"Well what do you think?"

Sareel poured another glass of wine for Crais. Crichton was sipping his tea and staring into it as if it were a crystal ball.

"I think that it might work."

"Crichton what do you think?"

"It's totally crazy!"

Crais glared at him.

"I might have known that would be your reaction!"

"It's totally crazy. And it'll probably work."

"So?"

"So Sareel, when do you propose we put the wind up the Scarrans?"

She grinned.

"How about in a couple of days. There is one problem though. We need an experienced officer to take the squad in. You would be ideal Crais, or Aeryn."

"Not letting her take the risk. Count Aeryn out."

Sareel confronted him her eyes ablaze.

"And just who do you think you are to make that statement John Crichton? A demagogue? Aeryn Sun will make up her own mind if it seems the best solution."

"Whoa calm down. You know why I want to protect her."

"Life gets complicated doesn't it John? First Aeryn, then the Princess and then me? Looks as if we've all come to haunt you. Any way Aeryn could take Talyn. He likes her."

Crais stood up and put his hands behind his back.

"He respects you Sareel. Why don't you take Talyn and I'll take the infiltration squad."

"Yeah that seems to be the best solution."

Sareel looked flustered.

"I hadn't thought of that. Too busy in the lab, really. No ask Aeryn."

"It's an excellent idea. You would be my first choice."

"Scorpius!"

"Crichton, believe me I'm surprised to see you here. So glad you've come to your senses. Now Sareel, a day or two won't make much difference to your work."

Chrichton was startled to see her give Scorpius one of the most murderous looks he'd seen in a long time. Well since he'd last upset d'Argo. Scorpius just responded with a small smile and sat down after pouring a glass of brandy. He fingered the glass and peered into the clear amber liquid. Sareel flounced out of the room.

"She on the rag or something?"

"I regret Captain to say that Sareel has little enthusiasm for actual participation in this struggle."

"A little like you then Scorpie."

"Ah John. What use would I be in actual combat? Mmm? No I prefer to use my energies in the perfection of plans. The effective use of our resources, our manpower."

"Frell it Scorpius you don't give a damm how many people get killed as long as you stay safe!"

"A misconception. We have too few personnel for me to risk any of them in foolish ideas!"

"Then why let us do this?"

"Because you have a greater than even chance of success. Because we need to hit them hard, to destroy something they value greatly."

His face suddenly hardened and he hissed out, "Because we need to revenge our dead."

A sudden chill struck the room. Crichton shivered involuntarily. Compared to his overweening hatred of the Scarrans even Scorpius's liking of Sareel paled into insignificance. Hence his desire for her to pilot Talyn and strike back at them. Granted with his neuro tube he could have proved to be a liability in the battlefield. Crichton however hadn't got much time for armchair generals.

"Well why don't you strike a blow against them yourself. Get personal revenge."

"Sometimes Crichton you appal me. We have even fewer scientists and technicians that we have military. I can do more by my research here."

Crais cracked his knuckles.

"Then why risk Sareel?"

"I don't want to, but I see no alternative. Aeryn Sun lacks that commitment to take Talyn in to attack the refit bay. Sareel also has a personal vendetta against them for what they put her through."

"You coulda fooled me!"

"Yes Scorpius. Her reaction was hardly that of one who wanted to strike back."

"Sareel is now a curious mixture. Mostly herself, but partly me and partly the Ancients and the energy form. She's confused."

"Not exactly stable then. Unsuitable to go into battle."

"Oh I agree. But what other choice is there?"

"Let Crais take Talyn and d'Argo with his ship. I'll lead the sabotage squad."

"Are you sure John? I mean you really haven't got that sort of experience."

Crichton laughed.

"Oh I'd say I have. Over a year of avoiding you and the Peacekeepers. That's a hell of a lot of experience."

"Mmm. Can't afford to lose you either really. No, I doubt the Peacekeepers would take you seriously. It has to be Crais."

"Then Scorpie ol' pal, you've got one hezmana of a problem."

The door opened and Sareel walked in again. She was holding a small metal cylinder with a clear orb on the top."

"What the frell is that?"

"I've decided I'll take Talyn. I can try this out at the same time."

"Scorpius?"

"If she's decided who am I to argue. I leave you to finalise your plans."

"Why the sudden change of heart, Sareel?"

She grimaced.

"I'm tending to act like a child sometimes at the moment. Get huffy if I can't get my own way or get snubbed. I think I'm back in a child state at times."

Looking after Scorpius's retreating figure she scowled.

"I feel frelling rebellious most of the time."

"Can't imagine Scorpius putting up with that for long."

