Title: The Reluctant Samaritan
Genre: Scifi-adventure-romance
Rating: PG-13
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.
The Reluctant Samaritan
A Farscape Novella
Chapter One: Birth of a Conscious
Crais examined what was left of the space station. As he viewed the damage large pieces of metal, chunks of ice, wires and cables drifted by. "Talyn, continue scanning for any life forms. Enough of the station remains that there could be survivors inside."
"Beep. Beep." Talyn answered him, before beginning the scans.
"I know that you are worried about Moya. We are near but if there is a chance someone survived we need to find out. There may be a planet nearby that we can take them to or a ship here among the refuse that they can use."
"Now. I am going to get some rest. Wake me in an arn, or before that if you find anything."
Crais removed the neuro-communicator from his neck and walked from the command center. He ran his hands along a bulkhead lovingly before turning down the corridor that led to his quarters. Talyn was growing quickly. Everyday there seemed to be a new passageway to explore--new rooms to assign a purpose. It amazed him to no end the complexity of the Leviathan's biology. He often wondered how the Builder's had achieved such a feat and why they released such a complicated sentient race, as a beast of burden for other races to make use of.
He knew how the Builders felt about Talyn thanks to his last run in with Moya’s crew. They thought he was an abomination and if given the chance he was sure they would "decommission" Talyn as they had tried to decommission Moya. The priest had told him about her encounter with the Builders. The memory of her emotion-laden words filled with censure and pain still had the ability to affect him. Something in him had changed that day. He wasn't sure or why but for the first time in his life he cared about how his actions affected the lives of others. He didn't want Talyn to find out, he was afraid what the juvenile would do if he knew that his very existence was the reason his mother had almost died.
Shrugging off the memories he entered his quarters and began to remove his clothing. He slipped naked between the cool sheets and closed his eyes. Finally, he could rest.
"Beep! Beep!" Crais jerked upright in the bed. Disoriented he looked around dumbly. What had happened? Regaining his bearings he grabbed the neuro-transponder and placed it in its unit. "Yes Talyn. Only one? Okay I'm on my way to command. Prepare my transport."
Crais dressed hurriedly, once finished he jogged down the corridor to command. He paused momentarily as Talyn’s thoughts flowed through his mind in warning. He gripped a bulkhead as Talyn maneuvered sharply to evade a large piece of debris. “Being bonded to a leviathan does have its advantages,” he muttered. He struggled to regain his equilibrium. Forcing the sensitivity of the transponder down so that he could function better. When Talyn became excited it always affected him negatively. The leviathan's thoughts and emotions would overwhelm him. As Talyn matured he was becoming harder to control. One day they would no longer be teacher and student; they would be simply Talyn and Crais--companions, until Talyn decided he no longer wanted a companion.
Crais laughed ruefully as Talyn emitted a series of beeps and whistles. "You say you would never part from me now, but wait until you are older my young friend. Now stop reading my thoughts and show me what section of the station the survivor is on."
Crais examined the display and cursed. The area was located in a docking ring. Apparently the person had tried to make it to a ship to escape when the collision occurred and was trapped. The only thing preventing whoever it was from being sucked into the vacuum of space was a large piece of the comet that had smashed into the station and created and effective seal. To remove it would mean imminent death for anyone inside.
"Talyn, I want you to perform a structural scan. See if there is a place the person can get into with atmosphere. If so we will broadcast our intentions to free them and bring them onboard. If not it would be more humane to allow them to simply fall asleep when their oxygen runs out." Crais looked over the detailed scans of the docking ring. There appeared to be a duct along the wall of the docking ring. If the individual inside was small enough they could squeeze inside and have enough air to breathe until he could get inside with a bio suit. That would have to work. It appeared to be their only option.
"I am going to the transport pod now, forward the scans to the databanks aboard. Give me thirty microt to attempt to communicate with the one trapped inside. Then if they comply, when I am a safe distance away scan the ring again, once the person is in the tubing and it's sealed, I want you to use your laser cannon in a controlled tight beam burst to begin melting the ice. Do not try to remove it all at once! If you use too large a burst of energy it will shatter and the debris may harm the survivor's tubing. Once the ice is free I will position the transport as near the structure as I can and enter with an extra bio-suit." Crais chuckled and rubbed a lighted panel affectionately. "I will be careful my friend. Now let's get this rescue underway."
Tia sat cross-legged on the cold floor of the docking ring. The large wall of ice and ore before her had probably saved her life. She sighed in disgust. Her brother, Niles, had deserted her. The ingrate probably thought she was dead. Just wait until she found him. She would give him a piece of her mind and then some. Tia tried to concentrate on the area outside the station again. She had sensed the withdrawal of other survivors whether it was by death, or by shuttling away on whatever ships that had survived the collision.
None of the survivors she had contacted telepathically would risk a rescue attempt even after she begged them. All they cared about were their own skins, not rescuing some Sebecean freak trapped on board the station.
Tia rubbed her hands against the thin fabric of her garment trying to ward off the cold. Thinking of the growing numbness and feeling sorry for herself wouldn’t keep her warm and it wouldn't gain her freedom.
She willed her body to relax; her face became lax and unexpressive. Slowly she envisioned herself above her body, leaving the docking ring and searching the darkness of space surrounding it. Her mind recoiled suddenly as if burned. Her eyes flew open in shock and she was unable to stop the flow of tears that began. Salvation. But at what cost to her soul. Rubbing her temples lightly she realized she would have to communicate with the Peacekeeper beyond the barrier if she was to survive. A harsh little laugh escaped her. What would he do? Why was he here? Fear and bile rose up in her throat as she attempted another probe. She had to know the truth or she would rather die before being returned to Scorpius's lab on the Gamek base.
