"Pilot are you sure that Moya wants to do this?"

"Commander Crichton I can assure you that she sees this mission as...necessary"

"Necessary, huh! I wish I did."

Aeryn stepped into Pilot's den.

"Don't listen to him Pilot. He's still not convinced that what Sareel has poses any threat."

"Fourth of July fireworks. Showy but that's all!"

"Crichton that gas giant did become a sun. Moya says that can't happen with out a massive injection of mass."

"You'll never get through to him, Pilot. He's in his 'I'm not going to believe only what I want to believe' mind set. Can't do anything with him when he's like that."

"I understood that discussion with his father had altered his views?"

"If you two have finished discussing my motivation, I'm here aren't I? Let's get the show on the road."

Crichton moved off muttering and Aeryn went up toPilot.

"Sout says if Moya's ready we'll leave."

"Understood. Initiating starburst. We'll try the wormhole adaptation when we're a suitable distance away from this planetary system."

Aeryn gave a rather screwy smile.

"And if it doesn't?"

"Then I'm afraid Aeryn that we won't be back in time to satisfy the time restriction."

"It would mean the total destruction of the planet."

"Moya feels that it would also have considerable repercussions on the rest of the system. However the command carrier and Talyn would be able to escape."

"And the people on Earth?"

"Except for those who'd fit in the carrier and Talyn, destroyed completely. All life would be extinguished."

"Then we'll have to hope that Sareel's idea works."

"Moya and I are confident that it will."

Aeryn patted the large animal and left the den.

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

Scorpius watched with a mixture of hope a trepidation as Moya disappeared off his screen. Jack Crichton was standing behind him.

"They'll do it Scorpius."

"I wish I had your confidence. I know Crichton's your son but there are times when he's...er, not totally reliable."

"How long did it take you to find that out?"

"Loss of a Gammak base and the subsequent erosion of High Command's confidence in the wormhole project. My feelings at that time were indescribable!"

"Oh I think I can tell you what you felt. How about fury, indignation, disbelief and hate!"

"Close, but I have never hated John. I find him infuriating in the extreme but that's because I wanted him as an ally."

"And you usually get what you want!"

"Yes until recently. It's been difficult learning how to work my way round blatent obstruction."

"But you've suceeded!"

"I hope so. Things have changed so rapidly. I've been improvising to a greater or lesser degree. Drawing on my experience."

"Which I gather is vast."

The scientist smiled.

"By your standards yes, but by Sebbacian ones, somewhat limited as is that of all the Peacekeepers."

"They are adapting though?"

"Much better than I thought possible. I never thought to see the day when they would mesh together under commanders other than those appointed by High Command."

"Strange times! I always pooh-poohed the idea that there could be aliens until the Scarrans descended upon us. I've had to radically change my point of view too."

The two men were silent for a moment or two before Jack spoke.

"There isn't a lot more we can do. Do you play chess?"

"I have no idea what that is. A diversion of some kind I suppose."

"A strategy game. It mimics the general on the battlefield. If you like I'll teach it to you."

Scorpius sighed.

"Yes, yes. That would be acceptable. I wish Sareel was here."

"You miss her?  In spite of what she's become?"

Scorpius indicated the chamber with his arms.

"I am satisfied with this, my research and Sareel was a delighful bounus. I never thought that she would wish to try things out for herself, be independent of me."

"So many times I've said that. 'I never thought A would react that way.' It shows how little we know of other people's feelings, sometimes how little consideration we have for them. Taking them for granted."

"I have been guilty, I fear, of that. Several times now I've taken Sareel for granted. Vowed that I would never do it again but she's so amenable that I've forgotten almost right away."

Jack looked at him. The scientist had a far away, desolate look in his eyes and Jack said softly, "But you won't do it again, will you?"

"I may not get another chance, Jack. If they can find her and she returns, she still may not want anything to do with me."

He stretched and moved away from the screen.

"It would be a pity though, she's a good scientist and technician!"

Crichton's father just burst out laughing.

"Scorpius, I thought you had a more personal feeling for her?"

Scorpius gave him a venomous stare.

"You are like your son. More than you'll ever know. I intend to work hard and stifle those sort of feelings. I've done it before I can do it again."

"I think the whole issue here, Scorpius , is do you want to do that?"

"Your energy signal's fluctuating. Now why would that be?"

"Don't change the subject. You're evading the issue."

"You know about Crichton and Sareel don't you? He told you."

"No he didn't, Aeryn Sun told me. And I think he was only trying to get back at you."

"But Sareel was easily tempted. I can never forget that. Could she be easily tempted again?"

"Would it matter as long as you never found out?"

Scorpius sat down.

