A Path to happiness 6: Revelations and Transformations
by Janne
Summary: John and Aeryn get rescued from the cabin only to be captured again.
Spoilers: This is the sixth part in my A Path to Happiness series. Obviously, reading the first, second, third, fourth and fifth installments would help, but they're not necessary. There are also references to Scorpius theories from episodes like Won't Get Fooled Again and A Clockwork Nebari.
Disclaimer: The Farscape concept, theory, characters, and overall universe is not the property of me, but rather of Fox Studios Australia, Jim Henson Co, Sci-Fi Channel, and Nine Network Australia. This story is strictly for entertainment purposes and no copyright infringement is intended. All characters (except for that of Travis Calloman of which, I made up myself) are the property of the above companies.
Author's Note: I'd love to hear what you think about it. Please e-mail me with any comments- good or bad- that you may have. Special thanks go to Travis, a friend who gave me the idea for this story (actually, he was the framework for Travis Calloman). I couldn't have done it without him!
Archiving: If you want it, I only request that you ask me first, then keep my name and e-mail address with it.
Scorpius was furious. "How did he escape?" he fumed at his Lt. Commander. The man quivered slightly, but did not let it show to his superior.
"I'm sorry, Sir. In the confusion of the power outage, he kind of got lost," he said, struggling to keep himself composed.
"Well that is not good enough, Lt. Commander. Find him!" he barked and waved his hand to dismiss the young officer.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"What is he doing here?" Aeryn asked John. He looked and about jumped ten metras in the air.
"I have no idea!" he said. He walked over and tried to act all Peacekeeper-ish. "Where are you going, tech?" he asked in his best Peacekeeper accent.
"I'm fixing the transport. Scorpius sent me here to make sure that the fugitives who escaped do not try to sabotage it," he said. John and Aeryn momentarily froze, then Aeryn came up.
"It's not necessary, tech. We've got it covered," she said shortly and firmly.
"No, my orders are to stay here," he said just as firmly. She looked at John and sighed in resignation. Travis got a look of evil glee in his eye. In that moment, he knew whom he was talking to, even in the low light. "Actually, I guess I can leave. You look like you've got it covered," he said. He picked up his gear and started to walk to the door.
"That was odd. One microt he's talking about how he needs to obey his orders and the second he's walking away," John said, suspicious of the tech.
"Yes, it was quite strange," Aeryn said, staring after the tech in confusion.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"I have some good news for you, Scorpius," Lt. Travis Calloman said walking into the Sebacean-Scarren half-breed's office without knocking. Scorpius was about to say something, when he continued. "I know where your precious cargo is," he said cryptically. Scorpius calmed down a bit.
"Really? Might you tell me where?" he asked.
"Right under your nose," Lt. Calloman said, and proceeded to explain about his most recent encounter with the missing Human and his companions.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aeryn and John were finally relieved, and went out to the closet. They found D'Argo, Zhaan and Chiana and re-attached the shackles, making sure they were loose. They figured they would try to get to the transport under the pretense of transporting them to a nearby.
"Why exactly are we playing this game?" Chiana asked. It was risky, and the guards probably wouldn't believe them, but they had to do something, or else, they would be caught eventually.
"Because we can't just have you leave. There are certain procedures in the Peacekeeper Corps. High Command, or the highest officer in command of a Command Carrier, never sends soldiers elsewhere until after their shifts. Plus, the power problem gives us a reason to move you off the Carrier. We just say that Scorpius didn't want you all kept at an insecure location," Aeryn answered. Aeryn and John led the way into the hanger, and the prisoners were quite good at following their lead.
"We have to orders to take these three to Rayora Prime," Aeryn said authoritatively. The soldiers looked at her suspiciously.
"Where are your orders?" the big one asked.
"Scorpius didn't give us written orders. Time is of the essence, and he didn't get to write them out. He simply wants these prisoners somewhere safer and more secure than here, what with the power problem and all," John lied. He hoped that the Peacekeepers wouldn't see right through that lie, and his prayers were answered.
"Alright, you can go." The two guards stepped aside. John and Aeryn exchanged glances, but led their friends up the platform to the entrance. The soldiers looked on, pondering why they were taking the transport instead of a Marauder. The soldiers finally decided that something was not right and they turned to the hatch. Just as John was closing it, one of the soldiers stuck his pulse rifle into the door to stop it from closing. John's heart raced and Aeryn froze. They opened the hatch and commanded the two 'soldiers' to come out of the transport immediately. John and Aeryn exchanged looks of terror through their helmets, but complied. They stepped out and big soldier kept his rifle trained on them while the smaller one called the bridge for help. Scorpius's voice came through.
"Where are you?" he asked impatiently.
"We're in the main docking bay, Sir, and we have found two Peacekeepers taking Delvian, Luxan, and Nebari prisoners to Rayora Prime. They said it was under your orders, Sir."
"And did you ask for the written command?" Scorpius asked, flabbergasted at their apparent inability to follow procedure.
"Yes Sir. They said you did not have the time to write it out, for time was of the essence," he said, his voice cracking slightly.
"I'll bet they did. Very well, stay there and whatever you do, don't let them out of your sight!" Scorpius commanded. John and Aeryn sat on the edge of the hatch, waiting for Scorpius to come. Suddenly, Aeryn felt a hand at her side, ever so softly as to avoid detection.
"Aeryn, we need to get out of here," John said softly.
"I know. How?" she inquired.
"I have no idea. Got any bright ideas?" he asked brightly.
"Sorry, fresh out," she said.
"Frell."