"Yes, Talyn. I felt her. She's a telepath. This will make our job easier. I'll try to communicate with her again if she attempts to contact us again. To hear her thoughts over yours I am going to remove the transponder. If you need me alert me via the control panel."
Crais removed the transponder and placed it in a protective case among the controls of the transport pod. Sighing he waited for the telepath to try to contact him again. Hurry up. Talyn wants to check up on his mother and I don't know how much longer--.
Crais dropped to his knees and screamed in agony. His mind was on fire. This was more than a simple communication attempt. He fought the waves of pain, holding his head between his hands as the probe continued. Memories of Tavou, the Peacekeepers, Scorpius, Crichton, everything he had ever experienced in his lifetime surfaced briefly. Ripped to the surface of his consciousness to be viewed by whoever was on board the space station. After many moments there was nothing. The pain began to ebb away and was replaced by a cool, calming feeling of peace and contentment.
"I am sorry. I had to know your intentions. I understand what you want me to do. I think I can fit inside the pipe. I will let you know in a few seconds." Tia tried to keep the shame of her violation of Crais's mind out of the emotions she was broadcasting along with her message. She wouldn't be surprised if he left her there to die now. What she had done was unforgivable. Holding back sobs she headed to the pipe and removed it's covering. She almost gagged at the stench that fouled the air.
"Crais it’s a waste tubing. There is no way I am going inside that thing! I will take my chances." Tia told him. She returned the cover over the pipe and backed away.
"Now you listen--to me. That is the only way you will get out of there alive. Believe me--right now I wouldn't mind leaving you here for what you just did to me. It was unconscious able." Crais moaned; her fear became his. She was claustrophobic, just the thought of going down into the pipe was causing her to panic. "Either you go into the pipe or you will die." Crais replaced the neuro-transponder. "Talyn begin firing to melt the comet fragment!"
"Crais nooooo--"
Crais fired the three-prong anchor into the gaping wound on the docking ring from the safety of the transport’s cargo hatch. He pulled on the attached cable several times to test its hold. Satisfied, he attached a safety clip to it and then to the utility harness over his environment suit and began to pull himself inside. The low level shots Talyn had fired had done their job. The only part of the comet or ice asteroid remaining was clinging to the edges of the structural tear. He adjusted the light attached to his utility belt and searched for the entrance to the conduit. They would have to work quickly to get her suited up before she was tempted to take a breath.
"Are you there?" he asked her.
"Yes."
"Good. I'm glad you followed my advice. Now you need to hold your breath. I am getting ready to remove the cover. Kick free quickly and I will help you into the environment suit."
"Okay. Hurry. It's getting harder to stay conscious down here. The smell and the closeness are unbearable."
"Okay the cover is coming off...now."
Tia felt the rush of the air as it escaped, the force drawing her upward along with it. She was amazed at the intensity of the coldness of space. It was almost an instant effect. She could feel the coldness to the bone and her limbs were already stiffening only after a few seconds of exposure. She struggled to keep her fear down. She felt something grab her ankle and drag her downward. Eventually she felt a mask going over her face. Opening her eyes she nodded in understanding and began to struggle into the environment suit Crais had handed her.
"Can you hear me? Are the helmet's communication devices working properly?”
Tia nodded. Fear coupled with relief kept her from speaking. Crais zipped up the back of the suit and snapped the helmet into place. She felt the soft cool flow of fresh air as the helmet began to recycle the air in the suit. Sighing in relief she smiled briefly.
Crais stood back and looked at the woman for the first time. He had been so concerned with her safety he was now just realizing how attractive she was. Sebecean. She looked for the world to be Sebecean. A Sebecean telepath of her caliber; how was it possible? If it was possible how did she get out here and away from Peacekeeper control? Surely she was very valuable to them. He noticed the way she was watching him. Her eyes were very expressive as well as intelligent. She was cataloging everything about him that she could. She was afraid of him, but she was more afraid of dying. Perhaps that was why she had allowed him to save her.
Something told him she would rather die than go back to the Peacekeepers. If his hunch was right he didn't blame her. Like Talyn; he believed the beautiful young woman standing before him was a product of Peacekeeper experimentation. He feared she would bring him more trouble than he wanted from the Peacekeepers.
Sighing he motioned her towards the guide rope and attached her suit's safety clip to it. Together they made their way back to the transport pod. Once inside the woman collapsed to the floor in tears. Frowning at her weakness he stepped around her and made his way to the controls to facilitate their safe return to Talyn.
After guiding the transport around some of the wreckage Crais spoke. "What is your name? I feel that it is only fair you tell me something of your life. You know everything...about me."
A surge of anger surfaced in him. She hadn't moved. She had her eyes closed and appeared to be deep in thought. He shrugged and waited for Talyn's docking whip to capture them and guide them inside. Once they were secure inside the maintenance bay he powered down the transport and opened the hatch. Leaning down he tapped the woman lightly on the helmet. Her eyes flew open. He was startled by the brilliant violet color. He had never seen a Sebecean with eyes like hers...before. Maybe he was mistaken. Maybe she wasn't Sebecean at all.
"Come on. We are aboard Talyn. I will assign a room to you and you can go bathe and clean your clothing. We can talk later. First I will let you rest."
The woman nodded her head in understanding and stood wearily. He realized exhaustion was the reason she had not attempted move since they made it to the transport. How long had she been on board that station?
“My name is Tia Akar. Thank you for saving me.” Crais looked at her closely. He worked her name around in his head. Tia. The name seemed to fit her perfectly.
