliterating the peacekeeper ships. "Kain's gambit paid off. We are out of checkmate, and out of here Pilot."
"Prepare for immediate Starburst" Pilot informed.
******
As Scorpious watched, Moya Starburst to safety. "Destroy Talyn and Kain's Cutter!" Scorpious bellowed.
The lieutenant only nodded. "Frag cannons readying to fire."
Talyn and Kain's cutter turned and headed directly for the command carrier. The frag cannons were just about to fire, when Talyn let lose a volley of pulse cannon fire directly at the main armament of the command carrier. The frag cannons were hit just as they were about to fire, which caused them to e xplode, leaving a huge gaping hole in the front of the command carrier. Talyn and the Cutter sped along the length of the much bigger ship, firing as they went, inflicting as much damage as they could while still being followed by a few hundred prowlers and marauders. Talyn and the Cutter turned and headed away from the carrier, ready to starburst and follow Moya, but there was still the pursuing fighters to deal with. Unbeknownst, the cutter had rear facing armament which it now used to destroy a good number of the following fighters. The resulting confusion among the remainder of the attackers allowed Talyn to Starburst them to safety.
Scorpious looked at the disarray before him, then turned and left the command deck. As he was about to exit, he said "find them lieutenant." With that, he was gone.
After Scorpious had gone another officer said to the lieutenant "we can't go on. We've been too badly damaged, and we have lost about a quarter of our prowlers."
"I know" the lieutenant said, despair in his voice. "But Scorpious will not rest till he has the human."
"Scorpious will be the death of this command carrier" replied the other officer.
"Maybe. But what can we do?" said the Lieutenant sadly. "Have all ships return."
Two solar days later:
Moya glided happily through space, glad she had escaped the peacekeepers once again, this time with a little help from her son. John and Aeryn were on the terrace. John was against a wall with Aeryn sitting in front of him, and he had his arms wrapped round her. It was a bit like that time they had been Pilot's chamber, just after Talyn had left with Crais.
"So what did Nirre say?" John asked.
"It's still to dangerous to meet my parents, John" Aeryn said sadly. She had been looking forward to seeing her parent's again, and showing off her boyfriend, as John had explained too her. Aeryn smiled at the thought.
"I don't think we'll ever be safe with Scorpy after me." John smiled slightly. "Hey, at least you know you parents and Velorek are safe."
"Velorek was a surprise," Aeryn admitted. She turned slightly so she could better see John's face. "Do you think there's something between Velorek and Nirre?"
John raised his eyebrows and smiled. "What do you think Aeryn? You saw the way they were acting when they were on board for that meal Chiana prepared." John paused for a moment. "I think they're 'umfriends', too." At this Aeryn looked at John with a question in her eyes. "Never mind, I'll explain later."
"I just wanted to be sure, John. What do you think will become of Crais and Talyn?"
"Well, the way Crais was talking, it sounded as though he was going to join Nirre's not so little band."
"People change John, even Crais," Aeryn said as she settled back into her friends arms.
"Indeed they do, babe. Indeed they do," John said as he enjoyed some time alone with his friend in the middle of the uncharted territories.
Fin
Look out for the prequel "Renagades and Peacekeepers" and the sequel "Sun Family Reunion"