"That's just the problem. He seems to be so understanding I feel suspicious. Think he's up to something John?"

"When is he not up to something? I think deviousness is built into him. Now perhaps you know how I feel!"

"Well you haven't got the relationship with him that I have. It clouds matters."

Crais moved over and looked at her, concern written on his face.

"Can you do this? Yes or no."

"If Talyn's still compatable with me yes, but remember I'm different, he may not accept me now."

"Then Aeryn would have to take him to the base and you would travel on Moya with the commandos."

"Now hold on Crais, I won't let you make decisions concerning Aeryn. She means too much."

Crais flexed his fists. Crichton eyed him over. Sareel stepped in between them.

"No, you two just hold it. We're in a time of war. Personal feelings can't come into the affair. Not when efficiency is at stake. It's a wonder you survived out here Crichton. You're always thinking with your emotions to the fore. And you Crais, Scorpius said your adherence to orders was subjective. He was right in that but he omitted that you're often driven by anger. You're both blinded by emotion. It's got to stop!"

They both stared at her, Crichton's mouth was agape, Crais looked shocked.

"Well?"

"Er I suppose a clear mind is an advantage. Dad always said that."

"Then he was a wise man!"

"We were trained to put distracting thoughts to one side."

"Then why the frell don't you? Huh? Answer me that if you can."

"Too much has happened, I guess. Got sidestepped."

"Other things always got in the way."

She sighed.

"I'm a fine one to be telling you this. I can't even sort out who I am half the time. But we've got to be objective over this. Incompetence will lead to mistakes and they could be fatal."

"Don't have to tell me that!"

"No I don't do I John. You've had more than your fair share of that."

"Are you coming with us now?"

She nodded.

"Just give me half an ahn to gather my things and inform Scorpius."

She turned on her heel and left the room. Crais and Crichton sat down beside each other.

"I feel as if I've just been given a dressing down by my head teacher."

Crais grunted.

"The academy commandant!"

"Are you sure Scorpius hasn't still got a clone inside her?"

"No."

"Then she's puzzling him too."

"That will be a new experience for him."

"Oh boy. She may be in a body, but just what is she?"

"There are many strange things in the galaxy, Crichton."

"You can say that again. I seem to have met a few of them."

"The budong!"

"Run that by me again"

"I said budong. Talyn and I met one once."

"Oh!"

They sat in silence waiting for Sareel to return.

************

I found Scorpius in his laboratory, working on a refinement to the exit stabiliser of the wormhole creator.

"I'm going."

He never looked up.

"I thought you would."

"How the frell could you know that?"

"Don't you remember before Pharas we could exchange thoughts?"

I wrinkled my brow.

"No I don't . I fact I can't remember very much about the last couple of monat before Pharas at all."

"I'm finding that I occasionally know what you're thinking"

"You do?"

"Yes, it seems to happen after you feel confused."

"Errg. I'll have to watch that. Who's to know who else can tap in."

"An extremely wise precaution Sareel. Now have you got all the equipment you need?"

"Can I take the spare phase stabiliser?"

"I thought you were experimenting with starburst?"

"Something else turned up."

"Important?"

"I think so."

I certainly wasn't going to tell him what I was doing. He was almost beside himself with curiosity, but contained it well. I picked up the case containing the phase stabiliser and had turned to go when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Don't take risks my girl!"

"Would you really care if I did?"

"We can't spare a first rate technician. We need you."

Which as I well realised was as close as he was likely to get to saying he was worried for me personally. I felt a tiny glow of belonging. It was the first positive reaction I'd had since my rebirth. I wondered why Scorpius and Crichton had seemed not to have been visibly affected by the phenomenon. Feelings I'd previously held for him had disappeared, bridges needed to be rebuilt. Personally I wasn't sure that I wanted to reconstruct those particular ones.

Sexually, Scorpius suited me very well, but I was sure that he wasn't the only one who could satisfy me. Well Crichton had at one time. Crais was starting to look promising and I'd always had a soft spot for Sout. I was startled to feel a gentle nip on the back of my neck and my ears being licked.

"Don't even think of it my dear. I have no intention of releasing you."

"Scorpie!"

"Painfully transparent Sareel. Experiment if you wish but you'll always return here."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that if I were you."

"There's no doubt in my mind."

"You've set a trap."

He chuckled.

"You may well have lost your neurotube my girl, but the implants and the nanomoles are working well. They must have thought that they were an integral part of your physiology."

I was astounded to hear this, having been sure that I was running on pure Sareel and whatever gave me the golden glow. I could feel tears in my eyes at the thought that I was still reliant to some extent on Scorpius's technology, but I blinked them back. Still there was enough of Scorpius's personality integrated with mine for me to realise that I could use it to my advantage.

