Title: The Guardian

Author: Dalequan:dalequan@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: Farscape characters, props, terminology, and any other items used, that are the property of The Sci-Fi Channel and Jim Henson's Muppet company belong to them. Characters, props, terminology, and any other items I create belong to me. Remember that and give respect where respect is due.

Author's Note: Thank you for everything Quilt Lady.

Archiving: Ask first.

"Sir, we have received a transmission from operative Koi Da'Taak."

"Well," drawled her father, "what does it say?"

"Sir, she has requested that only you view the transmission," answered the communications officer.

"Very well...put it through to my private channel," said Captain Kaa Da'Taak, as he quickly put on and activated his vidset.

"Beginning transmission Sir."

"Father, I have requested that you receive this transmission and you alone." Da'Taak smiled as he watched his daughter struggling to speak. He sighed as he waited for her to continue. Koi, will she never learn proper procedures? Continuing to listen her next words shocked him causing him to become visibly pale.

"Koi," he said speaking softly, "have you lost your mind."

"No, Father," she answered. "I must do this," she said as tears flowed freely from her eyes.

"Koi, you know the laws, you will be exiled, and all further contact with you will be terminated by Homeworld. Guardians are not to reveal themselves to subjects under study. Perhaps your empathic abilities have made you mad," he reasoned. "Koi do not do this, if you phase in off world you know what will happen. All references to Homeworld and starcharts will automatically destruct, trapping you in that backward part of the Universe."

"I know Father, I have to do this. Remember me Father, and remember I love you."

"End of transmission Sir," stated the communications tech. The comm. tech watched helplessly while Captain Da'Taak struggled to regain control of his turbulent emotions. Visibly shaken the Captain carefully removed his vidset.

"Computer locate Koi Da'Taak," whispered Kaa. "Koi Da'Taak no longer exists," stated the computer. Dropping to his knees Kaa began to openly weep.

Koi allowed the tears to flow freely from her face as sobs shook her body. This was the last time she would ever see her father, she had to let him know of her decision. Gaining some control she wiped the tears away and re-reviewed her last transmission to her father's ship. She watched the emotions rolling over his fathers face as she told him of her empathic bond with the alien D'argo, of the pain she experienced when the alien thought of his wife and son.

She wanted to help the alien, whose species she had been assigned to catalog for Homeworlds records. Sometimes she hated being what she was. She was afraid of the reaction the aliens would have to her presence.

How would they react to the knowledge that she had been watching them for over a quarter cycle, while she studied the Luxon. What would they do when they learned she could read their emotions and thoughts that she could phase in and out of sight by changing her molecular density? Would she be able to protect herself if they attacked her?

I can't phase in here she decided. They would surely attack her thinking her an enemy. D'argo always attacked first and never asked questions she reasoned. The Peacekeeper they called Aeryn, well she was spoiling for a fight because she refused to accept that she had fallen in love with the human they had rescued. The Hynerian would probably try to make her pay for the past quarter cycle she had been aboard the ship. Zhaan could easily incapacitate her physically and mentally. The human on the other hand was no threat what so ever. Walking to the cargo bay she had docked her Explorer in, she passed by D'argo and Zhaan talking in the passageway. I wonder what her spots feel like she chuckled. Koi entered the cargo bay and boarded her ship. The Peacekeeper would be very upset if she knew she had parked her prowler inside of my explorer Koi noticed.

Using data she had acquired from other guardians on assignment in the uncharted territories, Koi launched her explorer and set an intercept path to the peacekeeper vessel Mackton was on. Find Mackton and I find Jothee, the son of D'argo. Koi circled Moya several times while she went over her plans in her head. Holding her breath, Koi concentrated carefully and began to return her molecular density to normal. She cried out in pain as the implants within her body that monitored her molecular density began to tingle and burn as they self destructed, and she knew that now she was truly alone. Crying, she massaged her arms where once her implants had been knowing that before they destroyed themselves, they had transmitted her actions to Homeworld and that she had been instantly deleted from Homeworld's computers and was now dead to all.

With tears streaming down her eyes she took her explorer's phase converters off-line and sensed Moya's crew's surprise as she became visual. She sensed their fear, surprise, and wonder as her ship entered their dimensional space.

"Computer vid link with Moya." Koi steeled herself for the questions she knew would be coming and knew she must stave them off. She watched as Moya's crew gathered around the command station looking at her image she was transmitting.

"Identify your species please," demanded Aeryn. "Are you Sebacean," she asked.

"Please hold your questions," Koi said softly. "I am called Koi Da'Taak. I will return in a quarter cycle and then I will answer all of your questions." Having said so, Koi ended the transmission. From the command module Aeryn, Zhaan, D'argo, Rygel, Chiana, and John watched as the strange ship circled Moya and disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

*** Title: Saving Jothee

Koi continued to observe the large Peacekeeper vessel as she waited for the computer to finish running the diagnostics on the phase converters. She had to be sure that there would be no mistakes when she made her move to infiltrate the Peacekeeper ship and find the young Luxon.

So far using inferred to detect large heat sources had only made the search more confusing. Luxons had more than one heart so she had counted on their blood being hotter than the Sebaceans. However, her search had given her 14 possible targets all scattered throughout the huge ship. She would concentrate her search in the lower tiers, there were several large blips there, and hopefully one of them would be the young Luxon Jothee. If not, then that would complicate things greatly. Koi didn't dare attempt to communicate telepathically with the boy; she did not know how he yet felt about his father.

"Diagnostic analysis completed," stated the ship's computer. "Excellent," Koi whispered as she breathed a sigh of relief. "Now that I know my ship is ok, I will need a map from someone's mind." Koi hated doing random mind stripping, but in this case she knew it was the only way to achieve her directive. She watched as a squadron of prowlers left the ships aft hanger bay to begin a sweep of the quadrant. Let's see she said as she tentatively began to probe the lead prowler pilot's mind. Sensing no reaction from her initial probe she deepened it, sickened by the sebaceans violent thoughts and desires she began to pull back, barely holding her space rations, she forced herself past his dark thoughts and found the memories she needed, his memories of the layout of the ship. Letting out a sigh of relief, Koi tried to ignore the bile rising in her throat as her body continued to react to her mind's intrusion into the Sebaceans sick mind. Taking deep breaths Koi prepared to scan the minds of the other Sebaceans searching for any memory or fleeting thought of the names Mackton or Jothee. Disappointed she had not found any other useful information; Koi quickly assimilated the memories of the ships and formed a detailed map of the ship in her head.

Koi grimaced and rose from her seat and moved to the back of the explorer to prepare her gear. If all went well she would spend less than one arn on the ship; her worst-case scenerio and she would never leave the ship. Placing small micro-phase converters on the exterior of her equipment, she began to phase out; she waited patiently for the micro converters to modulate their frequencies to match her dispersement pattern and then strapped her pack on along with a stasis weapon and several stun grenades in case more than one enemy attacked her. Assuming manual control of the explorer she piloted it closer to the Peacekeeper vessel. Confident that their sensors could not detect her she maneuvered into the lower cargo bay setting down near several prowlers under heavy maintenance. Releasing the docking clamps, she placed the explorer under the computers control instructing the computer to constantly scan her location in search of dangers that might betray her to the internal scanners of the Peacekeeper vessel. Breathing deeply several times Koi left the safety of the explorer and entered the cargo bay heading for the first target that could be Jothee or a dead end, she would not know until she got there and so the search began.

Jothee clamped his teeth shut as he felt the sting of the whip across his back. He could feel the line of enflamed flesh as the whelps rose on his skin crisscrossing in the design that the whip painted on the young luxons flesh. Mackton's face was flushed and twisted with his hatred for the boy. He was the living embodiment of his sister's betrayal to her species and her family. The names Mackton called his mother hurt him much more than the pain inflicted by the whip but Jothee would never allow his captor to know this. He knew that one day his father would rescue him; in his hearts he knew that his father was alive. Mackton told him daily during the beatings that his father was dead and had died a coward's death but Jothee knew his father was alive. He had heard the whisperings among the other peacekeepers about the prisoners that had stolen and freed a Leviathan from her control collar, and he knew that a luxon was among the prisoners the sebaceans searched for. Knowing this gave Jothee hope among hope that one day his father would save him and one day he would have the satisfaction of seeing his father destroy his uncle as his uncle had so brutally killed his mother. That was the secret that even his Uncle did not know, Jothee had seen his uncle use the qualta blade that struck down his mother he knew that Mackton, not his father had killed his mother, Lo'Laan. Jothee steeled himself for the blow to come as he heard the whip cutting through the air once more.

