Moya made a starburst with Talyn beside her, to within forty thousand kliks of the planet and Aeryn went over in the transport to join Crais.

"I never thought I'd be on Talyn's command deck again."

"You could be here all the time. Do you remember what I said last time you were here?"

Her brow furrowed.

"I seem to remember you saying we could share command of Talyn, because he would like me to be part of him."

"An approximation, but reasonably accurate."

"If I remember correctly, you hinted at some further reason why we should join forces."
"I said that I was brought up by loving parents while you spent your formative years in an institution. What I never got to say was that your father was my mother's brother."

Aeryn looked stunned.

"But if that was so why did no one tell me. Why didn't your family acknowledge me?"

Crais lowered his eyes to the floor. He was obviously ill at ease.

"My father didn't approve of your father's choice of partner. My mother tried to persuade him to bring you to live with us but with no success. We were forbidden to have any contact with you."

A flash of anger shot through Aeryn's eyes. She stabbed Crais with her finger and virtually shouted at him.

"There was nothing to stop you contacting me when you came to maturity. Nothing at all."

Crais looked up to the ceiling.

"Put it down to family pride, snobbery, old habits being hard to shake off."

"There's no excuse Crais. You could have made my life more normal, but you didn't. I grew up believing that no one cared whether I lived or died."

Crais replied softly, "No I've no excuse. I could have made your life more bearable but I did nothing. For that I'm truly sorry. I hope that one day you may be able to forgive me."

Aeryn's anger was abating.

"And just what made you realise what an injustice you'd done me?"

"You may not believe this Aeryn, but it was Scorpius and his Aurora Chair. He brought memories other than those he wanted to the surface. Painful ones."

"Scorpius seem to have the knack of causing upheaval wherever he treads!"

Talyn started to talk with Crais who handed Aeryn a control circlet so that she also could communicate with the young Leviathan. He informed them that Sareel's transport was just coming into range and suggested they start the intercept.

"Thank you Talyn. And remember just don't hit her. Fire across her bows."

"I'll raise Moya."

"I think you'll find Talyn's already done that."

She inclined her head and shrugged.

"I want to make sure Crichton's not going to do anything stupid in his module. He was bad enough when his brain was intact, now that half of his memories are gone...."

"I appreciate your concern, but I think you'll find his training is inbred. He's basically a soldier."

"You could have fooled me."

She thought a microt.

"I think you're wrong about that. I seem to remember him saying that he was an engineering graduate, which means he's a technician."

"I don't think it matters what his training was. Fact is, his behaviour is bizarre but he's usually consistent."

"You think so?"

"Yes I do."

"Oh well we all have our own opinions."

Just then the comm screen lit up. Chrichton's feature's filled it.

"Pilot's just told us Sareel's prowler's just come into range. You and Aeryn ready Crais?"

"As soon as you exit Moya, we're on our way."

"OK . Let's get the show on the road."

The screen went dead.

"You pilot Talyn and I'll help guide the weapons. He'll need both of us for these manoeuvres."

Aeryn was immediately the trained, aware soldier.

"Copy that Crais"

The external screen showed Crichton's module leaving Moya's docking bay.

"Let's go."

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

The business I had to transact for Scorpius had gone smoothly and my thoughts were on spending time at the villa. Though he'd taught me well I was never completely comfortable when interrogating prisoners. I was glad to be getting away from it for a while. There was always a feeling that I had to succeed, always prove myself. I was tired of striving to come up to Scorpius's exacting standards. When we were alone he exhibited a quite different personality, but publicly he was the infinitely patient inquisitor, ruthless to a degree, following with calm determination his planned regime of investigation. I'd never heard him raise his voice even when he was furious, which seldom happened because everyone made it a priority to try and avoid making him so. In those instances, his voice was even more quiet than usual, but the inflections were chilling.

Personally I didn't have a quarter of his patience. Our 'clients' irritated me and so he only assigned me the more mundane extractions. I always pressed ahead with them as quickly as possible so as to expedite the termination of the interview. If this sometimes made me seem harder than even he appeared to be, then it was a price I was prepared to pay. I seldom let my 'clients' mull over their answers in the squalor of their cells for more than a period or two. The nickname I had round the base was "Scorpie's Vulture". I faced it fair and square, I was a technician first and foremost. Working with Scorpius on scientific projects was a challenge, but just at the present due to the lack of wormhole information, much of that had ceased.

I was brought out of my daydream by the comm screen bursting into life.

"Turn and follow the module or I'll be forced to fire on you."

"Bialar Crais. What a surprise! Maybe I'll fire back. What would you do then?"

"Disable your prowler."

"Come and try."

I turned and flew in wide arc away from little Talyn, though by command carrier standards he was big. He followed slowly behind, firing across my bows when ever the angle was right. Suddenly in front of me was Crichton's module. I threw every memory I had of Scorpius's flying ability into trying to elude the module. Frell it, that Human could fly. He matched me turn for turn, roll for roll, there was no way I could elude him. I couldn't even get in position to take a shot at him. Some of the memories Scorpius had downloaded from the chip removed from Crichton surfaced.

"You might as well hold these for me, my dear. You never know when they'll turn out to be useful."

I was suddenly in Crichton's mind. I instinctively knew what manoeuvre he was likely to try next. I could hear his communication with Crais."

"She's out thinking me. It's as if she's got my memories"

"Knowing Scorpius, that wouldn't surprise me."

"Aeryn can you fly the pattern we discussed. You remember, like a Big Mac, a bun with a filling."

"Er.. yes I think I remember. At the right time."

I was enjoying myself immensely. All Crichton's weird speech patterns were coming out.

"It takes two to tango baby. Are you going to dance with me John?"

"Whatever's in your brain Sareel, was stolen from me. Just follow me and land in Moya's docking bay."

I knew exactly what Scorpius clone had done in a similar circumstance with Aeryn Sun.

"If you wish John. Just coming in to land."

I heard Aeryn scream out, "John bank left now or she'll ram you."

I tried to counter the movement but only succeeeded in clipping his communications antennae. It didn't seem to matter very much as he was still talking to Aeryn.

"Let's go for the Big Mac and don't forget the mustard."

"Whoooee."

I flipped my prowler round and tried to stand on his tail to get a shot up his power exhaust. Suddenly I was aware of a shadow overhead. It was Talyn and all my systems died.

"Nice one, Crais."

"John I'm telling you to release my ship, now."

"Sorry Sareel. What was that? I seemed to be a little deaf."

I was fuming. How dare they take me prisoner. I Scorpius. All at once realisation hit me hard. I wasn't Scorpius, I was Sareel, storing memories for him. The mental effort I'd made over the last twenty microts had left me mentally and physically drained.

"I'm going into the bay. You can turn off the dampening net."

My voice sounded tired. The power systems came on line and I flew toward the dark opening that was Moya's docking bay. Familiar territory. It didn't seem a lifetime ago I landed there, but in completely different circumstances. Crichton's module slipped in beside me followed by Moya's transport. I got out of my vessel. I was immediately flanked by Crichton and Aeryn Sun, with Crais as rearguard, all fully armed. It was a strange sensation being marched under armed escort to Moya's command. An experience which was not pleasant.

The rest of the crew were assembled there. Chiana came over and touched my face, the one that was so different to my original one.

"How did he do it?"

I smiled wearily at her.

"He substituted some of his genetic material for mine. I was carrrying it on my last visit, but the transformation hadn't started."

"That's a new field for him. I thought he was only interested in tearing minds apart."

"Well considering what Namtar did to you Aeryn, and how your mind got stressed out then, it's probably just one of his new ways of driving you crazy."

"But what Namtar did was reversible and I would make a guess that what Scorpius has done to Sareel isn't."

She looked at me preceptively.

"I'm right aren't I."

I nodded miserably. The seriousness of my situation was beginning to tell on my composure. The carefully crafted persona which he had made for me was fraying somewhat round the edges.

"He's made it so that if anyone tries to meddle, I drop into a catonic state and only he can get me out of it."

"So considerate our Scorpie! Consign you to a living death."

Stark came over to where I was standing.

"I want all of you except Zhaan and Sareel to turn away from me. For your own good."

They did as he wished. Zhaan came round behind me and held me by the shoulders. I noted that she also looked away from Stark's face.

"Look into my eyes Sareel. Do it now."

He removed his mask. That part of his face which it had covered glowed with raw energy. I stood transfixed. I fed on its pure radiance, basked in its power. Something I hadn't known that I could do. He replaced the mask and touched my face.

"I suspected as much."

Zhaan raised her eyes.

"What does it prove?"

"I'm not certain. I need to make more research into the Vaud and their connection with the Ancients."

D'Argo looked at first Stark and then me.

"How was she able to do that? It's impossible for us to look on you with your mask removed."

"It's something I suspected that first time she was on board, but her mind wasn't strong enough then for me to try it out."

"And it is now?"

He smiled bitterly.

"Whatever else Scorpius can do, he's made her in his own strong image. She can cope with virtually anything that's thrown at her."

"If you don't mind I object to people talking about me as if I were a flagon on a table. I wish to know what you intend to do with me."

Crichton took me by the arm.

"We've got a nice comfortable cell waiting for you. Just until we've taken certain precautions. Oh. By the way It's useless for you to try and contct Scorpius through your headchip. We thought of that before we intercepted you."

He tapped the end of my neurotube.

"Even Scorpie won't be able to tell where you are."

I scowled at him.

"Nice set of teeth. I can tell he's been giving you snarling lessons. Aeryn, can you do what's necessary on the prowler and Pilot, if you could make the alteration to the communications access."

Aeryn and Pilot nodded their acquiescence.

"Until then Sareel I'll show you to your new quarters."

I went ahead of him, his pulse pistol in the small of my back. Down to the cell area. He stopped us outside one of the larger ones and opened the door. I noticed that he left his pistol outside the cell well out of my reach. Which was just as well because the promise I'd made when Scorpius told me who'd shot me, had just surfaced.

"It was you who shot me on the base wasn't it John Crichton?"

He looked surprised.

"Who told you that? No I don't have to ask it. It was Scorpius wasn't it?"

I nodded.

"Wish Scorpie'd get his facts right. You were running towards me so how could I shoot you from behind?"

"If that's true."

He made a sign on his chest.

"Cross my heart and hope to die. Nothing but the truth Sareel. Can't you see he's playing a devious game of subversion. Turn everyone against each other. Feeds his need for dissent. Gives him his thrills."

So many conflicting thoughts were swarming in my head. I fought to control them.

"It could be so. I just don't know anymore."

He took my head in his hands.

"Poor confused Sareel. Have to see if we can make you feel better."

He kissed me oh so gently on the lips. It was nothing like the burgeoning sensation I had with Scorpius. More a sweet awareness of a caring touch. I couldn't help but respond by twining my arms round his neck.

"Oh Sareel, I wanted to know what he found in you that's trapped him."

"Trapped him?"

"You have you know. It's the first chink of weakness in that half Scarran defence shield that he's ever shown. The first time he's become vulnerable. I'd like to explore the reason for that in depth."

He kissed me again this time with more urgency. I found myself responding, much against what my head was dictating. I gave up the struggle and followed the behest of my traitorous body. Scorpius was banished to the far reaches of my mind. This was the gentle sweet union of two beings who sought their pleasure in a far gentler, more caring fashion. No spiralling peaks of sensation, rather the comfortable feeling of being needed and appreciated. The climax was warm and glowing. Afterwards, I wept in his arms, he stroked my leather clad head.

"Just let it out Sareel. Let go. You're safe. He can't get you here."

He gently raised my tear stained face to his and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead.

"He's found himself a treasure, a priceless treasure."

He covered me with a blanket and left the cell. I heard him locking the door.

"You're wanted up there."

"Why the hostility? You were almost like the old Aeryn yesterday."

"Maybe the old Aeryn's gone. Have you ever stopped to consider that? No you wouldn't. Only seeking your own self gratification."

Immediately she said that I knew what was wrong.

"How did you know?"

"Well Crichton exactly didn't hide the fact. He was delighted at what happened. Fuels his pleasure at hitting back at Scorpius."

"Then I'd have thought it would have pleased you too."

"It might have once, but I always though Crichton was more honourable, had a built in sense of decency. He's shattered that illusion."

"Perhaps too, the old Crichton's gone."

"Perhaps."

She stopped and pushed me against the wall.

"Frell, Sareel. He's just used you to satisfy his curiosity and to spite Scorpius."

"And you're jealous."

"And I'm jeal......"

She stopped in mid sentence and shook her head.

"No I'm not. Crichton means nothing to me. We fight most of the time. He's exasperating and chauvinistic. There are times when I could cheerfully strangle him."

"Ergo, you protest too much. Case proven."

Her eyes flashed dangerously.

"Scorpius really has got you well trained."

We carried on into command. You could have cut the atmosphere with a knife. I gathered that Crichton's escapade with me the previous day had not gone down well with the rest of the crew. Crichton was standing by the comm screen.

"Hope you slept well. I know I did."

I gave him an icy stare.

"My, you weren't so cold yesterday."

