Lost Without My Guiding Star Part 4
Chapter 4
"Captain your orders were to capture Crichton. Officer Sun was only a secondary objective."
"Yes Mam, Only Crichton was to be protected. Sun made the grave error in remaining too long at the front line when the others retreated. Then she was wounded and knowing her relationship with Crichton I gave the order to take her, knowing Crichton..."
"Will trade himself for her." Grayza asked. "Your sure?"
"He's done it before for someone he didn't even know."
"The Luxan's son." Grayza recalled it from reports she read.
"And we know he cares for Sun and the medic discovered something else." He handed her a data pad.
Grayza looked it over. "They're sure it's Crichton's?"
"Yes Mam, the DNA matches that of Crichton's we have on file. I did some checking and it seems she has known since they were on Scorpius's Command Carrier. Braca paused. That would also explain Crichton's urgency to find her when we were on Arnessk."
"Yes." Grayza continued to look at the data pad. "Is she awake yet?"
"No Mam. However the medics say she should be soon."
Slowly the darkness began to fade, replaced by severe pain that continued to grow. Aeryn slowly opened her eyes blinking to adjust to the bright light in the room. As her eyes adjusted she could tell she was in a medical room. Only John was nowhere in sight and she knew he wouldn't leave her side till she woke up. Then she realized she wasn't in the medical bay on the base, however she knew where she was. On a Command Carrier. She started to sit up and get out of bed when a voice stopped her.
"Officer Sun it is so good of you to join us."
Aeryn slowly turned, Flinching from the pain in her shoulder, to face the person who spoke to her.
"Commandant Grayza. If you think holding me will bring Crichton here your wrong. We are no longer together."
"I have information that indicates other wise. One being Braca's report of Crichton's actions when you were wounded and then captured. There also was urgency to find you when we captured him on Arnessk. Then there's this." Grayza handed her a data pad.
Aeryn took it. It was a medical report on her.
Officer Aeryn Sun
Wounded in the back, right shoulder by a pulse blast.
Treated and healing.
Full exam shows Sun carries a fetus.
DNA match found in data base to a
Non-classified species human John Crichton.
Aeryn continued to read the information on the medical pad and laid it beside her on the bed. She looked up to find Grayza looking at her.
"So you see I believe Crichton will do anything to insure your and your child's safe release."
Aeryn didn't respond, she knew Grayza was correct, John would stop at nothing to get her back, and that's what worried her. She knew that included turning himself over to Grayza, and in turn the wormhole tech. That was not an option.
"Get some rest, we want you fully healed when Crichton arrives." Grayza turned to leave. "Oh I thought you would find this interesting." She tossed another data pad on the bed, leaving Aeryn alone to read the information.
John was in Lechna's office with D'Argo, Chiana, Rygel, Noranti, Sikozu and Lechna. Everyone was talking at once. Except John and Lechna. The two men were staring at each other, not paying attention to what was going or to what was being said.
D'Argo, Chiana and Rygel were arguing with Sikozu about going to rescue Aeryn from Grayza.
"Going after Aeryn is suicide. The Peacekeepers will capture you before you get off your ship. Once Grayza has her hands on Crichton..."
"She won't get her hands on Crichton." Lechna never took his eyes off John. "No one will be going after Aeryn. She's a soldier, she knew the risks of going into battle. The technology you have in your head is more important then the rescue of one officer."
John stood up and slowly crossed the room stopping in front of Lechna's desk, reached over grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him out of his chair and slammed him on his back on the desk. "Now listen to me and listen good you FRELLING ASSHOLE. I don't care about what's in my head or who gets it. All I care about is Aeryn and getting her away from Grayza. If I have to trade myself for her, I will."
Everyone just stood back and watched.
John released Lechna, turned and took a few steps away.
"If there was any way I could get Aeryn back without turning you over to them I would. She was more to me then just another soldier or member of my team."
John turned to face him. "What is that suppose to mean?"
Lechna stepped around his desk and came face to face with John. "Who do you think she's been with all this time?"
The fear and rage John was feeling was almost more then he could stand, then Lechna implies the that he and Aeryn were together, his gut tells him it's a lie, but it's more then he can take and he losses control and attacks Lechna knocking him to the floor only stopping when D'Argo pulled him off. He stood looking down at Lechna with blood pouring out his nose and mouth. He then jerked free from D'Argo's hold and stormed out of the room.