"Ah well as long as the Scarrans don't find out."

"I was thinking just the opposite. Let them. Let them capture you and destroy them from inside."

I suddenly saw red.

"How dare you Scorpius! How dare you suggest that I put myself at risk with those xenocidal maniacs. After what I went through."

"There's no doubt in my mind that you would be the one to prevail."

"Well I hope you and your mind will be very happy. I won't be coming back here. I shall work on the other base or on Earth."

He merely raised his brows and went back to his work. I flew to our quarters with tears in my eyes and packed my belongings. The austere chamber that had afforded me so much pleasure in suddenly seemed like a prison.

**************

Talyn's welcome was effusive, even Crais smiled at the prolonged twittering. I had no need of a transponder to communicate with him. He took my thoughts and I picked up his. Which could prove to be inconvenient if you wanted privacy! Crais was on board Moya with Crichton, d'Argo and Sout plus a couple of dozen of the Human trainees, including an ex-general. I'd asked Crichton about the suitability of using them to undertake such a skillful misson on their first time in combat.

"Took to it like ducks to water", was his comment. Having seen ducks on earth I wasn't so sure. They seemed to get eaten rather a lot! Unbeknown to Crichton, I'd smuggled Aeryn on board Talyn.

"I take it that there's a communications blackout until we get there?"

I laughed.

"And as far as you're concerned, after we get there. Crichton would anihilate me if he knew what I'd done."

"You didn't tell him!"

"He was coming the protective male and I blew up. Told him you could make up your own mind."

"That's one thing I wish Crichton would stop doing."

"What being protective?"

"It's not so much that, as his assumption that he knows what's best for me. Half the time he never knows what's best for himself."

I made to go to the docking bay to get in my prowler, but Aeryn laid a hand on my arm.

"Something's wrong with you too!"

"Oh no I'm fine."

I gave her a radiant grin, which belied how I felt. Aeryn however was an old hand at seeing beneath the surface.

"Look Sareel, I can't pretend to understand why you like Scorpius, but I'd say something's wrong between you."

"Oh it's nothing really. I sort of told him to go frell himself."

Aeryn burst out laughing. She just couldn't stop.

"I don't think it's that funny."

"Oh but it is. First John and now you. It's like a judgement on him."

"Well I'm a free agent now."

"He let you go?"

"He was his usual unflappable self and said go spread my wings, that I'd be back."

"And what do you propose to do with your new found freedom?"

"If what I'm developing proves feasible, to another universe."

"I thought you were investigating starburst."

"I am. But I discovered exactly what it was."

"I take it you haven't told Scorpius."

"No and I don't intend to. I want to find this Furlow and then we can go into business together."

"Sareel, doesn't this war mean anything to you? Don't you care about the survival of our species."

"Look Aeryn I appear to be a hybrid like Scorpius, but perhaps I don't have his loyalty. I'm thinking of myself this time. Scorpius has had more than enough out of me."

She looked puzzled.

"I thought you were Vaud."

"Initially perhaps. But when that Eye of Infinity thing put me back together it recombined my genes, with some of Scorpius's and some of Crichton's and somehow some of the Ancients. All that on top of being a Vaud transformer. Half the time I don't exactly know who I am!"

"Difficult!"

"Extremely. So I feel I don't owe allegiance to anyone but myself."

I was interrupted by the Crichton on the comm.

"Hey Sareel have you gone to sleep in there? We need a wormhole."

"I'm just going to the prowler, John."

I switched the unit over to long distance scan. Aeryn put on the circlet to communicate with Talyn.

"Sure you don't want to use a transponder?"

"No thanks. I tried one of those before. I've no intention of this becoming a permanent pairing."

I left her checking the weapons control with Talyn and made my way down to my prowler. It was good to feel the familiar fabric of my seat again, I closed the canopy and prepared to launch.

"Talyn open bay doors please."

They slid open effortlessly and I manoeuvred the tiny vessel out into space. I could see the bulk that was Moya close by. We were some way from the two bases and the planet. Wormholes can cause spatial fluctuations that could affect the bases and cause bad weather on a planet.

"Crichton you there."

"Ready and waiting Gold Top."

He seemed to have a need to give people nicknames. Mine was due to the colour of my hair.

"Initiating."

There was the familiar blurring as the negative gravitons started spinning to match the speed and torque of the generated micro singularity. I set the exit point and informed Moya.

"Pilot just follow Talyn through."

