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I do not own FarScape or any of its characters. They are only borrowed for the duration of this story, they will be returned safe and unharmed at its conclusion.
“Damn Son, I’m Goood!!!,” Crichton yelled, as he hurredly made his way to Command.
Crichton: “PI-------LOT?”
Pilot: “Yes Commander?”
Crichton: “Put on some Java son, we’re gunna be burnin’ some midnight oil ‘round here!!! Big Dawg’s gotta plan!!!”
Aeryn: “Pilot, what’s going on?”
Pilot: “I don’t know Officer Sun. Crichton is, well….., is being Crichton.”
Aeryn: “I understand. I’ll be right there Pilot.”
Pilot: “Please do… Officer Sun?”
Aeryn: “Yes Pilot?”
Pilot: “Can you hurry?”
Aeryn breaks into a huge grin.
Aeryn: “Yes Pilot, I will!”
D’Argo: “What the Hezmana is going on Crichton?”
Crichton: “Go back to sleep big guy, I’ll talk to you about it in the morning.”
D’Argo: “The frell you will. You’ll talk with me about it, NOW! I am on my way to Command.”
Chiana: “What’s up Johnny?”
Crichton: “Nuthin’ Pip. Go back to sleep darlin’.”
As Rygel hovered into Command, he saw D’Argo and Aeryn giving John the third degree.
Rygel: “What catastrophe has befallen us that causes you to invade my Imperial Bed Chambers with all of this Yotz?”
Crichton: “Fluffy, Sparky, Buckwheat Jr. the Sixteenth, CHILL OUT! ” OK, ok, I know this must seem crazy…”
D’Argo: “Everything you do seems crazy Crichton!”
Crichton: “Just hear me out people! I think by now we all know of the dren storm that lies ahead. There are at least a half-a-dozen races out there looking for us. We each have a Destiny, ours is woven together like the fabric of a blanket. We have arrived at this place in this time for reasons that are larger than any one of us. Ryg, you want to return to Hyneria to take your rightful place on your throne; maybe get a little “payback” in while you’re at it…..”
Rygel: “You bet your Mivonks I do!”
Crichton nods to Rygel and continues…
Crichton: “ D’Argo, we have talked about this before. You must free your HomeWorld from the devastating war that it has been locked into for eons, defeat your enemies, and return the Luxan HomeWorld to its past Power and Glory. Chiana wants to find Nari, and help to free their HomeWorld, defeat the Virus, and the Nebari plans to capture command of the UT. Jool wants to find her HomeWorld and return to it. Stark wants to find Zhaan, and Crais wants a Command, and to return to Talyn. If my plan works, we will all get our dreams fullfilled, and more importantly, we will change the course of History and bring Freedom to the UT!”
Rygel: “Hmmppf, the operative word here is “IF” it works! What exactly is it that YOU want Crichton?”
Crichton: “I want Aeryn…….to be happy again, I want to return to Earth at least once, for a visit. I want Scorpy’s head on a platter. I want to end for once and for all, this chaos that rules in the UT. To accomplish these things, we must work together to defeat this Evil that surrounds us. Until we vanquish it from the UT, none of us will get what we want.”
D’Argo: “What Crichton says is true. I am with you John, what do you want us to do?”
Crichton: “Never any doubt big guy! Most of you can start by getting some sleep. Pilot, I need you to do some calculations for me. Aeryn, we need to talk….
Pilot: “Moya says she and Talyn are pleased to be a part of this. We stand with you Commander!”
Crichton: “Thank you, Pilot. I need you to calculate the position of the Mist we encountered about a cycle ago. The one that Moya became stuck in, do you remember?”
Pilot: “Yes Commander, it will take some time.”
D’Argo: “What is this plan John? It better be up to our “low” standards!”
Everyone has a good laugh on that note, and John and Aeryn turn to exit Command.
Crichton: “D’Argo, I’m still letting the ink dry here bro, cut me some slack, I’ll lay it out for all of you as soon as Pilot and I work out a few things. Thanks Pilot. I’ll be on the Observation Deck, Com me when you have something. Aeryn, please take a walk with me.”
As Aeryn and Crichton walk towards the Observation Deck, Aeryn begins…
Aeryn: “What is this plan of yours John?”
Crichton: “ Aeryn, I know what you are going through….”
Aeryn: “ I can’t talk about that now John.”
Crichton: “I know baby, just hear me out please. I had a dream or vision last night…..”