"Maybe I've come to my senses."

Zhaan said coldly.

"Oh do get on with it Crichton. It's bad enough what you've done. Just stop glorying in it and record the message. Sareel, you've got Scorpius's private encrypted message address I believe."

I gave it to them.

"Pilot you can start recording."

Crichton came and stood behind me.

"Hi Scorpie. Just letting you know that I've got something of yours."

He touched my cheek and brought his head close to mine.

"And I've discovered how sweet she is. She grows on you."

He kissed my cheek.

"Ciao, Scorpie."

Pilot stopped recording. D'Argo came over to where I was standing.

"That's going out on all the relay beacons. It'll bring Scorpius down on us like rocks in a mud slide."

I was shaking, furious.

"Of course it will. That's exactly what Crichton's counting on. I don't know if all you realise exactly what will happen when he receives that message."

"Oh I think I do."

"He'll mobilise every Peacekeeper battalion from Sebbeus to Grak, from Pilach to Soorl. He'll leave no stone unturned in his search for you. You've touched on his pride, his integrity."

"I do hope so. You missed out his affection for you."

"So I did. I was fool enough to believe that he wanted me for myself. After yesterday I have faced the reality that males only use me for their own ends, to boost their own arrogance and male pride. I despise you all."

Zhaan came and put her arm around my shoulder. I had the feeling that at least I'd got one ally.

"I'm glad that you can see the truth my dear. So often it eludes us."

"There's only one thing that's happened after Crichton and I got together. I've got two distinct personalities and I can slip in and out of them as I choose."

"That could prove to be useful. You'll have insight into how Scorpius thinks, what action he's likely to take."

"He didn't give me all his memories. Only selected ones and private ones."
"Good. Now we can blackmail him too."

"Forget that Rygel. Some things are staying private. But I have got his mind set, his reasoning and his logic. He built them into my new personality. The memories are partially stored in my neurotube and are transferred over a period of time into spare parts of my brain."

Chiana was fascinated by the neurotube cap and its indicator lights.

"You've not done anything to it since you've been here. Don't you have to stick a fresh rod in it?"

"Mine is only a power source for the regulator circuitry. It lasts several days."

I opened the small case I wore on my belt and showed her my two spare rods. They glowed gold in the subdued lighting of command.

"The spent one would take the place of the one removed and the unit acts as a recharger."

Crichton moved over to Pilot.

"Can you and Moya get the message on to the beacons ASAP?"

"We can, but Moya's displeased with you at present."

"Will you or won't you?"

"It's going out now. But don't ask anything else from Moya for the time being."

"Why in heavens name not?"
Zhaan moved to face him,

"Because John, your wish for revenge is clouding both your judgement and your natural goodness."

"With Sareel captured I'm winning."

"No you're not John. Scorpius is. He calculated that you'd want revenge. You may have taken a path to it that he didn't think of, but he knew exactly how you'd react."

"Frell the lot of you. I'm gonna make him pay for all that he's done."

"Then you'll be the loser John."

I moved towards him.

"How you used me I shall find hard to forgive, but if you really want to and I can use my healing and attempt to replace some of your lost memories. Those that I have at least."

"What do I need that crap for. My life's dedicated to ruining Scorpius."

The hostility of the crew was overwhelmingly apparent. Crais took him by the arm.

"I think you might find it wise to spend some time on Talyn. Learn how he works, talk with him."

Crichton was taken aback by the resentment apparent in his friends.

"Yeah, well maybe a day or two."

I went up to Pilot and touched one of his pincered limbs.

"Sareel?"

"I think we'd better get as Crichton so picturesquely puts it ' The hell out of here'."

"I couldn't agree more."

Rygel. Ever the pragmatist.

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

Scorpius was distinctly worried. He'd not been able to contact Sareel for over ten ahns. His efforts had only succeeded in getting him a garbled noise that even his most sophisticated computer couldn't sort out. Furthermore he knew she'd never reached Pilach. He was sitting on his favourite chair, trying to appear calm but belying that effort by the drumming of his fingers on chair arm. He got up and paced the room. News, there must be some news. He had walked round his chamber several times when there was a knock on the door.

"Enter."

A Peace keeper Commander come in and saluted him.

"Scorpius, Sir. We've just picked up this encrypted message from one of the relay beacons."

He handed him a holostick, saluted and left.

Scorpius inserted the it into the comm panel.

There was a sharp intake of breath as he saw Crichton with Sareel.

When the message had finished he hit the palm of his hand with a clenched fist. His eyes were cold and malevolent. He hit the internal comm button. The face of the commander who'd just given him the message appeared on the screen.

"Sir?"

"Get all the Squadron commanders and major generals assembled in the meeting room at once. I'll be down right away."

"Immediately Sir."

The screen went dead.

********

There were ten assorted officers in the meeting room when he got there. Apprehension was mirrored on all their faces. They stood as he entered the room.

"Sit."

They sat as if one body. The grim determination on his face struck fear into even the most battle hardened of the officers.

"Sareel's been kidnapped by the Human John Crichton and the crew of Moya."

He tapped the table with the holostick.

"Suffice it to say that I want them found. My only stipulation is that she and Crichton are to be alive."

He looked round at the assemblage.

"There's to be no effort spared in her location. Do I make myself clear?"

There was a general nod of assent. One young commander ventured.

"Who's authority do we give Sir?"

Scorpius moved up behind her and hissed in her ear.

"Mine you cretin. Mine."

She gulped.

"Yes Sir. "

"Now we've got that quite clear, to your posts. And keep me posted at all times."

They moved out and into the corridor. Since he'd decided to make this his new base, Scorpius had brought in considerable resources and manpower. The hunt for Sareel would be thorough and complete He made his way back to his quarters and poured himself a glass of fine Argolian brandy and sat down.

"This time John, there's one memory and one alone, which I'm going to extract from you with the maximum amount of pain. You reacted with hatred exactly as I predicted. But you've really gone too far. Taking what is mine and defiling her is totally unacceptable. I shall make her watch your pain and then I shall have to teach her who's master. Yes, moments to savour."

Business like to the nth degree he began to plan for Sareel's re-education. This time he would keep a presence in her head. Subtle but always there to bring her back into line when she showed signs of straying away from the path he'd designated for her. He had a feeling there was more in her Vaudrian ancestry then he'd allowed for. It would take more research. A task he would enjoy. He allowed himself a small smile. Krask, she was a troublesome female, but he admitted to himself that he wouldn't have had her any other way. No one had even stirred his interest and intellect so completely before her. And there was the small but incipient feeling as if there was something missing when she was away from him.
But to allow herself to be seduced by Crichton. That was something else. What could a mere Human offer her that he, Ed'th Ra Scorpius couldn't match fourfold? Perhaps she needed more mental stimulation to take her mind off such things. Except with him of course..

"What more can I give you Sareel, to bind you to me? What do you really long for that you haven't got. I will search out your secret desires, your most private wishes. I will leave no stone unturned, no path unsearched. You and I will finally have a sublime combining of our minds. It will be irreversible."

He supped his brandy, lit a Wanchup herbal stick and quietly watched as the smoke wended its way up to the ceiling. My but it was good to be himself. So assured, and complete. Master of his arts, feared and respected throughout the galaxy. The only thing lacking currently was Sareel and he was sure that she would soon be returned to the fold. Indeed he doubted if she could stay away from him for long. She was resourceful and would surely make her escape even if his searches failed to find her. She was what he'd made her, his creature, his delightful but wilful mate. He was content in his delusions, so soon to be shattered into a myriad sharp pointed pieces.

Part 7

The other female members of the crew were gathered in command around Pilot's console. He had just told them of Moya's latest discovery.

There was a stunned silence at his words. Zhaan spoke first.

"And she's sure?"

"After her experience, she's become extremely sensitive at detecting it."

Chiana was fidgeting with the fur on her cuff.

"Oh do stop doing that."

Aeryn was distinctly out of sorts at the news."

"Hey don't get at me. It's not my doing."

"I'm surprised you never had the problem yourself. All your adventures."

"I was always careful."

"Do stop bickering you two. This puts a wholly different complexion on our holding Sareel."

Zhaan was looking distinctly worried.

"Scorpius was possessive of her before. He'll be even more determined to get her back now. Are we prepared to face the extra danger?"

Aeryn thought for a microt.

"I can't really see that there'll be any more than we're already facing. His determination may be greater, but he can't really throw more resources into the search than he already has."

The relay beacons had been humming with traffic from the Peacekeeper squads. Sareel had all the access codes so it had been easy to stay one step ahead of the pursuit.

"Life'd be dull if we weren't being hunted."

"So we're agreed then. We give her the support she'll need?"

"Will she accept it?"

"Would you Aeryn?"

"In her position, certainly."

"Then it's agreed."

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

I was sitting on the edge of my bed feeling ghastly. There weren't words that I could find to express how wretched I felt. It had to be the food, krask, it just had to be the food. Scorpius had always been very careful to ensure what I had to eat would agree with my rather limited Vaudrian digestive system. Frell knows what I'd been devouring since my return to Moya. Even my nanomoles didn't seem to be having much effect on the way I felt. I made my way over to the sanitary unit and disgorged my last meal into it. When it had parted company with my stomach I felt better. I got a beaker of water and sipped it slowly.

There was another thing I had to check. Going over to the small mirror Chiana had given me, I pressed the release on my neurotube. As I had thought, the rod was no longer glowing gold, more a sort of rusty brown. Opening the case which housed the spare rods, I took one out, removed the spent one and inserted the fresh rod. I touched the release again and the tube went spiralling back into my head. The spent rod I replaced in the empty slot. I felt revitalised, everything was now working at peak efficiency and I decided to go to the communal lounge. Zhaan was talking with Stark in one corner and Chiana and Aeryn were playing holocheckers on the table in the centre. Strangely when I entered the room, they all stopped what they were doing and looked at me

"Oh krask what have I done now?" ran my thoughts. Chiana got up and came over to where I was standing, not really knowing whether to carry on into the room or go back to my cell. At least it was mine and I could make it reasonably private. I'd been given all sorts of bits and pieces to personalise it a bit.

"Are you feeling all right", she asked, "You look a bit grey."

This amused me coming from a life form who was totally grey. I wondered what colour she went when she was out of sorts. Anyway my new face was usually pale so I wondered how anyone could tell when I wasn't well.

"Thanks for asking. I have felt better. What I've been eating it hasn't agreed with me. I keep feeling sick."

The three females looked at one another. Zhaaan shook her head and signalled the others to be quiet.

"I think you'd better sit down Sareel. I've got something to tell you that might come as a shock."

I sat on the divan and noticed that Stark moved up to stand behind me.

Zhaan sat down beside me. She took my hand.

"Sareel, Moya's sensed something different about you."

She hesitated.

"It seems my dear, that you are carrying a child."

I felt devastated at the news. I'd never ever considered the possibility of having a child. No way was I going to have that sort of encumbrance. I shouted out.

"No not ever!", and fled to my cell.

Once there I sat down on my chair and slowly let the news sink in. Not at any time had Scorpius intimated that he wanted progeny in the near future. It was something he'd planned to occur several cycles in the future.

"When the time is suitable, Sareel. When the time is suitable."

Had he tricked me or perhaps...... The alternative hit me like a tidal wave. It couldn't be. Could it? It became evident that there was no way I could have this child. It would cause too much trouble and I only had one alternative. Reluctantly I reached into the third compartment of my mind and started the Darmirsk Ritual.

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

The three females in the lounge were sitting on the divan. There was an air of seriousness in the conversation.

"She didn't take it well, did she?"

"No, she didn't Chiana. Though the Goddess knows it must have been a terrible shock for her."

"Surprised she'd never thought of the possibility."

"Peacekeeper technicians aren't encouraged to make romantic or sexual liaisons any more than the Peacekeeper troopers."

Aeryn gave a wry smile.

"Believe me I know. I've hidden one or two trysts myself!"

Zhaan twisted the rings on her fingers.

"How are we going to support her if she rejects the idea totally? Is she so naive?"

"Maybe the idea'll grow on her."

"You better hope it does before the child does. She could have a miserable time otherwise."

Stark suddenly turned and shouted.

"No Sareel That's not the way out!"

He rushed out of the lounge. The other three looked at each other, concern on their faces and ran after him. Four sets of footsteps ran echoing down Moya's prison deck. Stark had stopped at the door to Sareel's cell.

"I beg you Sareel not this."

Zhaan looked at Sareel. She was glowing and her image was starting to dissolve at the outer edges.

"Merciful Goddess."

"I can't let you do this Sareel."

"There's no other way. I cause too many problems."

Stark removed his mask and the raw glowing energy of his non corporeal form added its light to that of Sareel. The three onlookers were amazed to see that he seemed to be drawing even more energy out of Sareel. There was grim determination on her face as she fought him, but his experience won and her form regained its substance and the glow faded. She fell at Stark's feet. He replaced his mask and gently lifted her onto the couch. He stroked her forehead.

"Such power and so untrained."

Zhaan sat on the couch beside Sareel.

