A/N: Sorry for the long delay. My schedule got busy and I had to deal with a little writer's block, but hopefully the remaining chapters should come a lot more quickly.

Chapter 4

While the Quests and other crew members were inside the large building at the other end of the city, no one gave much thought to Shrir, who had been hit with the energy weapon. About the time the conversation with the extraterrestrial leader was ending, he awoke in the same place where he fell. Evidently, the guards neglected to send someone to retrieve him. His first thought was to dart back through the doorway into the ship room, in hopes of bringing the remaining crew members to try and help.

Unfortunately, about halfway back to their ship, he was intercepted by the scavengers. Many of those present were part of the group that Jonny, Jessie, and Hadji stopped from looting their ship and, along with the rest, were looking for a way to get back at the Quests and the ship's crew.

"Please! You've got to help!" Shrir quickly pleaded, "They've taken everyone! We have to stop them quickly!"

The other men looked at each other and smiled slyly. "Sure. We'll help you. Just tell us where they went." Newman said calmly.

"I'll show you. Just come with me. Quickly." the crewman ordered, desperate to help the Quests and his fellow crew members.

They raced to back to the large door, which was still open, due to not having been repaired yet. Shrir managed to determine the direction where the others had been taken, at which point Newman commented flatly as he drew a pistol, "Thanks. You've been very helpful, but we'll take it from here."

At this, he shot the poor crew member and began making plans with his men on how they would use this information to get even with the Quests and who or whatever had trapped them here. The group walked back to their ship to gather equipment and weapons before pursuing their enemies through the newly-revealed door.

Meanwhile, the Quests and the remaining crewmen with them were walking around the main level of the city, noticing the many Akierans going about their business. The humanoids kept a brisk pace to their destinations. It was clear that most were to be either scientists or guards such as those who had initially captured them earlier. Many of the scientists ignored them, probably wrapped up in their own projects, while others occasionally glanced at them or stared warily. The guards were noticeably unconcerned about their presence, not paying the humans any more attention than they were everyone else.

"They must've been given orders to leave us alone unless we start anything," Race thought as he looked around. Dr. Quest was busy talking to one of the Akieran scientists about a device he was working on, Hadji was studying and asking questions about the other advanced technology, Bandit was sniffing at a small animal that was roaming the street, and Jonny was flirting with an attractive Akieran girl as Jess rolled her eyes.

Race couldn't help but smile toward the two and shake his head. "At least they're staying out of trouble."

A little while later, after everyone had split up to explore, Jonny, Jessie, and Bandit had moved further along and stopped as they encountered a strange sight.

"What's going on over there?" Jonny wondered aloud.

Jessie followed his gaze to see what looked like several guards around three Akierans, the latter looking scared. What was apparently the lead guard of this group said something to them, nudging one with his weapon. The three then reached into pockets and gave the guards something that seemed to be money, at which point the guards pushed past them and moved on.

Jonny walked toward them and asked, "What was that all about?" hoping that the translator device worked both ways.

A male Akieran with a build that would be average for a human, and who looked very similar to the others they had met, answered hesitantly, "The guards were collecting their protection fee from us. They started demanding it not long ago and usually take most of our earnings."

"That doesn't seem right," Jessie commented, "They looked like they were ready to kill you."

The Akieran nodded, "Sometimes, they are a little more aggressive than others. It used to not be this way, but recently the guards have been more strict, imposing restrictions that previously did not exist."

Looking around nervously, one of the others added, "You've said too much. We need to leave."

Without a word, they walked briskly away, going about their business, as Jonny and Jessie considered what had just happened. About that time, Hadji walked up to them quickly.

"Jonny, Jessie, I just saw a man being beaten by several guards," he said before telling them about the incident. "As far as I could tell, they beat him simply for not moving to the side of the walkway as they passed by."

Jonny and Jessie then told what they had seen, with Jessie saying at the end, "It sounds like Atlantis isn't as perfect as it seems. Maybe we should go talk to J'orda."

"But we should not run," Hadji interjected as Jonny was about to take off, "That would draw unneeded attention."

Jonny nodded, "Good point, Hadj. The guards would know we saw something. It'll take longer, but let's act like we just decided to turn around and go back that way."

As they walked, Hadji whispered to his companions, "I just thought of something: what if all this is J'orda's doing?"

"I don't think so. He seemed like a nice guy," Jonny said as he shook his head.

"A lot of leaders may seem okay, but are really tyrants," Jessie reminded him, "They just act nice in front of visitors."

"Only one way to find out," Jonny observed, finishing the conversation.

They continued on, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible, with Jonny carrying Bandit to keep him from running after something and attracting unneeded attention.. Eventually, the arrived once again at the building where they had met J'orda and S'ierta. Seeing who they were, and after they explained they needed to tell J'orda about something important they had seen, were let in through the door with the scanner. Then, two rooms before they reached J'orda, they were met by S'ierta.

"Ah. It is the humans. How may I be of assistance?" he asked with an almost suspicious level of warmth.

Jonny spoke first. "We just saw some of your guards shaking down some of the people for money."

"And I saw several of them beating another man," Hadji added.

S'ierta smiled and replied, "It is good that you told me of what you witnessed. We need not bother Jord'a with this matter. I will take appropriate measures at once."

S'ierta walked outside, apparently to speak with the guards about what happened, as Jessie commented softly, "Well, that was easy. Maybe the guards were doing it on their own."

The group decided to leave and continue their exploration, but as soon as they stepped outside, they were met by S'ierta and a number of guards.

"Seize them! They have been trying to sew dissension among the citizens!" he shouted.

Jonny lowered his arms so Bandit could jump to the ground and ordered the dog, "Hurry, boy! Go get Dad and Race!"

A/N: I made some minor additions to chapter 3, which help to explain new developments in this chapter. Also, now that you already know what happened to him, I'll leave it to the Star Trek fans to find the clue in chapter 3 to crewman Shrir's fate.