Koi fell to her knees, as she got closer to the source of the great physical and emotional pain she was feeling. Beads of sweat popped from her forehead as she fought to control her body. Soon she would have to phase in so she could concentrate on blocking some of the pain. The intense waves of pain she was receiving were so strong it was a wonder the creature that was emitting them was able to remain conscious. Struggling to remain standing as more waves of pain washed over her Koi continued in the direction of the source of the pain. Breathing heavily from the mental and physical exertion necessary to remain conscious, Koi gathered her thoughts and searched the stolen memories from the prowler pilots for a safe place to rest and phase in. Finding none, she continued along the passageway in the direction of the source of the pain. Stopping again a few minutes later Koi decided she had had enough, it was time for her to stop whoever or whatever was inflicting the pain on that poor creature. Standing in the shadows she phased in and began to scan the nearest minds in search of the culprit. Koi's mind brushed against Mackton's and she recoiled in fear. Oh no she thought. It's him. He is causing all this suffering. I have to reach Jothee before he kills him. He can't take many more lashes from that whip.

Frantic and without care for her own safety, Koi ran the last hundred sectors of the passageway. Quickly she phased out and stepped into the cell Jothee was chained in. The young luxon was on the verge of unconsciousness; his legs could no longer hold him up. The chains around his wrist were all that were keeping his pain filled body from sagging to the floor. Unable to hold the bile down any longer Koi began throwing up. Hearing someone retching, Jothee weakly lifted his head and searched the cell, in the corner on his beddings the light was moving in a funny way, must be the pain he thought, as the whip skimmed across his back, Jothee slipped into the abyss of unconsciousness.

Mackton continued to whip the boy for several microns before he realized he wasn't conscious. Spitting in disgust that the object of his rage was no longer able to experience the pain he was inflicting he rolled up the whip. Circling around the dangling luxon he appraised his handiwork and was pleased by what he saw. Holding up the boy's head by his tentacles he prepared to finish what he started when he killed his mother several cycles ago.

"I would have rather you be conscious so that I could watch the light of life slip from your face but this will have to do." Reaching inside his cloak he removed a qualta blade running his fingers along its shaft, a sinister laugh escaped his throat as he realized that there was still some dried blood on the hilt. "How fitting that your blood should mix with your mothers on the same weapon that killed her and by the same hand," he gloated. Drawing back he began to swing the blade towards the young luxon.

Mackton groaned surprise to see his own blood spurting from the arm that still held the qualta blade even though it now was separated from his torso. Swinging around and holding the stump he could see no one else present in the cell. Frightened he tried to activate his communicator chip only to see it ripped from his tunic and smashed against the floor. Surprise filled him as his body beg an to enter the first stages of shock. Stories of unseen demons filled his mind as he scrambled to the cell's door.

Koi wiped the bile from her lips and raised her head in time to see Mackton preparing to kill Jothee with a qualta blade. Grabbing her weapon she fired as he swung the blade towards Jothee's neck. A sickening thud sounded as the arm holding the blade was severed from Mackton's body. The expression of shock and disbelief was almost comical but she knew he must not be allowed to sound the alarm.

Steeling herself for the distaste she knew she would feel from latching onto his mind she approached Mackton and placed her hands on his head. She watched the fear in his eyes as he realized that some unseen force was touching him. Slowly Koi allowed herself to phase in enough that Mackton would know who and what had killed him, seeing the horror in his eyes as he registered Koi's presence. Koi realized that he was paralyzed with fear. Stepping back from Mackton Koi raised the dispersion weapon and fired. She turned her back so she would not have to watch as the weapon destroyed Mackton on a molecular level knowing that they would only find bits and pieces of his gene sequences when the weapon was finished.

Koi phased completely in and walked over to the unconscious Jothee. Taking several syringes from her pack she applied the stims to the luxon and waited for him to regain consciousness. Remaining alert for approaching footsteps, she removed the qualta blade from the severed limb and fired the dispersion gun into the limb and watched it dissipate.

Hearing a low moan Koi injected Jothee with a strong pain inhibitor and began to remove the chains from his body. Once freed from the chains she checked the level of the luxon's consciousness and applied another dose of stims. Jothee began to regain consciousness and realized that he was not alone in the cell. Startled to find a sebacean tending his wounds he crawled back out of her reach. Suddenly he felt her words in his head, it was the best way he could describe the communication.

Images, conversations, and plans flashed through his mind letting him know exactly why the woman was in his cell.

"Thank you," he said.

"Don't thank me yet," she answered. "We still have to get off of this ship. Preferably alive." she stated. "Come on young Jothee, adventure awaits," Koi said as she offered Jothee her hand and pulled him to his feet.

Moving quietly and stealthily though the ships air ducts, Jothee and Koi made their way back to the cargo bay housing Koi's explorer. "Now here comes the fun part young luxon. Listen closely and do not interrupt me. In order for us to escape I will have to take my vassals phase converters offline. Once we are on board you must quickly change into the clothing I have laid out for you. The clothing has been wired with micro-verters designed to adjust and modify your phase to match that of the ships, once you have the clothing on I can re-activate my ships phase converters and become invisible to the Peacekeeper's technology. Understood?"

"Understood," he replied.

"Now," she said. Moving rapidly not giving the peacekeepers in the bay time to react, Koi and Jothee burst from the air duct and raced in the direction of the rapidly appearing explorer. Realizing an alien was on board and escaping with a prisoner the peacekeepers opened fire.

Quickly running up the explorers landing ramp Koi began giving launching orders quickly maneuvering the explorer as the cargo bay doors began to close. Koi realized she would have to blast her way out as the doors were almost completely sealed.

Bracing herself she fired several laser blasts at the doors and flew through the fire and debris that were created into open space. Looking behind her she realized the luxon still had not finished dressing in the new clothes. Worried she watched the monitor as several squadrons of prowlers were launched from the ship.

"Jothee hurry up or we will be destroyed," she yelled.

"Finished," he shouted over the weapons fire grazing the skin of the ship.

"Computer re-activate phase converters and prepare for starburst, target the leviathan Moya's last known coordinates."

"Phase converters activated, target coordinates acknowledged," stated the computer. "Starburst in 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1, starburst initiated," stated the computer. Jothee watched in awe as the starburst corridor opened and they were drawn inside.

Title: The Guardian episode 3: Murphy's Choice

Jothee watched in awe as the starburst corridor opened and the explorer was drawn inside. Suddenly the corridor began to destabilize as random explosions occurred around the craft. "Computer report!" demanded Koi as she began a series of adjustments to compensate for the added turbulence caused by the explosions.

"All systems operating within normal parameters," stated the computer.

"Really, I find that hard to believe," yelled Koi above the increasing noise coming from the rear of the ship.

"Computer, run a full diagnostic check of shield generators, and all engines."

"Diagnostic underway," the computer replied. "Warning: starburst corridor has become unstable."

"Why?" Koi thought aloud.

"Unknown," replied the computer.

"I wasn't talking to you!" Koi screamed at the computer.

"Computer how long until we reach Moya's last known coordinates?" asked Koi.

"Approximately 30 microns," the computer responded. Koi looked around, smiling at the young luxon, hoping to ease some of the fear he was experiencing. Frowning, as she explored his mind she realized that his pain centers were once again registering the wounds on his back. Quickly she began blocking them, grimacing as her own body jerked in response to the waves of pain she was absorbing to protect Jothee.

"We are almost there, Jothee! Just a few more microts." Jothee clenched his teeth and nodded that he had heard Koi. Another explosion rocked the corridor ahead of them. Jothee braced himself as the turbulence tossed the small craft about. Jothee covered his ears, startled by the loud siren that sounded as sparks and smoke erupted from the console behind him. He watched Koi as she frantically manipulated the control grids in front of her.

Thoughts of death began to run rampant in his head. Jothee, strap yourself in tightly and no we are not going to die. Jothee did as the voice in his head had instructed as he realized that it was Koi's voice. "Oh no," he moaned she is a telepath too. He cringed as a chuckle sounded in his mind letting him know she had heard that too.