"What in heavens name was that? I've trained to the tenth level and I've never seen anything like that before. Just what is she?"

"She's a darmirsk. I had my suspicions when she initially came aboard. Her energy signature has a strange harmonic to it. I'm surprised Scorpius hasn't noticed it."

"I don't think he's come across many Vaud. They're not well tolerated in the Peacekeepers.."

Stark looked at Aeryn.

"You could be right. I was almost certain when she was able to look at my energy and absorb it without flinching. So I went into her family history. They are the sole remnants of what was once a powerful priesthood on Vaud. Times changed and so did the religion. The family practised their craft in private or so it seems. She's the last darmirsk on Vaud."

"Yes, yes that's all well and good. But what is a darmirsk?"

"Put simply Chiana, she can become an energy being at will. Or she can keep her own body and she could kill you with a look. But she's untrained and a danger to herself. If she'd dissociated just now I don't think she could have reclaimed her body."
"She'd have died"

Stark looked uncomfortable.

"No. She'd have prowled the galaxy looking for another body. And believe me a darmirsk without a body is a predatory animal. She'd have taken the first vulnerable being and displaced its life force and replaced it with her own."

"She's dangerous then?"

"I don't think so. But she'll have to be trained, and she'll have to come to terms with her pregnancy. I'll train her, but ladies the other is up to you."

They looked at each other.

Chiana tried to look detached.

"Don't look at me. I don't know anything about infants."

"Nor do I. You don't get child care lessons at Military Academy!"

Zhaan sighed.

"We've got to face the fact that we're all in the same position when it comes to children. It's going to be a steep learning curve for us all."

Sareel stirred and opened her eyes. She looked sadly at Stark.

"Why did you stop me?"
"Because you haven't the experience to control it. Your family didn't want to know did they?"

She started crying.

"When they found out that I'd got the power they bundled me off Vaud and into Tech Academy. I was treated like a outcast."

Zhaan took hold of her hand.

"And your child? Will it inherit it from you?"

She whispered, "My daughter will inherit the power from me. My line is strong."

"How do you know Sareel, that you will have a daughter?"

"Because Scorpius has made it impossible for a male embryo to implant in my womb."

Aeryn caught her breath.

"Why should he do that?"

"Do you really think Scorpius would relish having competition from a son? He prefers females, he believes he has more control over them."

Aern burst out in laughter. They all looked at her. It was the first time she'd laughed since her return to Moya. Finally, almost choking she spluttered.

"I think he's totally miscalculated this time. I'd say if you wanted you could walk all over him any day you chose."

Sareel looked at her. Sadness was apparent on her face.

"Yes I could couldn't I? Truth is I don't want to."

"Because if you kill him you'll die too?"

"No. It may sound pathetic, but I like him. He treated me well when everyone else shunned me. He gave my life purpose and meaning."

"You can't be in love with him?"

"I suppose in a bizarre way, I am."

Zhaan looked away.

"Goddess save us all from the trials of passion!"

Stark cleared his throat.

"I think there are more practical problems we've got to settle."

He looked at Sareel.

"You'll not try to hurt yourself or your child in the future?"

She shook her head.

"And you'll let Zhaan and myself instruct you in the control of your darmirsk self and the power?"

"I will. I found it very hard to control the level."

"I know . You were brave to try."

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

I felt totally drained and a little humble. Here were four fine life forms willing to help me, even though I'd admitted a certain amount of affection for someone who was a threat to them. The one thing I couldn't tell them was that I was starting to miss Scorpius. Not drastically. It was well within my control, but in the time I'd spent with him he'd, well, he'd grown on me. But Stark was right. There were important things to be settled. I had to accept, however unwillingly, that my daughter was growing inside me.

Aeryn brought up the second problem.

"I suppose that it is Scorpius's child?"

I gulped.

"I...I don't know."

"Marvellous. So it could be Crichton's. He's not content with having a daughter with the princess, he's moving into the esoteric."

"Don't get hysterical Aeryn."

"When I want your advice Chiana I'll ask for it."

"You're only jealous because it isn't you."

Aeryn grabbed Chiana by her shoulders and proceeded to shake her. It took Stark and Zhaan to separate them.

"Just stop fighting among yourselves, or Scorpius will win. I gather you don't want that?"

Peace reigned. Chaina rearranged her rumpled clothing and Aeryn stomped to the back of my cell. Stark asked me gently, "How many mind compartments have you got Sareel?"

"Four."

"And which can Scorpius access?"

"Just the two. My own personality and the one he created for me."

"And the fourth?"

"That is very, very private and has no bearing on this."

I could see Stark wanted to pursue the matter, but Zhaan caught his eye and signalled him to leave it.

"And how long before Scorpius can pick up two readings on your life signs pulse?"

"About fourteen time periods. And he'll be getting three not two."

"How do you account for that?"

I picked a thread on my blanket. I didn't really want to tell them.

Stark lifted my head.

"Why?"

I blurted out, "Because Scorpius put a life signs monitor in Crichton's head at the same time as the chip. It's still there."

"But why should he do that?"

"Because he's fascinated by Crichton. Just because he can sucessfully resist him, just like I do. Scorpius finds his behaviour a worthwhile challenge. He's dedicated to keeping Crichton alive to see just what he does"

"That comes from your Scorpius personality?"

"Yes."

Aeryn came back to where I lay.

"I think we'll have to let the others know."

She touched my shoulder.

"I'm sorry. This can't be easy for you either."

Just then Pilot's voice came over the intercom.

"Zhaan, I regret to tell you that Moya has told Talyn about Sareel."

Chiana finished the tale for him.

"Who told Crais, who told Crichton."

"I'm sorry, but she's excited."

I sighed. I seemed to be everyones's property, including the ship.  

"Just what the hell you think you're all playing at, trying to keep me in the dark about something as important as this?"

He looked from one to the other, the fury apparent in his gaze. Zhaan, ever the peacemaker attempted to defuse the situation.

"John, I can assure you that we've all been taken by surprise. Moya only told us about half an ahn ago"

"So why was she the first to know? Why didn't Scorpie's look alike know she was having his baby?"

I felt as though a dagger had been thrust into my body. Where was the gentle, caring Human now? Aeryn had been right. He'd only wanted to use me through curiosity and to fuel his wish for revenge on Scorpius. I could feel the tears starting to run down my cheeks. I brushed them away with my sleeve and made a determined effort to slip in to my Scorpius tailored persona. At least there I could be logical, reasoned and dispassionate.

"It may not have occurred to you, John Crichton, that it may not be Scorpius's child. It could very well be yours."

A look of total disbelief spread across his face.

"No, well. Holy Moses it can't be."

Chiana took up the cudgel.

"Give us one good reason why not. You were happy enough to boast about your conquest. But when it comes to facing your possible responsibility, you don't want to know. Typical male!"

I could see that anti male feeling was running high on Moya at this time and that I was mainly to blame. D'Argo and Jothee were keeping well in the background and Crais was looking as if he wished here were anywhere other than on Moya. Rygel was looking superior on his dais.

"It's easy we get a sample of the baby's cells then you can tell who the father is, Zhaan."

"John I'm most certainly not going to infiltrate Sareel's body even if I could. There's a distinct possibility if I tried to get a sample, due to Scorpius's design of her neurotube, she could just shut down. That would probably kill the child and would not be in Sareel's interest either."

"Scorpie will know when it get's big enough. Sareel will send a double signal. He'll be able to read its energy signature."

"Even Scorpius will find it difficult to sort out who's who on three sets of life signs."

He looked at me keenly.

"Three?"

"Oh did I forget to tell you. He gave you a transmitter at the same time he introduced the chip. He really thinks a lot of you John. Has to make sure you're still alive and healthy."

"If there's one thing I can do without, it's Scorpie's goodwill. Frell, you'll be telling me next I've still got the Scorpie clone in my head."

I looked away. It certainly wasn't the time to tell him that it was a distinct possibility as it may have become separate from the chip. A guardian really of Crichton's memories. Even at this time it could valiantly be trying to reorder his depleted memory paths.

"Scorpius won't be able to distinguish my daughter's parentage from her life signs as they will be masked by mine. So until she's born, it's anyone's guess."

"Great and when will this event occur?"

"About three quarters of a cycle from now. I can't be specific as I don't know how Scorpius's changes may have affected me."

Rygel floated over and peered at me, his grey green face level with mine.

"And just how do you know the infant will be a girl."

Aeryn supplied the answer.

"Because Rygel, Scorpius in his wisdom made it possible for Sareel to only carry females. And from the general reaction from all you oh so great male lifeforms. I must confess that it's one thing he and I can agree on."

Crais came over and gave me an enquiring look.

"Sareel, how would you feel about living on Talyn for a while?"

I was puzzled and a bit taken aback by the proposal.

"I suppose it would be fine, but why?"

"Moya and Talyn discussed your predicament and came to the conclusion that everyone would be safer if you were off Moya. Talyn is well able to protect himself and you, if you were on board."

I had to admit that it made sense. Scorpius would be unlikely to pursue Moya if I weren't on board. A sudden thought and memory of his, suddenly surfaced.

"It's an excellent idea, Crais, but I don't believe that Moya's reasoning is correct. Scorpius will pursue Moya just because Crichton's aboard. He so wants to have John as part of his ongoing research into interrogation techniques, he just won't give up his efforts to follow him."

"But Scorpie could have taken me back with him when I was defenceless at the Doctor's."

"Ah but it's much more interesting for him to see how you coped with your problems, how you adjusted to your new circumstances and how you would be driven by your need for revenge."

"Seems Scorpius has got it all planned out, Crichton. Perhaps we should just give him you and the Vaud and then perhaps we can all live peaceful lives and get home."

Crichton rounded on Rygel.

"Thanks Sparky. You're such a loyal friend. How could we do without you?"

"Well you're not much of anything Crichton, even less now than you were. While I'm the deposed leader of billons of loyal subjects and they will help me regain my rightful position."

"Just one question your greyness. If they loved you so much, how come you were sold out?"

"Well, I ...er...um. I was betrayed by my family. Yes betrayed by the family."

I couldn't resist a Scorpius type remark, softly delivered.

"So they had no use for a self opinionated tyrant either."

"I don't know what you mean. I was a good and benificent ruler."

"How about the Turian taxes, or the Vogan mercenaries or the little matter of selling some of the crown jewels to finance your harem?"

Aeryn, Chiana and Crichton encircled him.

"Oh Sparky. You've been holding out on us. Do tell."

"Lies, all lies. Just Scorpius's way of causing trouble."

He was blustering now. I knew that Scorpius seldom lied. He might be sparing with the truth, but he maintained that lying only corrupted the liar and was to be avoided. He ran his own code of honour, a strict one.

"I think Rygel that what you believe is fallacious. I... he never makes mistakes like that. Only the best intellegence sources are used, only the most reliable. He wouldn't tolerate sloppy work."

I was starting to have trouble in separating myself from Scorpius, there seemed to an integration going on in my Scorpius created persona which made me almost feel like him, to speak like him, to be.....him. It was really most disconcerting. I had to push hard to get back to Sareel. And still there was a thread of Scorpius alive even in ME. I sat down on one of the divans. Stark noticed immediately and sat down beside me. He touched my face and flinched.

"What has he done now? What's happening to you?"

"I wish I knew. I think I'm going mad. Everywhere I see him, he's started talking to me all the time. I think like him, I see like him, krask I even know what Crichton's thinking and I wouldn't John if I were you. I don't think it would be good for you. I can't keep my Scorpius tailored persona out of my own. It's blossoming like a forest fire."

I buried my head in my hands. Stark started talking to me again.

"Could it be that not everything that Scorpius implanted in Crichton's head was in the chip?"

I didn't reply. I was roughly picked up off the divan and held against the wall. Crichton was shaking me like kryll shaking a conduit rat.

"Damm you Sareel. Gimme an answer. It's my frelling head he invaded. And now you're at it too."

My eyes were watering with the force of his onslaught.

"As far as I know there was a possibility that the searcher might become detached and become an entity itself."

He threw me to the floor.

"You're telling me that I may have to live with Scorpie in my head for the rest of my days?"

"Well the way I appear to be going, you won't be the only one. I'm having increasing difficulty in getting back and staying in my own persona. I think I may have to go to number three or four."

He looked at me with his mouth open wide. I stood up. I really wasn't feeling myself, literally. Crichton made me back up by prodding me with his forefinger.

"Just how many personalities have you got Sareel? And how many has Scorpius got access to?"

"Four and two. And for goodness sake John stop poking me with your finger. It's quite uncivilised."

Everyone started and gaped at me. The last statement had come out complete with Scotpius's inflections and almost in his voice. I suddenly got an insight into what was happening.

"Pilot are there any odd readings in this part of space."

"Sareel, Moya says that there appear to be reflections. They're bouncing our signals back at us. It's quite good really, because Scorpius definately won't be able to trace you now."

"Just get us out of here as fast as possible. Let Crais get back to Talyn and then for krask's sake starburst. If you don't there's a good chance Crichton and I will go mad."