I slipped into the vortex with its distortion patterns. I could never say that I was completely comfortable travelling through a wormhole, but it lasted such a short period of time that it was bearable. I exited in a dim area of the galaxy and waited for the two Leviathans.

Part 7

"I've never been anywhere like this before."

"Well join Moya and get the Magic Mystery Tour, Pip."

"I don't like it. It's eerie."

"Sparky it's just an area with fewer stars, more dust."

"It's not normal."

"Why did I agree to come? Are you sure Sareel's got the right place?"

"Well you can't ask her as there's a comms blackout for obvious reasons."

Chiana glared at him.

"Crichton, Moya asks me to tell you Sareel's just docked in the main hanger bay."

"She wasn't supposed to do that."

"Somethings not right. She's going to tell us all to go home."

"I doubt it Rygel. You know I'm getting to dislike her almost as much as Scorpius. Ever since she's had power she'd been different."

"She's been different ever since you came back from the Eye. Nothing to do with power Crichton."

"No? I thought you have recognised the signs Crais."

"I've just come to report that the groups are ready to depart."

"We'll have to wait and see what Sareel wants. You can't tell with Miss Gold Top these days!"

Sareel came in from the hanger deck lugging what appeared to be a heavy box.

"What no sled?"

"Didn't have time to get one before I left. Look this might come in useful."

"What is it?"

"Crais 'll know."

He inspected the contents.

"When did these go into production?"

"Er well they haven't. I removed this one from Scorpius's lab."

"Can I interrupt the family gathering and ask what the frell's in there?"

Crais pointed out several pieces Crichton.

"These are put together to make a disruptor."

"We came across something similar when Stark got dispersed."

"Yes but all the problems aren't sorted yet. The power supply will probably only last for two or three shots so use it wisely."

"Hey Princess do I detect a problem between Scorpie and you?"

She glared at him.

"None of your business Crichton."

"Well shut my mouth. Guess you just told me anyway."

Chiana was standing on the edge of the group. She thought Sareel looked drawn, but then she was under a great deal of strain.

"What's that thing you've got on board Talyn?"

"Yeah just what is that gismo?"

Chiana thought she caught a shifty look from the chief technician, but she dismissed it as a trick of the light.

"Only a spin off from the wormhole project. I'm not too sure it'll work."


"Well we'll make a start when you've got back to Talyn."

"We can go now. I don't have to go back. It's in the prowler."

"But what about Talyn?"

Crais was clearly worried.

"He knows exactly what he's got to do and when. Let's go."

 ****************

The Scarran repair base was situated on the airless arid moon of a gas giant. Its lurid red mass overshadowed everthing else. The one thing that made getting into it somewhat simpler than might otherwise have been was that most of the work was carried out by robots. The only Scarrans were technicians closeted in the hollowed out interior. Crais had obtained some Peacekeeper space suits and half a dozen of the Humans were kitted up in these. They had only to put on their helmets. Crais walked round them.

"Now General you're sure you know how to set the charges."

"Son one demolition charge is pretty similar to another. I was king of the blow up brigade. No don't you worry about us. Just make sure you get what you need."

The transports were broadcasting the Scarran codes Ak Ba had managed to send to them and the hanger bay doors opened to let them in. The suited demolition squad slipped ouside before the bay doors closed.

"Environmental control restored."

The groups exited the transport. Crichton was in the first one with Chiana, d'Argo led the second and Crais the third.

"Anyone know what Sareel's up to out there."

"All she said to me was she'd give the Scarrans something to think about."

"She's sure spare with her conversation these days Pip. Makes Crais into an orator."

The taciturn exPeacekeeper was off down a parallel passage at the time. Crichton warily looked round a corner.

"Why is it I worry when there's no opposition?"

"Crichton this place is so out of the way I doubt they think it'll be discovered."

"Well we found it Chiana."

"Wouldn't have done without Ak Ba."

"Now this is true. Hold it!"

There was a light beam across the corridor.

"No wonder they don't need guards."

A small weasely looking man slipped out of the group and came to the front.

"What do you make of it Pat?"

He viewed it with a small optical instrument.

"Nothing tricky about that. Standard idea. Break the beam and and alarm goes off."

"Or something nasty comes outa the woodwork! Can you neutralise it?"

"Oh yes. The theory's easy. Fool the beam. The hard thing's doing it."

He delved into a bag he slipped off his back and came up with two pieces of polished metal. These he fitted into two stands also out of his bag. With extreme care he insinuated the first one between the beams. Nothing happened.

"So far so good."

He then slipped the other one in on the far side. There was a clear path through along the corridor.

"Keep your eyes peeled, there may be more."

"Frell I hope not."

