The Aftermath pt 2
by Angelesque
angelesque119@hotmail.com
Aeryn manoeuvred the transport pod out of Moya and into space. She checked the systems, then glanced at Crais. He sat with his elbows on the sill, chin on his hands, staring at Talyn. She wondered if he had any idea of the extent of damage aboard his ship. There were still things she
would like to know about their attack. The fact Moya had sensed no ships in the vicinity puzzled her.
'Talyn must have Starburst,' she thought. She didn't ask because she knew he couldn't remember. It was more than likely Talyn Starburst after Crais was knocked unconscious -the Leviathan would have protected his captain, just as Moya often put them first.
The transport reached Talyn and Aeryn executed a perfect landing. As the pod hit the floor she let out a breath she hadn't been aware she had been holding and she realised had been instinctively trying to impress her ex-commander. She shook her head at her own stupidity.
Even in the short time the voyage had taken, Crais had recovered further and managed the walk to the command centre unaided. As they entered, guns suddenly swivelled towards them. Crais reacted immediately, grabbing Aeryn and shoving her behind him out of harm's way.
"Talyn!" He shouted. "It's me. Crais. And Aeryn. It's all right."
There was a long pause. Aeryn felt her heart hammering madly. Then the guns returned to their housings.
"That was exciting," she murmured.
Crais didn't answer, he was too engrossed in staring around the command centre.
Aeryn looked round automatically. The devastation aboard Talyn still had the power to shock her and she wondered how it was effecting Crais. She watched him as he walked round slowly. Little emotion showed in his face and Crichton and the others would consider him untouched by the devastation, but Aeryn knew him well and could read the tense body language and noticed his face was paler than usual. He turned round slowly and when he looked back at her, she caught the pain in his dark eyes. He replaced the transponder.
"Talyn?" He questioned softly.
Aeryn held her breath, then Talyn let out a low series of bleeps. She sighed with relief.
"Yes, I know. I see," Crais murmured. He reached out a hand to touch his ship.
In the past, Aeryn had dreaded what Crais would do to and with Talyn, but watching him now she knew those fears had been unfounded. She listened to him sooth and comfort Talyn as he slowly took stock of the damage. She knew he was assessing each ruined system, prioritising them for
repair. She glanced round the wrecked room, knowing full well she would have no idea where to start.
"How bad is it?" She blurted, desperate to know and unable to keep the question back any longer.
Crais turned to her. "He will be fine. Eventually."
"Does he know what happened?" She couldn't help ask.
"He panicked and Starburst away. I can get no more from him at the moment."
Aeryn nodded. The threat of danger she had felt earlier was stronger, probably because of the damage surrounding her.
"Aeryn?" Crais said then. She looked at him. "How... how are you alive?"
She stiffened. "Zhaan brought me back," she said shortly.
"Then I must thank her. Talyn was greatly upset by your... departure."
"You can't," Aeryn said. To her horror she heard her voice thicken and tears threaten. She spun away from Crais, before he saw her weakness. She folded her arms in a defensive motion she couldn't stop. The next thing she was aware of was a gentle hand on her shoulder that turned her
firmly.
"What happened?"
Aeryn stared at the floor. "She saved my life at the expense of her own," she said dully.
"Oh Aeryn," he said and the quiet compassion in his voice was her undoing. She began to cry.
Crais watched her struggle with her grief. If he knew she would except it, he would have comforted her, but he was aware he was the last being in the universe she would turn to.
Aeryn got herself under control. She dashed the tears from her face and glared at Crais, daring him to say anything. He took a sudden interest in a nearby panel, pretending he hadn't noticed anything of the last few microts.
Aeryn felt a slight gratitude that he was letting the moment pass. She swallowed.
"So what do you plan to do?" She asked him, managing to keep her tone even.
"We need a few things, we may have to stay with Moya for a little while."
"You and Talyn helped when Moya was burnt. It's only fair we return the favour."
"Crichton and D'Argo won't like it."
"Tough," Aeryn said shortly. She ran a hand over part of Talyn's structure. "Moya will want it. Pilot and I certainly don't mind. But if you are going to be around for a while there's something I have to tell you about Crichton..."