Crais gave me a look which said 'You've got it' and made for the transport bay. I was having more and more difficulty in staying as me and Crichton was talking to no one in particular, addressing it as 'Scorpie '.

"Moya says Talyn's clear, going to starburst in five, four, three, two, one, Now."

There was the tell tale shudder and everything appeared to swell in size and then shrink before all appeared normal again. I sat down with relief. There was no more pressure. I could slide in and out of persona, without sticking. Crichton seemed dazed but had stopped talking to nothing.

Aeryn sat down beside me.

"Would anyone like to explain just what happened?"

"This may be difficult to believe."

Chrichton said wearily, "Surprise us."

"We hit an area of space/time where there was a very thin division between dimensions in hyperspace. It was acting like a hall of mirrors. The stronger parts of Crichton's and my personalities were amplified. My Scorpius part was strongest and was manipulating Crichton. It only seems to affect Scorpius."

"You're saying if we could get Scorpie there we could drive him out of his skull?"

"Maybe, maybe not. His body and psyche are far stronger than ours, so it's probably unlikely. It's more likely the mix of Scorpius and Human and Scorpius and Vaud that causes the problem."

I managed a smile.

"I feel much better now."

Zhaan was concerned that I might have caused an upset to the embryo. I reassured her that it was probably quite happy in it's hiding place safely inside me and was still very tiny.

"We still have the problem of what happens when Scorpius finds out that Sareel's pregnant."

"Will he care?"

"Would you Rygel?"

"Mmm, well I might if it would benefit me in any way."

"Mercenary Hynearen to the end."

"You should talk Ka d'Argo. You've had your share of mercenary ideas."

The Luxan's tentacles shook with emotion.

"I hope that I will always come to my senses before I do anything I might regret. A warrior should always seek the truth."

Aeryn nodded.

"I agree d'Argo but it doesn't always work out that way. The truth isn't always what it appears on the surface."

She looked at Crichton, who was still somewhat bemused. He hadn't got the advantage of nanomoles to help him return to full normality.

"John can tell you about that. Can't you John?"

"I don't really know Aeryn. I've just realised how little I've got of Earth still in my head."

"What if Sareel's daughter is yours, John?"

Direct and to the point, Zhaan.

"I don't really know. What can I offer her here? Could I take her back to Earth even if I could find a way. Do I really want to go back to Earth. I really don't know Zhaan. Hell, I'm more confused than ever. All I can really feel is a resentment that Scorpius has given me this grief."
"My daughter and I will make our own way, even if you are her father. I will not have any of you using her as a pawn in this feud with Scorpius."

"And if she's Scorpius's?" Asked Aeryn gently.

I shook my head.

"I would say the same, but you are using me. You think that by keeping me from Scorpius, he will be hurt. I can tell you that he won't see it that way. He'll see it as a challenge to retrieve his property and to gain reparation. It's a matter of business as far as he's concerned, and it will matter doubly when he thinks that he's got progeny. I'm just a valuable and useful tool as far as he's concerned. He might miss me, but his patience is great. He'll just wait and then it'll be Scorpius and Sareel again plus daughter. I'm just part of a unit and she will also be a part."

"It's a really cold blooded way of looking at your family."

"You judge him by your Human standards, Crichton. By the standards in this part of the galaxy, yes, he's feared, yes he can be ruthless, yes he's got an agenda, but he's also seen as being honourable and his business associates trust him implicitly."

Crichton suddenly grinned his infectious grin. The first time I'd ever seen it. How strange Humans seemed. First depressed, then slightly manic.

"Bet you know where Scorpie keeps his money."

"If I do?"

"Let's rub salt in his wounds."

I remembered something I'd heard Crichton say on my previous visit."

"In your dreams, John, in your dreams."

Part 8

Scorpius was going through his messages and recordings. It had been an exceptionally difficult day. There had been two clients for the chair who had steadfastly resisted his interrogation. One was the leader of a resistance group on Alpha Prime, the other a tailor from Gralak, who was suspected of passing information to the group. Resistance seemed to be the key word. He suspected that they had either been extremely well trained in avoiding the truth or that truth had been so well hidden in their brains that even they didn't know of its existence. The whole suite had been echoing to their screams and he'd started to find the whole affair tiresome.

"Why, oh why will they continue to make it so painful for themselves?"

He'd not yet come up with an answer to that question. John Crichton had been the worst case to date. He'd realised later that Crichton had been protecting someone in the Peacekeepers. After the defection of the technician Galina, he'd realised who that was but had no idea why she should have been so important to Crichton. He shook his head. If all Humans were like Crichton it was an extremely good reason to give planet Earth an especially wide berth. If ever they got close that was. Without a wormhole or perhaps the hyperspace technology the Leviathans used, that was far in the future. The distances within even this one galaxy were colossal.

He inserted a holostick into the reader. These were the last transmissions of Sareel's and Crichton's life signs.

"So good to see that you're alive and well John. My! What a strange brain pattern! I shall have to keep an eye on that."

He switched over to the second transmission, Sareel's. There was a puzzled look on his face. Reaching over the console he rapidly tapped in an encryption code. This should have cleared the interference from the transmission, but it still stubbornly showed the echo. A smile slowly spread across his face.

"I do believe.... Yes, you're pregnant my dear Sareel. Delightful!"

Walking jauntily over to his chair he pour himself a glass of the amber Argolian spirit which he favoured so highly. Sitting down, he held the glass in his hands and savoured the rich fragrance which came off the brandy. His plan had worked. Sareel had been in such a strange mood before she went off to transact his business at the Gouralt Mining Colony. She needed, he had decided, something to focus on for a while, something to tie her more closely to him, so he'd revised his plans for the best time to start reproduction. Sareel's need had seemed to be paramount, so on their last sexual encounter before her departure, he'd carried on past his usual peak to deposit a small packet of sperm in her womb. It was designed to wait until she had her fertile period and then it would break open. So good when a plan came to fruition. Now all he needed was her safe return.

He thought it strange that she'd not managed to escape from Moya and make her return to him. She was, after all, far superior in intelligence to the lifeforms present on the ship, with the possible exception of Crichton. One never quite knew with Crichton. Suddenly his brow furrowed and a snarl broke from his lips.

"Crichton, you also took Sareel. Krask, I don't know why she let you touch her, or did you find some way to subdue her first? "

Ed'th Ra Scorpius was facing the unpalatable idea that the girl child in Sareel's womb might belong to John Crichton, not himself. There was cold fury in his eyes, his mind was seething with unpleasant ways to make Crichton pay. Then suddenly a smile touched his lips which grew until he was laughing.

"Oh John why didn't I think of that to start with. Just imagine the irony of your daughter being raised by me. What an extremely delectable concept! You really must face facts. You just can't win. Was there ever any doubt about that?"

 **********

"There's no way I'm letting you near that prowler, never mind in it."

"Aw come on Aeryn. You know you're itching to show off how well you can fly the thing."

"Crichton, I may have come under Scorpius's influence for a time but that doesn't make me a total fool. You can get down on your knees and beg for all I care. The answer will still be no!"

Crichton sank to his knees and clasped his hands as if in supplication.

"Like this you mean?"

"Oh don't be ridiculous!"

Sareel had been taking Aeryn out in the prowler to restore her confidence in flying and to show her the improvements she'd made to the small, manoeuvrable craft. The Vaud had flatly refused to take Crichton with her. Her manner was still extremely cool and she avoided him whenever possible. Aeryn closed the hatch and locked it.

"You don't think I sneak in and take her out on the sly?"

 "You're not getting the chance."

She shook her head. Her shiny black hair came free of its tie and cascaded round her face in a dark halo. Crichton caught his breath. Frell he'd almost forgotten how beautiful she was. All the trouble with Sareel had pushed his feelings for Aeryn to the back of his mind. Suddenly his frustration surfaced in an outburst of the feeling which had been growing for days.

"Damn Scorpius and his pasty faced mate. Should never have taken her in the first place. She's caused nothing but trouble."

Aeryn stood before him with her hands placed aggressively on her hips.

"Oh now it doesn't suit the big hero to play games with the nasty villain. I seem to remember that we were all dragged into this just because you wanted revenge on Scorpius. Well I'm sorry if it suddenly doesn't suit you, but it won't stop him searching for us. And he seems still to want you, though I can't think why. He must be short of clients for the chair."

Crichton looked subdued. He was looking at the toes of his trainers, tolerable copies of the ones he'd worn on his arrival. He looked up at Aeryn with a wistful, small boy look on his face.

"There's still so much I can't remember. Some of it's there like shadows, but the gaps are huge. So much about Earth I no longer know. My journal in places is just so much garbage. I know I've treated her in an unspeakable way, but d'you think Sareel could forgive me enough to do what she offered the first time? To try and replace as much of my memory as possible?"

Aeryn pondered for a moment. Her face had changed from anger to compassion. She played with the strings at the bottom of her tunic.

"She might if you apologised and she thought you meant it. Personally I wouldn't, but Sareel's own personality has a trusting nature. She might just fall for it."

"Don't you think that I'd mean it?"

She shrugged her shoulders.

"Doesn't matter what I think. It's Sareel you've got to convince."

She turned and walked out of the docking bay towards the lounge. Crichton followed her retreating figure with a wistful look in his eye. After a microt or two he followed her path from the bay.

*******

I had taken to sitting with Pilot in between my sessions with Zhann and Stark. The semi-darkness of control and the big calm presence of the gentle reptile made it a peaceful place to be. There had grown a rapport between Moya, Pilot and myself that I was keeping from the others. I only had to touch Moya's neuron bundles as they came from the joining with Pilot to know what she was thinking and she in turn could take the thoughts I sent her. She was fascinated by my pregnancy having borne Talyn but a short time before. I laughed. Moya was trying to visualise how my child would be born. I was trying to send her a picture of a bladder with a baby in it and the baby being pushed down the neck of the bladder and into the world.

"I'm afraid it's out of Moya's points of reference. She won't understand until it happens."

Pilot was also treating me in an avuncular way. In fact the whole of the crew with the exception of Crichton had accepted me and my unborn child as if we were part of their family. They were excited at the prospect of an addition to that family. There was no more talk about Scorpius or the parentage of the baby. For my part I was still missing Scorpius's presence, but was well able to control the need. I most certainly ws enjoying being in control of my own life, being me and not 'Scorpie's Vulture'.

The realisation had dawned that my skills at interrogation were all laid into the persona he'd created for me, and that was a persona I could slip into whenever the need arose, useful, but not the prime one. My darmirsk persona was also responding nicely to training from Stark, and Zhaan was showing me methods of self control and searching. All in all I felt a glow of well being and acceptance. Even Rygel was asking me what I planned to 'call the little Scorpius!'.

Chiana was flitting around me seemingly fascinated by the fact that I was carrying a genetically incompatable child. I'd explained that the special genetic nanomales that Scorpius had created had also inserted an inert extra chromosome, so that I could carry a child of either a forty six or forty eight chromosome parent.

"So Crichton's got forty six."

I nodded.

"And Scorpius has forty eight?"

"Correct. And that means until she's born there's no way of telling who's the father."

"It's going to make one of them mad!"

"You don't have to tell me that. I might just find myself a nice remote planet and retire. That way I'll cause no more trouble and the girl can have a normal upbringing. I don't want her used as a pawn in a male ego struggle."

Chiana thought about this for a while.

"I know a place that might suit you"

She told me of a small but pleasant planet in the Uncharted Territories that sounded ideal.

"It's off the usual merchant and pirate routes. A backwater really. I've used it to hide several times."

It never ceased to amaze me how much she had packed into her short life. Rich in experience was Chiana. A child of the galaxy and toughened by the life she'd led. But underneath was the glimmer of a vulnerable centre to the hard shell. I was thinking about what she'd said, tucked up in my spot beside Pilot when my thoughts were interrupted by a nervous throat clearing from by my side. I looked round to see a serious faced Crichton standing there. He still brought uncomfortable feelings to my mind. A mixture of dislike, from the way he'd used me and a growing sadness because of his steadfast refusal to give up his desire for revenge on Scorpius. I thought they were both acting like small children, but that was easy to do when I was over a hundred thousand clicks away from Scorpius's influence.

"Yes. "Is there something I can do for you?"

He looked down and then looked me straight in the eye.

" Hell, this is hard for me Sareel. I'm sorry I treated you as I did. I shouldn't have forced myself on you. It was unforgivable."

I swallowed hard. It had taken him a great deal of courage and self control to make the apology.

"As far as I remember, I was a willing participant. You didn't force me to do anything. All you were guilty of was using it to score points against Scorpius."

He said very humbly.

"Can you forgive me? And can I ask for your help?"

There was a tear in my eye. I didn't know how it had got there. I brushed it away impatiently.

"What's done is done. We've both got to live with our actions. What help do you want?"

He paused a microt.

"You said on your previous visit that you might be able to restore some of my memories."

"Yes I remember. You were against it then. What made you change your mind?"

He laughed ruefully. "Changed my mind. It's exactly that. There isn't much mind left to change."

His voice broke.

"Sareel I'm so scared. I'm fighting Scorpius but it seems to end up that most of the time, I'm fighting myself. Do you understand?"

