Crichton was going round and round a small area of Moya's passages. The anomaly was inserted like a finger across the Leviathan. Although they didn't know it there was a passage round it on level seventeen, but Crichton kept hitting a barrier.

"Got in, gotta get out. What goes one way .. Awe what the hell am I saying? I'm stuck in this time warp or what ever."

Frustrated and tired from his incessant trekking round the area looking for a way out, he flopped down on the floor. The worst thing was that where he'd entered he could see Aeryn doing the same thing over and over and over.

"Come on John. Think. Pilot says this part is out of phase with the rest. So what do you do to reset system. Jolt one part or the other so that the vibrations are in phase. But how?"

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

In the galley the same question was being asked.

"Can Moya help?"

"I don't know d'Argo. I'll have to ask Pilot."

"What you have to do is oscillate the whole ship until you hit the exact point where the two parts match and then reverse out."

They all turned to look at Urana who'd retrieved Rool and Bobby and was feeding them tit bits as she ate her meal. She looked up innocently.

"We had basic science."

Rygel's ears and whiskers stood on end.

"That's basic?"

"Well we are a highly developed civilisation!"

"Yotz!"

Sout looked at Aeryn

"It might just work, you know."

She nodded.

"Yes but just how could you do it?"

The Morgul looked at the Fey who was still happily feeding her face and those of the dog and ogroop as well.

"I think it's time Urana had a talk with Pilot and Moya. I know you talk to Moya without Pilot."

"Frell! I didn't know I'd been seen."

"I was checking life support."

"In the starburst chamber?"

"I cannot tell a lie. I was curious where you were going."

She looked puzzled.

"I always hear when I'm been followed."

Aeryn smiled.

"Are you forgetting that Sout's a Suran Da Master."

Urana pouted prettily.

"I do tend to forget. He's such a pet."

Sout pointed to the door. "Pilot's den."

She saluted.

"Aye Sir."

Sout watched as she took herself off to the den.

"She's getting worse. Being exposed to Earth culture's done it."

Aeryn nodded.

"She's starting to sound like Crichton."

Aeryn shook herself.

"One of them is bad enough. Two! Ugh!"

***********

I scarcely recognised Furlow when she came back to our living quarters. She was in a tunic and trousers and was without the helmet and I was surprised to see that she had short spikes instead of hair. She saw me staring and grinned.

"Courtesy of my paternal genes."

"I've never seen a species with spines instead of hair."

"Oh it's hair. It just takes that form. Not many seen it, keep it covered."

"And your father?"

"Don't ask!"

"That bad?"

"Mother always said so."

Actually it was hard to visualise her having parents. She seemed a likely candidate for either parthenogenesis or having been hatched from an egg in a nursery, like the Zivonoc do. Then I thought about my own dubious start in life and hers seemed to be on a par with it.

Anyway things were easier now with a more secure base and Dorp to help. Our androids were all fully functional and I'd programmed in the basics. I lazed in a deep chair I'd found in a storeroom with a glass of ras'lak. We'd found several cases of that in the storerooms too and it seemed a pity not to sample it. Furlow had found a very large tankard to drink hers from, I had a long glass.

"We need to find buyers for the guys."

"Sure, but we don't want to advertise our whereabouts though. Tell you what Sareel girl. How about we put an advert in the UT News?"

"We could work through a proxy. Dorp for instance."

"Sounds better and better. Did you get any further with that weapon of yours?"

"Haven't done much on it recently. Been too busy with the guys. I have another idea though for an initiator. Probably will be as useful as all the rest of my ideas."

Everything I'd tried as a pre injection initiator had failed miserably. The whole project was going sour on me and I decided that I needed a diversion.

"Who's likely to be on Mok One?"

Furlow stretched.

"Moroks, pirates, thieves, the usual."

"Peacekeepers?"

She chuckled.

"Think they've more pressing things on their mind at the present time other than snooping in the UT."

"So we could go shopping?"

"What for? Can't think of a thing I need."

"I would like some gwaine tisach. I've almost run out."

"Don't know how you drink the stuff!"

"Don't know how you eat porach!"