“Save your strength. We will talk later after you have bathed and rested. Come I will help you to your quarters.”
Tia sighed and stepped out of the putrid clothing. She dumped them into the am nexus fluid to soak and walked naked down the corridor to the shower facility. Turning on the fine mist she allowed it to coat her body. Picking up the body oil Crais had given her she began to work up a fine lather. She sniffed the oil apprecitively.
It was obviously meant for a woman to use. Perhaps the woman named Aeryn Sun. She had tried to skip over everything she could that did not pertain to the Peacekeepers but it appeared the woman was as intertwined with them as Crais was.
After she finished lathering up her body she allowed the oil to stay on her skin for a time. She wanted to be sure that she removed the stench of the waste conduit from her flesh completely. The memory of the conduit almost made her gag in distaste. Turning up the spray she rinsed and repeated the process, shampooing her hair last. Turning off the spray guiltily she hoped she had not wasted any water. She knew that the leviathan would recover most of it in his waste reclamation system but having hair as long as hers while in space was a luxury that Niles had tried on many occasions to get her to cut.
She wanted no memories of their time on that experimental Gamek base. Of the surgeries, the genetic alterations, the cybernetic implants. Tia stifled a sob and dried her body with a fluffy towel dyed a bright blue. Crais had seemed embarrassed when he had given it to her. Wrapping it tightly around her body she secured it in place and returned to the am nexus chamber to finish cleaning her clothing.
Chapter Two: Gamek Hell
Crais listened in to the soft sounds of Tia sleeping over Talyn’s surveillance system. Satisfied that she was settled in and comfortable he gave Talyn permission to plot the quickest interception course to Moya before he retired to his own chamber. He would allow her to rest and regain her strength—then they would talk.
“You are a most attractive specimen. It’s a shame really; that I have to do these test on you. But because of your higher brain function activity, members of your family were better suited for the experiments. Now this may be painful. The first of the implants will be placed along your skeleton. The will act as receivers. The final implants will be placed in your brain. They will boost your already phenomenal telepathic gifts. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, I understand that you are a monster. You have no right to do these things to me. Let me go. Let my brother go. What did you do to my parent’s? Where are they?” Tia flinched as the Scaren half-breed drew closer. She could sense his anger at her insults and subsequent demands.
“You are in no position to demand anything. If you ever want to see your parents again…I suggest you learn your place in Peacekeeper society. Your parents were fugitives; they were captured. Peacekeeper High Command will deal with them--however, you and your brother are to be used to finish the tests that began on your parents twenty cycles ago. Actually, because you are second-generation test subjects with genetically superior profiles, you have a better chance of surviving than your parents originally did. Now, you’ll begin to feel sleepy—.”
“How are you my dear? Rested I hope. The surgeries went astoundingly well and you are almost fully healed. I have been keeping you unconscious so that you wouldn’t feel ummmm any undo pain while your body heals. Oh don’t mind the restraints. We wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself.”
Tia gagged as she felt Scorpius’ hands sliding up her naked thigh towards her womanhood. Unable to hold down the rush of disgust that overwhelmed her she threw up. Choking and sputtering she turned her head, coughing to clear her throat. Gagging from the smell, she threw up again.
Growling at her Scorpius stepped away and called for a lab technician to clean up the mess. Fear swam through her as she heard his thoughts for the first time. He wanted her. She could feel his desire, his lust, and it sickened her. He whipped around and looked down at her and began to laugh cruelly.
“Well, well, a crude attempt to read me but effective. It would appear that the experiment was successful. No, I haven’t mated with you--yet. I prefer my unwilling female partners conscious. I draw more the pleasure if I am able to see the humiliation and pain in their eyes. You my dear, are now on your way to becoming the mother of a new class of Peacekeeper soldier—technologically enhanced telepaths.” Tia began to struggle against her bonds. The thought of being used to produce children for war sickened her just as much as the lust in Scorpius’ eyes.
Weekens passed into monens. Tia and Niles learned to control their amplified talents. Niles suffered a stroke several weekens after their training had begun and lost the ability to use his telepathy altogether. She knew the only reason they kept him alive was to prevent her from refusing to continue with the tests. Once Scorpius had all the data he needed she knew he would take her and after he had satisfied his carnal curiosity he would harvest her ovaries and she would die.
Her mind worked furiously for a way to escape. The gamek base was so well built. Every mind she scanned that came within her range all showed her the same thing; only one way in and two ways out. The way you came in or through death. Sighing she began to meditate trying to increase the range of her probing, there had to be someone who knew another way in and out of the gamek base.
Tia wondered where Scorpius was. It had been several solar days since he had last been to check her progress. Niles had shrugged and speculated that he might be dead. No he wasn’t dead she could still sense his evil nature but something else was keeping him occupied. Something important. If only she could find out what it was.
She redoubled her efforts at increasing her ranged. Eventually her mind touched that of Scorpius’ assistant and she learned that he had captured an alien called Crichton and was after some information he contained. Using what little she had learned from the assistant it took her several arns to locate Crichton. He was in a cell with a Banek. Tia was saddened by the mental state of the Banek. He had gone insane apparently. The human—he was filled with as much hatred and disgust for Scorpius as she felt. Layer by layer she searched his mind until she found an area that was walled off from conscious thought. This must be what Scorpius is after. Carefully she peeled away the protective barriers around the tiny seed of information. She didn’t understand all that she was seeing but she knew that if Scorpius obtained the information the human would die.
Tia smiled as she replaced the stolen knowledge with a message for Scorpius. He would kill her soon but he would never obtain the wormhole information from the human. She had stolen it and hidden it within her on consciousness where he would never get it. The human live as long as Scorpius was unable break the mental block protecting the knowledge. Laughing Tia relaxed for the first time in several monens since coming to the gamek base. For once she had the upper hand.
