Farscraps #3_2
Title: I Will Remember
Author: Karolyn Gray <kmgray3@aol.com>
Summary: John's homecoming isn't all that it should be.
Notes: Originally set ten to twelve cycles into the future. Crichton is back on earth, having been forced home by the others on Moya after opening a wormhole to earth. Moya inadvertently creates another wormhole to earth while escaping from Scorpius and end up being captured. Crichton, now a very rich and influential scientist, is the only one that can help them. The story originally was intended to switch between three view points: Crichton, Aeryn and a new character Max Welker, Crichton's bodyguard on earth.
I Will Remember
Part 1
An ever so slight smile graced his lips as he breathed in the salty smell of the air. For a moment it was if all was as it should have been. As if the past eight years of hard work an determination had never occurred and that he was still the once fresh faced, naive media darling of the IASA.
Just as quickly as the fanciful thought came it passed with the memories of his adventures...'out there'.
Unintentionally he looked up at the clear blue sky as if searching for....what? Something he had lost so long ago and could never have back? His life? Her? He sighed at the bittersweet memories of that time so long ago. So far away from here, beyond his grasp forever.
Turning his attention once more on the launch pad, his smile faltered as he remembered the last time he had done this. In a way, the accident with Farscape 1 had directly led him here, back to where it had all started. The irony of it was not lost on him; though he doubted his escort standing a few feet away would understand if he had known the whole truth, anyway. No one else believed him, not even his friends and family. Why should his guardian be any different?
They simply accepted the new scientific concepts and technology he presented the world on a nearly monthly basis as just a product of his genius. No one questioned his business, Far Technologies, or his think tank, the Crichton Institute, yearly released opinions that ranged from social and political to the scientific. What did matter that he openly believed in intelligent alien life and wrote fantastically accurate science fiction books about alien adventures and world?
No. They would not understand the joy he kept hidden from them at the upcoming mission. They were too small minded, too limited to see and accept what was waiting for humanity amongst the stars. But he wasn't. He'd seen what was out there in all its combined terror and splendor and had pushed for this mission almost since the moment he'd gotten back. And if he regained a portion of his soul he had lost out there, so much the better.
"Doctor Crichton, we should be heading back now." The dark suited man said, glancing at his watch as he spoke.
John Crichton glanced over at the man, noting not for the first time that he reminded the IASA astronaut of a stereotypical no-neck bodyguard. The type with a severe military crew cut, heavy foreign accent and guns. Lots of guns.
'Guess I can't complain if he looks the part.'
"All right, Max. I'm done here anyway." John replied, rising to his feet and carefully stretching to loosen up his muscles.
Max Welker smiled slightly at Crichton's tone, recognizing it from long years of association and friendship with the scientist. He would miss John. Though technically his boss, they'd been through too much since his return to Earth to not call each other friends. After all, it's not just anyone who got to associate with one of the richest and most influential men on the planet. "You have a message from Mrs. Aldridge regarding the co venture with Aerospatiale."
"Send it to DK. He'll be running things after I'm gone." John replied, slightly irritated at one of his most trusted VPs seeming inability to accept his departure from the company. It was part of the reason he had decided to hand over the company to his dad and DK. No one else seemed to understand his plans for the future.
"Already done, sir." Max replied with an ever so slight smile as he fell into step beside the astronaut. A few moments later they approached Crichton's convertible, a vehicle old enough to considered a classic and left a number of people questioning why Crichton kept the thing.
"Do you wish me to drive you back?"
John grinned at that and hopped into the car. "Not on your life, Max. Come on. I've got a date with destiny."
"Again." Max added, soft enough so that his friend would not here.
*****
Aeryn grunted, ignoring the pain that rippled through her side as she desperately banked the large ship, barely managing to avoid another volley of fire from the Peace Keeper Command Carrier. Unfortunately she could do nothing about the small ripples and shudders that wracked Moya's frame from the stinging shots from the Prowler squadrons that swarmed the massive vessel.
They had only just reached the Commerce Planet when Scorpius' Commmand Carrier, a chance encounter that could well prove to be the death of them all, had beset them. Capture was not an acceptable alternative for any of them. Especially for Aeryn.
"Zhaan, how are you and the others?" Aeryn called out.
"We're fine Aeryn." The Delvian priest replied with a calming tone that surprisingly made Aeryn feel instantly better.
"A single Prowler squadron is breaking off their attack. Headed for Talyn." D'Argo reported from his hunched position over the tactical display.
The briefest smile crossed Aeryn's face at that news, but another shudder through the Command erased it. He tapped the comm bringing up a visual of Crais on Talyn's bridge. "We need you draw them off us."