"Admit it can get a bit ripe, but I get your point. Different folk, different things."

I yawned.

"Exactly!"

"Guess tomorrow's as good a time as any. I'd advise carrying a weapon."

"Don't need one."

"You don't want to attract that sort of attention Sareel. Well I'd rather stay anonymous."

"Makes sense. I'll keep myself under control."

She looked at me like a perching bird."

"Oh if it makes you feel happier I'll take a pulse pistol."

I felt a bit guilty because I'd neglected to tell her mine no longer needed chakran oil. They were powered by a small energy unit I'd developed after scrutinising one of Scorpius's cooling rods. It was a fairly simple process to reverse the process. Supply energy rather than take it away. Basically that's what the cooling rods did. By taking heat out of his brain they acted as an energy transfer unit. The beauty of the energy rods was that a small case on my belt held replacements and the spent units were recharged. I also decided I wanted further reassurance.

"We can go in my prowler. It's got room for two."

"Even my size?"

"Scorpius fits. He's got very long legs."

"I was thinking more of girth."

She patted her ample belly.

"You might be a bit cramped, but it's not a long journey."

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

Scorpius and Jack were examining the latest data on the asteroid.

"At least it's constant Scorpius. No deviations or wobbles."

"That's strange don't you think? Usually there are wobbles and fluctuations to planetary and solar gravity."

"I had thought about that. The facts would point to it having a propulsion unit, but that's out of the question."

"For you yes, but for the Scarrans..."

He stood up.

"I have some recollection from my time in their company that they had a project to move a comet to an arid planet and to crash it onto the surface to provide moisture. They had devised a method of propulsion and planned a controlled crash in order to avoid major upset to the planet's orbit."

"Terra forming?"

"In a manner of speaking yes. But a drastic one."

He moved to the holoimager.

"I think we may assume that they have the necessary technology."

"Why do I feel extremely unhappy at that news?"

"Because it's highly unlikely that using photon missiles or atomic weapons will substantially do more than knock pieces off it."

"John and Sout had better come up with the goods then and pronto!"

*******

Jack would have been highly concerned if he could have seen what was taking place on Moya at that precise moment. Sout, d'Argo and Rygel were sitting in the kitchen. Aeryn and Urana were in Pilot's den trying to find a solution. Rygel hovered above the table.

"Are there any tasdol in the larder?"

D'Argo showed his teeth and snarled.

"A time like this, John and Moya trapped in this, this whatever it is and you think about eating?"

Rygel was unabashed.

"Worry makes me hungry. Never mind I'll look for myself."

He moved off to the rear of the room and Sout came out of his meditation. D'Argo waited until he'd focussed before asking, "Any luck?"

The Suran Da master had been trying to approach the problem from another way. He stretched.

"Maybe. I'll wait and see what Urana and Aeryn have come up with."

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

"Now Pilot you're quite sure that this is possible?"

"Possible Captain Sun, but..difficult."

Urana stroked his nose and he wrinkled his snout in pleasure.

"Ah Moya wants me to tell you that your species is welcome on board any time Urana."

"That's nice Pilot. But I don't think she'd be very happy in our part of the universe. Insubstantial."

Aeryn sat on the edge of the console.

"So we have to apply a negative energy charge to a part of the interface and the chances are that the fabric will be put back in phase?"

"That's correct."

"Just how much energy Pilot."

He looked disturbed. Urana looked at Aeryn.

"A lot."

"You've been reading Moya's neural interface."

"Well Aeryn it's not much use having a talent if you don't use it."

"I suppose not. Can we use starburst energy?"

"Too dangerous. Can't be contained or directed to those levels."

"So what the frell do we use?"

Any answer was precluded by a sudden tremor through the Leviathan. Urana nearly slipped off the catwalk and narrowly missed falling several levels into the starburst chamber. The ship shuddered again. Pilot looked rather ill. Aeryn held onto the console.

"Now what the frell's wrong?"

TOP

Part 23

Crichton was thrown about on the floor as the Leviathan pulsed quite regularly. Suddenly he realised what was happening.

"She's got hiccups. The old girl's got hiccups!."