Every arn she would check on the human and the barrier. Reinforcing it when necessary. It was during these maintenance scans that she learned of the human was escaping. Everything after that was a blur. She easily overpowered the mind of their guard and forced him to release them and then lock himself inside the holding cell. They escaped unnoticed as everyone concentrated on the tunnels of the Gamek base in search of Crichton and his friends. Taking a marauder she and Niles slipped away in the chaos and confusion and had been on the run ever since.
#
“So you see, you must leave me on a planet where I can find passage somewhere else. My presence on Talyn puts you both in danger. One day I will find a way to repay you both. But for now—”
Crais’s held up his hand to silence her. A cunning smile lit his face. “You mean to tell me, Crichton doesn’t even have the wormhole technology? Scorpius went through all that trouble to retrieve a message you left in Crichton’s brain. Oh, this is too much.” Crais burst out in insane peals of laughter. He sobered suddenly and grabbed Tia by the throat. She struggled to free herself, clawing at his fingers, gasping for air. “Aeryn Sun died trying to save Crichton from Scorpius’s neuro-chip. A chip Scorpius may not have implanted had he been able to obtain the wormhole technology through the Aurora chair. Aeryn may very well be alive today if not for your interference. As soon as we rendezvous with Moya to see how she is healing, I will find and I will leave you on the first station or commerce planet I locate. Do you understand me?”
Tia nodded sadly. Knowing that her vengeful act against Scorpius had resulted in another’s death did not sit well with her at all. “I’m sorry Crais. I know how you feel about her….”
“Sorry won’t bring Aeryn back. And you have no right to know how I feel. Now get off my bridge and out of my sight before I change my mind and kill you.”
Tia looked around in utter disbelief as several guns emerged from compartments in the ceilings and walls. Each one had a laser sight trained on her and followed her every move as she left Crais alone with his memories.
Chapter 3: Hidden Talynts
“Talyn, send a low frequency signal to alert Moya that we will be arriving within the arn. I don’t want to surprise them. Ask Pilot about your mother’s current medical condition. I am going to check on our guest. Inform me of Pilot’s report. I’ll be back soon.”
Crais listened to the affirmative noises Talyn made on his way off of command. Over the course of the last several solar days he had rarely seen Tia and when he did the shame and sorrow he saw in her eyes made him realize she was just as affected by the results of her actions as he was. A part of him felt guilty while another could not forgive her involvement no matter how small a part she might have played.
Rounding a corner he skidded to a halt. Tia was sitting cross-legged in the middle of the corridor with several drds in front of her listening attentively. He hadn’t realized her hair was so long. It was wet, curling provocatively down her back. The reddish gold highlights glistened beneath the low-leveled lights of the area. He found himself wanting to touch the glistening locks to see if they felt as silky as they looked.
“Yes I know that you can’t let me off the ship without Crais’s permission but you understand my presence here gives him pain. Talyn please listen to me—frell! You are as stubborn as your master you, you, truant leviathan.” Tia stood and stepped over the drds blocking her path. Several more entered the passageway--laser tools raised. She threw up her hands in defeat and turned around and spotted Crais. “You little traitor. You said you wouldn’t tell him,” she accused Talyn.
“Talyn hasn’t told me anything. I overheard you just now. How is it I didn’t know of your conversation with my young charge?” Crais leaned against the bulkhead; his arms crossed over his chest, and studied Tia intently as he waited for her to answer him.
Tia flushed guiltily before staring at him defiantly. She moved to walk past him and was grabbed roughly and pushed against the opposite bulkhead and trapped by Crais’s hands holding her head on either side, his fingers tangled in the riotous mass of auburn curls.
“It would be in your best interest to tell me the truth,” he whispered into her ear. He breathed deeply. The aromatic bathing oil he had given her filled his nostrils and awakened his passions. He found himself moving closer, pressing his body against hers, and marveling at the softness of her hair. “You know your hair is too long for space travel. You need to cut several inches off. It’s past your hips. How did you hide it from me….” Several quick successions of images swam through his mind and he smiled, unseen by Tia. “Ah beneath your clothing. Inventive, but I insist that you cut it. Now!” Crais shoved himself away from the violet-eyed temptress. He was disgusted by his behavior. What was it about her that triggered this craving in him? He watched her suspiciously. Maybe she was causing this need. Perhaps she was manipulating him.
Her eyes narrow as she looked at him. Her mouth tightened and she reddened. She clenched her fists at her sides as if in a great battle to control her anger. She closed her eyes for several long seconds. When she reopened them they were shining so brilliantly that he knew if he dimmed the lights in the sector they would glow in the dark. Her color slowly returned to normal and her eyes grew brighter, shining with unshed tears.
“Your lust was yours alone. I had nothing to do with it. You are no better than that abomination I fled from.” Tia tried to walk past him again and he barred her way.
“I apologize for my behavior. You never answered my question. Why didn’t I know you were talking to Talyn?”
“Ask Talyn. Just because I’m a telepath, doesn’t mean I go around abusing my abilities.” Crais released her and watched her hurry away towards her quarters. Eavesdropping through Talyn’s surveillance systems he could hear the sobs and see her suffering. “Frell!” He stalked back towards command to have a little chat with Talyn.
#
Tia sat in her quarters on the floor near the exit. The tears had long since stopped flowing. She should have stayed on the station and accepted her fate. She was tired of running, tired, tired, tired. She leaned over and rested her chin on her knees. Crais.