"Yes, as a matter of fact it would. I have a strange feeling when I think of her with another male. One I haven't felt before."

"What kind of feeling."

Scorpius snarled and showed his teeth.

"I would want to kill the fresnik!"

Jack put his hand on Scorpius's shoulder.

"May I give you some advice?"

"I would find it most welcome. I find myself without a plan of action where Sareel's concerned. Just feelings."

"Do Sebbacians fall in love?"

"What a strange question. But yes there are mutual bondings made, a ritual carried out and they start a new unit."

"You're in the same position Scorpius. You're in love. You want Sareel to be yours only. Couldn't you go through a similar ritual? "

The scientist laughed bitterly."

"Love? An over valued emotion."

Jack said softly, "I think you're protesting too much, Scorpius. Take some time to think about it."

"Time doesn't seem to be on our side at this time."

He looked slyly at Jack.

"Do you think she'd settle if I offered to take the ritual?"

"She might. I don't know the woman so I can't say. But you're approaching the whole thing like a businessman looking to sign a contract. From my experience at least, females want more than to be the other end of a bargain. Tenderness, romance, gentle words."

"Not my style Jack. I'm the product of an agressive species...."

Jack put a finger on his lips.

"Quiet! Then I'd suggest you cultivate a new style Scorpius!"

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

Moya was well clear of the planets round Sol and Pilot informed them that she was about to initiate the wormhole sequence. Crichton was with d'Argo in the galley.

"Moment of truth. Can she or can't she?"

"This John, is serious. Hardly a time for frivolous sayings."

Crichton walked round the Luxan to the stove.

"You know something d'Argo? You worry too much!"

"Someone has to worry. You seem to do very little."

"Hey big man, If I let it show every time I was concerned over something, we all be in the dren pit."

"There are times John when I just don't understand you. This whole thing about Sareel for instance. Why don't you want to look for her."

"I'm here isn't that enough?"

"No John it's not."

"You haven't been the same since you were thrown in the Eye of Infinity, whatever that is."

John looked at his fingernails and muttered, "It's a frelling wormhole but where it goes seems to be the thing. I felt things as I was travelling through it that I really didn't want to feel. It was strange. You entered and exited in the same place. And there was something about Sareel holding the key to a time lock or something and that she had to be protected. If she fell into the wrong hands then chaos could follow."

He looked at the Luxan.

"Hell d'Argo I'm confused by the whole thing."

The Luxan eyed him keenly.

"Did Scorpius feel the same?"

"How the hell should I know d'Argo. We can scarcely be called good buddies. I make it my policy to keep as well away from him as I can."

"Just what is it about you and Scorpius? Just what the Hezmana's up with you? Huh. Answer me that. Have you got a good reason or are you paranoid?"

"Is that what you think ? That I'm losing my marbles? Getting senile?"

"I don't want to think that John but your behaviour's less that rational. You've got to admit that mooching round the lake throwing stones is hardly normal behaviour, even for you."

"I don't ever want to see Sareel again."

"Why?"

"You remember when we first captured her."

"Yes."

"You remember what happened."

"Could hardly forget it. You caused a chain reaction that nearly killed her and a frelling lot of other folk."

"It was Scorpius meddling not me. I had nothing to do with that."

"Frell John you seduced her, I really think you'd have raped her if she hadn't co-operated with you. Is this a weakness of yours? Chiana said you almost took her once in the same manner."

"I stopped myself though."

"So Sareel makes you feel lustful. She's no permanent arrangement with Scorpius that I can see so if you want her why don't you pay her court."

"Hell d'Argo that's the problem. I love Aeryn but somehow I'm drawn to Sareel. I want her all the time when she's in the same room as me."

The Luxan raised his eyebrows.

"Do you really love Aeryn Sun? Are you in love with her or is it the delight of tthe chase?"

Crichton opened his mouth to speak but d'Argo held up his hand.

"No hear me out John. The chase of the female figures strongly in many species including my own but it doesn't always end in a permanent union. Could you see Aeryn settling into a permanent union with one man?"

"Frell no. The Peackeepers conditioned their soldiers too well. She tries but you can always see that there's a fight going on inside her."

"Then I suggest you're jealous of the fact that Scorpius has Sareel's undivided attention."

"Me jealous of Scorpie? You've gotta be joking. He's ..he's ."

"Confident, self assured, comfortable with himself. A figure a female could rely on. How well do you show up against those critera?"

Further ramifications on the subject were stopped by Pilot.

"Moya's ready to start the wormhole sequence every one. As we don't quite know what will happen I suggest you all hold onto something."

"Pilot, what d'you mean you don't know what will happen. Sareel made tests didn't she?"