"Yes. Remember there are four of me. Zhaan's helping me cope with living a life where I can slide in and out of personalities at will. It can be confusing."

He looked at me inquiringly. "Sareel. Just how much of Scorpius is in you?"

"Enough, but remember that it isn't Scorpius. It's my version of Scorpius and it can be altered by who I am and how I behave."

He said very softly, almost in whisper.

"I don't think the Scorpie clone left when the chip was removed. I still see him from time to time. He seems to be mending things in my head."

"That was always a possibility he knew was there."

"What possibility?"

"That the Scorpius in your head would gain a life of its own."

"I've gotta to share my brain with Scorpius for the rest of my life?"

"I'm trying to tell you, it isn't Scorpius. It's your version of him and there's no reason why the two of you can't live in peaceful co-existance. It certainly won't harm you and it might even be able to aid me in returning your memories."

"How come?"

"Well it can find shadow links and make connections faster and more accurately than I can on my own."

He put his hand on mine. His presence was no longer unpleasant. I covered his hand with my other one. He spoke huskily.

"Can we try?"

"When do you want to start?"

Trying to reconstruct Crichton's memory was harder than I'd initially envisaged. Because there was so much which had no meaning to me, I'd no idea which of the multitude of memories we'd taken from the chip were relevant, so I had to resort to accessing individual memories or groups of memory and asking him did he want them back. Then I could insert them back in his brain using the healing energy. I had to admit my bit of Scorpius had contacted Crichton's version and seemed to be giving details of where to replace the memories. I did find it strange that he'd been left with details of what on Earth seemed to be called a 'Fast Food ' emporium, while he had no recollection of his fellow academy students.

We spent several ahns a day doing this, in between Stark's lessons on how to manage my unrestricted energy body and Zhaan's on self control. I could now link minds with her without causing her pain. She'd become used to the Scorpius tailored personality and we'd even had discussions on how he was motivated. Abot half a cycle had passed and we'd been successful in avoiding detection. It had meant a great deal of planet hopping for Moya and Talyn, but it had been successful. Aeryn had suggested we move to the next galaxy for a while but when we reviewed what was known about it, (not very much, and none of it good) the crew had all voted to stay where we were.

"Known dangers are more easily avoided."

This was Zhaan's summing up.

I was getting to the stage where my bulk was starting to make me very awkward. It was no longer possible for me to get into the prowler, I couldn't curl up beside Pilot and Zhann had banned me from the part of her chamber she used as a laboratory, because I was accidently knocking apparatus off the bench when I turned round. It was no fun being cask shaped and I hoped that it was all worthwhile. Surprisingly it was a combination of Stark and Crais who managed to keep me occupied during this trying and rather boring period. Stark took me on short non corporeal visits to planets, where it was very amusing to be a voyeur of happenings. He said it was good training, but I suspected it was mainly to get me away from a body shell I was staring to resent in a big way. Crais on the other hand introduced me to Talyn and his systems and kept me occupied by refining the main algorithm of some of the sensors. Talyn was always sensible with me. None of the petulance he sometimes showed with Crais.

"I think, Sareel, that Talyn holds you in his affections."

"That's good?"

"That's extremely good. He's accepted you as an advisor alongside Aeryn Sun and myself."

"Would I have control of his weapons systems?"

"Surprisingly, yes."

There was a flurry of speech from the young Leviathan. He was excitedly telling me that I'd got the logic and experience to be able to assess when to use them. I pointed out that the logic and experience came from the bits Scorpius had put into me. He twittered to himself for a moment, then informed me that it was a great advantage to know, even partially how the enemy thought.

"Talyn, Scorpius isn't my enemy."

"I think Sareel, that you'll find that he makes no friends. He's just making use of you because you have what he wants."

I rose to his defence.

"Within the hard and self sufficient projection, there's the shadow of a lonely child and young adult. Can you wonder if he's now a taker. I've no complaints. Look what he's given me."

"A halloween mask for a face and a child you weren't ready for."

Crichton had come to take me back to Moya.

"Why do you always have to be so flippant, John?"

He gave me a boyish grin. "

"Put it down to the good work you and Scorpie mark 2 are doing in my brain."

"Oh do you want to go back to Earth again?"

"If I could, perhaps just a visit. To see how old friends are getting on. But in the long term. Boy oh boy I'm really enjoying myself out here. There's nothing like being hunted by Scorpius to keep you on your toes."

There were times when I couldn't tell whether he was serious or not. I gave myself a shake and followed him to the transport.

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

Scorpius had been putting in long hours in the laboratory. It was a relatively quiet patch for interrogations, so he'd been able to apply himself to several problems. By dilligent application to sorting out the signal reflections he'd made a decoder which enabled him to pinpoint Sareel. For over a quarter cycle he'd known the exact position of Moya and Talyn. He could have had them intercepted them over half a dozen times, but he found it far more amusing to let then believe they were always a step ahead of him. For that reason he'd not changed the communications access codes from those Sareel would be expecting. He was getting strong signals from the life signs emitters and was puzzled to see that Crichton's brain patterns were almost the same as at his initial capture.

"Unusual for there to be such a rapid recovery. It's almost as if you'd got your memory back."

He gave a sudden intake of breath. Sareel! He should have realised. Somehow she'd been restoring Crichton's memory from the store of those taken in the chip. How could she be so treacherous? The personality he'd made for her would never have allowed her to do that. The sudden realisation hit him.

"You can choose which personality you use, can't you Sareel? That's one factor I didn't take into consideration. There must be more in your Vaudrian makeup than's obvious on the surface."

He decided that on her return she should meet the Aurora Chair from the other side. But no mightn't that affect his daughter and the neurotube? He reviewed the physiological probabilities of putting Sareel in the chair and decided that it was an acceptable risk. After all if she lost the child there was always the next time. Progeny were replaceable, Sareel was unique. And he could bypass the neurotube frequencies with a small amount of effort.. The realisation that there was more to his unwilling mate than met the eye or the immediate senses sent a thrill through his body. Such a challenge! There'd be no more shilly-shallying about playing with the fugitives.

He checked the whereabouts of the Leviathans. They appeared to be in orbit round a planet in the Outer Mindaran System. He sent a personal encrypted message to the garrison commander at the outpost nearest and put the crew of his command carrier on immediate departure status.

"To put it your way John, 'This is a whole new ball park!'"

 *******************

We'd all gone down to the planet's surface for some recreation. Moya's big but doesn't have much in the way of entertainment. Chiana and I were dressed in the flowing robes of the desert dwellers of Galt complete with veils which only showed our eyes. Zhaan thought, quite understandably I'd be extremely noticeable for several reasons and Nebari weren't common in this part of the galaxy. She and Stark were wearing the robes of priesthood of Gallean. These again included masks and as the priesthood was universally recognised on this planet, she reasoned they should avoid unwanted attention. Rygel was posing with d'Argo as a merchant and Crichton, Aeryn and Jothee were in the uniform of the Gouralt Dominion soldiers, again a familiar sight on the planet.

"You know from the talk at the landing zone I think the Dominion is quite likely to challenge the Peackeepers over territory in the near future."

"That would sort of leave us caught between the devil and the deep blue sea."

"John I do wish you'd say what you mean. You were quite intelligible before Sareel started replacing your memories."

"I think from what my father has told me Captain Sun, that we would be caught between two opposing forces."

"Then why don't you just say that, John."

"I thought I just did."

Aeryn made an impatient gesture before she led the way to the Pleasure Dome. They all had some money to spend as Sareel, against her better judgement had taken credits out of the account Scorpius had set up for her at the Intergalactic Credit Agency.

"You know if he finds out that I've accessed this, he'll have a good idea where we are."

She'd been overruled. The need for relief from the confinement of the ship had won. Discretion had been thrown to the winds except for the clothing they wore.

 ******************

I wasn't going anwhere near the Pleasure Dome. I'd got this tiny feeling when I probed around in my Scorpius identity, that I was familiar with it. I didn't think he would have gone there to sample the games of monka or to ogle the Zamian dancing girls. No, if Scorpius had an interest in it, it was purely for business, so for me it was a place to avoid. Chiana on the other hand knew people there she didn't want to meet for one reason or another, so by mutual agreement we went to the Holodrome. Here you could pick, your entertainment, fiction or fact, mundane or erotic. We were both feeling a bit deprived at the time so we plumped for "The Slavers of X'pade". Full of big males from many species. Ideal release. Chiana was not having the sucess she'd hoped for with Jothee.

"Quite honestly, Sareel, he's still a child in many ways. I think I'd have been better off with his father. At least he knew what he wanted!"

"But you didn't love d'Argo either!"

"No but he always treated me well and some of Jothee's ideas are a bit suspect even in my experience."

I was still missing Scorpius, but it was something I'd never mentioned to the others. It had been hard enough to gain their goodwill, I wasn't about to jeopardise their new born trust in me. So while everyone else was at the Pleasure Dome and Chiana and I were visually devouring the brawn of the universe. I gave a little chuckle.

"They're a bit better built than Scorpius."

"I wouldn't ever let him know that thought Sareel."

"No I don't think he'd appreciate it one tiny bit."

There was a small commotion at the edge of the Holodrome. My attention was drawn to the little Mindaran who was excitedly speaking to the manager. I switched over to Scorpius mode, my hearing's keener then. I didn't like what I heard. I poked Chiana in the ribs.

"Hey. What'd you do that for?"

"We've got to get out of here and get the others. There a large contingent of Peacekeepers just landed and there's also an important command carrier with them."

"Is that who I think?"

"It could be. I told you I shouldn't have made that withdrawal. Let's just sidle quietly out of the park. Then you go and get the others. I can't make any pace now so I'll make my way back to the transport."

She looked at me with concern.

"You sure you'll be alright?"

"Of course. Look you're wasting time. Just go."

She took off at speed and I started working my way throught the crowded plazas toward the landing area. My bulk meant that I couldn't make great speed but I went as fast as I could. There was an area of dwellings just before the landing pad and I took what I thought was a short cut through it. However I'd miscalculated and had to turn round when I reached a dead end and go back. I'd just reached the main street and turned left when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I didn't have to be told who's hand it was.

"Scorpius"

"My dear Sareel. Such a pleasure to see you again after all this time."

He turned me round to face him.

"You're looking well my dear girl. Extremely well. They must be taking great care of the two of you."

He placed his hand on my swollen belly and my daughter kicked. A slight smile touched his lips.

"She recognises her creator."

"She mightn't be your child!"

"Oh I do realise that Sareel, But I'll raise her no matter what her parentage may be. Once she's safely delivered, then I can begin your re-education."

He bent over, gently nipped my neck and whispered into my aural cavity.

"You'll like that won't you my dear. To feel your master's hand again touch your longing body."

I wasn't certain how long I could hold out. The old magic was starting to make itself felt and there were the beginnings of an unsought after response. A stirring where I didn't wish one. His hand was still resting on my left shoulder. I picked it up and bit down hard. There was a look of total surprise on his face at my act. I fled for the safety of the transport and the others. What I didn't see and hear was his laughter at my retreating figure.

"Oh Sareel, perhaps I trained you too well."

Part 9

I reached the pad just as the others were approaching at speed. Crichton took one look at me and my rather dishevelled appearance. He raised an eyebrow.

"Scorpius." I replied curtly.

"Yeow, so he's here too. Let's get back to the ships and get the hell outa this place. It's no longer healthy."

Once the transport was airborne Aeryn sent a short coded message to Crais and Pilot telling them to prepare for starburst. This was a precaution I'd set up with the two ships in case a situation like our present one turned up. I was starting to feel sick at the thought of once again how close I'd been to capitulating to Scorpius. I could control myself while there was distance between us but the moment he touched me all sense left my head. I was slave to my senses. Suddenly I realised that Chiana was talking to me.

"How did you get away?"

"I bit him!"

Crichton and the others gave me a startled look. Then he burst out laughing and Aeryn joined in. In fact the whole crew were in tears of laughter, which considering the close proximity of the command carrier and the fact the Scorpius had probably put out a signal for interception was a most inappropriate reaction.

Finally Crichton regained control.

"I'll bet his face was a picture."

"He did look rather surprised. I didn't see more than that. The minute he released his hold I made the best speed I could and headed for the transport."

I crossed over to the outside visual screen. The two Leviathans were rapidly increasing in size as we approached. There was also something else.

"We've got company!"

Aeryn and Crichton joined me round the screen.

"Prowler."

"Yes but it's not closing. Just seems to be shadowing us. I'd have thought as he was so close he'd have made a greater effort to capture us."

"You never can tell with Scorpie. He likes playing games and this looks like 'cat and mouse'."

I knew enough of Crichton's verbal patterns and idioms by this time to understand what he meant.

"I don't relish playing mouse to his feline. He might just feel like sharpening his claws on us."

By this time we were entering Moya's docking bay. The outer bay door closed and we rushed up to command, well the others rushed, I followed as fast as I could. Moya starburst just as I reached the entrance to the chamber. I fell over, it wasn't a smooth transition, It's never good but I suppose that our need to depart made Moya panic just a bit. Stark hurried over to help me up. When you're the shape of a barrel, it gets increasingly difficulty to get up off the floor. Zhaan was fussing over me, worried that I might have hurt myself and the child.