However after the initial discovery that Moya was having digestive problems the fact that nothing had changed dampened his sudden burst of enthusiasm. He slid back to the floor.

"Hell! At times like this I wish I still had Harvey to talk to. He'd probably have known what to do."

But no amount of wishing would help. Harvey now led a separate existence and for better or worse Crichton had his brain to himself. He threw a piece of debris down the corridor where a solitary DRD was standing bewildered, not knowing what to do.

"Yo, repair man come here!"

The DRD tweeted and moved towards the voice. It took up position in front of the Human.

Crichton took hold of the biomechanoid.

"Can you contact Moya?"

A frantic burbling came out of the DRD.

"Whoa" Steady down now. I remember the code. One flash for 'Yes', two for 'No'. Got that?"

One flash.

"Good boy. Now can you contact Moya?"

Several microts passed then one flash."

"Great. Now can you tell her I'm fine but stuck."

No response from the DRD.

"Stuck."

He demonstrated with his hands.

"Can't go through. Got it."

One flash followed by a subdued burble and then another flash.

"Great you got through now we'll just have to wait."

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

Pilot suddenly came through on the internal comm.

"I thought you'd want to know that one of the DRD's in the affected sector has managed to contact Moya. Crichton is well but contained."

D'Argo gave a low whistle.

"That's a relief. We know he's alive."

Sout was more practical.

"Can Moya get a message to Crichton through the DRD?"

"Communication between Commander Crichton and the DRD's is difficult but I will se what can be done."

"Ask him if there's any large power source in the affected part."

"I can answer that Sout. There's a secondary linkage for starburst transmission on the next level down."

Aeryn looked puzzled.

"I thought starburst was transmitted solely through the central cavity from the starburst chamber, through here and onto Moya's external surface."

"There are backup systems in case any parts of the main system are damaged."

"Why haven't you told us this before? There have been times when we might have been able to ahve starburst away from danger with a bypass."

Pilot sighed.

"Most of the time the secondaries have been out of order. Mainly they still are but the one in that sector is fully functional."

"Why haven't they been repaired?"

"Moya is a big ship and Crichton has wanted Moya's co-operation in chasing wormholes. That and your environmental controls. The DRD's just haven't had the time."

Urana had Rool on her shoulder and was stroking Bobby's head.

"What's the power capacity Pilot?"

"Three thousand kilogs."

The Fey whistled through her fine chiselled teeth.

"As much as that? Now if it's timed right it should be enough to jolt the anomoly into phase with the rest of us."

She frowned.

"Can Moya starburst immediately the phase is stabilised?"

"Oh yes. The energy that is directable through the secondary is only a small fraction of the total available energy."

He listened to the Leviathan's low tweets. The whole ship shook again. D'Argo asked the question.

"Pilot is something the matter with Moya?"

"Moya has...digestive problems due to her low food intake this last couple of ahns. The stationary scoop is in the affected area and it's all behind the rest of her which is making assimilation a hard task."

Aeryn was worried.

"I suppose she has sufficient energy stored to make starburst?"

"She assures me that there is sufficient for a short starburst."

Sout suddenly asked. "How much behind us is the anomoly. We've got to know an accurate figure to effect starburst the microt the phasea re stabilised."

"I'll search Moya's log and make the computations Sout!"

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

Chiana was not happy. Her two Human companions although passable as Nebari were difficult to manage. Not only that but they'd all had to change name again. The planet they'd landed on had proved to be more under Nebari main control than she would have liked. They were now passing as a brother, sister and friend. She wondered what Nerys would have though of the whole affair. Clandestine operations were more his line. She leaned over to Rick now called Suban.

"Can you eat faster? I don't really want to stay here longer than necessary."

"For you dear sister, I shall risk indigestion."

He shovelled the rest of the food into his mouth. The other Human was at their rented accomodation. Scorpius had provided generously, but she was extremely careful how much she spent. You never knew exactly when you would need to make a bribe. She looked around nervously.

"This place gives me the creeps!"

Suban glanced around.

"Not exactly spending a fortune on the decor and lighting are they? Where do you suggest we go now?"

"The antiquarian. We might learn something there."

"Are you sure it's safe?"

