Preludes

Author: BethS
E-mail: scifi_beths@yahoo.com
Time Frame: After 'Fractures'
Disclaimer: None of the Farscape characters, nor the Farscape world, belong to me. They belong to Henson and the writers, producers, creators of Farscape. No copyright infringement is intended, just a bit of fun. Enjoy.

Aeryn surveyed the fortress surrounding her. The large room contained within the cold, gray walls was spartan, uninviting. There was a cot, a table, some food supplies and tools, but little else. None of this mattered to Aeryn. Trapped inside here, with no weapon, she was engaged in a contest of wills with her enemy. Her only chance of survival was to outlast him. As he worked away at the outer walls, trying to gain entry, she diligently shored up the weakening areas. The enemy was strong, but Aeryn was confident that she would not be defeated.

While Aeryn dreamed, John and D'Argo were killing time on the planet below. Rygel and Crais were attempting to make a deal with an  Alahnjian. If successful, they would have valuable information on the weaknesses of Scorpy's Command Carrier. Though a former captain, Crais could not help. Scorpius would have made changes in the codes and defenses, the moment that Crais defected. D'Argo slammed his fist onto the wall, "I do NOT like this! That Hynerian bandit will sell us out..."

"Not unless Crais does it first," John replied. "Tell me about this longjohnian person. Why does Sparky think he can provide anything useful?" John asked, partly out of curiosity, but mainly to keep D'Argo's seething temper at bay.

Momentarily distracted from the unseen negotiations, D'Argo explained "The Alahnjians come from a planetary system quite far away from here. They have the ability to communicate with each other over very long distances. Centuries ago, a visionary realized that their unique abilities could be turned into a source of profit and power. They began to spread throughout the universe, though there is much disagreement on just how far their sphere of communication extends."

John stopped him, "Hey, big guy, the history lesson is fascinating, but can you cut to the chase?"

D'Argo was puzzled, "Chase? I don't recall a chase in the history of..." only to be interrupted yet again.

"Sorry D'Argo, it's a human statement. Just tell me how this information network works."

D'Argo was disappointed, but complied with his friend's request. "The Alahnjians live on planets throughout the charted and uncharted territories,  buying and selling information. They are prized, because accessing one of them means you've accessed the information stored in all of their minds."

"So, they're like the Borg," John stated, but this time D'Argo ignored him.

"It can take them a long time to contact all of the other Alahnjians in order to track down the information one seeks. And they are very, very expensive. As you know, we paid a fee just for the chance to negotiate."

"Okay," John said, " I understand how they work. But I still doubt they can be of help. What if they can't find anything? Who's to say they won't cheat us with false information?"

D'Argo addressed his concerns. "John, their people have a solid reputation and they maintain it, no matter what the situation. They will not falsify information. This would become common knowledge and no one would place much value on them anymore. It is a matter of pride with them. I have heard of attempts to bully the information out of an Alahnjian. In each case, they transferred their knowledge to a far away comrade and then ceased to live."

"You mean they were murdered?" John asked.

"No, John. They just stopped living. No one understands it completely; did the transfer of information cause their death? Perhaps it is away to avoid the pain of torture. Some say that they die to prevent any possible access to the minds of the others. No matter. The important fact is that they are honorable."

"And if they find something useful to sell to us?" John wanted to know.

"They will expect us to pay with information. That's the tradeoff and it is often too expensive. Their services are sought only by the desperate."

"Well, that would be us," John replied, wondering just what the price would be and if he'd be willing to pay it.  

Aeryn was exhausted. It had been a long day and the enemy showed no signs of slowing. She fought the desire to sleep. This is what he was hoping for, that she would let down her guard long enough for him to smash through the defenses. She would not give her enemy that satisfaction. "No. I will not hand you a victory. You want me. You'll have to fight harder," Aeryn smiled wryly. Then she noticed that she had company. "Keedran Rhyx?" 

 "So you remember me? Do you remember what I taught you?" asked Keedran. She was tall and muscular with short blond hair. Her expression was gentle, with a ready smile.  Aeryn remembered all too well how deceptive that appearance could be. They had been in the same sleep deprivation training, though Aeryn had been only 8 cycles while most of the others were 12. In one-on-one seiges, they fought to retain their alertness despite long arns without sleep. Aeryn had always been strong-willed and simply refused to lose. She had only been bested once, by Keedran Rhyx. And here she stood, mocking her, or so it seemed to Aeryn.

Her old opponent addressed her, "You have the drive to succeed, but there are times when being driven is not enough. You used too much of your energy retaining the attitude. That is why you lost and I won. I wanted to win, too, but I was not afraid of losing. This freed me to concentrate on conserving my strength, slow down my breathing, rest without actually sleeping. I was able to outlast you and so will your enemy."

Aeryn smiled, but there was no warmth in it, "The loss to you was an exception that will not be repeated. I'm stronger now and I will not lose. You may go now. You are wasting your time here." With that, Keedran was gone. Aeryn stood, lost in thought, until the sound of cracking in the front wall demanded her immediate attention. Quickly, she grabbed the tools and looked about for more material to use  for repairs...

The doors to the Alahnjian's chamber opened and John was able to glimpse something amorphous and shimmery in the background. Then Crais and Rygel exited, the door shutting swiftly behind them.

"Well? How did it go? Can he help? What's it going to cost us?", D'Argo fired the questions impatiently.

Looking imperious and smug, Rygel informed them of their progress. "We have been most successful. He is gathering all of the information from the others and will be able to give us a full account soon. And you should show more gratitude. If it weren't for my superior bargaining skills, we would never have been able to pay him."