"Exactly." Then, Scorpius came in with Lt. Calloman. Aeryn jumped at his appearance, especially with it being next to Scorpius. John placed a gentle hand at her side and that comforted her.
"Here are our missing fugitives," Scorpius said, relishing in the capture again. "This will earn you the Living Death, Officer Sun," he said.
"I know. That is, if you catch me first," she said boldly, lunging at the big soldier's rifle. He was caught off guard and so surprised that he didn't shoot her and she managed to wrestle it away from him all in about a microt. She suddenly had the upper hand. Lt. Calloman watched, all the while wearing an evil smile. I always thought he was too much like Scorpy John thought. He shook off the feeling and turned to Scorpius.
"We'll be leaving now, Scorpy. It was great seeing you again. Next time I'll just have to stay longer," he said sarcastically.
"I don't think you're going anywhere, John," Scorpius said. "We have weapons too, you know." As he said that, several dozen commandos assembled around them. Chiana, Zhaan and D'Argo came out of hiding, each with a pulse rifle.
"As do we," John said.
"Considering there are only five of you and 36 of me, your odds aren't so good Crichton."
"I've had worse," John said, getting a surge of adrenaline and all of the boldness that comes with it. Scorpius laughed and waved his hand.
"Fire!" he yelled and twelve of the commandos fired on the five fugitives. Travis looked horror-struck and dived in front of Scorpius when Aeryn returned fire. The shot missed the lieutenant and hit Scorpius in the leg. Aeryn ran up to the hatch and tossed to rifle to the waiting John who was up the hatch already and he covered her. Once they were all up, they started up the engine.
"Shut those doors!" Scorpius commanded and immediately the docking bay doors started to shut.
"Aeryn, we gotta leave- now!" John said, checking his leg, as it had split open in the ensuing fight. Aeryn sped at top speed to the doors and narrowly got away. She maneuvered to Moya and landed safely.
"Pilot, we're in. Starburst!" Aeryn said, coming to look at John's leg. He was losing a lot of blood and was starting to fall out of consciousness.
"Bring him to my lab," Zhaan said, leaving to prepare the lab for his arrival. D'Argo helped Aeryn to bring John to the medlab. Chiana stayed out of the way, heading to Command to check on Pilot and Moya. D'Argo and Aeryn lay John on a bed, and Zhaan scanned him.
"He should be alright. He needs some stitches and some rest, but other than that should be ok." Aeryn heaved a sigh of relief and collapsed into the chair beside him. "And as for you, dear. I need to check you now." Aeryn smiled and hopped onto the bed next to John's and Zhaan commenced the examination.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"You tried to save her, Lieutenant!" Scorpius said, limping towards him with an evil glint in his eye.
"I was attempting to save you, Sir!" Lt. Calloman returned. His voice cracked.
"I don't think so, young man. I believe you were trying to aid a fugitive. That is an offense punishable by death. Of course, that is not all." Travis's eyes widened.
"What else Sir?" he asked in a small voice, afraid of the answer.
"Well, it has come to my attention that you were on Moya for six days. That is longer than the allowable time with unclassified alien life-forms. Crichton is Human and not in our database, so that deem you Irreversibly Contaminated. You know the sentence for that, do you not, Special Operatives Lt. Travis Calloman?" The lieutenant swallowed hard.
"Yes Sir." Scorpius turned around to have his back face the young officer.
"The Living Death."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aeryn's examination was finished and she lay on her bed waiting for John to wake up. She had passed with flying colors and was ecstatic. Then, John's eyelids opened. She got up and sat on his bed. She stoked his brow and his eyes opened wider. He smiled and reached up to run his hand through her hair.
"It's about time you woke up," Aeryn said. "I've been waiting to tell you something." He got curious and cocked his head to one side and raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"Yeah. I know what made me sick."
"What's that?"
"Well, not yet. Apparently, on the way to our cabin, Zhaan found my komchék. It's a piece of hardened tissue that falls off when a female's body changes in size." She waited to see if he had caught on yet, but he was baffled. She laughed and continued. "My body is going to get much bigger in the coming months, John. Especially my belly." She emphasized the last word. At the mention of her belly, things clicked and his eyes got wide.
"You're… You're… Pregnant?" he asked, getting up slowly to a sitting position.
"Yes!" She laughed and he smiled. He pulled her into an embrace and held her tightly for a few microts. When he released her, he just stared into her eyes.
"We're going to have a baby…" he said in wonderment. She chuckled.
"Actually, I'll be having the baby. You just get to experience everything that goes with it minus the pain. You have it easy," she said playfully. He pulled her head to his and kissed her fervently.
"I'll help as best I can," he promised. She flashed that radiant smile that made his heart melt and he smiled back. Then he remembered something. He dug into his pocket to see if, by some miracle, the box was still there. Amazingly, it was. He pulled it out and opened it. Aeryn gasped.
"John, what are you…" her voice trailed off as he got down off the bed and got down on one knee.
"Aeryn Sun, will you marry me?" She gave him a look that made him think that she didn't understand. He smiled and rephrased himself. "Will you give me all your heart and soul and pledge to be mine forever as I pledge to be yours?" he asked, hoping that cleared it up. She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck as he put the ring on her finger.
"Of course I will, John Crichton," she said and pulled him into a deep and passionate kiss. After she had pulled away, he laughed slightly.
"I guess this means you won't kill me, huh?" She laughed too.
"No, John, I won't kill you. Not now. Get back to me in six months and I'll tell you then if I change my mind." They both laughed and kissed again.
THE END