"Er yes Commander, stability tests but we never initiated a full wormhole."

"Oh frell now he tells us."

Part 19

At first nothing appeared to happen. Then there was a sudden jolt. Crichton and Rygel ended up in a heap on the galley floor. The Hynerean picked himself up and scrambled back on his throne sled.

"I'll bet we went nowhere. Frelling thing won't work."

"Shut up Sparky. Pilot report, please. Did we or didn't we?"

"We appear to be travelling down a dimensional funnel. Speed....off my scales. I'd say that we are in a wormhole and... Moya confirms this."

"Hey d'hear that. She frelling did it. Some technician that Sareel."

"That's not what you called her before we left."

"I may have misjudged her."

There was a buffeting from side to side and d'Argo lurched into the galley with Sout just behind him.

"If this is wormhole travel, I do not like it."

"You get used to it. Hey Pilot. What've we hit here?"

"There is a difference in the density of the phases."

"You can't have density in a wormhole."

"Moya says you can. This is different to the wormholes Sareel made before. This one is part of Moya."

Crichton turned on the rear scan. The wormhole was collapsing behind the Leviathan.

"This is different. Not seen anything like this before. From a security point of view it's ideal."

Sout moved up to look.

"Why would that be?"

"Nothing follows behind as it can in a normal wormhole. There's no channel, no energy plume."

Aeryn had joined them.

"Bracca says that Scorpius believe that the Scarran's method is different again."

"John,  just how many ways can you make one of these frelling things?"

"Good question big man. Scorpius was convinced that there was only one way. Now it seems that there are three at least."

"Actually there are five."A small voice piped up from behind Sout."

"What the hell are you doing on board? It could be dangerous."

Urana moved forward, Rool clasped in her arms and Bobby tagging behind. Sout sighed.

"There's your cover blown Urana!"

Crichton put a n arm round the Morgul's shoulder.

"I think there's something you haven't told me."

"Ah, but where to begin?"

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

Half an ahn later Crichton and d 'Argo had sat Urana down in the communal seating.

"Just what can you do?"

She stroked the ogroop's head and asked innocently, "In what capacity?"

Crichton just looked at her.

"You're no child, right?"

"Full marks Crichton."

Sout grinned.

"She may look like a child, act like a child for most of the time but she's got a most unchildlike sense of mischief."

He told Crichton exactly how she'd behaved with Jimmy. Crichton stared open mouthed.

"How can anyone who looks so innocent?"

She smiled serenely.

"Oh really you are all so... so stuffy. He enjoyed himself and so did I."

Her eyes went dreamy.

"The tales I could tell you of the males I've known. And the females!", she added as an after thought. Crichton looked shellshocked. Aeryn joined them.

"What's up with Crichton?"

"Shock. He's just discovered that Urana's not what she appears at first glance."

"Oh is that all. Chiana told me that a couple of weeken ago. We were wondering how long it would take the males to realise it too."

Urana gave them a cheeky smile.

"You owe me three credits Aeryn."

"So I do.

Crichton wasn't ready for a barrage of female talk.

"Just how do you know about wormholes?"

Urana pouted.

"Really Crichton, sometimes you seem really stupid. My race was using the things aeons ago. There's nothing new in this universe you know."

"So I'm beginning to discover."

"Just that things get forgotten waiting until someone finds them again."

"If it isn't a stupid question pixie ears, just where do you come from?"

She kissed Crichton on the tip of his nose.

"Mmm thanks Crichton. No one's called me a pixie in cycles. Just watch."

She put Rool down on the seating and span a circle with her hands. Her eyes began to glow and inside the circle a scene assembled.

"Oh no, no, no! Cut the crap Urana that's right out of a fairy story. Toadstools and winged people. It just can't be!"

She broke the spell.

"Humans get so boring when they grow up. Where's the simple enjoyment and belief of a small child, Crichton. Believe and it can be. Well on my world at least."

"Children grow up Urana."

She sighed.

"More's the pity. Now d'Argo still believes in morwons."

"I do?"

"Mmm. You Luxans use them as your hearth gods. Ask them for favours."

"I have never asked a morwon for any favour!"

"Not even when the Peacekeepers arrested you?"

"I remember very little about that particular time. I was too angry."

"Ah the Luxan rage. Not very useful in the middle of a battle d'Argo! Gets in the way a bit."

"What do you know of my life?"

"Where would you like me to begin?"

Crichton sat down beside the not so innocent Urana.

"Let me get this straight. You know what's happened in all our pasts."

"Not everything. Not everyone. Now you and Scorpius John, I know everything about both of you."

"How the frell?"

"I was there when you went through the Eye of Infinity. Saw everything."

"Oh you did did you. How the hell...."