Jothee, we are going to leave starburst in 3 microts. The ship has suffered some minor damage to her phase converters and her starburst engines are out of alignment. Apparently one of the prowlers took a shot at the starburst corridor as we were entering and caused it to destabilize, the resulting explosions have damaged the explorer. We will have to find a suitable planet to land on so I can repair the damage, and as soon as everything is up and running; we will leave to find Moya.

Watching Koi as she continued to work feverishly, Jothee realized that they were no longer in the starburst corridor. Sighing, he leaned forward resting his head on the console in front of him. The ship was vibrating badly. Koi released her restraints and moved to the rear of the vessel. Making several entries into the console Jothee was resting his head against; she reached over him to retrieve her med kit. Jothee looked up realizing that Koi was sweating badly, her clothing was drenched.

"Are you injured?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine." she told him as she removed two tubes and bandaging material from the med kit. "You, my young friend, are the one who is not doing well," she muttered under her breath.

"Remove your shirt so that I can examine your wounds," she requested.

Jothee tried to remove his tunic; it was stuck fast by the dried blood. Retrieving a water canister from the supply locker, Koi opened it and drenched Jothee's shirt and began to gingerly remove it, dismayed as the irritated wounds began to bleed. Quickly she assessed the wounds, mentally categorizing the worst ones, applying a healing balm composed of antibiotic and anti-virulent agents.

Taking the dressing she wrapped Jothee's back tightly, stabilizing several cracked ribs as she did so. Finally, satisfied with the dressing's effectiveness, she injected Jothee with a sedative and a pain inhibitor. Within seconds Koi breathed a sigh of relief as the last of Jothee's pain ebbed from her body. Smiling, she watched Jothee as he tried to fight the sedative as it took effect.

"No, fair--" he began as he drifted off to sleep.

Koi returned to the main console and instructed the computer to retrieve all data of habitable planets suitable for her needs less than 4 solar days away. Wearily she adjusted the seat for maximum comfort. Sighing in disgust as the ships engines continued to vibrate, Koi began to read the data entries of several planets in the system they had starburst into.

Satisfied with the data entries for the planet Layla, Koi ordered the computer to lay in a course taking the quickest safest route. Layla had everything they would need in the coming arns to survive. The raw materials to repair the ship, food, bipedal humanoid life forms to hide among, and a safe place for Jothee to heal. She had carefully hidden from Jothee the extent of his injuries. He would need all of his remaining strength to stay alive, that much she did know. Satisfied with the ship's heading, Koi closed her eyes and allowed her mind to drift.....................

Title: Guardian episode 4--Snowbound

Koi yawned and fought to keep her drooping eyelids open. "An arn here and an arn there of sleep does not a happy guardian make," she said sarcastically. Landing on Layla had become priority number one and sleeping for an entire solar day had become priority number two. Hearing Jothee's feverish moans made Koi blush guiltily and quickly amend her list; priority number one help for Jothee and number two sleep for a solar day. Satisfied with her list Koi released her restraints and walked quietly towards the rear of the cabin. Retrieving supplies from the dwindling med kit Koi sedated Jothee and cleaned and dressed his wound with fresh bandages.

"Computer when will we reach the Laylain system?"

"In 36 arns the equivalent of 1.5 Laylain solar days."

"Computer, if I bring the starburst engines back online and route all remaining power except for life-support to the shields--how many microns do we have before we have to return to normal space due to the damage to the engines?"

"The explorer will be able to hold starburst for approximately 15 microns."

"How many hours will that put us from Layla computer?"

"If successful the ship will be 8 arns from Layla and within Laylain communications range," replied the computer.

Working deftly Koi began rerouting power from several subsystems on the explorer to the shields; with the phase converters damaged she could not risk using them in the starburst corridor. Hopefully the vibrations caused by the engines alignment glitch would not turn them into bits of floating space debris.

Removing her restraints, she moved to the rear of the cabin to check on her unconscious passenger and to adjust his restraints. This will have to do she thought as she placed soft padding between Jothee's ribs and arm rests on the reclined seat. "Computer prepare for starburst, set it for exactly 15 micron and not a microt more," Koi demanded as she returned to her seat and restrained herself.

"Starburst in 10,9,8,7,6,5," was the last Koi heard as the vibrations from the increase in velocity drowned out the computers countdown. She began to doubt the soundness of her decision as her command consoles power began to fluctuate. Jothee moaned several times as his body was jerked to and fro against the armrest; apparently the padding was not enough.

Tears of frustration welled up in Koi's eyes, she was powerless to help him now she was so exhausted she could barely remain awake linking with Jothee to help block his pain was just not an option. She would need to draw on the last of her reserves just to barter with the Laylains and get them safely on the planets surface and in trustworthy hands before she had to sleep.

"Computer report!" Koi yelled. The vibrations began to worsen as their speed increased along the corridor. "Computer report!" Koi repeated more urgently as the console to her right began to spark and smoke from unstable power surges. "Still no answer," she thought. Frantically ripping herself free of her restraints Koi began coughing and sputtering as the smoke from the smoldering console burned her eyes and throat.

"Holy frell, we are in some serious frelling dren!" she exclaimed. Having lost all communication with the ships on board computer Koi assumed manual control and began disabling damaged components and rerouting controls to her main console.

She worked quickly bringing the ship back under control and slowing her forward velocity. Deep slow breaths she repeated over and over again as she brought the ship out of the starburst. Shutting down the starburst engines Koi ran to the aft compartment and grabbed several spare connector collars and began to remove the casing to the still smoldering navigational console.

"Frell, frell, frell," she yelled at the console after she ripped it open. There was no way a quick fix was going to repair the massive damage she was surveying. Tears of frustration began to carve through the soot and grime deposited on her face leaving a trail of ashen despair in their wake.

Having lost the last of her coping reserves, Koi slowed the explorer to light speed. She felt so alone. Jothee was unconscious from the sedatives and now the computer had become silent from the damage it had suffered during the last starburst. "What next?" she wondered aloud.

Exhausted Koi struggled to Jothee's side, hearing his robust snoring gave her the morale boost she needed to attempt to salvage the situation. Dropping wearily into her seat Koi began reviewing the data from the starburst and realized that it had actually lasted 20 microns, excited she realized that Layla should be less than 4 arns from their current position.

She began sending out hailing frequencies and waiting for a response from the Laylain government. Koi snapped to attention as the communications screen crackled to life. Bowing her head in greeting she released the deep breath she was holding as the attractive female requested that she identify herself. Sighing gratefully Koi began. After answering all questions about herself Koi informed the Laylains of her injured crewmate and asked that she be allowed to land and seek medical help for Jothee.

"I will confer with my elders," the young Laylain informed her as the communications screen went dark. Interests perked Koi began to search all frequency bands hoping to pick up random communications from Layla's citizens or information networks, anything that would give her added insight of their customs and history would only aid her if she ended up having to barter or beg her way onto the planet.

Trying to remain hopeful the microts dragged on and became microns the microns became one arn and then two. Losing hope Koi began to calculate the distance to the next habitable planets that fit their earlier criteria, dismayed by her calculations but even more disheartened by the Laylain response she knew that it was something that she had to do. As she moved to lay in a course for Killrog, which was over 90 arns away, the communications screen crackled to life once more.

"Koi Da'Taak, you and your injured crewmember have been given permission to land at Tulsa parish at these coordinates. I must warn you that Layla has only two seasons above ground, winter and summer. Unfortunately you have arrived at the beginning of winter," the young Laylain female informed her. "I am called Vidal and I will be your guide to the necessary help and services you require while on Layla. I will meet you at the set coordinates. I am afraid your ship will become buried in the coming storms so it is imperative that you arrive within the next 6 arn."

"I thank you Vidal and I thank your most gracious elders for their help. If my young companion was conscious I am sure he would thank you as well. I will arrive in less than 3 arn at the Tulsa coordinates I look forward to meeting you. Koi out."

Slumping back in her chair relief evident in every aspect of her posture Koi entered the landing coordinates for Tulsa parish on Laylain home world. Curiously she searched the data banks for any references to Laylain winter.

Shock caused her to eyes to bulge slightly as her pulse quickened dramatically. According to the entries made by the last guardian assigned to Layla over 600 cycles ago a Laylan winter lasted for over a half cycle and involved a quarter cycle of nonstop constant snow. Still in shock 3 arns later, Koi was jolted awake as the explorer entered Layla's atmosphere. She peered at the view screen as they traveled closer and closer to the planets surface.