"Look daughter's well protected inside me and I'll soon have all the bumps and scratches repaired. The nanomoles will see to that. Thanks for your concern but we'll be fine."

I felt bad being so ungracious, but there was something gently feathering its way round my head. A suspicion that had been growing for the past few weeks suddenly became realisation.

Rygel came over and peered at me.

"You don't look well. Scorpius upset you?"

"No, once I'd broken away I was fine. No it's far worse than that."

D'Argo sat down beside me. The big Luxan was being very gentle with me ever since I started to show my condition.

"Would you feel better if you shared your problem?"

"I may, but I can guarantee you won't."

Chiana joined us.

"Sareel what is there that can be so bad? We've given him the slip. It was just bad luck we bumped into the Peacekeepers today. If we keep well away from that area we're safe."

"No we're not. If you haven't already realised, they were hunting for us and they knew exactly where to find us. Scorpius has bypassed the trick we were using to stop him pinpointing me. I can feel him in my head and I'd guess that he's raiding my memory buffers even now. He's trying to get another fix and I can't block him completely."

There was a stunned silence from every one. Crais entered the chamber. He looked around at the serious faces.

"Trouble?"

"The worst. Scorpius has bypassed our signal block. He's in Sareel's head."

"Just like my Scorpie clone."

That gave me an idea.

"John, the two of you can talk together now can't you?"

He nodded.

"Then ask him two things. If he was Scorpius what would he do next, and what would he suggest to thwart that course of action."

"Are you talking to yours?"

"Of course."

"Then I guess it'd be a good idea if we both went to our rooms and did a little communing."

"I'm on my way."

Crichton gave me a hand up and we made our way to the quiet of our own private space, with the worried looks of the crew following us.

*********

Scorpius still had a reminder of his brief encounter with Sareel. She'd bitten through his gauntlet and drawn blood. It was healing fast with the help of his nanomoles. He found the whole situation extremely amusing. She'd surprised him yet again. The other thing which had happened as a result of his gene insertion was that her teeth had become more Scarran like, hard and slightly pointed, especially the canines. He hadn't realised that this had happened until she bit him. The Scarran side of his ancestry still hid a very dark secret, but it was one he could completely control. He only indulged it occasionally, very occasionally, but he was worried that it might start to affect Sareel. He wondered if it did would she have the self control to deny herself.

Still there were more immediate problems. She now knew that he was once again in her brain and what was surprising, she was resisting him with a startling amount of power. Apart from the large distances involved, he was having great difficulty in keeping the link open. He had seen the crew on board Moya, he'd also seen Sareel and Crichton leave the ship's command together. A jolt of annoyance rippled through his body but he soon had himself totally in control. All the images should have been crystal clear and he should have been able to access any part of her memory that he wished. He found that moving through her mind was akin to moving through a clinging bog. Every picture he gained was won with extreme difficulty.

"Sareel, there's a great deal more to you than I ever thought."

His research into the Vaud hadn't yielded a great deal other than the fact that her family were the last remnants of an old priesthood on the planet. That cult had been superseded by the present one. The only other fact he could ascertain was that the family had acted as hosts to one of the stranded Ancients. There seemed not to be anything startling that he could find out from his network of extremely experienced and reliable spies.

"So just what are you, Sareel? You're certainly not an ordinary Vaud."

He'd been going through her old life signs records and by computer enhancement he'd been able to make out an extra wave pattern in her brain, faint, hidden by the usual ones until you looked further. It puzzled and intrigued him. The nearest he ever seen to it was the brain pattern of the stykera, Stark. With a sudden intake of breath he went to the computer and displayed the two patterns side by side. There were some differences, but far more similarities. He stared in disbelief for a microt.

"Can you have the powers of a stykera? Have I had hold of a great source of power and let it slip out of my hands? Could I have made a grave mistake?"

Self doubt wasn't a part of his make up. There were problems and problems were there to be solved. A challenge, and he thrived on challenge. The first problem to be solved was Sareel's safe return to his jurisdiction. Although he now had partial control of the infiltration chip in her neurotube, plotting exactly where she was at any given time was still difficult. The two Leviathans never stayed long enough in one place for him to dispatch troopers to apprehend the crew. It had been a piece of sheer good fortune that Moya and her people had decided to spend some time in recreation at their last stop. Good fortune wasn't something he could put into his computations. There must be another more reliable way of getting her return and perhaps that of Crichton although he was rapidly becoming of less interest to the master interrogator. Mere novelty value.

He sat down in his chair and began to review alternative methods of retrieving his mate. It was obvious now that she wouldn't return of her own free will. And the crew of Moya were protecting her. What a change from kidnappers to protectors. Their plan certainly hadn't gone the way they planned. He smiled to himself. And Sareel, he would dearly loved to have seen her reaction when they told her of her pregnancy. She most definitely wasn't the maternal type. Sweet thoughts.

"There must be something that would persuade them that Sareel is an expendable commodity. Something I can offer them in exchange for her."

He thought for a while before a low chuckle broke from his throat.

"I'll make them all an offer they can't refuse. It's just too simple."

*******

Crichton and I had consulted our varying bits of Scorpius's psyche within our brains and we'd got a consensus. The others were waiting when we returned. Serious faces greeted us.

"Any success?"

A very dour Rygel.

"You gonna tell them Sareel or shall I?"

"Carry on."

"Our Scorpius personalities are sure he'll do something completely unexpected."

"So?"

Chiana looking like a chirpy little bird.

"Bad news is they haven't got a clue as to what he'll do. So we can't plan ahead."

"So we're back to square one. I must say this whole thing's got completely out of control. Should never have antagonised Scorpius."

Aeryn moved to confront Rygel who was rapidly entering one of his grumbling phases.

"And just what do you suggest we do, Dominar Windbag?"

"I shall ignore your last remark. Why find a nice safe planet and put the source of the trouble off on it. Then we can all start making our way to our home planets."

His mouth turned up in his smile.

"I can hardly wait to take my rightful place as Dominar."

"Selfish to the last."

"And just what would you do Pau Zotah Zhaan?"

"For a start I wouldn't do that to Sareel and her child. I shudder to think what Scorpius has planned for them if he apprehends her."

Stark moved to Zhaan's side.

"I personally wouldn't want a being with Sareel's power to be in his hands. Not when he can so easily manipulate her. It would make him far too dangerous."

"If you've all finished talking about me as if I weren't here."
They looked distinctly uncomfortable.

"Stark, you of all people should know that I can completely shut out my two final personalities. There's no problem."

He looked at me, signs of worry on his face.

"But if he ever has the slightest suspicion that you're  darmirsk  then it won't be difficult for him to harness your power for his own ends. And the other would also make you an entirely irresistible challenge for him. Could you withstand anything he might try?"

I was shocked.

"How did you find out? I gave no clues as to what it was."

He put his hand on my shoulder.

"When we were out in our energy bodies, there were just slight thoughts leaking from your fourth persona. No one else knows. But if you went back to Scorpius you would be in considerable danger because of his fanaticism about that project. You do realise that?"

"What are you two talking about? We need to know what to do. A plan of action."

"And we're telling you Aeryn Sun that we can't plan because we don't know what to plan for."

"Just because you're in cahoots with Scorpius's twin brother doesn't mean that the rest of us have to stand idly by and wait until we feel him breathing down our necks."

"I agree. A warrior is prepared for all possibilities. This is war and we need to have a plan of campaign."

"Ka d'Argo, I agree, but there is another solution."

Zhaan looked over at where Crais was standing.

"Any suggestions would be well received at the moment."

"Then let Sareel come with Talyn and myself. We would have a greater chance of avoiding Scorpius and I have heard of a scientist in the Uncharted Territories, who may well be able to remove the infiltration chip from her neurotube."

"It's a lovely thought Crais, but the only person who can make any modifications to my tube is Scorpius."

"If anyone else tries to tamper with it, she goes into a form of hibernation."

"I didn't know Zhaan, though I'm not surprised. It still doesn't stop her coming with me."

"No and we'll keep that in mind if the time should come we have to make decisions."

"You're all doing it again."

I pointed a finger at my chest.

"I exist, I'm real and I'm not going back to Scorpius. Do you all under stand? Not ever!"

I left the command with every ounce of dignity that my shape would allow.

"I doubt that currency will be the answer, Sareel could have accessed far more of hers if they'd wanted anything. Power? I doubt it. The Delvian Zhaan is trying her hardest to renounce worldly ways and most of the others haven't got the brains to be successful. Only the Hynerian would be interested in that."

He sat down in his chair, Argolian brandy in one hand and Wanchup herbal stick in the other. The combination enabled him to relax and give his full attention to the matter.

"They're all trying to reach their respective home planets. I wonder if help to reach them would be sufficient motive to return Sareel? Probably not."

He blew a smoke ring up to the smooth laser cut ceiling of his chamber. Smoke was like dreams, it looked substantial, but you couldn't hold it. Dreaming was something which wasn't necessary to his good health, not like the Sebaccians and it seemed Humans. He'd noticed from his observations of Crichton in his cell that he also dreamed. Strangely though for the past few nights he too had had vivid dreams. Dreams of wormholes and Sareel, and always just as he caught up with her she slipped through the wormhole and he couldn't follow her. He wasn't bothered by them. It was just the manifestation of a prolonged period of concentration on a narrow range of topics. Now what would tempt the crew of Moya?

"Freedom from pursuit. Yes, but that's one thing I can't give them in totality. Not with the clone loose in Crichton's brain. I must remove it before it gives away all my secrets or at least persuade it to report once again to me. But maybe I can give them a haven, one place where they are immune from being hunted. Yes that's what I'll offer them. They won't of course stay there for an extended period of time, so my plans won't be long delayed."

He blew another smoke ring.

"So satisfactory. A happy ending I believe John would say. We all get what we want. For a time at least. Oh Sareel, we'll see how true your new found friends turn out to be."

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

My time was being occupied by working through some maths that I'd not accessed since its insertion in my brain. It wasn't regular math as used by a large part of the galaxy. This one was far older and from another part of the universe, perhaps initially from another universe. It used power of seven rather than ten and when used with concepts and formulae which normally used the traditional form, gave radically different, sometimes mind shattering insight on the workings of the universe and its many dimensions. Seven was a magical number with many species in the known universe, a vague racial memory of things long gone. The spheres of science that were opened seemed in themselves to form a magic of their own. It was something Scorpius would dearly have wished access to, but by their very nature, the givers of the knowledge made it easy for me to easily hide its existence. With the knowledge I had, he would have become arguably the most powerful being in the galaxy, if not the whole universe. I really couldn't allow that to happen. Scorpius as a total power broker was a chilling thought. I could almost hear him playing off one faction against another, just for the sheer pleasure it brought, not to mention the financial gains which could be accrued. I had always thought that if he hadn't found the art of interrogation so fascinating and science so rewarding, he would have been into high powered finance, a businessman at heart. A sudden insight from my Scorpius persona made me shiver. I knew with uncanny accuracy what his next move would be and there was no way I could compete with what he was going to offer the crew. Except that I might be able to work on Crichton. There was just a faint possibility I might be able to give him something he dearly wanted.

********

Pilot was discussing with Moya some improvements I'd made to the starburst criteria she worked with. Minor alterations which could mean more accurate exits for her.
"I know, Sareel's getting a good grasp of the fundementals of hyperspace travel. It seems to be something she innately understands."

There was an animated twittering from the Leviathan.

"Talyn would benefit, but can we trust Crais? He's changed a lot but has he changed sufficiently to be given the extra responsibility?"

More twittering.

"No there's no immediate urgency. It can wait a while."

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

"I really think Stark that it would be better if we found a secure place to leave Sareel once she's had her child."

"But inevitably Scorpius would find her and we've agreed that in his hands she could become a great danger to the whole of the universe."

"I know, but that leaves only one alternative and could we do it?"

"You have before."

"I know and the Goddess help me, I vowed that I'd never do it again. It would cause me a great deal of anguish and put my quest back many cycles."

"Sometimes the best answer isn't always the easiest."

***********

D'Argo, Jothee and Chiana were eating in the lounge.

"Ah food. I think I'll join you."

Rygel manoeuvred his dais over to the table. The others piled their plates with food the minute he announced his intention. His prodigious appetite had been the subject of many arguments, often about how much of the communal rations he grabbed. For a while all that could be heard was the sound of chomping jaws interspaced with the occasional belch from Rygel, whose table manners were far from acceptable to the others.

"Hey can't you keep that 'til we've all finished. You're putting me off my food."

"If you don't want it I won't see it go to waste."

"You're a glutton Rygel."

"When it comes to appetites, yours isn't inconsiderable d'Argo."

"Father has a very large body to sustain."

"Pity he hasn't the brain to go with it."

D'Argo grabbed Rygel and was shaking him vigorously.

"I've just about had enough of you. You're only a snalkit's whisker from being squashed. Lucky for you a warrior has to have some degree of self control."