"What's the matter Pip. Got cold feet."

"For your information Crichton they've never been warn, since d'Argo persuaded me to come."

"Yeah, just why was that."

"He's jealous of Sout. I though my coming might stop him doing something stupid."

"Has he got any reason to be jealous of Sout."

"None, I don't belong to d'Argo, anymore than I belong to Sout. He's nice though, I like that tuft of hair."

"Wouldn't like to see d'Argo get hurt again."

"Frell d'Argo! You guys always stick up for one another. Haven't you ever considered that d'Argo may not be my first choice for a mate? Oh I grant he can be exciting, but so can hunting snalkit and that's what time with d'Argo can resemble. All snarls and teeth."

"I thought that was Scorpie's department."

"Can't beat an excited Luxan!"

"Shush!"

Crichton peered round the corner.

"It's the core!"

They were just outside the central laboratory, two Scarran technicians were checking equipment.

"Main force reports there's a dreadnought due for a refit."

"We can install the new cannon..."

"Don't think so guys hold it." The Scarrans immediately tried to fix the group with their heat concentrators. One of the men fell to the floor screaming.

"What the frell are you waiting for Pip."

"The frelling thing's jammed."

"Hell that's all we need. Give it here." Crichton knocked out the magazine of the Uzi and reinserted it.

"Now go get 'em, Chi!"

The Nebari set up a curtain of fire at the Scarrans. Sout's knowledge had been correct. Scarrans weren't very vulnerable to pulse rifles but they were to good old fashioned bullets. One on the Scarrans went down screaming as Chiana's fire ripped through him, the other one slipped out of a rear entrance.

"Good work, Pip."

She frowned.

"One got away."

"Good he can tell his superiors exactly what happened."

An explosion shook the facility.

"Talyn's started work. That means the outside team are back on the transport. Time fo us to go."

The man who had cut the beam came up with a big grin on his face.

"Ten minutes and this is going up with one hell of a bang."

"Everone back to the transports." 

Retracing their steps, they made their way down  the corridors and headed back to the hanger bay. They were only half way there when they were stopped by a wall of gas.

"The Scarran who got away."

"It looks like he'd time for a last ditch action, Commander."

"Anyone any idea what it is?"

"Fantora. It enters through the skin and makes you hallucinate. The more you take in the worse it gets."

"Advice Pip."

"Run like there was a mad Sheyang after you. The less exposure the better."

"Ok then one, two, three, charge."

They ran throught the thin wall of gas.

"Are you sure about the gas Pip. Pip?"

Chiana was gazing at the ceiling.

"Can't you see them Crichton. They're swarming all over."

She started brushing her arms in a blind panic.

"Get them off me! Crichton get them off me."

"What Pip?"

"Invid worms. They're eating me up."

Crichton looked round. Several others of the group were also acting crazy.

"All those of you who appear to be all right follow me."

He got hold of an hysterical Chiana.

"Sorry Chi. Needs must."

He slugged her on the chin and slung her over his shoulder. The fit personnel did likewise with their crazy individuals. The rather disorientated party finally made it to the hanger bay.

"Everyone made it?"

"Yes Commander, but there're are going to be some sore jaws in the morning."

Crichton grinned.

"Just don't tell them about the pink butterflies with jaws."

"That was a new one. Beats pink elephants any day!"

Chiana had come to, and looked puzzled to see that most of the group were alert and chatting.

"What's up Pip?"

"That gas. I've never known anyone not to be affected before."

"You've never seen a bunch of Humans before either. Likely we're just less susceptable."

"I couldn't help it Crichton. They seemed real."

"I know. I had something like that happen when I was a Scarran prisoner. You could swear that everything was real, though really you're lying on a couch in a lab."

They all trooped aboard the transports and left the hanger bay.

"Isn't that Sareel in the prowler ?"

Crichton looked at the viewer.

"It's got her sigil on it. Ergo it contains Sareel."

"Communication coming in Sir."

Crais took the broadcast.

"Crais! I thought it might have been Crichton."

"He's checking on the group. We hit a problem."

"Not bad I hope."

Crais shook his head.

"No just hallucinatory gas."

Sareel chuckled.

"Scarran special defences. Look I want to test my weapon and I suggest you take Moya at least a hundred thousan kilometrons away from this planet and its moon."

"What's going to happen?"

"I know what I hope's going to happen. But it may not. For safety's sake get that far a way. Talyn is moving away now.. I'm just going to plant it and then get that far away to detonate it."

"Fine. We're almost back at Moya. Give us an half ahn."

Crichton was watching the end of the transmission from behind Crais.

"What's this new weapon of Scorpius's?"