She pounded on the console and adjusted the screens settings trying to clear the glitch that made everything look white and fuzzy. Logging down the view screen as another item to be repaired she braced herself as the engines slowed and the explorer began to descend to the designated coordinates.

Koi braced herself for the jolt that she was never really prepared for during landings. Excitedly she deployed the landing ramp. Opening the exit hatch she was blasted by the coldest air she had ever felt in her 150 cycles of life. Koi watched in wonder and confusion as the swirling white fuzz swallowed the landing ramp.

Title: The Guardian episode 5: "What Goes Around Comes Around"

Vidal watched the off worlder as she ran back inside the spacecraft. A chuckle escaped her lips as the landing ramp was retracted and the exit hatch closed. This was not the first time offworlders had come to Layla during the winter months and she doubted it would be the last.

This offworlder had peaked the Elders' interests though. She had never seen them so excited at the prospect of having more work to do while the surface was frozen. Someone would have to keep the newcomers fed, clothed, and entertained. Not to mention a medical team was standing by for the arrival of the injured Luxxon. Vidal motioned for her mate, Luther to maneuver their hovercraft closer to the spaceship. Once there they gathered the supplies needed to outfit the offworlders and prepare the Luxon for medical transport. Vidal giggled when the exit hatch opened again and the landing ramp was redeployed and a shivering Koi Da'Taak ran to greet them.

Teeth chattering Koi attempted to greet Vidal, only to be turned around by the large male Laylain and ushered back up the ramp. She could swear they were giggling at her departing back. Once they were safely inside she closed the exit hatch and once again attempted to speak past her badly chattering teeth.

"It's not funny," she managed to chatter out as the Laylains began to giggle in earnest. Fine she thought, "I'll show them a thing or two about my species." Smiling craftily at the Laylains as they set about handing her various garments of clothing to change into, she mind linked with them both. Completely unaware of Koi's mental intrusion Vidal and Luther jumped simultaneously as the voice in their head spoke to them. Looking at each other in awe they both turned around slowly to find an obviously very happy offworlder giggling at them. Welcome aboard my explorer. I am Koi Da'Taak. "This," she said orally, "is my companion Jothee."

Walking over to the young luxon, Luther began to touch him only to suddenly find a very protective Koi between him and the young boy. Holding his hands out in front of him he looked questioningly towards his wife.

Vidal spoke quickly, "It is alright, Koi Da'Taak, Luther is my husband and a well known and respected physician here on Layla and offworld. He is here to help prepare the boy for travel and he will also be the chief physician in charge of the young luxon while he recovers from his injuries. The boy is quite safe." Vidal joined her husband's side and carefully touched Koi unsure if she had heard her at all.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to offend your husband, it has been a long and tiring journey and right now I am all he has." Dropping her protective stance Koi allowed Luther to pass. She watched as he began to examine Jothee making notes on a small pad of some sort as he worked. Koi apologized once more to Vidal only to be ushered away from the busy physician and prompted to put on even more clothing.

An agitated and worried Luther joined them shortly, "The boy, Jothee I believe you call him, is in critical condition. We must leave immediately if he is to live another solar day."

Koi could tell by the urgency in his voice that Luther was dead serious. With the sense of urgency pushing them on, Koi grabbed the bag of gear she had packed and helped Luther carry Jothee down the ramp to their hovercraft.

Running back inside she programmed the ramp and exit hatch to close once she left and to open only if the correct command codes were entered into the exterior security lock. Grabbing more gear she ran down the ramp once more and into the waiting hovercraft. Koi watched as the ramp was withdrawn and the exit hatch closed.

Sitting beside the gurney the Laylain's had thought to bring, Koi listened as Jothee took one rattling breath and then another. Concern creased her brow.

This symptom was new. Looking at Luther, he quietly explained, "His lungs are filling with body fluids due to the toxicity of his blood. How long has his blood been this red color?"

"It has always been red. I mean, when I rescued him it was already that color. I assumed it was normal. I mean, I ... you see he is only half luxon his mother was a Sebeceans so I assumed his blood was normally red in color," she finally got out.

"This red blood is showing high levels of toxicity and bacterial infection where as the clearer substance here is not," he showed her.

"The clear substance has all the properties of the red blood minus the toxins and bacteria, I am assuming, and tests should confirm, that his blood when it is clear is normal healthy tissue and red blood is not."

Koi hoped Luther was right. She watched as he went about treating the wounds with a confidence she had not had. Curious she asked Vidal had Luther ever treated a luxon before.

"Luther hasn't," Vidal answered, "but perhaps one of his ancestors have."

"His ancestors?" queried Koi.

"I will try to explain, our people pass knowledge genetically, when we produce children that child is born with the sum of its parents knowledge already embedded in its memory, what the child does with that knowledge however is a different story altogether." Koi smiled at Vidal even though she was still trying to fathom what she had been told.

Koi watched as the never changing scenery of swirling snow passed by. Snow, she thought, so this is what snow is like. Interesting stuff this snow. I hate it. Koi continued to watch the hateful stuff pass by them outside the warmth and safety of the hovercraft as it glided along the surface. Vidal continued to guide the craft following the homing beacon to the entrance of Tulsa Parrish.

She watched for the bright light from the entrance corridor to break through the dense snow, which was falling more rapidly now. The proximity alarm sounded letting her know that the entrance was dead ahead. Assuming manual control of the hovercraft Vidal began to guide it towards the dim light that that was growing as they neared it. Sighing she maneuvered the craft through the lighted corridor deeper into the large cavern and landed near several other hovercraft identical to the one they were in.

Strange voices whispering around her jerked her awake. Koi opened her eyes to see several more Laylains inside the hovercraft some peering curiously at her and others helping Luther maneuver Jothee out of the craft. Jumping to her feet she inclined her head to the remaining Laylains and began to follow Luther. A restraining hand on her arm stopped her. Koi spun around to find the wizened face of an older Laylain peering up at her as he held fast to her arm.

"Welcome, Koi Da'Taak, you above all other visitors to Layla are most welcome."

Vidal listened with interest to this exchange. The other elders that had come with Surge were all bobbing their heads excitedly in agreement Surge continued smiling knowingly as Koi Da'Taak looked at them in confusion.

"We are the sum of all that we have ever been. We are the past and will someday be the future. You are part of that sum. We are all of you Koi Da'Taak," he stated proudly bringing more head bobs from his companions.

Frowning at the elders' cryptic speech Vidal began to extricate Koi from among them. "Elder Surge she is exhausted can't this wait until after Koi Da'Taak has rested and checked on her companion?"

Blushing the elder released Koi's sleeve sputtering and apology. Smiling at the grandfatherly old man Koi touched his wizened cheek and nodded her acceptance as Vidal led her away.

The Elders watched the young Guardian follow Vidal into the transport shaft. They watched as the access doors closed and the transport headed deeper into the subterranean world that was Tulsa Parrish. They watched as what had come before was now here again and began to whisper excitedly among them as they hurried off to prepare for the meeting to come between Koi Da'Taak and themselves.

Title: Guardian episode 6 "As Is"

Sighing contently in her sleep Koi rolled from her side to her stomach. Wriggling trying to get comfortable once more her mind became aware of the presence of others. Opening one eye and then the other her displeasure is displayed vividly on her face as she sits up and glares at Vidal and Surge.

"I tried to get him to wait..." she trailed off shrugging her shoulders helplessly. Pinning Surge with her most vicious stare she watched as the old man began to tremble and sweat. Stuttering he muttered his apologies and backed out of the room. As the door closed behind him, unable to hold in her laughter any longer, Koi fell back against the pillows laughing merrily at the Elder's hasty retreat.

Frowning at Vidal's worried expression Koi sighed and rubbed her eyes as weariness once again draped her features like a death shroud. "Vidal it is alright. I did not mean to frighten him so. It's just that I am very tired. The past several weekens have been very stressful for me and I have had very little sleep. Please tell Surge I am sorry I... just tell him for me," she finished tiredly.

"Guardian Koi do you know why the Elder's are so excited by your being here on Layla? I...I do not mean to intrude but all the elders from the 10 surrounding parishes have come here. It is very rare for all 11 of them to come together. We... I am very curious about why..." she trailed off... as she realized that during her ramblings Koi had begun to snore lightly. Backing away from the bed Vidal quietly let herself out of the room.

