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Written by: LeatherGirl
Archive: 9 July 2001
Summary: This is way too big to summarize. Read it and be entertained! And if you're familiar with my writing style, the title is more than enough to summarize this fanfic!
Rating: R for mainly strong language, a little sexual content, and some violence
Category: Drama/Action/Adventure
Spoilers: Everything up to Eat Me, S3.
Disclaimer: I wrote this fanfic purely for entertainment with no intentions of making a profit off of Farscape, Jim Henson Productions, Channel 9, and the amazing creators of this show or anybody else involved. When you have fun creating, money is no object. Ka'ru is a fictional character of my own creation. As for the many scientific impossibilities found in this fanfic, frell them because this is science FICTION after all!
Author's Note: This fanfic has to be the largest writing project I have ever challenged myself into producing. I actually felt further away from Farscape than I have been in the past when writing fan fiction, thus making it even more difficult to breathe life into the well-known characters. Real life issues also strayed me away from this fanfic, many of the issues dealing with inner struggle. I bring the final piece to you as my heart and soul. Please read it as a whole and respond with feedback. Even though completion and joy of writing is satisfying by itself, feedback is the ultimate satisfaction in order for me to truly see if my efforts paid off.
Thanks to the following beta-readers for helping me out: pkbarb, jilacosa, and johryn.
Special thanks to the creators of Farscape for a unique look into the world of a universe we may never know.
This story was somewhat inspired by Stephen King's latest novel, Dreamcatcher. If you loved The Stand, this one is even better!
The tumbling blue rings of energy surrounding the ships traveling within began to tear apart rapidly. Black space littered with twinkling stars and nebulas appeared through the tear. The wormhole struggled to its last breath. It instantly collapsed, sending all travelers within to entirely new destinations...unknown.
The few smoldering remnants of what once was the Scarran battle ship rested as a silhouette to a large greenish tinted Nebula. The few fighter ships that had survived the wormhole experience rested nearby, stunned. A small pod hovered among the litter of space debris, its inhabitants within stunned as well.
"Your ship. It created that wormhole...I demand to know how." Scorpius growled, standing before the steaming Ka'ru. Ka'ru glared at Scorpius, his temper mounting. Not only had his ship and its unique technology been destroyed...but also John Crichton had slipped through his fingers.
"You took over the minds of my crew. I demand you give me the answers!" Ka'ru snared back. Scorpius hissed. He had met a worthy component just as clever as John Crichton.
"Get me back to my new Gammak Base and you'll see how I take over the minds of others!" Scorpius stated, clenching his fists at his sides. Ka'ru charged up to Scorpius and stared down at him, his hot breath nearly smothering the half-breed.
"Ah, your precious research at this Gammak Base...I'm sure I'll have plenty of uses for it once I kill you and all those loyal to you." Ka'ru bit back. Scorpius clenched his teeth.
"And how do you propose that we get back there from here? You don't even know where here is." Scorpius said.
"I know exactly where we are." Ka'ru responded, without so much as a glance out the view screen before them. Scorpius tilted his head in wonder at his newfound enemy and tightened his lips. It was going to take a lot more than mind control and torture tactics to kill this bastardly soul.
*****
Moya and Talyn traveled slowly through their new surroundings relieved that the wormhole that had thrust them out had not ended their existences. The space around them was bare. A few systems were within traveling distance but all were dead and silent. Nothing but a cold blanket of stars and blackness decorated the canvas around them.
The interior of Talyn was just as cold. Aeryn stared at Crais, her eyes black and narrow. Crais stared back, his eyes curious but cautious. Aeryn had just viewed the chip, almost immediately after they had encountered their new surroundings. Talyn bleeped several times.
"Yes, we are all right, Talyn. However, we do not know our exact location. We could be anywhere." Crais stated in a dull voice. He continued to stare at Aeryn, who was standing only an arm's length away from him, facing him.
"The contents of the chip..." Crais began but Aeryn cut him off bitterly.
"Will remain between you and I. There will be no further discussion." Aeryn replied.