"I have a feeling Scorpius doesn't have an inkling about this . I think it's all Sareel's invention."

Crichton looked at the external scanner.

"Which way's the moon?"

Crais pointed right.

"Then how come she's got the thing pointing at the gas giant?"

"She'll turn it."

"She won't, she's leaving. And we're getting out of range."

"Strange."

"Oh no."

"What is it Crichton?"

Chiana had joined them by the scanner. The transport was just entering Moya's hanger bay.

"I think I know what Sareel intends to do with that abomination."

"What, Crichton, what?"

"I hope I'm wrong. You just watch."

They reached the area Sareel had stipulated as the safety zone. Sareel's prowler was lying by the side of Talyn. As they watched a tiny shaft of light was emitted from the cockpit. Almost immediately there was a multiplication of the light as the shaft hit the object Sareel had left in orbit. A massive charge of plasma leapt out straight for the gas giant. Crais, Chiana and Crichton were crowded round the viewer.

"It's impossible."

"Chi was impossible. Now it's fact. Holy Moses!"

They had to turn away fron the viewer as the central portion of the gas giant became incandescant and the glow spread like a virulent lake all over the planet's surface. First a dull malevolent red, lightening into gold and finally eye searing white. They could feel the heat.

"Let's get out of here. Pilot can Moya starburst?"

"We're way ahead of you Crichton. Starburst in five microts."

The familiar shudder and feeling of dislocation and they were millions of metrons away. D'Argo joined they in Moya's lounge.

"Can't believe what I saw d'Argo. Like a nightmare."

"Exactly what happened Crichton."

"Sareel injected enough mass into that gas giant to cause it to become a sun."

"The moon?"

"Swallowed up."

"Can she use it as a planetary weapon?"

"Don't know Crais. Probability's yes. Pushing that much mass into any planet's gonna seriously destabilise it's structure."

"But on a solid planet..."

"Most planets have a solid crust and molten interior. Plasma, whatever, at that sort of velocity could drill straight throught the mantle in a matter of microts. Then inject your mass and the whole planet probably blows up. At the very least it'll become extremely volcanic."

"Just what's she up to?"

"A very good question."

Part 8

With the success of the trial of my weapon I now set out to find the only other person I knew who would know where to market it and develop the function I still needed. I was heartily sick of the Scarrans, Moya and the crew, Crichton and suprisingly also of Scorpius. In spite of the fact that he'd been extremely careful to allow me time to find myself, he made me feel stifled, hemmed in.

Well I'd found myself and if Scorpius didn't like that was tough. I'd given him his wormhole, at least a better product than the one he was developing, now my life and my time were going to be my own. I was going into business for me. Mivoks to anyone who stood in my way. What I wasn't going to let on was that at the moment the weapon needed me to prime it, to give it that first, short burst of energy.

So I set out on a hunt for Furlow. My that woman can hide herself well. Spending my time frequenting the lowest dives in that quadrant where she was last sighted, is not my idea of time well spent. Especially as my prowler excited a great deal of speculation.

"Peacekeeper?"

"No. It's surplus, you can pick them up if you know where to look!"

This was my stock in trade and it was wearing thin. I was sitting in a sleasy bar on the Ephorsa trading community, glaring moodily into my ras'lak and wishing it was Scorpius's Argolian brandy. I've never encountered so many rough brands of spirit in my life. I realised that the one the Peacekeeper's got was fairly decent. The bad taste in my mouth and the thumping headache when I woke came from only one glass of the stuff. Goddess help those who regularly imbibed the rotgut!

Anyway I'd made up my mind that evening to try the next sector. I got up to go when an extremely disreputable Soran monk sidled up to me.

"I hear you're looking for someone?"

"Am I?"

"Try the third warehouse on the left in the morning."

And he was gone as silently as he'd arrived. Days on Ephorsa tend to be twenty four ahn jobs like they are on Earth, the whole place is synthetic, a lot like a stationery Leviathan really, with out the sentience. The inside is huge, so huge there are clouds and rain. The twin suns are actually contained plasma globes. It amused me to think what I could do with that energy. So I went back to my prowler, reclined the seat and settled down to sleep. I hadn't fancied any of the myriad of downtown hotels and I'd no desire to be remembered at on of the more up market ones.

 ****************************

"What do you mean, she can't be found?"

"Sir I've searched everywhere and I can categorically say she's not on the base."

"Have you contacted Harvey? She said she was moving there."

"She never turned up. Neither is she on Earth."

"Crichton must have some idea of where she is. After all she was with them."

"He said her prowler disappeared after they left the refitting facility. They report a total success."