"Crais?" Crichton noticed his silence. He wished he could trust him, but he just couldn't. It was easier when Crais was still a peacekeeper; at least John knew exactly where he stood with him. Now, it was too complicated. Crais had helped them several times, but John couldn't read the man and wondered what he kept hidden. Rygel, on the other hand, was quite transparent. Everyone on Moya knew that Rygel would do what was best for Rygel. This worked out well when it was also good for Moya and the crew.

Crais spoke up. "Dominar Rygel is not overstating his bargaining skills. The price was paid by information that he and I were able to supply. As a former peacekeeper Captain, there are many pieces of information that were considered valuable. As for Rygel..."

" It is none of their concern what I sold to the Alahnjian. Just remember Crichton, you owe me." With that, Rygel zipped out of the room, heading for the kitchen, of course.

"Tell me he didn't sell Moya." D'Argo was certain that Rygel's reluctance to reveal the price meant that he had sold them out somehow.

Crais smiled. "I understand your concern, Ka D'Argo, but Rygel's information relates strictly to Hyneria. All of Moya's secrets, such as they are, are quite safe. Now, if you'll excuse me..." Crais exited the room.

D'Argo looked questioningly at John. "What now?"

"I want Aeryn here when we get briefed. Would you mind taking the transport pod back to Moya?"

The Luxan nodded,  "I will bring Aeryn back here for the meeting. Forgive me, my friend, for asking this, but,   if you felt there was a future with Aeryn, would you be going after Scorpius right now?"

"No apologies necessary," John looked at his friend. "If Scorpy is successful with the wormhole technology, there won't be a future for any of us. And I will never give up on Aeryn. Never."

All she could find was the cot; furiously, she worked to attach it to the weakening section of wall, but it was too late. The wall was cracking open faster than she could reinforce it. "FRELL!", she screamed, angry for having allowed herself to get caught off-guard. As the futility of her struggles finally sunk in, Aeryn stopped. She moved back to the other side of the room, waiting for the inevitable, steeling herself for the confrontation. A few microts seemed  like arns as she watched the wall break down. Then he was in the fortress, standing there with that lopsided smile of his.

"Aeryn," he began, but she stopped him. "Go away, John. If you stay, I will be destroyed. Is that what you want?" But he just looked at her gently, his blue eyes looking into her soul. Aeryn was more terrified than she had ever been in her life. Beyond him, or with him, she wasn't sure which, she could see a shadow. It was so dark and filled her with a dread that she couldn't explain. John kept moving forward, bringing the darkness with him, but Aeryn was frozen, unable to take her eyes off his face. Slowly, step by step...and now he was only a breath away. There was nothing she could do; nothing she wanted to do. He reached out and gently caressed her face. She closed her eyes, only opening them when she no longer felt his hand upon her. He was gone! All that remained was the shadow and it was pulling her in. She felt it then, an abyss of grief that threatened to drown her. She broke from her reverie and began to struggle, desperately trying to claw her way out of the void. Further and further in she went, panicking, struggling, losing...

Crais joined Rygel in the kitchen. "Tell me, why were you so secretive with John and D'argo. Surely, you must realize that they expect the worst from you."

"From both of us, you mean," Rygel corrected him and continued, "That is their problem. I betrayed no one and will not share my knowledge with any one else. Now, let me get back to my meal. A successful negotiation always makes me hungry!"

"Just one more question and then I'll leave you to fill your stomachs. Why did you share the location of the hidden treasures of Hyneria? Won't this seriously undermine your attempts to regain your throne? It's uncharacteristically generous on your part."

Rygel frowned. "For once, Crichton is correct. Scorpius could doom all of us if he succeeds. The treasure will be of no use, if my empire no longer exists. Besides, in order to get the location from an Alahnjian, one has to ask the correct question. Only 3 of us know that there is a hidden fortune. Even if Bishan suspects, he will never find it on his own, and my double-crossing cousin is far too lazy and short-sighted to seek the help of the Alahnjian. And even if he did, his thoughts are without value. And what about you? What's your angle in this?"

"Angle?," Crais asked. "I have no angle, except that I do not like or trust Scorpius, especially when in possession of such a powerful weapon. I have no desire to return to the Peacekeepers, so the information is of no use to me. Help Crichton, help Scorpius, or do nothing and hope for the best...the choice seems clear. Helping defeat Scorpius is the most sensible option. Enjoy your meal.

But Rygel didn't hear the last statement, lost in delight over a wriggling mass on his plate.

Inside her mind, Aeryn heard Keedran, "Stop struggling, Aeryn. You're wasting valuable energy. Let go of the fear." "No, I can't, I'll get swallowed up by this blackness." But even as she spoke the words, Aeryn realized that she was right. And she let go. Waves of sorrow washed over her, but she no longer felt as if she were drowning. She felt arms around her, holding her close. He whispered to her, "Aeryn. I'll never really leave you. I'll always be here." Aeryn leaned back into his embrace, "I'm still hurting, John."  "I know'" he said, "That will take time, but you will heal. I promise. Remember that I am always with you, always."

"Officer Sun," Pilot broke into Aeryn's consciousness. "D'argo is returning with the transport pod. Apparently, they were successful in their negotiations with the Alahnjian and Commander Crichton would like you present when they receive the information."   He hesitated a moment and then asked, "Are you all right, Aeryn?"

Aeryn gave a small smile, "Yes, Pilot, I'm fine. Please notify the others that I'll be there shortly."

As Aeryn dressed in her black leather pants and vest, she noticed that there had been a change in her. Though the emptyness was still present, she no longer felt as though the slightest touch would cause her to shatter. She began the tedious process of braiding her long hair. She could hear her voice in her head, questioning the severity of her appearance. Talking aloud, she said, "We have a dangerous mission ahead. He...John, can't afford any distractions. And I don't want him becoming hopeful for something that I'm just not able to give....yet." She exited her room and headed for the transport pod and the future, whatever that might bring.

The End