"Just put him down, d'Argo. I won't do us any good to squabble among ourselves. We've got to decide what we're going to do next."

The Hynerian gave an almighty fart and rearranged his dishevelled person.

"First thing I'd do is get rid of that female of Scorpius's. There's been nothing but trouble since Crichton kidnapped her. Then perhaps we can all get back home."

"It's all right for you Rygel. My home planet's filled with people all wanting to make me conform to their ways. It's one place I can't go."

"The Luxan home world hasn't got the same appeal for me now I've found Jothee. Exploration seems very much more exciting."

"You really mean that Father?"

"I do. Could you really have seen me on a farm? I'd have been out of my frelling head after half a cycle. "

Chiana grinned.

"And you thought I would settle down to a life of domesticity?"

"I know and I'm sorry Chiana. I put you in a very difficult position."

"Forget it d'Argo. We've got a new beginning, a ship and a whole universe to explore."

"But what will the other's want to do?"

"I don't know Jothee. We'll have to ask them."

Rygel loosed the most enormous gas bubble and wilted under the combined looks of the other three.

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

Crichton and Aeryn were sitting on a couple of crates in the docking bay. Aeryn had been restoring the communications module in the prowler which had been disconnected on Sareel's arrival. She idly drew patterns on the floor with a gyrowrench.

"I don't really know what I want to do. It's different for you John. You've got something to go home to. I haven't. Crais is all the family, I seem to have. One option is to join him on Talyn."

"I'm not so sure that there's much left for me on Earth. Everyone will think me dead, They probably wouldn't want me back to interfere with their nice comfortable assumptions."

He looked into empty space for a microt.

"Anyway I don't think the same as I did. How could I? I've seen beings and things which people on Earth would call impossible. Who on Earth's going to believe Scorpius and his chips? I know I wouldn't if I were there and someone told me that story. I don't want to be viewed as a curiosity who might be quite mad. The military would have a field day trying to extract and use what knowledge I've gained on Moya."

"No better there than being pursued by Scorpius then?"

"At least Scorpie's a bit more civilised.  The Aurora Chair's better than having your finger nails ripped out."

"That was the sort of barbarity the Peacekeepers used before they had Scorpius."

He paused and shrugged his shoulders.

"Looks like Earth's out of the question."

"What are we going to do?"

"I've got one answer to that, but promise me you won't blow up when I suggest it."

"I never 'blow up' as you put it. My responses are trained and logical. The Peacekeepers wouldn't tolerate anything else."

"But you're not in the Peacekeepers now Aeryn Sun. You're a fugitive on Moya with the rest of us."

"Oh do stop prevaricating, Crichton. What was your suggestion?"

Crichton moved his crate right against hers and took hold of her hand. Much to his surprise she didn't pull away.

"I suggest that I make you my girl."

She looked at him. Her face was much softer than usual. She whispered as he brought his face close to hers.

"And what benefits would I get from that arrangement?"

"This for one."

He held her head in his hands and kissed her very gently. Involuntarily, she wound her arms round his neck and her mouth demanded much more than the gentle kiss he'd started. After her long period in the emotional desert, Aeryn let loose the torrent of pent up desire which had tormented her for so long.

"I never knew it would feel so good. I was scared."

John replied huskily.

"There's nothing to fear. I'll always be here for you."

He kissed her again and picked up her compliant body and carried her back to his chamber.

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

I was lying down and I still wasn't comfortable. Being cask shaped was really starting to annoy me and I couldn't wait until the time my daughter could make her entrance in to the galaxy. I could hardly eat anything, because I had horrific indigestion after most meals and I got very little sleep. Krask only knew how people without nanomoles coped. There were times when she moved so much in my body  that I felt as though I was being torn apart from the inside. I hadn't told Zhaan or Stark. There was a change in their attitude to me. Subtle but tangible.

I decided to go down and see how my prowler was now that Aeryn had restored the communications module. With difficulty I was managing to deny Scorpius access almost all of the time, but it was a strain and I didn't know how long I could keep it up. Zhaan had said that she expected my child to be born within the following week. I had to confess it would be a relief. My plan was as soon as I could after the birth to take my daughter and the prowler and make for the planet Chiana had told me about. That way there would be no more trouble on my account to the crew. They had been good to me and seen me through a difficult period. I owed it to them to remove one of their problems.

The prowler was sitting in the bay, sleek and powerful. I checked the weapons and their arming. There was full power available to all systems. More than that I couldn't check as my shape prevented me getting into the cockpit. I made a note to put all the food and water I could into the rear compartment. Closing the canopy I was brought back to reality by Pilot's voice on the internal comm.

"I have Scorpius on the screen. He says he has a proposition to put to you all."

Panic set in. Somehow he'd managed to get our position. My blocking must not have been as complete as I thought. I made my way as fast as I could to command. The others were gathered round the screen. I stayed in the entrance. I could see the familiar features on the screen.

"I can see that you're all here. Except Sareel. Where is she?"

Crichton answered.

"I think she's in the docking bay. Come on Scorpie just what are you up to now?"

I knew exactly what he was going to say next.

"It's best that she isn't present. I have a proposition to put to you."

He shifted slightly in his seat and put his hands together in a steeple.

"I want Sareel back and you would like very much not to be pursued by me. Am I correct?"

Aeryn answered.

"Scorpius it isn't like you to give anything away. Tell us exactly what you have in mind."

"I own a large estate on Pilach. Sareel likes it there. Also there are some dwellings at the edge of the estate. Unoccupied for quite a considerable time. On your delivering Sareel to me there I will declare that Pilach to be a safe haven for you, neutral ground. However once you leave Pilach, it will once again be no holds barred."

He brought his face quite close to the holocam. I could see his teeth as he smiled slightly.

"You have twelve ahns to make up your minds. Really I can take much better care of her than you. I know what she needs, she's partially my creation."

Suddenly his face looked menacing and he hissed, "I want her back."

Part 10

Moya's crew had all congregated in the lounge and Pilot was on the internal comm screen. I stayed just out of sight in the entrance.

"Do you think he's serious about that offer?"

"Scorpie in my head says yes."

"Ah but can you trust him John?"

"We've got a good working relationship. He's furious that Scorpius abandoned him."

Aeryn looked pensively at her feet.

"It would be good to have a place of refuge."

"The food's good on Pilach."

"Is that all you can think of Rygel?"

"Just thought I'd mention it."

The Hynerean looked a bit aggrieved at being questioned.

Stark and Zhaan were silent, but occupied with their own thoughts.

"I'd like a place we could all call home. I love travelling the galaxy, the adventure, but I'd also like a place to come back to."

"I think that's what we all want, Chiana."

Jothee nodded in agreement with his father.

Crichton walked up to Stark and Zhaan.

"What gives with you two? You look as if you lost a dollar and found a dime."

"John are you sure you can trust Scorpius?"

"His reputation in business is that of integrity."

They all looked round. Crais had just walked past me into the room. He had given me a rather quizzical look on his way past.

"Crais."

He strode to the centre of the room.

"I would say that everything he has promised he will deliver. The difficult thing for you to decide is do you consign Sareel to him and get yourselves respite, or do you protect her and her child and keep out thinking him."

"There's nothing to think about. Let him have her. They deserve one another."

"Are you always so selfish, Dominar Flatus or is it something you keep for special occasions?"

"It's obvious what we should do. She's nothing to us and Scorpius is offering a good deal."

Crichton was still regarding Stark and Zhaan and trying to make up his mind as to the reason for their silence.

"Ok folks. We've got two options..."

"There are three options, John but you may find the third hard to accept. Stark and I have deliberated long and hard over this but we feel it's the only safe solution."

"Safe, I don't like the sound of that. Why shouldn't the option Scorpius gave us be safe?"

"Chiana, You've been around the galaxy in many places. What would happen if Scorpius had access to a very large amount of power, raw energy and arcane knowledge?"

"Suppose he'd take over as much as he could."

"Hell! No he wouldn't. I can see it all. He'd act as power broker and trade one faction off against another. He'd thrive on it."

"Exactly, John. And that's something we can't allow to happen. As we see it either Sareel stays with us or we have to kill her. Killing her would be the safest option. If she stays with us there's always the chance he could get her back."

"How can you suggest such a thing Zhaan. I thought you were trying to suppress all violent thoughts, seek the truth and the way of enlightenment? And you quite openly tell us that Sareel must be killed? I find it very hard to believe you."

Crichton put his hands on Aeryn's shoulders.

"Oh I can see the logic in it, but my friend up there", he touched his head, "tells me that if we did that, Scorpius would never give up the chase, he'd leave no stone unturned. Frell if we give him what he wants at least we can have some time with out worry."

"I'm surprised at you John Crichton. After all Sareel's done for you, restoring your memories. Is that how you would repay her? You'd give her back to Scorpius knowing that he'll probably rearrange her mind again? If that's so, you sicken me to the pit of my stomach."

This was an extremely long speech for Ka d'Argo who was usually a being of few words.

"I don't think Scorpius will be able to influence her mind now, but he will find ways to extract her memories and those memories will include portions of the persona she's so far managed to keep hidden. His curiosity will become so great he won't care how he gets the rest. That's why she's dangerous to everyone."

I'd heard just about enough. It was obvious that there was very little loyalty to me. Scorpius had calculated their response down to the last factor. No wonder I'd felt that Zhaan and Stark were behaving differently to me. They were planning my assassination. Only d'Argo had any sense of decency towards me. The others were behaving despicably. They were thinking only of themselves, I mattered not one jot to them, I'd just been a useful tool and an interesting diversion. My fury was mounting by the microt. I swept into the lounge.

"Is the condemned person allowed to defend herself or is this a Peacekeeper trial?"
All eyes turn to focus on me as I entered.

"What does she mean Peacekeeper trial?"

Aeryn replied quietly.

"Mostly the accused is condemmned with out defence."

"Shades of McCarthy."

I swung round to face Crichton.

"I thought at least you would have some regard for me. If not exactly gratitude, I didn't help you for that. I helped you because you were helpless and injured. I know how it feels to be disorientated and powerless. Krask help me I feel it now."

I moved behind him and slipped into my Scorpius created persona.

"You know John it would be foolish to sacrifice me when I can give you something you dearly wish for."

"What have you got Sareel, that I want?"

"I can build you a wormhole home."

There was a stunned silence in the room.

Crichton looked at me with disbelief on his face.

"You, you can build a wormhole?"

"Oh indeed I can."

"How do you have the knowledge to do that when Scorpius has been scouring the galaxies for the technology without success?"

"One of the Ancients was shipwrecked on Vaud. He stayed with our family. I was just a child then but starting to show Darmirsk characteristics. I remember being taken off my world into a sort of hyperspace region when his rescuers came. I was afraid and then suddenly I wasn't. Next morning I was back home and I knew what I know now. But it was always hidden if I wished it."

Crichton burst out laughing.

"You mean the secret's been under Scorpie's nose for years and he never knew?"

I nodded.

"Now that's what I call poetic justice."

I was getting annoyed. He was treating my completely serious offer with levity.

"Well do you want a wormhole or don't you? I might even be able to tweak the time co-ordinates slightly to get you back to Earth only a week or two after you left."

"Sorry Sareel. Half a cycle ago I'd have jumped at the idea. But now I don't want to go back. For one thing it could be too hot for Aeryn."

"John if you really want to go back don't let me stand in your way."

"I can make you a regulator suit like Scorpius wears."

"Thanks Sareel, but I don't think that's an option. It would be too noticeable on Earth."

I sat down on a chair utterly deflated and muttered.

"I hadn't thought of that."

My trump card had been trumped. There was nothing else I could bargain with. I'd run out of options. Even the Scorpius persona didn't come up with one and if it couldn't then it was definitely the end of the road.

There was one option if Zhann and Stark and the others tried to kill to kill me. I'd drop my present body just a fraction of a microt before they committed the act and find another host. Stark had been right about one thing I certainly wasn't fussy about which of them would provide my next shell. It would rather depend on who I was most angry with at the time. I'd discovered during the training Stark and Zhaan and given me that I was far more powerful than Stark and I now had a great deal more control than he could ever acquire.

My daughter gave me a hefty thump in the gut as if to remind me that she existed too. If I went Darmirsk it would entail her sacrifice, but better one of us should survive than none. The crew were in a huddle round the internal comm screen and seemed to be having a muted conversation with Pilot. Crais sat down beside me.

"You and I could always get away on Talyn. He's worried about you. That's why I came over."

"I thought you had things in common with Crichton and the others."

"It suits me at the moment to throw my lot in with them, but in the long run, I am my own man."

"Do they suspect that you might suddenly leave them?"

"Oh I'm under no illusion that they have very little trust in me. No you could say that at the moment it's in our mutual interest to stay together."

"Then why would you want to risk Scorpius's wroth by having me on Talyn?"

He made no reply. I had a sudden insight as to the reason.

"It's all to do with power isn't it Bialar Crais? You too want to use me so that you can get your revenge on Scorpius for the indignity he put you through. I'll never agree to being used for that. Believe me."