"Yes, yes. At the moment I more concerned where Sareel is. The mood she left here in makes me worry."

A junior officer entered the laboratory and handed a report to Braca. She gave Scorpius a sideways glance and beat a hasty retreat. One look from the half Scarran that morning would have frozen a river.

"Sir, the skirmishing on the Scarran fleet was successful. Only two losses. We made it look as if we thought better of it. I should imagine that they were surprised to see us."

Scorpius was uninterested, which was unusual. His interest in politics and the campaign, was usually extremely keen. He maintained he needed to keep abreast of faction bickering in order to manipulate the powers that allocated the research funding. Braca stood and waited for his instructions. Suddenly his current chief tech rushed in, her green face pale.

"Chimere, calm down and tell me quietly, why the panic."

"You should see this Sir."

She thrust a holostick in his hands. Filled with curiosity he fed it into the viewer.

"A sun! What's worrying about that? Is it due to go nova?"

"Sir that was the planet close to the Scarran base, the gas giant. Well it was until approximately half an ahn after the Earth groups left the moonbase."

He stood menacingly over her.

"Was Sareel there?"

"I...I don't know Sir. Perhaps the Earth force might know."

Scorpius glowered at her.  He was surprised that Braca hadn't mentioned anything to him about the matter.  He'd only given the merest report.

"Braca , was nothing mentioned about this in the report from Crichton?"

"No Sir. It was as I said earlier."

"Mmm, evidently Crichton still doesn't completely trust me."

"Sir there's something else. I was doing an inventory and there're two pieces of equipment missing."

"What are they?"

"Phase shifter and that disruptor we were developing, Sir."

"She said she was taking the spare phase stabiliser. The disruptor, yes that could used even in its limited form, but the phase shifter, well what use would that be to anyone. They're obsolete."

"Last person in that store was Sareel, Sir."

"I'm racking my brains trying to figure out exactly what she would want a piece of obselete equipment for."

He suddenly hissed.

"Come Braca. Time we paid Crichton a visit."

*********************

"I don't care what you think Aeryn, I won't have you putting yourself at risk. Sareel should know better."

"Really Crichton, It's been proved time and time again that I'm a far better soldier that you. I've had the training and you haven't I can look after myself. Sareel only did what I asked."

"Yeah where the hell's she got to? I got in touch with Harvey earlier and he hadn't seen her."

"She seemed to have something on her mind."

"Well after seeing her little display I'm not surprised."

"Rather makes your wormhole weapon pale into insignificance."

"The Ancients kept that one quiet!"

"I don't wonder, imagine if the Scarran got their hands on it!"

"I shudder to think Aeryn honey."

Aeryn put her hand up to her eyes.

"Isn't that Scorpius's marauder?"

"I'm off. The last thing I feel like this morning is Scorpius exhorting me to greater achievement. The last one who tried that was my Dad, and a father figure Scorpie certainly isn't."

"Too late he's seen you. He's coming over."

"Oh boy, he's got a face like thunder."

"How can you tell?"

"Dunno, a snippet ol' Harv left me perhaps."

"Ah Crichton, Captain Sun. A word if you will."

"Hi Scorpie. Do we get a choice?"

"Not this time. It's far too important. I thought you might be able to tell me where Sareel is."

"Sorry Scorps. Drawn a blank ourselves."

Aeryn was watching Scorpius's body language.

"Scorpius what's wrong?"

"That little display at the refit bay that's what's wrong. Does she realise exactly what she's got?"

"Oh I'd say she knows exactly what she's got. When she was on Talyn, before we got there, she was saying if it worked she'd......er."

"Yes Captain Sun?"

"She said the odds were against it working."

"You're hedging Captain. Your aura's distinctly disturbed."

"Yeah you never told me about the girl talk Aeryn."

"She was unhappy, confused, wanted to get away. Said if it worked she'd have a saleable commodity."

"Hell Aeryn half the species in the universe would give their eye teeth for a weapon like that."

Scorpius looked to the heavens as if for inspiration.

"The stupidity, the crass stupidity of the female."

"Hey gender's got nothing to do with stupidity Scorpie."

Scorpius eyed him scathingly.

"Yes we know all about that don't we Crichton!"

"Do we?"

"To the point Captain Sun. Did she give any indication of where she was going."

Aeryn looked at Crichton who nodded.

"She said something about finding Furlow. Said they could set up in business together. You know Crichton I doubt she's still alive."

"That one's a survivor Aeryn, I'd better my bottom dollar she's holed up somewhere just waiting for the right moment to emerge. She'll just love Sareel!"

"Did she give a reason, for this...this desertion?"