The memory of their encounter in the hallway filled her mind. She had been appalled at the way her body had reacted to his nearness and she had struck out at him. She realized that she had enjoyed the feel of his body against hers. The way his voice had vibrated against her skin. His arousal had been her arousal.
Sometimes being empathic had its advantages. She closed her eyes, her breast grew heavy, he was thinking about their encounter in the hallway again. She could feel his desire, his need. Tia allowed her limbs to grow lax as she lost herself in the fantasy of Crais’ daydream and his desire.
Chapter 4: Change Of Plans
Crais stood on the bridge staring at the waste funnel, one of Crichton’s wormholes. According to Talyn, he could no longer sense Moya. Not even on leviathan locating frequencies.
“Talyn it is too dangerous for you to go inside that waste funnel. I’m sure your mother is safe. She is probably in starburst. We will pick her signal up again soon. Now we are low on supplies so the logical thing to do is to go to the nearest commerce planet and re-supply--.”
“What is that?”
Crais turned around slowly. He willed his body not to react to Tia’s nearness as she stood directly behind him pointing at the view screen.
“Nothing but a waste funnel. We will be starbursting away from here in a few microt. The first commerce planet we come to; you are free to go. Now get off of my bridge and stay off of it.”
Having dismissed her Crais turned to look at the funnel again. He had never seen one stay open this long before. Shrugging he set about plotting a route to the next habitable star system. He glanced to his left and realized that Tia hadn’t moved. She was standing transfixed staring at the waste funnel. Tears were streaming down her face her lip trembled weakly and then she collapsed to the floor.
“Tia? Tia? Talyn starburst to the coordinates I gave you after I take Tia to her quarters.” Crais lifted Tia into his arms and carried her to her quarters. He was surprised. She wasn’t as heavy as she looked. He reached her quarters and strolled inside. She really needed to start shutting her door but I suppose she feels like she has more room this way. He sat down on the simple bed content to hold her in his arms. He didn’t want to put her down. Not yet. It felt good to hold a beautiful woman in his arms again. “Talyn, starburst.”
Crais held Tia through the turbulence of the starburst. He watched her face, memorizing it. He noticed the exotic shape of her eyes, full lips, and stubborn chin. She had braided her hair in a single braid that now hung over the edge of the bed. He lifted a gloved hand and used his teeth to help remove the glove. Tentatively he traced the contour of her lips with his finger. They were as soft as they looked. He found himself leaning forward and placing his lips against hers. Heaven.
A series of beeps interrupted his kiss; starburst was over. Crais sighed and touched his forehead to Tia’s before lying her down and returning to the bridge.
#
“I am sorry Captain Crais. Under normal circumstances we would welcome your presence on Li-olk, but it is breeding season and the females are quite violent. Your female would not be safe if one of ours were to view her as a threat to a particular male she is interested in.”
“Councilman Te-ilk, I understand your quandary. Is there any way to get goods from your planet to my ship? I have need of vital supplies; surely you can understand my position. I need food, fresh water, and several other items to make it to the next system.” Crais watched as the slow moving, slow thinking, reptilian shuffled around in deep thought. He was at his wits end trying to negotiate with him for supplies. He tried to keep a pleasant look on his face but inside he was ready to scream. They had already wasted two arn that he could have gone down to the planet procured what he needed and been long gone.
“I need to speak to you. It’s important. If not I would not dare try to talk to you this way again. The reptilian is lying to you. They want you to leave without supplies. They are preparing several ships now to try to intercept Talyn in a month when they figure we should be dead.”
“How is it you know this? How long have you been eavesdropping Tia?”
“Not eavesdropping. They are a hive species. The excitement that is rippling across the area the councilman is in--even Talyn can sense. I on the other hand can interpret.”
“What would you advise me do?”
“There is a small colony of Sebecean like creatures on the smaller continent. They may have the supplies we need. However; if they help us it could put them in danger from reptilian retaliation.”
“I asked you what would you do? Not about the colony.”
“I would skip the planet. To start a war over water or any other supplies is not something I would want to do. It would leave too big a trail for Scorpius to follow.”
“Scorpius is dead. How many times do I have to tell you that? I shot down his maurader before it could get to his command carrier.”
“I don’t believe Scorpius is dead. Did you scan the maurader for life forms? How many were on board? If you can’t answer those question for me then I won’t believe Scorpius is dead unless I see his body myself, after I kill him.”
“Excuse me. The reptilian is back.”
“Captain Crais we have decided to allow you to land in a transport alone and unarmed.”
“Yes Councilman that is good news but I have decided that we do have enough supplies to make it to the next commerce planet. I am sorry if I have wasted your time. Talyn end transmission and starburst away from this place.”
Chapter 5: Corona Blues
“Go ahead Bilar, admit I was right.”
“I’ll do nothing of the sort.” Crais eyed Tia coldly, and stalked away from her. The woman was getting on his nerves. “Talyn how far are we from the Terez system?” A series of beeps and whistles followed. Crais nodded in understanding and walked around Tia. “How many times must I tell you to stay off of my bridge? Every time I turn around you are underfoot. Now go away.”
“My but you are grumpy today.” Tia laughed and tugged Crais’s ponytail.
“Stop that or--,”
“Or what? Go ahead, threaten me.”
Crais sighed in exasperation. “Talyn if you need me I will be in my quarters getting some rest. Please have the drd’s escort Tia off of my bridge.”
Tia smiled at his departing back. His braid was coming unraveled as he stomped noisily along the passages. She looked at the band that usually held his hair in place and smiled. He had such beautiful hair. The brief contact from removing the band had allowed her curious fingers to determine how soft his hair was and she had been surprised. She wondered what the soft, silky, strands would feel like against her naked skin--. “Ouch!” Tia looked down at the drd’s pinching and prodding her. “Alright, alright, I’m going already.” Tia sighed in exasperation and walked from the bridge the drd’s following close behind her.