She laughed nervously.

"You'll soon learn that on this planet, nothing and nowhere are safe."

"Not exactly the place to come for a vacation."

They walked swiftly down an alley which seemed to be the holding area for the town garbage. Not that any of the other streets were much better. Suban wrinkled his nose.

"Municipal hygiene leaves a lot to be desired."

"What municipal ? Hasn't been a town municipal for over three cycles. Not since the Scarrans decided to raid for slaves. Law and order disappeared overnight!"

Suban stopped.

"I thought that they and the Nebari were buddies?"

"Oh that only seems to apply with the main planets where conformation is more or less complete. No these rogue colonies are considered fair game by just about all the scum in this part of the galaxy."

Chiana now know as Aljio, finished what for her was a long speech. They moved on again. The alley got gloomier and on the right side there was a dark opening. Chiana dived down it, closely followed by Suban. Two doors faced them and Chiana tapped three times on the one to the left. A small peephole opened and a shaft of light spilled into the outer murk like a laser.

"What d'you want?"

"Mokta sent us."

"Password."

"Dragon's tongue."

"You'd better come in."

The door opened scraping noisily on the ground. They stepped into a brightly lit chamber with a variety of gadgets dotted about on benches which lined the walls. The centre had an enormous couch and a shaped arm chair. The owner of the voice sat down in that and indicated that they be seated. Chiana was surprised to see that the owner of the deep voice was a female Mindaran. Her diminutive form was lost in the upholstery of the chair.

"You look surprised."

"Er, no. Frell yes. I don't think I've seen a Mindaran scholar before."

The Mindaran chuckled."

"Not many of us. Our species is happiest when running households. Call me Chok."

Chiana pointed to Rick.

"This is Suban and I'm his sister Aljio."

"Mmm. Now what exactly are you seeking?"

"Information. Nothing much. Just ..."

"Just what intercourse there's been between certain Nebari on this planet and a few not too well disguised Scarrans."

Chiana went even greyer.

"Well as a matter of fact, yes. How did you know?"

Chok shrugged her small shoulders.

"Stood to reason someone would want to know."

She stood up and moved over to the far bench and switched on a holoimager. A rather fuzzy image appeared.

Chok explained.

"Difficult to survey. A house of enjoyment. The Manager's a friend of mine. They use it a lot for rendevous."

There was only a half shot of what was obviously a well cloaked Scarran. The bulk was unmissible. Another figure in a dark brown robe with a deep cowl joined him. It sat down and the figure pushed back the hood. Chaina gasped.

"Stark!"

The Mindaran glanced at her.

"You know this one?"

"A Bannak stykera. I saw him last on Pharas. He sold us out to the Scarrans."

"He seems to display erratic behaviour. I believe tha Scarrans have something which they are holding on him. That's how they get his co-operation."

"Could never trust him again."

The Mindaran turned up the volume.

"I tell you Volok, Sareel's alive again. I can find no trace of her in the other regions."

The Scarran hissed impatiently.

"If what you claim is right Stykera, then it is possible that the one who holds the weapon and who gave the final eqations for creating wormholes could be this female."

"I claim nothing. Only reporting. Only reporting."

"If you are correct then I think we may see our way to giving you the information you seek."

The screen went blank. Chiana went back and sat down again.

"Never thought to see him again. He's quite farbot you know. Has secrets that even Scorpius couldn't extract."

Suban sat beside her.

"What does this mean?"

"They don't know anything for certain. Stark can only assume that she's alive. The Scarrans think from their records of the Pharas episode that she's dead. Neither of them know of the Eye of Infinity."

The Mindaran became extremely excited.

"The Eye of Infinity! It really exists?"

"Why, yes. People we know have been through it."

The Mindaran looked puzzled.

"Through it? It's the entrance to the realms of the departed."

Chiana and Suban looked at each other. Chiana held out her hand palms up.

"If that's what you believe fine. We believe differently."

Part 24

Crichton had eventually grasped what the others proposed to do. The DRD had nearly turned cartwheels trying to get message across, flashing and burbling madly.

"Yeah got it. So we short out those two wires. Get the power surge in this sector."