"Said she was sick of war, of doing things for others. Said she was going to do something for herself."

"The imminent threat of the Scarrans didn't move her?"

"She more or less said frell the Scarrans and Peacemakers both."

"And me in particular?"

Aeryn didn't reply.

"I see. I seem to have failed her in some way, though I don't know where. She seemed content."

"Well little miss Gold Top was evidently far from content. Don't worry Scorps, you're not the first to be in that situation."

"I dislike the feeling of not being in control, of letting things slip."

"She's an independent being, not a puppet."

"She's a dangerous being, at large with a weapon of immense destruction. Can you imagine the havoc she can cause?"

"Er there is one thing we noticed Scorpius. It might be insignificant."

"Go on."
"She had to use her own power to initiate the first power surge to the weapon."

"Then she's vulnerable. Oh I'm sure that's why she wants to collude with this Furlow. To develop an independent initiator. We may yet save the day."

"Maybe I'm being a bit dim here Scorpie, but surely no one's going to buy a weapon with a flaw?"

"I'm sure Sareel will obliged in setting it off for them!"

"Then she's totally frelled, lost all her scruples. Hell Scorpie, even you've got more that that!"

"Well be that as it may, she's got to be apprehended before she does any damage. I wondered if...?"

"Aw no, I thought we'd stopped all that chasing and searching and runnin'."

"Well this time it would be you doing the hunting Crichton."

"If we were no more successful than last time, then you're on a loser."

"We're on a loser Crichton. This could affect all of us!"

"Just as I thought we'd got a stable base, and our feet on good earth."

"Let me remind you Crichton that as long as there are Scarrans out there wanting conquer the galaxy, then there's no such thing as a stable base. What Sareel's done compounds the matter."

They were all silent for a minute.

"Just where do you propose to start Crichton?"

"Hey now wait a minute Scorpie. I've never said I'd agree to do it."

"Oh you will Crichton. You'll see the necessity for immediate action."

 *********************

The warehouse was a plain monolith standing with several others in the run down area of the industrial sector. The main door was a huge roller slide. When I looked carefully I noticed that there was a service entrance set into it. It was open just a fraction. Going into the unknown always gives me a certain amount of trepidation. I was wearing a hooded cloak and had my pulse pistol lodged in its holster and I slipped inside and stood a microt or two to let my eyes adjust to the gloom. All I could see were row on row of packing cases all claiming to contain parts for fusion generators.

Cautiously, pistol at the ready, I moved down one of the aisles. I thought I heard a sound and was about to turn when I felt something hard and cold being pressed into my ribs.

"Just drop it Missy PK Tech."

I did what was asked. The pistol fell to the ground with a clatter and I was aware of a hand reaching out to collect it. The gun in my back didn't move a centimetron.

"Now you just walk straight down the aisle to the back. You'll see an office. Go in and sit down. Try anything and you won't live to see the moring."

Scared though I was I realised how ludicrous the statement sounded.

"Kill me and you'll never know how much profit you've thrown away, will you?"

"Always assuming you've got a saleable commodity!"

I'd reached the office by this time. The door was open and a shaft of light was streaming out. The gun was poked even harder into my ribs.

"Just go in and sit down."

I went in and I sat. At last I was able to see my captor.

"You Furlow?"

"What if I am? Now don't you make any sudden movements. I kinda get trigger happy."

The rotund, dumpy female of uncertain species could only be Furlow. Beautiful she wasn't, but her intelligence and engineering skill made up for it, or so Crichton had led me to believe.

"I'm Sareel. Glad to meet you."

The gun waved fractionally.

"No other name, just Sareel?"

"I used to have a patronymic, but so much has happened I don't use it anymore."

"You wouldn't be here to spy on me would you? I've got some good stuff in the pipeline."

"I have a commodity which needs a little development. I looked for you because I was told you were the best."

"Am the best. Who told you that?"

"John Crichton."

"Ah Johnny boy. Shame we parted like we did. I coulda got off on that one!"

The idea of her and Crichton together was really funny. I managed to smother my mirth, finding it wise not to annoy folk who have a rather large weapon of uncertain origin pointed at your head.

"Well can I show you something? And really there's no need for the cannon. I've no intention of going anywhere. Rather the reverse."

She slowly lowered the gun.

"You have to be careful these days. After all the trouble I had with the Charrons and the Scarrans, I watch my back. "

"A wise policy."

I took the holochip out of my pocket and placed it in the viewer. The whole episode of the ignition of the gas giant was played out in full colour. I noticed that as the corona spread outwards, she involuntarily jumped back.

"Interested?"