Bilar why are you so irritable? Don’t you realize I’m bored? Tia sighed and paused. Talyn was a small leviathan still. She had explored each of his tiers and rooms that Crais would allow her access to, in an effort to ease her boredom. She was going stir crazy and she was hungry. It had been several arn since their last meal and it had been the last meal. They were now out of food. There was enough water from the reclamation systems to last them a few more days--they estimated. “I hope we reach that planet soon,” she told one of the drd’s before entering her room.
#
“I’m on my way Talyn. Are you sure it’s a marauder? How much damage has it sustained? One life form and it’s weak. I want to make sure no damage will come to you by bringing this vessel on board.” Crais hurried along the passageway to the bridge. He increased the magnification to the view screen until the maurader was clearly visible.
“Scan it several times, I need to know if it is leaking cesium. Keep trying to hail the survivor. No. Wait!” Crais thought for a second before making his decision. “Tia I need you on the bridge please. It’s important.”
“Are you sure? Maybe you just want to tell me to leave. Are you that bored? You are good at that you know.”
“Good at what?” he asked.
“Telling me to leave,” she said.
“No. There is a crippled peacekeeper maurader outside with one life form on board. I want you to scan it.”
“I can do that from here,” she told him.
“Then do it woman and stop bickering with me.”
Tia muttered. He tells me not to use my abilities and then he asks me to use them. The man can’t make up his mind to save his life. Get off my bridge come here onto my bridge. Is there no pleasing him?
Taking a deep breath she placed her hands on Talyn’s bulkhead and began to concentrate. Her thoughts raced along the leviathans skin and were amplified before touching the mind in the maurader. She reared back as if stung. Her breath was coming in gasps of conflicting emotions, anger, relief, and joy, all rolled up into one. Trying to get a hold of herself she was dismayed when Crais’s voice interrupted her before she could reconnect with the marauder’s unconscious pilot.
“Is it safe to bring him aboard?” Crais asked.
“What makes you think it’s a man?”
“Well is it safe to bring her aboard?”
“It’s a man.”
“Look Tia, frelling be serious here okay. That maurader and it’s pilot could contain important information.”
Tia flinched. The steel in Crais’s voice belied any further shenanigans. “Niles is alive. The question is—is the maurader safe enough to be brought on board?” she asked him.
“Yes. It is relatively stable. The engines are frelled but repairable. Good then. I will have Talyn bring it—Niles, Niles, where have I heard that name?”
“My brother.”
“Ah. This should prove interesting.” Crais’s short laugh filled the air briefly.”
Tia wrinkled her noise in disdain at the mocking laughter that seemed to follow her as she headed to the maintenance bay to recover her wayward little brother.
#
“Tia! Is it really you?”
“Yes Niles. It is I,” she answered him. He was weak. His clothes that had once clung to his body, now hung loosely about him. He had a beard; his hair was unwashed and unkempt. There were sores on his body because of his filth. She tried not to gag while she helped him from the maurader.
“I’m so sorry. I am ashamed of how you find me.” Niles bent over in a fit of coughing and gagged on the phlegm.
“What happened to you Niles? How did the maurader become damaged? Why did you leave me there to die?”
Niles straightened a bit; he glared at Tia and looked away. “I’m not ready to talk to you about that yet—as for the rest I was attacked by those traitorous Li-olks as I left their planet. I managed to get this far before the damage crippled the engines completely. They must have realized in its current state the maurader was of no value to them so they simply left. The bastards left me here to die—no food, no water, for several solar days now.”
Tia nodded in understanding. “We have a little water but it is for drinking. I will try to find a non-abrasive solvent that you can use to cleanse your skin. You will have to shave your hair because I don’t know how long it will be before you can wash it.”
“I understand. Now big sister, tell me how you came to be on this strange looking leviathan.”
Tia laughed and continued to support Niles as she guided him to an empty berthing. “Well after you left….”
#
“So you have spent the past several weeks aboard Talyn arguing with Crais it seems.”
Tia snorted at her brother’s astute observation.
“I wonder why the good captain hasn’t come to see his new passenger,” Niles mused.
“Because he is a stubborn, arrogant—,” Tia began, before Crais interrupted her.
“Well, I see your sister has told you about me.” Crais smiled ruefully in her direction. The man looked nothing like Tia except for his eyes. Like hers they were unusual in color a little lighter perhaps than Tia’s, but violet still. Perhaps the coloring was the result of their telepathy he surmised.
The stale odor of sickness mixed with cleaning solvent pervaded the room. He examined Niles closely. The man was dying. He had seen enough of death natural and unnatural to know what it looked like.
He had watched Tia as she helped her brother clean himself and fuss over him like a mother ort. A part of him had been jealous simply because she was touching another man, even if it was her brother. A sallow gray clung to Nile’s skin; even after bathing and having a healing salve applied to the sores--they looked no better. “You should let your brother rest Tia. We are only a few arn from Tarez now. I am going to have a look at the maurader—you are welcomed to accompany me.”
Crais waited and watched the conflicting emotions flicker across Tia’s face. He gasped in shock. She knew Niles was terminally ill! She kissed her brother gently on the forehead and caressed his face before bowing her head and walking stiffly from the room. Crais walked towards the bed Niles was sitting on. “How long has she known? She never mentioned you were ill.”
“She’s empathic. She knew as soon as she scanned me aboard the maurader.”
“But how--why are you sick?”