"Aeryn, I am deeply sorry if I offended you earlier." Crais apologized. Aeryn flickered her eyes.
"You should be. I will not tolerate any more of that dren. I have made a decision and that involves staying with Moya and her inhabitants. I care for Talyn like a child. I may not be able to be there for him at all times nor even see him often...but remember this, Crais." Aeryn stated, and stepped up to him. She glared deep into his soul, yet her advance did not intimidate him. "I do not want a future with you and I will remain with John, Moya, and everybody else until we meet our deaths. I only respect you as a fellow Sebacean and ex-PeaceKeeper. I respect what you do for Talyn. But if you do anything, anything at all to harm him...I will hunt you down and kill you."
Crais smiled and nodded. Aeryn stepped away.
"Point well received, Aeryn. It has been a pleasure to fight along side you and your fellow shipmates. I will take heart to what you have said and respect it fully. Please, commemorate John for me in his honorable actions towards the Scarrans and his home. I do not know any legendary being of any race who has been more sacrificing and brave than he." Crais stated. He looked around at Talyn and then to Aeryn. He studied her face, her stern expression now softened. Talyn bleeped, lighting up to accent his communication to Crais and Aeryn. Aeryn smiled, a tear traveling down her cheek and looked about Talyn.
"Yes, I love you too, Talyn. Thank you." Aeryn looked to Crais and forced her smile to remain a moment longer. "And thank you."
With that, Aeryn turned and left Talyn and Crais to be with Moya and her fellow shipmates.
*****
Moya was once again bright and fully operational. Pilot was busily communicating with her to try and establish where Moya and Talyn presently resided. D'Argo, with his wound cared for by Jool earlier, traveled into Pilot's Den, with Chiana hooked onto his right arm. They strolled up to Pilot and took a seat by his console.
"Moya and I would like to know if you're all right, D'Argo." Pilot asked sweetly.
"Yes, Pilot, I'm fine." D'Argo smiled, appreciating their concern.
"What exactly happened back there, Pilot?" Chiana asked in a small voice. She leaned onto D'Argo, resting her head on his supportive shoulder.
"Moya thinks that when the wormhole tore apart, the first ships that traveled through were sent in one direction, and we, being last to enter the wormhole, were sent in another." Pilot explained.
"We should be lucky that Aeryn, Talyn, and Crais did not get separated from us." D'Argo pointed out softly. Both Chiana and Pilot nodded their heads in agreement.
"We're no longer in any kind of territory we know, right Pilot?" Chiana pondered after a brief moment of silence. She looked up to gain eye contact with Pilot.
"Unfortunately, yes." Pilot replied sadly. Chiana looked from Pilot to D'Argo and back.
"There's no way we can trace our way back to John's home, is there?" Chiana asked, knowing the answer already. D'Argo and Pilot remained silent, not needing to give her the answer.
"Did you speak with him since we arrived here?" D'Argo asked Chiana. Chiana shook her head.
"He's devastated. I tried to remind him of something he once told me. He had said, 'It's a Hezmana of a lot more than you had yesterday.'" Chiana tried to giggle at that but couldn't bring herself to. She continued on. "He saw his home, you know? Maybe that pod he released will reach his planet someday."
D'Argo smiled at the sweet sincerity of Chiana. He had always loved that about her. He drew her close for a hug, receiving the same pressure back.
"I somehow don't think that will be enough." Pilot responded. The three looked on in silence, feeling sorrow for John and his misfortunes. Hopefully, their human companion would find solace in knowing that his home was still out there, waiting for him.
*****
Stark spoke softly, standing in the center of Zhaan's quarters, where he had established his own belongings. He was chanting to her, reaching his soul out to her. An arn had passed and Zhaan had still not appeared to him. He was beginning to wonder if he had lost touch with her forever.
A buzzing tingle swept through his body. Stark opened his eye and turned slowly. The sight before him caused his heart to leap for joy and he smiled warmly. Zhaan's glorious aura appeared before him, smiling graciously. Stark stepped up to her.