Aeryn stepped in as Crichton was beginning to get a bit hot under the collar.

"I think I know. You organised the whole thing didn't you?"

"Me? Oh no, far above my skills. However my uncle is keeper of inter universe temporal stability. He just told me to keep an eye on things."

Crichton had an idea.

"If you know all about us then you'll have some idea about Sareel, her thinking what she's likely to do. Where she'd go."

Urana shook her head.

"Sorry Crichton. Sareel doesn't really belong here. Can't read her at all."

Crichton pu his head in his hands.

"Run that by ne, slowly."

"Sareel's father, bless him, is a traveller. Turned up one day and gave her mother a shock. Then she found herself pregnant. The whole thing was hushed up. Well I mean if you said a ball of blue light had frelled you, the powers that be would think you were due for rehab."

"So?"

"So, because she belongs in more than one universe, or rather half her genes do, it's rather essential she stays alive. She dies and chaos in at least three universes I can think of!"

"I don't believe it. it's fantastic. A fantasy, that's exactly what it is."

Aeryn patted Urana on the shoulder. Rool had curled up once again on her knee and Bobby tentatively flopped down across Crichton's feet.

"He's in one of his, 'It doesn't fit in with what I want to believe,' moods. You'll get used to them. Personally I'd have thought after all the diversity he's encountered on Moya he'd have got over them."

Urana looked at Sout who was sitting quietly opposite.

"You're very quiet."

"I was thinking. I used to be like Crichton until I underwent Suran Da training."

"Hey Sout I've no intention of becoming a galactic Ninja!"

"My mind was broken open and I could see with my inner eye."

"Oh great! You suggesting I ask Scorpie for another session in the Comfy Chair?"

"You might do worse John. Sort out exactly what is important to you. It used to be wormholes and avoiding Scorpius. Now those are no longer valid reasons for your existence I thought you would be thinking rationally."

He shrugged.

"Instead if anything you're worse."

Rygel had been listening in the background. He gave an enormous fart and everyone turned round. Helium supported, his voice squeaked, "I don't suppose Urana, you can see the future?"

The Fey smiled sweetly.

"Wouldn't tell you if I could."

"Well can you or can't you?"

"You'll never know Rygel. It would be bad for your digestion!"

***********

Two solar days later Sout had initiated a search pattern based on the last known position of Sareel's prowler.

"Pilot how accurate does Moya think this will be? What are the chances of success?"

"In response to the first question Sout, as accurate as any other search pattern allowing for fluctuations in space time density, radiation peaks..."

"Quite accurate then?"

"Extremely accurate would be more correct."

"And the second question?"

Pilot looked at his console.

"Less certain. If we were sure exactly where Sareel had left the equation then I could be more certain."

"So? Pilot is there a problem?"

"Moya feels that the probability of finding Sareel using this method is minimal."

"Suggestions?"

Pilot shook his big head.

"We have no suggestions, Sout."

Crichton had been lounging close to the console.

"Great. We're probably looking in the wrong place entirely. It's like trying to skewer the olives on a pizza."

Sout looked blankly at him. Urana piped up with the explanation.

"When you try to put your fork in them they slide away."

"If it wasn't such an obvious question how the frell did you get here? I've seen no one enter the den."

She yawned.

"Sout dear, you of all people should know doors aren't strictly necessary for me."

Crichton was walking up and down gesticulating and muttering. The Fey looked at him and raised her feathery eyebrows.

"Is he, er sane?"

"Who knows whether any of us are sane, Urana. Crichton deals with problems in his own unique way."

"Pouf! Perhaps a little dream."

Sout shook his head.

"Aeryn says she hates to admit it but he was better before Harvey got his own existance."

"I get it, he's lost part of his brain. Humans are funny creatures. I think I prefer Morguls and Luxans on the whole. Far less complicated!"

"And Sebbacians?"

"Oh they're top of the complicated tree."

There was silence for a microt or two. Bobby was standing at one entrance to the den, wagging his tail, but not daring to move along the unguarded catwalks. Crichton never even noticed and the dog finally lay down and put his head down on his paws with a huge sigh.

Urana suddenly grinned.

"How about I transpose Crichton into a dog for a while? Bobby could teach him a thing or too. Where to hide a bone on a Leviathan. No?"

"Urana you're in one of your tiresome moods. Unless you can come up with a solid idea just go away."

"Oh Sout! So masterful! Your wish is my command."

And she disappeared as he watched. Her ears were last to disappear. The Morgul shook his head in disbelief.

"When she does things like that I wonder if I'm totally sane or imagining the whole thing."

Crichton put an arm round his shoulder.

"Now you know how I feel most of the time!"

Part 20