Niles laughed--a cruel harsh laugh that made Crais flinch.
“Scorpius.”
Crais nodded and walked away leaving Niles to rest. No more needed to be said. If Scorpius had inflicted him with this illness there was probably no cure. He panicked briefly. What if Tia was sick as well and didn’t know? No-no she would be just as ill as her brother—wouldn’t she? He caught in his throat, his palms began to sweat, and if she died and Scorpius was alive he would stop at nothing to destroy him. He had lost Aeryn to Scorpius’ deviousness; he wouldn’t lose Tia as well. He hurried to join her in the maintenance bay the docking whip had deposited the maurader in—she would need to see medical specialist if Tarez had them. He had to know the truth!
#
“Look. I told you the viral infection my brother has is not contagious. Scorpius designed it to work specifically on my brother genetic structure. The sores are areas where his skin can no longer maintain its genetic integrity.” Tia sighed in exasperation when Crais ignored her and looked at the hastily scribbled directions before prodding her down yet another corridor of the massive medical facility.
“Well there is nothing wrong with getting a checkup now is there?” They moved to the side as a surgical team passed by with a floating gurney. “After all, you have been under a large amount of stress lately. I just want to make sure you are as healthy as possible before I am rid of you,” he explained.
Tia snorted—they had left Niles resting in a hygienic facility. He would meet them back at the transport later.
“This is it.” Crais compared the symbols on the note with those on the door to make sure. He removed a glove and palmed the flat metallic entry pad. A light buzzing could be heard and then the door swooshed open and they entered.
Tia looked around them admiring the clean lines and simplistic form of the furniture. The room was sphere shaped, the walls curving upward around them yet it was made for comfort—not style. She liked the physician already.
On many worlds they had visited after their escape, searching for a cure, the doctors had opulent offices, with expensive furniture, art, rare plants and aquariums. None of these things had anything to do with patient care but everything to do with their exorbitant prices. Just hobbies and diversions they wanted to show off to their patients and have their patients pay for. She sat down in a cushioned chair and crossed her hands over her chest. This was Crais’ idea so Crais could do all the talking. After several moments a multi armed, insect like alien came from an examination room followed closely by a Tarezian female.
“Now remember Posh, you are allergic to Antirian slugs. I know you love the taste of them but the next time the reaction will be even stronger—perhaps deadly.”
The creature Posh waved and left the office.
“Oh! Hello there.” The doctor walked over to them. She smiled and extended her hand to Crais while looking him over critically. “You do not appear to be ill. I see no disturbance in your corona to suggest injury or illness. However there is sufficient disturbance to intimate that emotionally you are--,”
“Doctor!” Crais interrupted, “I am Bilar Crais and my companion is Tia, she is the one in need of your well recommended skills.”
“Yes, yes—but I see around you much--,”
“Doctor I am not interested in my emotional well being,” Crais gritted out, “can you please examine Tia. Her health is what concerns me right now.”
The doctor frowned at Crais--such a stubborn man! She moved away from him to where the one he called Tia, was sitting defiantly. The beautiful young woman’s arms were crossed over her chest and her lower lip jutted out a little while her eyes glared daggers at them both.
“Hello Tia. I am Doctor Arman. Please follow me to the examine room. Your mate may accompany you if you wish.”
Dr. Arman watched the brilliant multi-hued corona surrounding the young woman flare violently and then calm. The colors shifted from gauzy whites, to liquid gold, before becoming a calm inducing blue. It was hypnotic in its effect and the doctor narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“You are telepathic. Very interesting. Very rare for your species.”
“You have observed my corona—am I sick?”
Tia didn’t budge from the chair. She glared at the doctor and at Crais for dragging her into the doctor’s office.
“Why no—but the young man wants me to examine you and you have already paid good money to come here,” the doctor explained.
Tia sighed in disgust and rose gracefully from the chair. “Lead the way Doctor and my mate will not be joining us.”
Crais flushed and looked away. Tia followed the doctor from the waiting room down the hall to another exam room. He was tempted to follow them but decided to stay put. He walked over to the chair opposite the one Tia had been sitting in and sat down. The doctor had come so close to betraying his feelings for Tia as more than just a concerned crewmate. He desired her, he cared for her, and he didn’t want to leave her on this planet when the time came. He studied his fingernails in an effort to have something to focus on besides his fear, besides examining his own feelings.
He had never been comfortable thinking about himself, his actions, his reasons for them, or his emotions. Being a peacekeeper had made everything so simple. Follow orders, give orders, don’t think just do as you are told. The thinkers were his superiors, superiors. He was simply an automaton to their will and desire and to hell with his own. Losing Tavou had forced him to re-examine many things.
His rage, fear, grief, all of them irrational--had almost destroyed him in his thirst for revenge. Crichton had not intentionally caused the accident that resulted in his brother’s death. He knew that in his head but sometimes his heart still forgot. Tavou! He clinched his fist as he felt the familiar ache and loss building up inside of him. Tavou had been the last link to his past. Not Bilar Crais the Peacekeeper—but Bilar the son of Bilar, the kind and loving father. His father’s last words haunted him. ‘Take care of your brother.’ Crais blinked back the tears the words invoked. Tavou. I failed you, I failed Aeryn, I failed father, but I will not fail Tia.
He heard a door swoosh open and listened half-heartedly to the double set of footsteps approaching. The doctor and Tia entered the waiting area only after several moments of being gone.
“Your—companion is in very good health and will most likely outlive us both,” the doctor was saying.
“Yes well I could have told you that myself,” Tia muttered.