"Zhaan, my sweet. I do not think we could have survived any of our recent troubles without you." Stark thanked her. Zhaan smiled, holding her palms up to Stark's face. She placed her palms on either side of his face and pulled him close for a long, gentle kiss. She then let him go and tilted her head.
"You are so much stronger, my love. How did you become so sweet and serene?" Zhaan pondered.
"I drew my strength from you, Zhaan." Stark smiled sweetly. A sorrowful look shrouded his face momentarily. Zhaan noticed and tilted her head curiously.
"John will heal. He needs time. He has a wonderful, supportive family around him. I do not believe he will struggle long." Zhaan comforted Stark's worries.
"I hope so. Zhaan, I must thank you for your gracious gift to all of us. Had we not seen you in the first wormhole we traveled through, I do not think we would have survived everything we did. The others drew from your message of strength and trust."
Zhaan let out a happy laugh and gazed lovingly at Stark.
"I do wish we could be together once again Stark. I am at peace knowing I can leave you as a guide to the others in times of need. I will never forget you my love. Goodbye." Zhaan smiled and dissipated. Stark smiled back, holding out a hand as if to touch her. He then recommenced chanting, in hopes of drawing Zhaan's love to ease the crews' sorrows.
*****
Rygel sat at the table in the Galley with Jool seated across from him, drinking from a flask and staring into nothingness. Rygel picked up a food cube from the plate before him and dropped it into his mouth. It had been sometime since the Hynerian had gotten anything to satisfy his three rumbling stomachs. In disgust, Rygel coughed and reached up to his mouth to pull an extremely long, orange curly hair from his mouth.
"Frell, tralk! I demand that you stay away from our food preparation area! At least Chiana doesn't shed like you!" Rygel exclaimed in disgust. He allowed the hair to fall to the floor beside him and scooped up another food cube to eat. Jool directed her gaze onto Rygel and glared at him. She remained silent and took a drink from her flask.
"Are you going to drink Raslac all night?" Rygel asked. "You better be rationing the supply. Who the frell knows when we'll find another commerce planet."
"Shut up!" Jool exclaimed, slamming her flask down on the table and staring at Rygel with her big green eyes. Rygel reared back and instantly complied. Jool relaxed and leaned back, resting her hand on the table before her flask. She stared on for a few moments longer, listening to the disgusting sounds Rygel made as he chewed and digested. She began to tap her fingers in a repetitive fashion. Rygel threw down a food cube.
"Yotz! Would you please stop that?!" Rygel demanded. To spite him, Jool tapped all five fingers once more before stopping. She then flicked her hair back.
"Have you seen other galaxies like John's before?" Jool asked. Rygel stopped eating to think about this for a moment.
"No." He replied uninterested and continued to eat.
"Hmm." Jool muttered. She remained silent for another microt. "Do you suppose there are similar galaxies like his?" Rygel dropped a food cube onto his plate with irritation.
"Stop bothering me!" Rygel demanded. Jool leaned forward.
"I'm only asking because I found John's galaxy unsettlingly familiar and since his species and my species are somehow related, I was curious to know why that was." Jool stated impatiently. Rygel raised his head and gazed at Jool. The two then remained silent, pondering the possible answers to her question.
*****
Aeryn found John in his quarters, staring at the earlier recordings of his home on the data banks. His back was facing her, and he sat slumped before the stilled image of the Milky Way before him. Aeryn swallowed hard and approached John, unsure if he would be receptive to her presence or not.
She took a seat to his right and faced him. He rested his chin on his arms, one of his thumbs reaching up to gently wisp his luscious red lips. His eyes were glimmering with fresh tears. Aeryn felt her heart tear at the devastation written in his eyes. She felt her own eyes stinging with tears and leaned forward, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. When John did not resist her touch, she leaned in close and pulled him into a hug. John held onto her tightly, not allowing his pain to completely engulf him just yet. He remained silent, rocking back and forth with her for several microts. Aeryn pulled away, kissing John hard on the lips. She stared deep into his eyes, seeing the love she felt was mutual.