He then realised the possible consequences.

"Could blow out section right?"

One flash from the DRD.

"Not much of a choice little fella. Hell can't stay here for the rest of time. Would starve to death. Tell them go ahead."

The DRD flashed and then burbled quietly. There was silence for a couple of microts then the DRD tapped Crichton five times on his leather clad knee.

"Five microts?"

One flash.

"OK. "

He started counting down and reaching one, burst out, "It's now or never fella!"

He pushed the two wires together. Nothing happened and he thought that the plan had failed then suddenly there was a growing glow down the fibrils which constituted the bypass circuit. Crichton was flat on the floor, praying to every deity he could think of when the whole area seemed to expand in a ball of intense light and the shudder violently and contract. He lay on the floor, physically drained and looked at the fingers on his left hand.

"So far so good. All bits and pieces seem to be working."

He sat up and looked at the place where the interface barrier was. He saw nothing. No repeat of the performance of Aeryn pushing in the tool. The loop had apparently disappeared. Standing up on rubbery legs, he walked falteringly to the place and tentatively stuck his hand out. Nothing happened. He pushed it further and let out a whoop of joy.

"Geronimo! They did it. They frelling did it little fella!"

Hearing no response from the DRD he looked down the little biomechanoid. Its feelers were drooped down on the ground.

"Aw heck! Couldn't take the surge You're burnt out."

He felt a little sad at the demise of the little thing which had been so helpful but continued up to Pilot's den. As he approached the entrance he could see the rest of the crew huddled round the large figure of Pilot.

"Hi guys!!

They turned round as one and Urana rushed forward and hugged him.

"We did it!"

"Yeah, you did. Now can we get on with looking for Sareel?"

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

Furlow and I were scouting round the market on Mok One. Not exactly the most salubrious place I'd ever been. Furlow's side hair flowed out behind in the ever present wind. Grit got into just about everthing. Eyes, noses, ears. I grabbed hold of her.

"You still never told me how you come to have spines under the helmet and hair round it."

"Sure is a mystery to me too. Let's get those supplies you wanted and then meet Dorp."

It was obvious that she avoided revealing personal details like a snalkit on a lava field, so I trailed behind her. I was wearing the obligatory voluminous robe of the planet too only I had the capacious hood up hiding my face. She stopped at a beverage dealer's stall.

"Should get what you want here."

"Thanks."

I had to haggle for ages to get my gwaine tisach at less than the most exorbitant price. Not that I couldn't afford it, just that it was usual practice and do do otherwise would have immediately drawn attention to us. At last I was able to stow the large bag beneath my robe.

"I guess you know where Dorp's hiding himself?"

"Largest eating place in this goddess forsaken place."

I grinned.

"Rygel would be in heaven."

"Rygel?"

"The Dominar, the Hynerean."

"Yeah, I remember him now. Appitite like a falco, farts like a trooper."

"That about sums him up."

She dived through a leather curtained doorway, technology was patchy here. Super space drive and candles, well almost that bad. Dorp was sitting at the back. He looked up and waved to us. I collapsed on the seat next to him gratefully."

"Whew! That grit finds all the places you thought hidden."

Dorp fluttered his gill flaps.

"Extrememly bad for me. I shall have to have a long soak on our return."

A small creature with three pairs of rear legs and a single pair of arms came and took our order. Furlow's eyes followed it as it went through a door.

"Haven't seen one of those in ages."

"What was he, she, it?"

She laughed.

"Genderwise think only another one knows. That Sareel girl was a Twilkim pool runner. Sad story."

"Oh?"

"Charrids raided the planet for the Scarrans. They killed most of them and destroyed their living places. Only a few survived. Had to adapt to living on other planets. No trouble at all. Hate Scarrans and Charrids though."

"I do wonder why. Seems to me you were quite chummy with the Charrids once."

"Business Sareel! Pure business."

Our food arrived and I had to admit it was tasty. Hadn't a clue what it was that I was eating, I'd learned a long time before, never to inquire what a dish consisted of. I'd only done that once and I'd spent the rest of the night vomitiing from the sheer thought of what I'd eaten. So I never inquired what it was that I swallowed. We were quietly sipping a glass of the local brew when all hell was let loose and a horde of helmeted military burst in.