***

Koi stretched slowly. "Ummmmmmm," she moaned as she arched her back hearing several vertebrae crack and pop from the release of tension. Rolling over she checked her monitor and chuckled when she realized she had been asleep for over 36 arns. "I bet Surge has grown a new head waiting for me to wake up," she thought. "No matter, first things first I must check on Jothee then I will concern my self with satisfying the Elders' curiosity."

An arn later a much-refreshed Koi stepped out of her chambers. Removing the dentic from her mouth she replaced it in the container Vidal was holding. "Thank you," Koi smiled. "I feel so much better. So tell how is Jothee doing and can we go see him first then I might go and talk to the Elders if Surge behaves him-self," she laughed at the last words. Smiling in agreement Vidal led the way to the Medical chambers. They consisted of two large rooms carved into the cavern; each room was smoothly finished and one would think was plastered if not for the fact that all the chambers were alike except for size and function. Luther raised a tired head up from his desk where he had been napping when the excited chattering of his wife and Koi broke through his light sleep.

"Koi Da'Taak, I am very glad you are here. Your young charge is much improved and is bored." Luther finished wearily. Rising to his weary feet Luther led the way to Jothee's bedside.

"Koi!" an excited Jothee shouted. Rubbing his temple in pain Luther silenced the boy with a stern look.

"Jothee," Koi greeted," how are you doing?"

"I am ready to go," he pouted. "It is very boring here," he said loudly intending to get Luther's attention. "I do not have anything to do," he said more quietly as Koi's brow lowered in a warning.

"Apologize. Now." Heeding the mental warning a much less aggressive Jothee apologized to Luther for his rude behavior.

"Jothee I will be back later in several arns to sit and chat with you, but right now I have some business to take care of. In the meantime BEHAVE yourself. You might also consider thanking the man that saved your life." Walking to the side of the bed Koi embraced Jothee and gave him a light kiss on the brow. Looking back as she followed Vidal she winked at him and was rewarded with a sly grin.

Koi paced impatiently as she waited for Vidal to round up the Elders. It would appear they have forgotten their earlier excitement. Bored, she began to wander the facility. Phasing out so that she could explore undetected.

Self conscious about her straying she paged Vidal and explained and told her to call her when they had all gathered together in the Great Chamber. Looking around Koi was amazed at the precision the caverns had been excavated and then finished so that they looked like they had been prefabricated and then placed underground. Sighing she caught the nearest lift down to the next level. Koi continued to explore level by level. Losing track of time, as she became more impressed by the Laylains gift to make something out of what was once nothing but solid rock.

Stepping off the lift to the last level that had been excavated Koi gasped in shock. She had stepped outside. Turning in a wide circle she was in the middle of a large cavern that stretched for what appeared to be miles. Walking slowly towards several busy Laylains she looked for words to help her understand what was going on. Smiling at the Guardians confusion, the Agro-grower began to explain the intricacies of subterranean gardening. Koi was truly impressed by what she had seen and learned of the Laylains.

Apparently there were 11 parishes. Tulsa Parrish was the central parish and the first one built by their ancestors. As the parish became crowded plans were drawn up to start 10 more connected by tunnels each located exactly the same distance from the central hub and each connected by a great perimeter tunnel.

Deep in thought after she left the agro-growers to their work, she caught a lift back to the main level. She had not realized that as she continued along to the Great Chamber Vidal and an angry Surge were following her. Not heeding Vidal's attempt to hold him back Surge walked quickly forward and right through Koi. She felt the tension and anger seething in the old man and it was enough to draw her from her inner thoughts to see why he was so mad. Phasing in as Vidal came in step with her Koi stifled the expected cry of fright from Vidal by covering her mouth with her hand.

"How long have you been walking with us," she hissed in anger.

"Just now." Koi answered.

"Why is he so angry?" she asked.

"Koi it has been 3 arns since they gathered to talk to you. We were looking for you and could find you nowhere. How could you hide from our cameras and bio-detectors." she asked curious.

It is an innate gift," Koi answered.

"Are they still gathered?" Koi asked.

"Yes." Vidal answered.

Sighing in resignation Koi told Vidal to take her to the waiting mob. Entering the Great Chamber, Koi met each and every pair of angry eyes that whipped around to watch her enter. Refusing to be cowed down by the angry men she took the seat offered by Vidal and sank gratefully into it. Steeling herself for the questions to come she looked up at Surge and told him to begin.

"Please place the headset on, Guardian Koi and familiarize yourself with the keyboard in front of you." Nodding in understanding, Koi began to play around with the commands and functions of the keyboard after several minutes she nodded back at Surge. Nodding to the other elders, Surge took his seat. Koi watched as the other elders also sat down and began to enter questions into their keyboards directed at her monitor. This is unique she thought. Koi watched as the first of many questions popped up on her monitor.

[Elder Pac] Koi Da'Taak, are you truly a guardian from Homeworld? Gasping in shock, Koi looked around the table. No one knew of Homeworld, no one. How could... Now curious herself she began to answer the questions in an effort to have her own answered.

[Guardian Koi] Yes I am.

[Elder Surge] Why have you come to Layla?

[Guardian Koi] My ship was damaged and Jothee needed immediate medical help that I could not provide. From my last starburst your planet fit the requirements of all our needs.

[Elder Cronus] Why were our ancestors banished here from Homeworld? Ah, Koi thought, now we get to the gist of the matter. They are descendants of Guardians themselves. That would be why they are so receptive to my probes. But if that is the case, how did they come about the new evolutionary traits? One answer only leads to another she realized.

[Guardian Koi] This may take awhile. Please hold your questions until I finish. Speaking for myself and only myself, Homeworld over six thousand years ago implemented new law. Why is not know but those laws govern our contact with other sentient beings. Anyone breaking these laws is banished, exhiled. It is as if you have never been born.... she typed in.

Unknowingly Koi had begun to speak aloud and with great emotion and pain in her voice. "You are stripped of all that you were and you are deleted from existence. No one is to speak of you or to you. To contact one like myself is to become what I am. I gave up all that I knew, loved, and could become to help Jothee. I could not be what I am without sensing the great pain and suffering that was occurring around me... I had to help. That is what brings me here to you," she finished haltingly as several tears escaped and trickled down her cheek. Speaking more quietly, she looked at Surge and asked him, "How old is your civilization?" "Approximately six thousand years," he answered.

Closing the data entry machine in front of her. Koi stood up and walked to the front of the room. After several minutes she turned around. "Well," she said. "It would appear you are the offspring of the Guardians that brought about the laws that now govern us. For you not to retain all your abilities through the generations would suggest you have bred new genetic material into you backgrounds perhaps intermarrying with the species indigent to this planet or a planet nearby." With her mind racing at the possibilities she asked Surge, which elder might hold the key to that answer what species and why. "It is forbidden for my people to copulate outside of our species"...she stuttered and then finished strongly. "Guardians are not allowed to breed with non Guardians. It is my suggestion that perhaps your ancestors met with some of my ancestors and got together." Laughing, she looked at Surge, "it is not a bad thing actually. You are unique species now."

As the noise level raised and the Elders chatted excitedly among them, Koi motioned to Vidal and they slipped into the adjoining corridor.

"I will be with Jothee. I promised him.... " Laying her hand lightly on Koi's arm Vidal nodded her understanding.

"Thank you, Guardian Koi Da'Taak. You have given us what we lost many years ago as who and what we are now developed you have given us our past."

Unable to stop the flow of tears, Koi headed down the corridor in the direction of the lift that would take her back to the medical center. Shaking her head in wonder she vowed that Homeworld had a lot to answer for. We are no better than the Sebacean Peacekeepers she realized. Wiping her eyes and putting on a mask of happiness that did not meet her eyes she entered the facility and made her way to Jothee's bedside.

Title: The Guardian episode 7: Spring is in the Air

Jothee growled impatiently at Luther. "Will you hurry up please", he whined.

"I am conducting this exam as fast as I can, young Jothee. You must be patient."

"That is the problem," Jothee moaned lifting his arm so that Luther could listen to his hearts beat. "I have been a patient of yours for too long."

Smiling at the young man's play on words Luther finished up the exam with a stern, unsmiling face. "I don't like that look on your face," Jothee told Luther. "How much longer?" he sighed in resignation.

Trying to maintain the stern facade, Luther slowly began inputting data into his medical journal. Looking up at the scowl on the young Luxon's face was all it took to cause Luther to break out in peals of laughter. Koi and Vidal hastened their pace, the sound of peals of uncontrollable laughter and cheering were echoing down the corridor.