Aeryn: “I heard Zhann’s voice in a dream last night, I had flashes of us together on a strange planet. We were old John."
Crichton: “Yea, its weird but it would explain allot. Aeryn, I lo…..”
Aeryn just could not deal with this here and now, and with tears caressing her cheek, she gently strokes John’s face with the back of her fingers. Choking back, Aeryn whispers, “I just can’t right now John.” Aeryn turns and briskly walks away.
Crichton: “AERYN!”
Aeryns stops in her tracks, wipes the tear from her cheek, and spins around to answer John.
Crichton: “Aeryn, you have to trust me. Trust me, I promise that I will make things right again, please.”
Aeryn: “I have always trusted you John, I will be there when you need me. I must go now…”
As Aeryn turned into the corridor and disappeared, John once again set out for the Observation Deck. He spoke his thoughts aloud, “Damn, it never is easy, EVER!”
He found himself in the one place on Moya that brought him peace; his much loved Observation Deck. He could sit here like this for arns. Back up against the Command Console, gazing out as the Universe unfolded before him. His mind wandered back to his junior year at the University. He was so confused at that point in his life, unsure if he had what it would take to get what he wanted.
“Man, those were some tough times”, he reflected. He remembered when Carol Tracey, the junior Class Cheerleader that he had dated for seven months, had dumped him in front of the Frat house, and most of his brothers. He had decided to take a week off, and rebuild the engine in his 69’ Mustang. She had wanted
him to take her to that play in the Hampton’s. They still tell the tale of that one back at the ole’ Frat House.
John recalled the stereo that DK had installed in the ‘Stang for his birthday. He remembered the tape that DK had left in it when he returned the car. John kicked back, closed his eyes, and hit the play button….
“Crystal Ball” by:Styx
I used to like to walk the straight and narrow line
I used to think that everything was fine
I used to sit and gaze for days
Through sleepless dreams
All alone and trapped in time
All alone and trapped in time
I wonder what tomorrow has in mind for me
Or am I even in its mind at all?
Perhaps I’ll get a chance
To look ahead and see
Soon as I find myself a Crystal Ball
Soon as I find myself a Crystal Ball
Well, tell me tell me where I’m going
I don’t know where I’ve been
Tell me tell me, won’t you tell me
And then tell me again
My heart is breaking, my body’s aching
And I don’t know where to go
So tell me tell me, won’t you tell me
I’ve just gotta know
Crystal Ball
There are so many things I need to know
Crystal Ball
There are so many things I gotta know
Crystal Ball
So won’t you tell me please before I go
Crystal Ball
Feeling a hand caress the line above his right ear, John opened his eyes and shook off the slumber that had taken siege. He relaxed as soon as he recognized her sweet scent.
Crichton: “How long ya been there Pip?”
Chiana: “Long enough.” She continued to stroke his ear. “I’ll be your “Crystal Ball”. I’m just now beginning to understand this gift. I’ll use it to help you whenever it will cooperate.” Chiana knew more than she let on. What she saw in his mind scared her terribly, not fear for her, but for John! They sat there for what seemed an eternity, not moving, not making a sound. After what must have been arns passing, Chiana finally spoke.
Chiana: “Are you sure she is worth it John?” John gazed back into Chiana’s lipid eyes with the look of shock and wonderment.
Crichton: “Chi, she is everything. Without Aeryn, there is no me. I have the knowledge and the power to make this happen. Whatever you think you know, keep it between us. No one else must know. It’s bigger than any one of us. I only will have one shot at this, and I do not want anyone screwing this up, understand?”
Chiana: “I have never been around anyone like you John. You are the kindest, most loving being that I have ever known. I will keep our secret.” Chiana kissed John’s cheek, and slowly turned and walked away. She stopped a few steps from him, she felt as if there were something else. Hard as she tried, no words would come. She continued on her way once again….
She caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of her eye. Chiana walked over to the spot where she had seen Aeryn hiding, observing John. There was no sign of her now, Chiana turned to leave and suddenly slipped. Looking down, it was then that Chiana saw the pool of tears…
Pilot: “Commander, Moya and I have finished the calculations. We can return to the spot where we encountered the Mist. It will take 18 Arns and three Starburst’s, but Moya and Talyn are ready. We await your decision.”
Crichton: “Good work Pilot, please thank Moya for me. I’ll be right back to Command. I just want to stop in the galley for a few. Prepare Moya for Starburst in 100 microts.”
Pilot: “As you wish, Commander.”
The plot thickens, as Crichton’s plan unfolds.
