ADDITIONAL A/N:
Okay, so there's a lot of the RHPS script in this, but… not. That would be weird, after all… And some of the lines are in the wrong place, but that's the point. Right. Enjoy.CHAPTER TWO
Aeryn, ever cautious, circled the two Leviathans in the Prowler, trying to ascertain if either had sustained damage. Both appeared to be unharmed, and dead in space. However, Moya's myriad lights were still illuminated, and she was still humming softly, as was Talyn.
"Why the frell would Crais be here?" asked John. "I thought he'd given up chasing me."
"He had, but he still swore he was going to kill you should your paths cross."
"Yeah, and I bet he was just waiting for that day to come…"
They circled one more time, and John suddenly noticed something. He was very sure he saw D'Argo, peering intently out of a window and watching them, but when he looked back, he was gone. He shook his head, then looked towards the controls as something bleeped very, very badly.
"John, we're going to have to land. This thing's running very low on fuel."
"Of course it is…" he muttered. "Fair enough, let's get on board and see what's happening."
Aeryn nodded and brought the Prowler into the hangar. It landed with an audible thud that echoed in the stillness, and then the two of them stepped out, fully armed.
"Pilot?" whispered John, still receiving no response. "Yo, anyone there?" He shook his head, and joined Aeryn as she approached the doors that led to the first tier. She palmed the door control and looked mildly annoyed when it didn't open. John tried as well, with the same non-result.
After a microt's procrastination, John pounded on the doors, not really caring if Pilot told him off for it later, and started yelling. "Hey!! If there's anyone on board, will you let us the frell in?!"
"Oh, yes, Crichton, very productive," complained Aeryn. "I really don't think-"
At that point, the door very quietly started to open, a fraction of a metra, and revealed D'Argo on the other side. He stopped the door before it could open completely, and squared himself in the space it left. He appeared to be wearing something that resembled a black jacket over his usual attire, and he eyed them both suspiciously. It was almost as if he was opening the door to an unwanted salesman, if it weren't for the fact that D'Argo didn't know the meaning of the metaphor.
There was silence, and then he spoke. "Hello?"
"D'Arg. It's us." The Luxan looked from one to the other, suspiciously, but said nothing. "We're back. You remember, we went down for supplies?" Still no response. "Come on, man! This isn't funny!"
"You've arrived at a rather special time," he said. "The master's having one of his gatherings."
"Master?" asked Aeryn. Then, she addressed him calmly and deliberately, determined to get through to him. "D'Argo. Listen to me. I don't know what you're talking about, but I think it might have something to do with Crais. So just let us in so we can sort this out, all right?"
D'Argo blinked. Then, finally, he let the door open fully, and said: "I think maybe you'd better both… come in."
Aeryn nodded gratefully and walked through the door he was holding open, despite it being unnecessary. John followed her, slowly, something gnawing at the back of his brain that this was all far too familiar. D'Argo seemed to be limping from no discernible injury and was following behind them, looking apparently suspicious of their motives.
They reached the upper tiers and stopped just outside Command. D'Argo circled them and stood in front of the door.
"What now?" asked Aeryn, her short fuse very slowly getting shorter. D'Argo indicated the door behind him.
"I told you. The Master's having a party."
Aeryn rolled her eyes. "Oh, well how lucky for him. Look, just-"
She was cut off by Jool suddenly sliding (literally) along the corridor and colliding with D'Argo. She was swiftly followed by a DRD with a cleaning tool attached to the front of it.
"Luck?! Everybody's lucky! Him, me, you, we're ALL lucky!"
John's mouth fell open as the realisation began to dawn on him. No way. No frelling way can this be happening… He tapped Aeryn on the shoulder. "Um, Aeryn, I think I should tell you…"
"Not now, John." She sighed. "Jool, what are you talking about?"
Jool said nothing, but draped herself on D'Argo. They backed slowly towards the door, footsteps in sync, and stopped mere inches from the threshold, making no move to open it.
Aeryn sighed again, getting impatient. "Where is Crais?!"
They seemed to be oblivious to her request. John watched the scene unfolding before him with a combination of awe and sheer terror, as everything finally clicked into place.
"It's amazing," said D'Argo. "And time's running out. Insanity is taking its toll on us, so you have to listen, carefully."
"Won't take long," added Jool.
Aeryn frowned. "Well hurry the frell up, then, and tell me where Crais is!" she demanded, sounding almost desperate.
The Luxan palmed open the door, finally, as he said: "I've got stay in control…"
He stood aside, then, and John looked into Command, dreading what he might find. Apparently, his fears had been confirmed. Aeryn pushed in front of him and stopped dead in the doorway, aghast. All her years training as a Peacekeeper had not prepared her for this…
Three more reviews gets you chapter three, when it's written…