D'Argo motioned for Chiana and the others to leave and he followed, but not before kneeling down to Lechna. "Crichton will go after Aeryn and we will go with him. The only way to stop him will be to kill him. Only, if he dies, then so will you. If you want to keep Grayza from getting what's in Crichton's head then I suggest you help." He turned and left Lechna lying in his own blood, off to find his friend.
Aeryn lay in bed still in pain from her wound and sick with anger and disgust after reading the report Grayza left.
Grayza pregnant with John's baby. She knew he would not have recreated with her willingly. She then remembered John told her Grayza drugged him on Arnessk. She understood now why he didn't want to talk about what happened to him. The more she thought about it the angrier she got. She wanted to kill Grayza for what she did to John. Only she knew if she did knowing how he felt about children, if he found about the baby he would never forgive her. She made a promise to John and herself that after the baby was born Grayza would pay for what she had done to John.
She knew John would stop at nothing to get her back, including giving himself up for her and that was the last thing she wanted. She feared what Grayza would do to him once she got her hands on him. They would leave this Carrier together or not at all.
D'Argo found John not long after leaving Lechna's office. He was in the pilot seat of Aeryn's prowler. He stepped up on the first step and pulled himself up to talk to his friend.
"Don't try stopping me from going after Aeryn."
"I couldn't if I tried. I just want to know what your plan is?"
"The only thing I can do, go to Grayza's front door and trade myself for Aeryn."
"You know what she will do to you once she gets her hands on you, she'll never let you go."
"What else can I do, the bitch has Aeryn and my child and there's no telling what she's doing to them. I'll do what ever it takes to get her back, even if I have to give myself up. It's me she want's."
"Yes, but Aeryn is a deserter. Grayza will use her as an example."
"Aeryn and all of you walk or there's no deal."
"You know Aeryn will never leave the Carrier without you." D'Argo didn't like this plan and he knew Aeryn wouldn't. Leaving his friend in the hands of Grayza or any other PK was the last thing he wanted to do.
"That's where your part of the plan comes in. I want you to get her off that ship, even if you have to carry her off kicking and screaming. Take her some place safe away from Peacekeeper controlled space. Help her raise my child. And D'Argo...tell'em about me. Promise me."
D'Argo didn't answer for a moment. "I promise." He also promised himself if there was another way, he would not give up without a fight to bring both his friends home safe.
"If you don't mind D, I would like some time alone."
D'Argo didn't protest or say another word he just stepped down off the prowler and left his friend alone as he requested.
Chiana, Rygel, Noranti and Sikozu went to the base galley for something to eat after leaving Lechna's office. After everyone including Sikozu was eating. One of her few meals and when she did eat she could eat almost as much as Rygel. They were all sitting down and everyone was concentrating on eating and fighting with each other, Chiana left while no was paying attention.
She was concerned about John. She knew when it came to Aeryn and now her child John would do what ever he had to, to get them back and that was what she feared. She knew that meant he would give himself for them and she had to do something to stop him. She wanted Aeryn back safe too, but not if it meant losing him and she knew Aeryn wouldn't want that ether. She wanted both her friends safe and she would do anything she had too.
She knew when John was upset he always worked on that bucket of dren of his, only it was on Moya so the next best thing was Aeryn's prowler. So she went to the hanger and there he was. Only he wasn't alone, D'Argo was with him. She knew if D'Argo knew she was there he would make her leave, so she hind till he left.
She quietly walked up to the prowler and pulled herself up. "Hey old man!"
"Hey, gray girl!"
"Wh...whatcha doing?"
"Trying to come up with a plan to get Aeryn back without getting everyone killed."
"And ho...how's that going?"
"Not so good Pip."
"Yeah...Well I know you Crichton. I know what you have planned." She leaned into the prowler trying to get him to look her in the face.
John continued to look straight ahead avoiding her eyes. "And what is my plan Pip?"
'Yo...you are pla...planning to trade yourself for Aeryn, only the...there's got to be another way. I want to get Aeryn back, but not by losing you. An...and Aer...Aeryn will never leave you behind."