"Frell is there no peace any where."

"Furlow who are they?"

Dorp supplied the answer.

"This sector's equivalent to the Peacekeepers. Only worse."

I felt sick. We didn't exactly want to draw attention to ourselves so I complied immediately to their instructions to line up at the back of the eatery. A tall well built male with greenish skin and two pairs of eyes, one pair on stalks and slit nostrils marched arrogantly in.

"Well what have we here Corvan Weol."

"Just the usual galactic scum Sirvan!"

He started inspecting everyone and thankfully started at the other end. Furlow whispered to me.

"Take back what I said about the power, girl. Looks like we might need it."

"Thought we didn't want to attract attention."

"Circumstances change."

"Silence you dren!"

We complied and I tentatively felt round the edges of the power storage. Not good. Evidently something I'd eaten had blocked the transmission fibrils. I just shook my head. Furlow looked up at the ceiling and rolled her eyes. I felt for the pulse pistol in my belt and took off the safety release. Slipping it out to the side I nudged Furlow who nodded. Dorp winked and we made a charge for the door, Furlow providing covering fire as we scurried for the prowler and the transport. We were halfway there when I was hit by a large force and thrown to the ground. A scaly hand grasped the back of my robe and hauled me to my feet.

"Now what are you running from I wonder?"

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

Moya had had to land on a large unpolulated planet in order to replenish certain of the fluids in her systems. Crichton was standing under the bulk of the Leviathan with Bobby and Rool.

"Straight out of Buck Rogers. Weird ol' planet eh Bobby boy?"

He scratched behind the dog's ears and Bobby grinned, tongue lolling out. The ogroop wondered exactly what pleasure there was in the action the Human had just carried out. He sidled up to Crichton and gently scratched his leg.

"You want some too Rool? Just where do I scratch on you?"

He opted for just behind the ogroop's slightly recessed, scaley aural recess and gently rubbed the area. The animal suddenly gave out a sound half between an purr and a growl. Crichton jumped but looking down saw that Rool was lying against his leg like a meerkat with his mouth part open and his eyes shut.

"Does something for you too? Wish I had someone to do it for me. I kinda blew it with Aeryn."

The planet was a brooding kind of place with drooping trees with dark red and puple foliage. Some resembled cycad and tree ferns. The local sun was a red dwarf, and even at its zenith the light was low compared to Earth. In the forest there were various squeakings and rumblings which denoted a thriving populatiion of indigenous animals. Crichton scanned the periphery of the vegetation.

"Hope they stay there, Rool."

Something dark skimmed out of the gloom, hovered over them and screeched. Crichton took Winona out of its holster.

"Oh frell!"

Crichton wiped the glutinous droppings off his head and made for the steps up to the lower hatch, followed by Bobby and Rool at the gallop. He met Aeryn who wrinkled her nose as he passed her.

"What the frell's the smell?"

"Generous helping of large flying object's do do."

She burst out laughing.

"Why, Crichton, is it usually you they aim for?"

"Beats me!"

He sniffed the air.

"Jeez. It is a bit fragrant though. I promise you won't complain after I've bathed."

"As far as I remember Crichton, you and d'Argo share an aversion to bathing."

"If you mean we don't dive in every day, you got it. And I'll tell you why. Half the time Moya has the water too cold, the rest of the time it's mostly too hot."

"I've never had any problem. Nor has Chiana or Urana."

"Well lucky ol' you. You're on a different level. I guess the problem must be confined to mine. Thought struck me, has there been news from Pip and the two she took with her?"

Aeryn shook her head.

"No but until she'd completed her mission I wouldn't expect any. Far too dangerous."

"I suppose so."

Bobby tentatively sniffed Crichton's foot and backed off barking.

Aeryn shook her head, laughing.

"See even your animal agrees with me."

Crichton made and extremely rude gesture and marched off down the passage Bobby and Rool following at a discreet distance. The whole scene left Aeryn laughing until her ribs hurt.

"This won't do. Got to open the main nexus storage valves."