I was getting extremely angry by this juncture.

"Then perhaps you'll do it for Aeryn's sake and what he did to her."

"Why should I? Give me one really good reason why I should? Everyone's used me for their own ends, Scorpius, Crichton and the rest of you."

I stood up and said in a venomous whisper.

"It's going to stop and it's going to stop now. I owe nobody anything and I'm going to take my daughter where no one can find us. I'm going to disappear from the view of the galaxy. "

"And just how do you plan to do that? You don't exactly fit into your prowler do you?"

I could have cheerfully throttled Rygel. I growled with frustration. They surrounded me.

"Sit down Sareel. We've come to a decision."

I sat with great trepidation. Sentence was about to be pronounced. Would they grant the condemned a final wish.

"You tell her Aeryn."

"Why should I have to be the bearer of bad tidings?"

"Well you're female. You're supposed to be better at it."

"Just get on with it Crichton."

She gave him a baleful glare.

"We're going to return you to Scorpius."

"I think I'd already gathered that fact."

"Just hear me out. We think he'll be better able to cope with the birth and there's no way we're going to let onto him that you have a secret. It's up to you to make sure that you can shield yourself from him."

He gave me a earnest look.

"Do you think that you can do that?"

"I'll have to work at it, but unless he develops brand new interrogation technology I think I'm safe. He can't put me in the Aurora Chair because it would have adverse effects on my neurotube."

"That at least's something."

There was a glimmer of hope. I felt sure I would be able to escape from Scorpius before he started any radical new regime for my beleaguered brain. Compliance seemed to be a good route to take. Anyway my shape and size prevented me from trying any escape.

"I've got a question."

"Go on . What is it?"

"Crichton, if he gets hold of you can you keep my secret away from him?"

"I'll just have to make sure he never gets the chance to try."

"Then you better give him your decision."

I was standing surrounded by the others. Probabably I looked as miserable as I felt. Being returned to Scorpius was not my idea of a fun day out as Crichton would have said. Also my daughter was beginning to inform me of her intention to enter the outside world. Scorpius I could see was watching me closely through our holocam.

"You don't look very well Sareel."

"That would be because I don't frelling feel well."

"Not very gracious my dear."

"What ever gave you the idea that I conformed to that standard?"

He addressed the next remark to the crew.

"A short starburst should see you close to Pilach. I think it's in Sareel's best interests that you get here as quickly as possible. I'll expect you  shortly."

I could see from the background on the screen that he was already at the villa. The screen went dead and Pilot laid in the co-ordinates for Moya so that she could compute her starburst. I sat down. Standing was making me feel dizzy and I wondered if all pregnant females had problems like mine. It was something I knew nothing about. My family had bundled me off Vaud before my sisters had been betrothed. And Tech Academy had frowned on liasons, never mind unplanned pregnancies, so all I picked up from there was mainly supposition and wishful thinking. I felt so terrible that I was even starting to look forward to Scorpius taking control and helping me. Which I knew he would. His motives might not be of the purest but he'd get me through this. No one else was even offering help. They were all looking uncomfortable and ignoring me. Oh well let them suffer with their guilt, they deserved to. Moya made starburst and that added to my total discomfort.

There was quite a bit of sorting out among Moya's crew about what they would initially need to take with them. I managed to get Aeryn's attention.

"Could you please fly my prowler down to the surface? I'm going to need it once my child's born. No doubt I'll have to run errands for Scorpius again."

"I can't see any problem in that. It'll give a bit more room in the transport."

I breathed a sigh of relief. My main motive for getting my prowler onto Pilach was totally different to the idea I'd put in Aeryn's head. Anyway I'd no intention of leaving my much improved craft for the use of Crichton and the others. I went slowly back to my room and packed my small cache of belongings. From one of the peculiar feelings I was getting I decided that I better check my neurotube again. I'd changed the rod only six ahns before and I shouldn't have needed to make the next replacement for at least another two days, but I had the feeling that comes when the power source is spent. I brought out the core, the rod was dull and brown, completely depleted. Replacing it I began to worry. Something was going on in my body that was dreadfully wrong and I hadn't got the slightest idea what that might be. Fear started to gnaw at the edges of my feelings. I couldn't access the Darmirsk and that made me even more fearful. I felt an overwhelming desire to be safely in Scorpius's hands. He'd got more scientific knowledge in his little finger than the crew of Moya put together. I was brought back to reality by Chiana tapping me gently on the shoulder.

"We've just entered orbit round Pilach. Crichton sent me to tell you that the transport's leaving in twenty microts."

"Thanks Chiana."

She peered at me in the way that she does, like a perky little bird.

"You're really sick aren't you?"

I nodded. Chiana was one person I couldn't hold any anger against. So often she had very little say in the actions of the crew. She was viewed as a flippant, sassy vamp.

"Will Scorpius take care of you?"

"Yes."

"He really cares for you then?"

"In his way."

"What are you going to do after that's gone?"

She pointed to my grossly distended belly.

"It's probably better that you don't know. What you don't know you can't tell."

She pondered a minute.

"Do you think we can trust Scorpius? You know over this Pilach thing?"

"Implicitly. It wouldn't do his reputation any good to have it known he'd broken his word. I've never known him lie. He's sometimes sparing with the truth, though."

"Aren't we all."

I smiled a wry smile.

"I've been guilty of that myself quite often in the recent past."

She came over and sat beside me.

"Sareel."

"Yes."

"It's just . Oh frell ."

She gave me a hug and I could feel the tears coming into my eyes. That started her off and we were sitting there arms round each other crying our eyes out. Finally we got our control back.

"I wish things could have been different Sareel. You seem like the big sister I never had."

"Oh I had one, two in fact, but as soon as my Darmirsk characteristics started to embarrass my parents, I was packed off the Tech Academy. You make a great little sister."

She grinned.

"Can I come over and see you at the villa when everything's sorted."

"Anywhere I am, you're always welcome."

Which was a Scorpius in my head way of skirting round the truth.

I picked up my rod case and small pack and we made our way to the docking bay where the others were in the middle of loading the transport. Chiana found me a crate to sit on. Every part of my body was starting to feel as if it was on fire and I was having to fight hard to quell the rising nausea and disorientation. It seemed we waited an eternity before d'Argo came over to tell us we could get on board. I rose to my feet and remember folding up, before being caught by him.

"Crichton, Sareel's very ill. Get the transport down as fast as you can."

He carried me into the pod and sat down in one of the seats with me in his arms. I was floating somewhere between reality and my pain and a place which seemed to offer relief and looked like the place the Ancients had taken me when I was a child.

Zhaan came over.

"I just can't make out what's the matter. I've never seen anything like this before."

"I thought perhaps you'd poisoned her."

"Ka d 'Argo once things were decided I put all thought of killing her thankfully out of my mind. It was one of the most difficult things I've ever had do do to make that initial decision. I've been trying too long to put aside that part of my being and to have to admit once again to its existence was most painful"

Crichton took off just then and I could see the prowler following them out of the dock.

The journey from Moya to the landing pad by the villa was short. Drifting somewhere I felt the jolt as we landed. There was a waft of fresh air so unlike the recycled atmosphere on Moya, as the hatch was opened. Crichton, Stark and Zhaan got out and see them talking animatedly. I couldn't see Scorpius but I knew he was there. Crichton signalled to d'Argo to bring me. He got up and very carefully exited the small vessel.

I was still only half conscious. Scorpius's face loomed over me. It seemed to be pulsing in waves."
"Follow me. This is serious."

I was carried through the atrium of the villa and into the laboratory. D'Argo very gently laid me on the examination table. Scorpius lifted my eyelids a peered into my eyes with some instrument. More than that I don't remember because I was suddenly wracked with an enormous wave of pain and slid into blackness.

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

Scorpius felt something he wouldn't have credited as possible before he acquired Sareel. Anxiety! He put Sareel immediately onto external life support and began running a comprehensive series of tests. A further complication was that the infant's birth was imminent, Sareel's contractions were very close together.

"What in krasks name has gone wrong? With the nanomoles she should have had an uncomplicated and healthy pregnancy."

He'd been noticing for some time that there was something different about the dual life signs signal being transmitted by her, but exactly what the difference was had eluded him. That was why he'd needed her immediate return. A small thought passed through his brain that it might have been too late. This treacherous abberation from his cranial pathways was swiftly eliminated. He'd saved her once before, he most certainly wasn't going to fail this time.

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

Crichton and Aeryn were the first to reach the small cluster of dwellings situated in a clearing in the small wood.

"Very rustic.

Aeryn glanced at the purple, pink and green trees and the pale pink grass.

"And people write poetry about places like this?"

"Only when they're in love."

She opened the door of the furthest structure and walked in. There was a large main room, sleeping accomodation, food preparation area and sanitary unit. There was a minimal amount of furniture, all apparently new.

"Scopie's made good his word. All home comforts."

"Basic but totally adequate."

"Let's get our things and move in."

"Hold it Crichton. You're working under a slight misconception."

"What'd that be?"

"That you and I are going to co-habit."

"I though you'd said that you'd be my girl?"

"Yes I did but I need my own space and I most certainly won't get that if I move in with you."

"This isn't what I had in mind. I'm going to go cuckoo knowing you're so close yet so far away."

"You'd better have a chat to Scorpie Two and ask his advice."

"So that's the problem. You don't like my relationship with him?"

"Crichton if you've got a relationship with him, then you've got a very big problem."

She turned on her heel and stalked out the door.

Crichton looked somewhat bemused at her rapidly departing figure. Sometimes she was an enigma. But she made a worthwhile challenge.

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

Finally the accomodation was allocated. Aeryn was sharing with Chiana, Jothee was with his father and it was suggested to Rygel, much to his pleasure that he would be better off on his own.

"He can fill his place with obnoxious gas bubbles to his heart's content", was Aeryn's comment.

Stark and Zhaan had the largest of the units as there was a laboratory to be accomodated. It was in the large main room of this dwelling that they were all congregated for their first meal on Pilach.

After a substantial repast they were all getting quite mellow on the red Pilachian wine they'd found in the food store.

"Do you think Scorpius put it there?"

"It seems quite probable. There are facets of his personality that keep surprising me."

"Like his concern for Sareel?"

"Yes. After he'd dissected my memories I wouldn't have given any odds on him being able to feel a shred of any tender emotion. But now..."

He let it drift away.

"Do you think it makes him vulnerable?"

Zhaan answered that question.

"On the contrary. It gives him added strength. Before he only had the obsession for wormhole technology, now he's got something to protect and that makes him twice as deadly."

"Wonder what he'd do if he knew he'd got both?"

Everyone rounded on Rygel.

"If you ever dare to mention that again Sparky, I'l have your not inconsiderable guts for garters. That topic is taboo."

"Just thought I'd mention it."

"You did. Now forget it.

There was silence for a few microts. They were all rather mellow and the release from being fugitives was obvious. They were all much more relaxed.

Scorpius found them in this state of relaxation as he walked throught the open door.

"I see you've settled in. I though you might want to know how Sareel is."

They looked guiltily at each other. Not once since d'Argo had left her at the villa had they thought about her.

"She's delivered the child. It was grossly deformed and only survived a few microts. It was that that was killing her."

"How could that be? Her pregnancy seemed normal."

"Normal to what criteria Pau' Zotah Zhaan? "

She looked at him. As usual he'd gone straight to the crux of the matter.

"Everything that I could glean from research."

"But this was a unique foetus. Due to Sareel carrying the nanomoles for the initial genetic insertion, it was a mixture of three different set of chromosomes. Sareel's, mine and yours, John. Those particular nanomoles were designed to self destruct after they had completed their original task. However it seems that due to Sareel's distinctive Vaudrian heritage which as yet I haven't fully unravelled, her body prevented that happening."

"So why was the foetus killing her?"

"In the last stages of her pregnancy it began to make antibodies against her."

"Merciful Goddess. And she never knew."

"Only at the very end when she was obviously ill. She's sleeping now, very weak but she'll make a complete recovery in a few days."

The atmosphere was very subdued.

He looked round at them all. There had been little loyalty towards his mate. Strange how selfishness usually won when there was something on offer which was to a being's advantage. He'd seen it before. Clients he'd had who would have trusted their lives to a friend (and often had), had been completely shattered to find that currency or power meant more to the so called friend. Poor Sareel. He'd have to make her a secure base where she could heal her rejection.

"I just thought I'd give you the information."

He turned on his heel and walked out. His step was lighter than it had been for more than half a cycle. Relief at Sareel's imminent recovery, pleasure at her proximity. He began to make plans for her rehabilitation. How to erase the bad memories and make her once again the happy and contented mate that she'd originally been. He'd reached the landing pad and the realisation hit him. Ed'th Ra Scorpius seldom ran, but his speed was extremely swift as he reached the villa. Rushing in to the sleeping quarters he breathed a sigh of relief he saw the form under the covers.

"Sareel?"

The form didn't stir. With sudden realisation he tore back the cover. There was just a rolled up quilt on the couch.

His sweet, capricious, precious mate had flown the coop!