A small smile came to Crais' face, a smile that twisted his swarthy features into an expression of feral delight. "It would be a privilege, Officer Sun. I suggest you use this opportunity to escape."
Aeryn snorted in disgust as Crais' cut communications contact. "Tell me something I don't know." She muttered.
"Attention. Hull is reaching critical compromise." Pilot announced.
"And we are unable to Starburst." D'Argo hissed in anger. "What I wouldn't give for a single Mentox mis......uh" D'Argo gripped the holographic table as Moya lurched dangerously. He hissed and glared at Aeryn. "What the Hezmanna are y0ou doing?"
"Saving our eemas." Aeryn replied, he brow furrowed as she concentrated trying to remember everything she could.
***
Scorpius' Command Carrier.
"Sir, the Leviathan is headed directly for the planet." Lt. Bracca called out from his observation point of the tactical display. "The Gunship has intercepted the persuing Prowlers squadrons." A flash on the screen caused Bracca to pause for a moment.
Scorpius glared at the Lieutenant. "Well?"
"The Prowlers are in retreat and attempting to regroup. The Gunship is banking towards us."
Bracca replied.
"Order them to continue pursuit of the Leviathan. We'll take care of the Crais." Scorpius ordered.
"But sir? The Gunship--" Bracca swallowed as Scorpius fixed a pointed stare at him.
"Is there a problem with my orders, Lieutenant?" Scorpius asked pleasantly.
Bracca swallowed nervously and shook his head. "No, sir."
"Good." Scorpius turned away. "Weapons control. Destroy the Gunship."
***
Aeryn gripped the console, desperately trying to keep the trajectories as the ship shook and groaned against the ever-increasing stresses. She was dimly aware of Pilot's voice calling out the increasing speed, waiting for the right moment.
"Hech nine.......hech ten."
"Now." Aeryn called out as she pulled back the controls.
D'Argo went flying at the sudden unexpected surge threw him into the console. He tried to regain his footing but thee violent shaking of the ship prevented him from getting a good purchase for his feet. Giving up he simply held on, looking over to find Aeryn staring out the front view port with a mixture of fear and awe. Craning his own neck to see what she was looking at he felt his blood run cold at what he saw.
"Frell."
Title: I Will Remember
Author: Karolyn Gray <kmgray3@aol.com>
Summary: John's homecoming isn't all that it should be.
Notes: Originally set ten to twelve cycles into the future. Crichton is back on earth, having been forced home by the others on Moya after opening a wormhole to earth. Moya inadvertently creates another wormhole to earth while escaping from Scorpius and end up being captured. Crichton, now a very rich and influential scientist, is the only one that can help them. The story originally was intended to switch between three view points: Crichton, Aeryn and a new character Max Welker, Crichton's bodyguard on earth.
I Will Remember
Part 1
An ever so slight smile graced his lips as he breathed in the salty smell of the air. For a moment it was if all was as it should have been. As if the past eight years of hard work an determination had never occurred and that he was still the once fresh faced, naive media darling of the IASA.
Just as quickly as the fanciful thought came it passed with the memories of his adventures...'out there'.
Unintentionally he looked up at the clear blue sky as if searching for....what? Something he had lost so long ago and could never have back? His life? Her? He sighed at the bittersweet memories of that time so long ago. So far away from here, beyond his grasp forever.
Turning his attention once more on the launch pad, his smile faltered as he remembered the last time he had done this. In a way, the accident with Farscape 1 had directly led him here, back to where it had all started. The irony of it was not lost on him; though he doubted his escort standing a few feet away would understand if he had known the whole truth, anyway. No one else believed him, not even his friends and family. Why should his guardian be any different?
They simply accepted the new scientific concepts and technology he presented the world on a nearly monthly basis as just a product of his genius. No one questioned his business, Far Technologies, or his think tank, the Crichton Institute, yearly released opinions that ranged from social and political to the scientific. What did matter that he openly believed in intelligent alien life and wrote fantastically accurate science fiction books about alien adventures and world?
No. They would not understand the joy he kept hidden from them at the upcoming mission. They were too small minded, too limited to see and accept what was waiting for humanity amongst the stars. But he wasn't. He'd seen what was out there in all its combined terror and splendor and had pushed for this mission almost since the moment he'd gotten back. And if he regained a portion of his soul he had lost out there, so much the better.
"Doctor Crichton, we should be heading back now." The dark suited man said, glancing at his watch as he spoke.
