MHA #8, Friday evening

Today, Stark decided, was a good day to stop putting it off and finally attempt to contact Moya again. He wasn't sure why. It just felt right, today.

Perhaps because nothing strange had happened for a few days. He wasn't angrier or happier or more nervous than usual. Nothing was invading. Nobody was turning into things, at least not that he knew of. It was a normal day, for Fandom, and it seemed like a good day to try and reconnect.

He wasn't sure it would work, and spent a good amount of time turning the comms over in his hands nervously and muttering under his breath. He was pacing as well, back and forth across the living room of his apartment. Eventually he grew annoyed with himself, shook his head, took a deep breath, and tried to place his call.

There was a long silence, long enough he was about to give up. And then, suddenly, a faint and familiar voice was there, wanting to know who was on this frequency.

"It worked! Pilot! It worked! It's me!" There were no images on this call but Stark was smiling widely anyway.

"...Stark?"

"Yes, me! It's me!"

"Stark, do you...need assistance?"

"No, no. Nonono I'm fine. I just...I just wanted to say hello. It's been a long time. Are you well? Is Moya? Everyone? Are you all well?"

"Moya and I are fine," Pilot assured him. Stark thought he said something after that but couldn't quite make it out.

"Pilot? It's hard to hear you. Can you hear me?"

A third voice joined in, unfortunately just as faint as Pilot's. "Pilot, who's on the phone?"

"Crichton! Hello! You're there!"

"Astro? Stark, man, where the frell have you been? Locked up again? You need a rescue?"

"I don't need rescuing," Stark answered indignantly. "If I did how would I be calling? Have I ever been able to call for help? Have any of us?"

"Good point. Where are you? You coming back?"

"Somewhere safe," Stark answered vaguely. "And I don't know. Is everyone there well?"

"We're good. Chi's good. Rygel's plotting-" Crichton's voice cut out mid-sentence. "Aeryn's great. And Deke's perfect. Waiting for his Uncle Stark to come visit."

"His un-?...oh."

"Really man, where are you?"

Stark sighed, then decided just to answer truthfully. "Maryland."

"This connection's terrible. Coulda sworn you just said Maryland. Pilot, can we boost this?"

"The signal is already 'boosted.' Further attempts may cause it to be lost entirely."

"Got it, Pilot," Crichton said. "Better be quick before we lose you, Stark. You want our address in case you decide to come home?"

"I...yes. Your coordinates would be good to have. In case I decide to come."

Pilot rattled off the coordinates and repeated them once. "Moya wishes to let you know that you are welcome on board...whenever you might wish to return," he added.

"Please give Moya my thanks," Stark said.

"We'll leave the light o-" Crichton's last statement was cut off.

"Crichton? Pilot?"

There were no further responses from the ship. But he'd been able to speak with two of his shipmates. That would have to be enough for Stark for now.



[It's the Farscape anniversary! So I figured I should post. And then my laptop died and I lost half of what I had. Sigh. Mostly establishy but could absolutely be open. Although it's late. But time is meaningless so that's fine.]