"Aeryn...I...." John began but stopped. He looked to the frozen image of his home and kept his gaze trained on it. His heart and hopes were shattered. Time was the only solace he could take in knowing that someday he would return.
"It's okay." Aeryn reassured him. She stood up, running her hand around his shoulder. He looked up to her and she leaned in, for another more intimate kiss. They remained locked together for a long time and Aeryn finally pulled away, knowing that John should be alone. He watched her leave, his eyes never leaving hers. Aeryn reached the doorway and D'Argo appeared in front of her. She smiled at him, receiving the same look back and left. John watched D'Argo approach him and then turned to look back at his galaxy. D'Argo sat down and placed a hand on the table beside them.
"You'll make it through this." D'Argo said softly.
"Thanks, D'Argo. I've been telling myself those exact words." John nodded and paused. He then let out a small laugh. "It's been a fahrbot day hasn't it? Black holes, wormholes, Scarrans, Scorpius, Harvey..."
D'Argo tilted his head in question as John stopped himself. John glanced at him nervously and continued on.
"I've learned a lot about myself today, D'Argo. And there's one thing that's been consistent." John said.
"What's that?" D'Argo asked curiously.
"I never give up." John answered. He smiled at D'Argo, his eyes shining bright. D'Argo knew he could take relief in John's words and left the human with them in mind. John was alone once more, staring into the glorious image recording of his home. He barely noticed the DRD that had taken guard by his feet, almost snuggling up against him like a cat. John became lost to his traveling thoughts once again.
The crowded street of downtown Orlando was booming with celebrative laughs and screams. Flickering red, white, and blue specks of confetti sprinkled through the air. The mass of excited bystanders on the sidewalks waved tiny American Flags proudly into the air. The sweet notes of trumpets, flutes, saxophones, and drums floated through the humid air, pompously playing the "Star Spangled Banner".
John waved high into the air, beaming and patting his father on the back. They sat on the back of his old favorite red 1962 Ford Thunderbird, waving at the mass of people around them. DK sat on the other side of Jack, smiling and giggling uncontrollably. After all, their dream had come true. Farscape One had been a success. WAIT A MINUTE!
John looked over at his proud father and giddy friend. He then glanced at the screaming crowds, the numerous cameras of the news media, and the sunny skies above. He could see far off in the distance ahead that his module had been placed upon a flatbed trailer for display in the parade. It was pretty banged up and streaked with burn marks, from what John could see. He turned back to his father and friend, his face set in awe and question.
"A parade for me." John said, as if stating it would make it any more real. Jack patted John on the back, waving to the crowd. DK clapped his hands and titled his head at John, smiling at him. He held an arm out towards John.
"Hey! Who's the biggest, baddest of them all now, ha?" DK exclaimed excitedly. John began to laugh, enjoying this latest mind melding experience. It was a great release from the distress he was currently enduring.
John took in the sights and smells around him, relishing in the moment. But something deep down inside told him there was something...or someone missing. He could sense that void that filled one's existence like a slump after a huge life-fulfilling event. Without too much thought, John realized what it was. His life on Moya with his fellow shipmates.
John felt himself shrink and suddenly found himself holding his mother's hand and sucking his thumb with the other hand. His sisters were huddled behind them, hollering in excitement. The screaming crowds around John were the same, though a few decades older than him dressed in the current style of the times. A dark figure within the crowd remained unnoticed, and to be forever forgotten in the past, present, and future. The flickering confetti was the same. The waving American Flags were the same. Even the sweet, unforgettable tune of the "Star Spangled Banner" played on. John glanced up at his mother, who smiled down at him lovingly. She was so beautiful. John smiled and looked to the cars rolling past them in the street. His father was on one, with two other of his fellow astronauts. They had just come back from a trip to the moon. John had been in awe. His father was superman.