"I thought you said he could keep a secret", Koi told Vidal.

"Usually he can," Vidal giggled hearing more laughing as they got closer to the medical facility. Jothee rounded the corner in a full run, plowing into them and knocking them down to the floor. "I'm sorry Koi, Vidal," he apologized profusely.

"It's fine Joth', we are unhurt," Vidal stated as she smoothed out her clothing.

"You promised me a tour, Vidal, and I am officially healed," he said smugly.

"Yes I did, didn't I?" Vidal confirmed. "Well this day is a good day for it. Perhaps It will take away some of that energy you have stored up during your long recovery."

"Yes I think that is a good idea, that way I will be free to go to Oompah parish to fabricate parts for the explorer. And you would be in the best of hands and not getting into trouble. Thank you Vidal." Nodding Vidal grabbed one of the young Luxon's hair tentacles and pulled him back towards the medical center.

"First I want to show you the medical facility, and then..." Koi heard Vidal tell Jothee as they headed towards a waiting Luther.

"Show him the medical center indeed", Koi chuckled watching Vidal hug Luther. "Well, all that aside I need to get to work. The snow is melting and I want to be gone as soon as the explorer is ready. Moya could be anywhere."

Koi exited the underground shuttle carrier and stepped into Oompah. The caverns here were similarly designed except for the intricate carvings and paintings on the walls and ceilings. Statues and plants and other items of an artistic nature were all along the route she took to the metallurgist shop. Once there she, she waited for the smith to finish the part he was working on.

"Ah Guardian Koi you are here. Shall we begin", he said as he led her towards the computer. Koi entered the data crystal into the computer and watched as the parts she needed were projected into the air. The smith manipulated the charts, looking at the dimensions closely and then shut off the machine. "Must be nice to have a photographic memory," Koi muttered as he walked off. That is definitely not a guardian genetic trait, she thought.

The metallurgist shooed her out the door and advising her to go explore his parish while he began work on the parts Koi needed. Resigning herself to her fate, Koi began to meander around the parish. If all went well in less than 8 weekuns she and Jothee would once again be among the stars.

Title: Guardian part 8: Never Say Goodbye

Jothee watched Koi as she connected the last of the strange mechanical assembly that was a part of the phase converters. He was so mixed up about leaving. A part of him wanted to stay, he liked the Laylains especially Luther and Vidal. However, he mostly wanted to find his father.

Sighing sadly he handed Koi a towel so that she could wipe the sweat and grime from her face and hands. He snickered when all she achieved was smearing the oily black substance from the assembly all over her face. Laughing at him Koi poked him in the stomach and gestured for him to follow her.

Leaving the explorer the odd couple headed for a waiting hovercraft. Jothee jumped as Koi's thoughts merged with his own, he didn't think he would ever get use to the guardian's gifts. She is so special and she doesn't even realize it Jothee thought. "Glad you think so," Koi replied in his head. Smiling slyly at Jothee, Koi began to maneuver the hovercraft towards the parish.

Jothee sat back a little miffed but happy. "Well, Jothee, we are almost ready to go. All we have to do is pack up our things and leave. The explorer is going to be almost like new minus a dent here and a dent there." Koi laughed at the contradiction in terms. Her explorer was over 200 cycles old.

She landed the hovercraft in the caves vehicle terminal. She smiled as an impatient Jothee bounded past her and jumped to the cave floor. One day I must teach that child how to walk when he wants to get somewhere she chuckled. Then sobering she realized that he probably was enjoying the freedom of being able to run and play like a child. Mackton definitely had not contributed to his happiness. Shuddering at the memory of the man, Koi wrapped her arms around her waist and hurried to catch up to the young Luxon.

Back in their quarters Jothee and Koi began to pack the meager odds and ends they had collected during their stay on Layla. Spring felt like summer on some planets she had been on. It was very hot. On some days the intense heat even invaded the coolness of the upper level caves forcing people to seek refuge in the deeper caves for comfort.

Vidal had explained that eventually at the peak of the spring temperatures it would be over 140 dagras outside. Space looked pretty good now that she knew how it would get. Grabbing her belongings Koi waited for Jothee to finish packing.

Jothee let out another long sigh and picked up his bags. This was a far cry from the single outfit he had when they landed. Koi laughed as she thought the same thing about Jothee. "Come on let's go find Luther and Vidal so we can say goodbye. The sooner we leave the sooner we find Moya and your father." Looking about the chambers with a sad face Jothee nodded in agreement and followed Koi out the door.

"Luther please pick up your shoes and put them away. Koi and Jothee will be here any minute and I do not want them to trip on your things," Vidal chastised her husband yet again. Hugging Vidal close to him Luther began to nuzzle her neck.

"They will see more than my shoes on the floor if I had my way," Luther whispered in her ear.

"Behave," Vidal warned him even as she melted closer into him and held up her head to meet his kiss.

Hearing a cough and giggling behind them they jumped apart in surprise as Jothee skidded to a halt outside the door. Luther chuckled as the Luxon's skin began to burn with embarrassment at having interrupted them.

"It's ok, Jothee, married people kiss like that all the time," Koi told him.

"Gross", Jothee murmured under his breath.

"Well," Luther began, "shall we get this thing started before all of us end up crying instead of rejoicing that you can continue on your journeys."

"Here, Here," Koi responded, "I agree with you on that", as several tears began to slip down her face. With Luther and Jothee leading, they made their way back to the vehicle cavern. Koi and Vidal walked silently arm in arm watching the two in front of them as they joked and played.

"We will miss you both very much, Koi. I do not know what Luther will do without his new shadow following him about. But soon we will have our own shadow," she finished smiling broadly at the array of emotions flittering across Koi's face.

"Congratulations," Koi squealed as she hugged Vidal exuberantly. Luther looked around when he heard the squeal and laughed and elbowed Jothee.

"I guess she finally told Koi, that we are with child," he explained. Jothee looked around at Koi and Vidal as the chatted excitedly and nodded.

Luther and Jothee waited beside the nearest hovercraft for the two women to catch up with them. He watched as the aura of joy began to dim into one of dread and resignation. Both women sighed simultaneously and then burst into giggles, which then turned to tears.

Luther averted his face afraid if he watched he would start crying with them. Clearing his throat he motioned for them to board the hovercraft. Once everyone was on board Luther joined them and prepared the craft for departure.

The trip to the explorer was made in silence. Everyone looked everywhere but at each other. They had all thought that when the day arrived it would not be so heart wrenching, but instead it was worse.

Jothee waved from the landing ramp as Koi and he watched it depart and head back towards the parish. His lip trembled as he held back tears.

His first real friends and he had to leave them behind. Hanging his head he turned and stomped up the ramp and took his seat in the explorer. Koi watched the angry young man and knew what he was feeling. She had some of the same feelings herself.

"Prepare for takeoff Jothee. This will be a little rough because of all the upper level winds from this heat. But we need to go. I do not want to leave them either but... we need to go," she finished.

The explorer lifted slowly from the ground, hovering, shuddering slightly as from within controls were changed and calibrated. After several minutes of hovering it began to ascend slowly then as it neared the planets last atmospheric layers even faster until it could no longer be tracked by the Laylain radar facilities. From within Koi and Jothee watched the planet's size shrink away as they climbed farther and farther into the air.

Eventually it was gone. Koi stood and walked to the young Luxons side. Holding her arms open she sighed as he collapsed into her, his body wracked with sobs and the pain of separation from the first friends he had ever had. Koi tried valiantly but in the end was unable to hold back her own tears; they held each other and cried for several minutes.

Wiping the last of the tears away Koi forced Jothee to look at her. Satisfied with the resignation and determined light in his eyes she nodded. Releasing him she returned to her seat at the helm. "Computer begin a sweep of the system, I want you to find me any particle of Leviathan DNA and cross match it until you find Moya's DNA then set a course to follow her trail."

"Acknowledged", the computer answered.

"Jothee come up here and take a seat beside me it's time for you to learn how to fly."

Title: Guardian episode 9: Seek and Ye Shall Find

Koi watched the endless expanse of space gliding by outside the main viewer and sighed again. Damn. Not another dead end. Moya was not going to be an easy find out here in the cold expanse of deep space.