John Crichton glanced over at the man, noting not for the first time that he reminded the IASA astronaut of a stereotypical no-neck bodyguard. The type with a severe military crew cut, heavy foreign accent and guns. Lots of guns.
'Guess I can't complain if he looks the part.'
"All right, Max. I'm done here anyway." John replied, rising to his feet and carefully stretching to loosen up his muscles.
Max Welker smiled slightly at Crichton's tone, recognizing it from long years of association and friendship with the scientist. He would miss John. Though technically his boss, they'd been through too much since his return to Earth to not call each other friends. After all, it's not just anyone who got to associate with one of the richest and most influential men on the planet. "You have a message from Mrs. Aldridge regarding the co venture with Aerospatiale."
"Send it to DK. He'll be running things after I'm gone." John replied, slightly irritated at one of his most trusted VPs seeming inability to accept his departure from the company. It was part of the reason he had decided to hand over the company to his dad and DK. No one else seemed to understand his plans for the future.
"Already done, sir." Max replied with an ever so slight smile as he fell into step beside the astronaut. A few moments later they approached Crichton's convertible, a vehicle old enough to considered a classic and left a number of people questioning why Crichton kept the thing.
"Do you wish me to drive you back?"
John grinned at that and hopped into the car. "Not on your life, Max. Come on. I've got a date with destiny."
"Again." Max added, soft enough so that his friend would not here.
*****
Aeryn grunted, ignoring the pain that rippled through her side as she desperately banked the large ship, barely managing to avoid another volley of fire from the Peace Keeper Command Carrier. Unfortunately she could do nothing about the small ripples and shudders that wracked Moya's frame from the stinging shots from the Prowler squadrons that swarmed the massive vessel.
They had only just reached the Commerce Planet when Scorpius' Commmand Carrier, a chance encounter that could well prove to be the death of them all, had beset them. Capture was not an acceptable alternative for any of them. Especially for Aeryn.
"Zhaan, how are you and the others?" Aeryn called out.
"We're fine Aeryn." The Delvian priest replied with a calming tone that surprisingly made Aeryn feel instantly better.
"A single Prowler squadron is breaking off their attack. Headed for Talyn." D'Argo reported from his hunched position over the tactical display.
The briefest smile crossed Aeryn's face at that news, but another shudder through the Command erased it. He tapped the comm bringing up a visual of Crais on Talyn's bridge. "We need you draw them off us."
A small smile came to Crais' face, a smile that twisted his swarthy features into an expression of feral delight. "It would be a privilege, Officer Sun. I suggest you use this opportunity to escape."
Aeryn snorted in disgust as Crais' cut communications contact. "Tell me something I don't know." She muttered.
"Attention. Hull is reaching critical compromise." Pilot announced.
"And we are unable to Starburst." D'Argo hissed in anger. "What I wouldn't give for a single Mentox mis......uh" D'Argo gripped the holographic table as Moya lurched dangerously. He hissed and glared at Aeryn. "What the Hezmanna are y0ou doing?"
"Saving our eemas." Aeryn replied, he brow furrowed as she concentrated trying to remember everything she could.
***
Scorpius' Command Carrier.
"Sir, the Leviathan is headed directly for the planet." Lt. Bracca called out from his observation point of the tactical display. "The Gunship has intercepted the persuing Prowlers squadrons." A flash on the screen caused Bracca to pause for a moment.
Scorpius glared at the Lieutenant. "Well?"
"The Prowlers are in retreat and attempting to regroup. The Gunship is banking towards us."
Bracca replied.
"Order them to continue pursuit of the Leviathan. We'll take care of the Crais." Scorpius ordered.
"But sir? The Gunship--" Bracca swallowed as Scorpius fixed a pointed stare at him.
"Is there a problem with my orders, Lieutenant?" Scorpius asked pleasantly.
Bracca swallowed nervously and shook his head. "No, sir."
"Good." Scorpius turned away. "Weapons control. Destroy the Gunship."
***
Aeryn gripped the console, desperately trying to keep the trajectories as the ship shook and groaned against the ever-increasing stresses. She was dimly aware of Pilot's voice calling out the increasing speed, waiting for the right moment.
"Hech nine.......hech ten."
"Now." Aeryn called out as she pulled back the controls.
D'Argo went flying at the sudden unexpected surge threw him into the console. He tried to regain his footing but thee violent shaking of the ship prevented him from getting a good purchase for his feet. Giving up he simply held on, looking over to find Aeryn staring out the front view port with a mixture of fear and awe. Craning his own neck to see what she was looking at he felt his blood run cold at what he saw.
"Frell."