The car rolled past him and his mother and came to a halt. John saw his father hop out of the car and run up to him, his face illuminated with a smile. Jack hugged his beaming wife, then his two daughters. Finally, he knelt down and faced John, the pride and love in his eyes stronger than John could ever remember. Without a moments notice, Jack swung John up into the air. John giggled in delight and was then placed onto his father's shoulders. Jack carried John back to the car and the car moved forward. John had realized then as he did now that he had seen his father as an idol. He had known even then that he could be just as great as his father. He could realize his dreams. He could be.... and had now become...a hero.
THE END
A small knock rapped on the front door. Grunting in frustration, Jack Crichton pushed aside his bowl of popcorn but clasped on to his can of beer. He raised the remote towards the blaring television before him and pressed mute. Knock. Knock. Knock .
"Hang on a minute!" Jack called out with a mouth full of popcorn. He shook his head. Always during a football game.
Jack kept his eyes on the television situated in his lonely little cottage near the coast of the Atlantic. He wasn't about to sacrifice even a second of looking away. It was the playoffs after all. He walked backwards to the door, opening it without bothering to see who had interrupted his Sunday ritual.
"Jack." A familiar voice called to him. Jack turned to see DK. His face immediately brightened and he grasped the solemn man in a quick bear hug. DK widened his eyes momentarily as he was released and brought up a large manila envelope in his hands. Jack glanced at it briefly and slapped DK on the back, closing the door behind him.
"Come in, come in. We're in the fourth quarter and it looks as though our boys may be going to the Super Bowl!" Jack exclaimed. He led DK over to the couch. He placed the bowl of popcorn onto the coffee table and leaned over the side of the couch to stretch for the small refrigerator. He took a beer out of it and handed it to DK, who accepted politely. Jack settled in his usual spot and smiled at DK, glad to see him once again.
"It's been a long time." DK said quietly, placing his unopened beer on the coffee table.
"You should come by more often." Jack replied fatherly. DK gave him a smile, running his fingers along the manila envelope. Jack eyed the envelope once more and became serious.
"What's going on?" Jack asked. DK looked down at the envelope, almost as if he had forgotten it was in his hands. He looked back to Jack with a very serious expression. Jack thought he saw a hint of excitement in his eyes, however.
"I was getting ready to go home from work..." DK began, lifting the envelope a little. "When my superior handed this to me."
Without any further explanation, DK handed the envelope to Jack and awaited his reaction. Jack eyed DK curiously, completely forgetting about his football game. He set his beer down. He carefully opened the envelope and proceeded to pull out the contents of the package. He remained silent, studying what he found within the envelope.
DK watched Jack flip through the numerous photographs he had received at IASA. They were direct from the Hubble Telescope. When he had first viewed them, and the many times after till his arrival at Jack's residence, DK had felt an excited wave pass through him. His mind was reeling with possibilities and scenarios.
Jack's mouth had slowly dropped open. He flipped through the photographs a second time and a third. He then paused at one in particular, bringing it closer to his face to study it. He grasped his reading glasses from the top of the fridge and refocused on the single photograph.
The image was somewhat blurry but unmistakable. Through the cloudy wisp of the Milky Way arm was a small section of space and one little craft. The small white craft had an American Flag and the words "Farscape One" printed on the side. It had a few alienable modifications to it as well, almost rendering it foreign. But Jack knew this craft as well as DK. It was indeed Farscape One.
His heart began to beat faster, as he was sure DK's was already speeding. He looked at DK in awe. DK had a full smile plastered on his face by now.
Jack shook his head and flipped through the other photographs once more. He studied the others, noting within Hubble's sight the unfamiliar ships in the very same space as his son's module. He didn't know what to make of them or the entire package for that matter. He looked back to DK in wonder.
"He's alive." DK said almost giddy.
Jack swallowed hard and looked back to the photograph of the module once more. He cared not for when these pictures had been taken or how they had fallen into his hands. He felt the sorrows deep within finally melt away. All those sleepless nights satisfied. His son was alive. That was a hell of a lot more than he had yesterday.
THE END FOR REAL!