If only she could ask for help from other guardians in the area. She had sensed several but she knew that no one would risk exile to have any kind of contact with her. A stray tear trickled down her cheek as testament to her absolute loneliness. Koi wiped the betraying tear away and watched Jothee with renewed interest as he struggled to remember the complicated instructions for the proper way to do the diagnostic check of the ships computers.

She waited for the inevitable burst of anger that always erupted from these lessons of late. Smiling she patiently explained the subroutines to him again before going back to the galley to prepare them some food.

They had been searching for several weekun now for any trace of Moya's presence. So far all they had had were dead ends. They had stopped at several nondescript planets and asteroids in hopes of someone speaking of seeing a leviathan or having contact with a leviathan or her crew. Koi was beginning to loose faith. There were a lot of what ifs... that she had to take into consideration, and none of them were good as far as Moya and the crew was concerned. They had made several powerful enemies along the way and all of them wanted the leviathan and the crew dead or alive.

Walking carefully she placed the food on the small table and sent Jothee a telepathic message to come and eat. Several arn later Koi woke to the ships computer and alarm loudly alerting them. Running to the control console she silenced the audible alarm and listened as the computer reported.

"There are several unidentified vessels heading for our coordinates. They appear to be of Peacekeeper technology," the computer warned.

"Jothee, wake up!!!" Koi yelled towards the rear berthing area.

Sitting at the console Koi began to activate the explorers defense grids and battle console. The craft vibrated with renewed energy as the phase converters came online and the starburst engines began to initiate a rapid blind starburst. Koi strapped herself in and told Jothee to do likewise as she hurriedly explained the situation.

"Why would Peacekeepers be this far into the uncharted territories, Koi?"

"I don't know, Jothee, even my people have never come across Peacekeepers this deep in the territories. This is not a good thing. If those are marauders then they must have a base of operation nearby for refueling and the like. That means there is a command carrier group or a base on some asteroid or planet in this system. We aren't going to stay to find out." she finished.

Jothee watched in wonder as the starburst corridor formed around them and drew the ship in. He didn't think he would ever get used to the beauty of the starburst. The way the light expanded and closed in on itself in a myriad of patterns.

"How long is this burst going to last Koi?"

"I am going for several microns Jothee. I do not want to take any chances with those Peacekeepers picking up our trail too quickly." Nodding in understanding Jothee reclined his seat to watch the beauty enclosing them as the explorer made its way down the corridor. Several solar days later....

Jothee jumped as the computer spoke once more. "There is a trace DNA element belonging to Moya the leviathan ship approximately 6 parsecs ahead of our current position," the computer informed them.

"Computer, reconfigure starburst to end at those coordinates," Koi ordered. Looking at the excitement on Jothee's face, Koi tried to mask her own. It could be another dead end. But it was at least a point to start looking. Koi grimaced as the ship screamed out of starburst coming to full stop at the designated coordinates. She observed the scene in wonder.

Below them an ugly nondescript asteroid loomed. Scanning the asteroid she detected approximately fifty life forms. Curious, she was surprised when she saw the transmission panel come to life and even more surprised when the image slowly came into focus to reveal an attractive woman. "Hello," Koi greeted.

"Hello," the woman replied. "I afraid you can not land", she stated. "We are in the process of disassembling the laboratory here and returning to our home world. We are sorry if you came this way to ask for help from Namtar. He... ummm, he no longer exists." She finished in a relieved voice.

"No, No, we didn't come here for that. We are looking for a leviathan ship and her crew. I am returning the son of one of the members of the crew to him. We picked up traces of the ships DNA in this sector and wanted to see if she had come here."

A smile appeared on the woman's face full of joy as Koi explained their presence. Interrupting Koi she stated that yes Moya had been here and that some of her crew had helped free them from Namtar.

"Do you know where they went?" Koi asked.

"No, I'm afraid I do not. Although I remember them saying that Moya could not starburst due to her pregnancy. And it has been only a few solar days since they left here."

Hope swelled inside of Koi and was reflected in the eyes of Jothee at the knowledge of Moya's departure. "Thank you, we will leave you to your packing, and have a safe trip home." Koi told the woman. Shutting down the COM link she looked at Jothee and together they released whoops of joy.

"Computer, begin to follow that trail of DNA please."

"Initiated," the computer replied. Koi and Jothee began discussing how to approach Moya if they found her. Koi admitted that she had made a tentative attempt to communicate with the crew before she went to find him. "I do not know how they received me. I do know that they were shocked that I popped out of nowhere on them."

"Yes, you have a nasty habit of doing that, Koi." Jothee admonished her. "Well I think the best thing to do is just do it," Jothee said.

"Yes", Koi agreed, "no surprises we go in with vid links up and COM links open." "That works for me." Jothee smiled. "Now all we have to do is find the ship and this adventure will have only begun young Jothee," Koi whispered conspiratorially.

Several arn passed by before the computer informed Koi of having picked up traces of an explosion of a Peacekeeper vessel. "You can't be serious. Computer, run the scan again." Koi ordered in astonishment. "Scan confirms traces of Peacekeeper DNA and an unknown DNA structure as well as traces of Moya's DNA floating among the debris field. Moya's DNA pattern continues towards quadrant beta3 of the view grid." The computer answered. "Well then head in that direction full transient phase converters offline. I want them to see us coming if we are within Moya's scanning range."

"Initiated," the computer stated.

Pilot's face flashed on the communication panel in front of John and the others. "There is a ship heading in this direction. We are not familiar with its technology. It has not yet detected our presence, but it appears to be.... searching for something."

"Pilot can you get a visual," Zhaan asked as she stood and made her way to the command module with the others fast on her heels.

"I'm afraid not yet," Pilot stated.

"Look Zhaan you go take care of Aeryn, let us worry about this, ok?", Crichton said softly.

"If it's more Peacekeepers then we will just have to fight our way out of it."

"Crichton is right, Aeryn needs you more. We can handle this", D'Argo concurred along with a lot of head nodding from Chiana and Rygel.

"Very well," Zhaan said as she headed back to the injured Aeryn.

"Pilot as soon as you get a visual..."

"I'm working on it Crichton," Pilot interrupted. "Visual coming up," Pilot stated, as his image was replaced by one of a small spacecraft.

"That's that funny little ship that popped up over a half cycle ago and then disappeared. Yeah and it had that freaked out chick on it spouting off some cryptic message."

"Yes, it is isn't it?" D'Argo agreed. "Well she did say she was coming back Crichton." D'Argo stated.

"Wonder what she wants?" Chiana and Rygel said simultaneously.

Title: Bittersweet Homecoming Guardian Episode

Koi watched as Moya slowly came into view. Finally it was done. She looked at Jothee and saw a range of emotions shifting over the young man's face. Finally he hung his head and she saw silent tears slowly sliding down his jaw line and disappearing under the collar of his tunic. Jothee looked at Koi and smiled one of his cocky grins even though tears were still being shed. "I take it you are pleased", Koi stated.

"Yes," Jothee hiccupped. Koi laughed as the young Luxon broke out in a fit of powerful hiccups. "Well, let's get this over with", Koi muttered. "Computer make contact with Moya's pilot and tell him I want to land and that I have a Luxon passenger."

"Understood", the computer stated simply as it went about its instructions. "Come on Jothee, let's get our gear ready for disembarking".

The crew of Moya gathered around Pilot. "The one called Koi has requested to land aboard Moya and she said to inform you she has a Luxon passenger," Pilot told them. "The ship is also approaching us with shields down and weapons disabled. It is in a very vulnerable position." he finished.

"I say we destroy it," D'Argo said forcefully. "I think that it is a Peacekeeper trap of some sort. Perhaps Crais has found us and is using this woman to entrap us in some way."

That's your answer for everything, D'Argo", Crichton said disgustedly. "Kill it, kill it", he mocked.

"John is right D'Argo. This alien has done nothing to warrant violence from us", Zhaan said in support of John.

"Yeah", Chiana purred. "For all we know this alien has those precious maps you all need to get home."

"She probably has food supplies with her too", Rygel chimed in.

"I think that about sums it up", Aeryn supplied.

D'Argo crossed his arms in front of him in frustration then turned on his heels and headed for the docking hanger.

"The ship should be here within the next several microts", Pilot told the rest of the crew.

"Okay guys let's go and greet the lady and her companion", John said as Chiana and Rygel jockeyed to be the first one out of the chamber. Pilot continued to work as the crewmembers left his chamber and headed for the docking bay to greet the incoming ship.