Crais noticed her adjusting her arm guards and vest. She was so slender and fit. Her muscularity distinctly feminine, the light ripples along her exposed abdomen hinted at its fitness, the tanned skin invited the touch.
Tia flushed and looked at him oddly before looking away. Even the doctor seemed to be becoming a bit uncomfortable.
Crais shoved his desire away. “Thank you doctor—for everything. Come Tia, we need to collect Niles and purchase supplies. I am glad that you are well.”
Crais stood and shook the doctor’s hand. Placing a hand on Tia’s shoulder he guided her out of the office and back the way they had come. Tia shrugged off hand and stopped. He looked back at her curiously. He eyes had widened and fear gripped her. He could feel her fear, waves of it emanated from her.
“Niles,” she croaked before taking off in a dead run. Crais chased after her through the winding halls, down flights of stairs, and finally out into the brilliant daylight. For an instant he was blinded before his eyes adjusted. He saw Tia disappearing into the throngs of people coming to and fro along the bustling complex and took off after her again. Frell she was fast. Breathing heavily he spoke into his COM, “Talyn locate Niles and Tia and relay the information to me via the transponder.”
“Crais, Tia, stay away. Get off the planet now. There are Peacekeepers here,” Crais listened to Niles warning his voice shaking with fear. He spotted Tia again looking around her wildly trying to get her bearings. Tears were streaming down her face and he ached to wipe them away and console her.
“Crais. Tia can’t hear me. We all know I am dying. I don’t have many days left. Scorpius isn’t interested in me—but my sister still has something he wants. Take her away from here. I know you desire her, perhaps you care for her—and if you do you won’t let her stop me. I will divert them away from you. It will give you time to get the supplies you need and escape. I won’t be leaving with you. Thank you for everything you have done for us. Tell Tia I love her and kiss her goodbye for me.”
“You don’t have to do this Niles. We can all leave, maybe find another commerce planet near here and re-supply,” Crais suggested.
“I am at the spaceport and they are examining the transport as we speak. They know it comes from a leviathan and I know that acquiring leviathans is a Peacekeeper incentive. I will divert them. While they are questioning me you will be able to get supplies and escape.”
“Niles. Niles! Talyn locate Niles. Nothing. Frell.” He must have destroyed the COM. Crais caught up to Tia after a few more minutes of running. He grabbed her and held her to him as she struggled against him.”
“No, no, no, no, she chanted fighting to free herself. He can’t. He can’t. He can--,” she sobbed before going limp against him. He smoothed the hair from her face and looked into her pain filled eyes and was lost. He lowered his head and kissed her gently—willing her to accept him, accept his strength, accept his love.
“Bilar—don’t,” Tia whispered against his lips.
“Tia—your brother is dying. Don’t let his sacrifice be in vain. We must hurry and get supplies and leave. If they have your brother and they torture him or turn him over to Scorpius—if Scorpius is alive—he will surely come looking for you.” He removed his gloves and stuffed them in his pocket. He reached for her again and drew her against him. “I don’t want to leave you here—or at the next planet,” he admitted. “Who will I tell to get off of my bridge?”
Tia’s eyes were closed and she was sweating from her previous exertion. Her brow was furrowed in concentration and her hold on his waist tightened briefly. She moved her hands to his face holding his head lightly between them. Her eyes remained closed. What was she thinking? What was she doing? Suddenly he could see the Peacekeepers as they looked at the transport. They seemed puzzled by it’s dark color and strange design. Its angles sharp where most leviathan transports were round and smooth. It looked dangerous—forbidding. There were only five of them. He was getting closer to them and they looked at him suspiciously. It was then he realized Tia was letting him see what her brother was seeing, hearing, and feeling. There was no fear only acceptance and—peace and the knowledge that he had fooled Scorpius again.
Tia opened her eyes, bright with unshed tears and the images stopped. “All this time I believed what Niles had told me--thought Scorpius had destroyed his ability as a telepath,” Tia whispered.
“What are you saying? He sent those images to you?”
Tia nodded. “Scorpius was losing some of his funding. He could only keep one of us alive. Niles knew this. He was always the better telepath—he implanted the history of the stroke, the loss of his abilities in lab workers, Scorpius, and me so that I would be the one that survived. That virus was meant for me,” she began to sob brokenly against him.
“Then I give my thanks to him again. We are wasting valuable time. Come.” They left the side street and headed back towards the main plaza. After an arn they had all they could carry and arranged for the rest to be delivered to the transport. Niles kept them informed every few microt. There were only the five Peacekeepers and they had him aboard their maurader questioning him.
Crais and Tia returned to the spaceport and entered the transport. They had to wait for the rest of the supplies. After what seemed like an eternity they were delivered. Tia removed any knowledge of them from the delivers minds once they were clear.
“Talyn we are on our way back. Be prepared to starburst as soon as we dock,” Crais said. He began launch procedures looking at Tia from time to time. She was sitting very still—her expression one of grief and resolution. She nodded from time to time and he knew that she was talking with her brother. They approached Talyn cautiously and were captured by the docking whip. Tia had begun to cry again. He paused as thoughts of goodbye and then more were sent to him by Niles. He felt as if he had been handed the greatest knowledge in the universe. Standing he moved to Tia’s seat and knelt before her. He took her hands in his and kissed them both before putting his arms around her and leaning his head against her breast. They held each other for a long time each lost in their own thoughts. She grieved for the loss of her brother, her parent’s, all that she had been. He rejoiced for the love, compassion, and future he had been given.
Niles watched as the red-faced maurader pilot in charge of the peacekeepers scientist on board approach him.
“You lied to me! There were others with you. You have been contaminated. Only a contaminated Sebecean would lie and put the well being of their friends ahead of that