by Dani Royer
Summary: The crew of Moya come across a strange ship.
Rating: PG
Archive: Take it if you have my stuff. Don't have my stuff? Then ask!
Feedback: Please. :-)
*****
The triangular craft floated practically dead in space. The damage from the collision was clearly visible even from a distance. Power still remained to few systems. The outer lights flickered as the two Leviathans slowly
approached.
*****
"Pilot, what can you tell us about the vessel?" John heard Zhaan ask as he entered Command with Aeryn close behind him. It seemed something always happened in the middle of the night. At least twice every weeken he was
awakened and usually didn't get back to bed until the next night. Sometimes he wondered why he even bothered trying to sleep on this ship.
"It is not like any vessel I have ever encountered. I do not detect any life forms aboard. There is sever damage to the outer hull. Most of it's systems appear to be malfunctioning," Pilot answered after a short hesitation. By that time, the rest of the crew had made their way to Command.
"Well," Chiana began, "what do we do about it?"
Rygel examined the view screen before turning to the others. "Let's just take what we need from it before others do. There's bound to be something of value aboard," he said as he turned to head out of the room. "I, of course, will lead this mission."
"I am afraid that is impossible," Pilot quickly announced. Rygel didn't even bother to turn around when he answered. "What do you mean 'impossible'?"
"There is no place for a transport pod to dock. With the exception of the damage, the hull is completely sealed," Pilot explained. "There is no way to board from a transport pod."
Aeryn walked towards the consol that Zhaan stood over. "If we can't board her, why can't we allow her to board us?"
"What are you talking about, Aeryn?" John gave Aeryn a *look*.
Aeryn began to answer but was cut off by D'Argo. "Pilot, can we bring it aboard with the docking web?" Pilot confirmed that it could be done and begun
to do so. Aeryn looked over at John and gave him a *look* of her own. Before Pilot had finished informing them that the ship was aboard, Rygel had already
headed to scavenge it.
As the others turned to follow, Pilot's voice came over the comm once again. "DRDs are attempting to make an entrance to the ship. Scans indicate that the
atmosphere of the ship is not breathable."
"Thank you, Pilot," Zhaan said as exited behind the others.
*****
D'Argo entered the bay with urgency. "According to Pilot, it is safe to board now. The DRDs he sent in to search have found numerous bodies of strange beings."
John picked up a flashlight and a gun. "Define 'strange.'" Without waiting for D'Argo's reaction, he headed to the entrance the DRDs had made. Aeryn was
waiting for him there. "Ready?" he asked her. A simple nod was her only answer as the entered. They went in separate directions and begun to explore.
Aeryn was amazed by the technology. In many ways, it was more advanced Peacekeeper technology, but inferior in many ways as well. D'Argo had been right about the bodies. The small grayish beings we sprawled everywhere. All over the floor and draped over various items.
She entered what appeared to be a medical area. More bodies lay on the floor. Their large, black eyes seem to follow her movements. An unsettling feeling lingered in the air. As she entered another medical room, the feeling became worse. There was only one body in the room and she could not believe it was what she saw.
Kneeling at the body's side, she realized that she needed John to confirm her discovery.
"John, where are you?" she asked as she stood up.
"In a cargo area, I think. Why?" his voice came through Aeryn's comm.
"I found something. I think I found," her voice halted.
"Found what, Aeryn?"
She took a breath to calm herself. "I think I found someone from your planet, John."
He didn't respond.
*****
John had remained completely silent since Aeryn had told him what she'd found. As she lead him to the girl's body, as she carried it out, as Zhaan began to examine the body. Not one word. He'd left the room right after Zhaan started examining. He couldn't watch. He sat on the floor in the corridor outside. Aeryn had tried to talk to him, but to no avail.
He just sat there, in thought. A million things running through his mind. His eyes were cast downward. He didn't notice the circle of DRDs around him, nor did he notice when Zhaan approached him. When he finally looked up, the DRDs scattered, leaving him and Zhaan alone in the corridor.
"John," Zhaan began, "how are you--"
He cut her off. "Just tell me."
"I found much of the same bacteria that I found when you were first examined."
John just looked down again.
"She had this on her," Zhaan said as she extended her hand. She held a small, white card. John took it and looked up once again.
"Thank you," was all he said as he turned and walked away.
*****
John's eyes never left the card as his feet lead him to the Terrace. Aeryn heard him approach and met him at the door. She said nothing. They stood there in silence. Without looking at her, John finally spoke.
"Her name was Louisa Andres," was all he said before walking past Aeryn. He sat in the center on the Terrace. "How did you know, Aeryn?"
"I don't know. I just...did. I'm sorry, John."
John turned back to look at her. "Sit with me."
Aeryn obeyed and sat next to him. He kept rubbing the card with his hands. "What is that?" she finally asked.
John handed her the card. "It's an Earth version of an ident-chip."
Aeryn tried to read the markings on the card, but could not find anything remotely familiar. She couldn't help running her thumb over the picture of the girl.
"What was she's doing out here?" he suddenly yelled, startling Aeryn. "How many others are there out here? Why are they our *here*? I can't believe it, Aeryn. I just can't believe it! There are other humans out here," he said a bit softer than before. Aeryn just stared at him, not knowing exactly how to respond.
She looked at the card one last time before she went to hand it back. "I don't know what to say, John." He took the card from her and placed on the floor, then reached back and took her hand in his.
"Don't say anything. Just listen," he whispered. He went on to talk about the stories of abductions on Earth and of the UFOs. Aeryn listen to every word,
only interrupting to ask for an explanation. The entire time, they never released each others' hands.
When John finished speaking, neither of them moved. Both trying to accept what had happened. Both providing comfort to the other. Both wondering what this event means for their future.
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