Jothee felt his stomach hit his throat as the explorer neared Moya's outer docking chamber. He felt even queasier when the explorer lurched as she came to a sudden stop.

"Hmm", Koi giggled. "I almost hit a prowler."

"Peacekeepers here on this ship." Jothee squealed jumping to his feet to hide.

"It's ok Jothee, she is a member of this crew. She is dead to her people, as I am to mine." Koi finished in a whisper.

"Koi are you sure you won't be able to go back home?" Jothee asked her deeply concerned.

"Very". Koi answered him quietly. "Don't worry about it Jothee I will be fine." "After all, I am a guardian. Even if I am not a guardian," she laughed.

They jumped as they heard someone aggressively knocking on the outer hull. Taking a deep breath Koi checked to see if Jothee was ready. Smiling at her weakly Jothee nodded.

"Slow down your breathing or you will hyperventilate", she warned him.

"I'll try", he said as his voice caught. Koi looked at him again and ordered the computer to lower the outside ramp and open the exit hatch.

D'Argo jumped aside and shook his fist as the exit ramp slid from it's hidden compartment and the exit doors slowly opened. He strained his eyes and fingered the qualta blade in his hands waiting for the alien to exit the ship. He snorted in disgust as the others waited patiently for the strangers to appear. Aeryn hadn't even drawn her weapon.

"The fools trusting natures will get them killed one day." he sighed.

"Ka D'Argo". D'Argo jumped and looked about wildly. The others wondered what was happening as D'Argo began shouting for someone to show themselves and stop talking in his head.

"A telepath?" Zhaan questioned aloud.

"Hmmm what I wouldn't pay to see D'Argo jump like that again", Rygel said in a bored voice before he and Chiana broke out in fits of giggles.

"Jothee, your father has his qualta blade and it's charged. I am going to go first, ok? You stay behind me, understand?" Koi told him in a stern voice.

"Yes, I understand." Jothee replied. "All right then follow me." Koi slowly walked up to the exit door and put her bag on her shoulder and motioned for Jothee to do the same. She then held up both of her hands and placed them behind her head and began to slowly walk down the ramp. Jothee placed his hands over his head and stayed closely behind Koi as they slowly descended the ramp. D'Argo kept the qualta blade trained on the strange pair as they left the ship.

The landing gear ascended once they both were on the floor, thus trapping them in the hanger with nowhere to retreat. Satisfied he had the upper hand, D'Argo motioned them to come closer. He noticed how the short one stayed hidden behind the flowing black hair of the woman. He could not tell if it was a Luxon or another species as the woman's hair billowed behind her. It was very long and she was very attractive, D'Argo noticed.

Deciding to sidestep D'Argo and his qualta blade, Koi continued along the cargo bay's bulkhead until she was near the others. Then she came to a complete stop and looked behind her wondering why D'Argo was still training the weapon on her. Jothee was walking in a crouched position letting her hair shield him from everyone's sight. "I should have cut it", she thought as she grabbed the young Luxons hair tentacles and pulled him into view.

"Ouch!!!" Jothee exclaimed as the pain of having his hair held so tightly hit him. Laughter broke out from the others as they realized the Luxon was young man hiding behind the woman.

D'Argo dropped the qualta blade in shock. A wrenching pain hit him in the gut causing him to drop to his knees. He shook his head trying to clear it as his breath came quicker making him dizzy from the lack of oxygen to his brain. Zhaan rushed to his side, confused at his sudden illness and looking suspiciously at Koi and the boy wondering if the telepath had other hidden talents. Concerned Koi started towards D'Argo as Jothee let out an anguished cry.

"Father", he yelled and rushed to D'Argo's side as D'Argo lost consciousness.

"Father!" the others said in unison. "I guess the shock was too much for him", Koi surmised. "Perhaps I should have told him the Luxon was his son. I wanted him to be surprised."

"Well, he definitely was surprised", Rygel laughed.

"Yeah", Chiana agreed as she and Rygel looked at one another and burst out in peals of laughter again.

"Help me get him to his quarters", John told Aeryn and Zhaan.

"Let me", Koi said, as she effortlessly picked up D'Argo carrying him as if he was nothing.

"You never carried me around when I was hurt", Jothee complained. "That was because you needed something to concentrate on other than the pain you were in. Besides I was channeling most of your pain and could barely carry myself."

"Oh", Jothee said simply. Koi followed the peacekeeper as she led them to D'Argo's quarters. Carefully she laid him on his bed as Zhaan came in with several vials, mixing up some type of medicinal aid. She watched as Zhaan placed several drops of the concoction under D'Argo's noise and almost immediately D'Argo regained consciousness and began to rub vigorously trying to rid himself of whatever Zhaan had used. Koi sent Jothee a mental message as well as the others and they all retreated to the command module leaving Jothee alone with his father.

"So, what other tricks do you have up your sleeve", Chiana asked unabashed at her directness. "Tricks?"

"Yeah," Chiana began as she was interrupted by simultaneous voices telling her to be quiet.

"What our young friend means is what other--umm abilities do you possess, my dear?" Zhaan asked her.

"Why are my 'gifts' even a topic of discussion?" Koi answered with a question of her own.

"Look," Aeryn started aggressively towards her, only to be pulled back by John and given a stern stare. Koi began to ignore them and walked away watching Pilot as he worked continuously never stopping his movements. "Catching his eye she smiled as Pilot gasped. The others watched as Pilot continued to work as the woman watched him. Pilot moved his head and stopped working several times pointing at things and they realized that she and pilot were having a conversation about the ship. Angered by the brazen rudeness of Koi, Aeryn started forward only to drop to her knees holding her head in pain. Koi never turned around. As quickly as the pain began it ended. Koi slowly turned around and looked at each of them.

"I will leave. Jothee has his father now and won't need me anymore. I just downloaded my star charts to Moya's central database. Each of your systems has been labeled and the quickest path to your home world marked out. However, John Crichton I do not have a solution for your problem. I truly am sorry," she finished in a voice filled with remorse.

The others began to chatter excitedly as an exuberant D'Argo and Jothee rounded the corner and entered the command module.

"Everyone," he boomed, "this is my son, Jothee. Come over here, boy. Don't be shy. I want to introduce you to each of them." Koi watched as D'Argo began to introduce Jothee to John.

Satisfied, she slowly phased out while they were distracted and headed back to the cargo bay. She had hoped they would just accept her as she was and allow her to join the crew. She was not prepared for a lot of questions about what she was. Koi felt something on her cheek and tried to brush it away with her hand only to realize that the back of her hand was now wet. The tears came faster and harder as she reached the explorer. In a voice that she didn't even recognize, she told the computer to lower the ramp and open the exit doors. She was halfway up the ramp when she heard a heart-wrenching cry.

"Koi!" Jothee screamed in anguish as D'Argo tried to hang on to the young man. "Koi please don't leave me", he cried. "Koi", he said weakly as he turned his face into his father's shirt and began to cry brokenly.

"Koi", D'Argo shouted his voice echoing around the cargo bay. "You are a coward," he yelled. "Jothee told me you could hide from view. If you are still inside show yourself. Coward!" he yelled.

Angry Koi released her hold of her phase ability and slowly shimmered into view on the ramp. D'Argo looked on in surprise and anger as the woman showed up again. "You are breaking my son's heart he told her angrily. How could you try to leave him without saying goodbye."

"It is for the best," Koi began weakly. "I can not stay here."

"Why not?" D'Argo asked her puzzled.

"I think that is our fault," Zhaan said quietly behind D'Argo. We apologize for our earlier inquisitiveness, Koi. Don't we Chiana?" Zhaan smiled while she looked sternly at Chiana.

"Well, yessss." Chiana answered.

"Your past, is your business," Crichton told her. "Hell you can't be that bad, you brought D'Argo his son all the way out here in no man's land."

"What did he say", Koi asked in confusion as she started down the ramp towards the still teary eyed Jothee.

"If you are staying get used to it," Zhaan replied dryly folding her arms against her chest.

"I will stay until Jothee doesn't need me anymore." Koi told them as the young man rushed into her arms and she enfolded him in a hug.

"But that could take forever..." Chiana began as the others chorused for her to shut up.

The End :)

Disclaimer:  Farscape is the property of the Jim Henson Muppet Company, The Nine Network of Australia, Hallmark Entertainment and Scifi.com. This site is for fans by fans and does not mean to infringe on any rights held by these companies.