"I know, that's the part of the plan I need your's and D'Argo's help with. I need you to get Aeryn off the ship. I asked D'Argo and now I'm asking you. I need you to help Aeryn, she's going to need you guys even if she says or acts other wise. I want her to have the baby and she'll need your help when she does."
Chiana didn't like hearing John talk like this. Like he's given up. It wasn't like him, he never gave up and she wasn't going to let him start now. She grabbed his face with both hands and forced him to look at her.
"Yo...you don't give up Crichton and like frell I'm going to let you start now. Yo...you come up with a better plan, one where we all get off that ship or we all stay, no one gets left behind."
John started to object only Chiana stopped him.
"No, the...there's no...no other choice. We all leave or we all stay."
John looked her in the eyes. "Ok...Ok. I promise I'll try to come up with plan B. But I need you to promise me that if it doesn't work you will help Aeryn."
Chiana looked in his eyes and could see the light slowly returning. "I promise, but only if there's no other way." Chiana let go of his face. "I'll leave you to your planning." She jumped down and disappeared just as quietly as she appeared.
John just set there after Chiana left. He knew she was right, he was giving up and he had too much to fight for. He wanted to be there when his child was born, he wanted to see him or her grow up and maybe have more children. He wanted to grow old with the woman he loved. He wasn't going to give all that up without a fight. He had to hang onto HOPE.
However he knew Grayza. He knew it wasn't going to be easy getting away from her. He wanted to leave something for Aeryn just in case. He remembered she kept some vid chips in a storage compartment. He found them and placed one in the recorder.
Braca entered the medical unit stopping just inside the door till he found who he was looking for, Lieutenant Garrett, the ranking medic on duty. "Lieutenant." Braca addressed her as he approached.
"Yes, Captain."
"Is Officer Sun well enough to be moved?"
Garrett looked up from the data pad she was looking over. "Yes Captain, her wound is still healing, but there is no need for her to remain in the medical unit. However I would like to continue to monitor her."
"Understood, only I have orders from Grayza to move her to a more secured location."
"She can be moved now. I will send you a schedule as to when she needs to be brought in for monitoring."
"That will not be possible, you will need to come to her."
Garrett looked surprised. "Yes sir. What cell block will she be in."
Braca stepped up closer to the console and entered a few codes and stepped back, to allow Garrett to look.
She nodded she understood.
Braca left her to return to her work.
Aeryn was dressed and trying to put her boots on, which was not easy. The wound in her shoulder was held for the most part, only she was still experiencing severe pain when she tried to use it. She just finished when Braca entered.
"I see your feeling better, Sun."
Aeryn didn't answer.
"I have been ordered to move you to another location."
She had been expecting this. She picked the two data pads Grayza left and waited for Braca to lead the way. They walked though the medical unit, out the doors and was met by two male PK in full armor and weapons. They fell in behind them as they past.
As they walked Aeryn soon realized they were not going to the brig where she expected to be taken. They were in fact heading to the Officers quarters. She thought Grayza had requested to see her before she went to the brig.
Braca stopped in front of one of the many doors in the corridor and keyed it open and stepped aside to allow her to enter.
She was surprised to find it empty. She turned to look at Braca.
"This is for me? I thought I was going to a cell?"
"Grayza wanted you to be comfortable and isolate you from the rest of the ship, for you own safety."
That only made Aeryn more suspicious as she walked though the quarters. There was a living area with a table and two chairs, and a couch. Then there was a sleeping and bathing area separated by a wall from the living area. She was also looking for surveillance equipment.
Braca realized what she was looking for. "You wont find any form of surveillance visual or audio. You have complete privacy. The door will however be sealed with a code and two guards posted outside at all times."
Aeryn stopped in front of the large view port in the living area and just stared out at the stars, something as a PK she never would have done. She wasn't really listening to Braca. She was thinking of other ways John had changed her life.
Braca realized Aeryn wasn't listening to him. "Yes...well someone will bring you a change of clothes and something to eat soon." He then turned and left.
Aeryn didn't pay any attention just continued to stare out the view port at the stars till she found the one she was looking for. When she found it she said softly. "I'm here."
John finished recording his message and was now sitting on a hill just out side the base. He was looking up at the stars for the one star that always guided him. Finding it, he said. "I'm coming."
The next morning John, D'Argo, Chiana and the others were in the base mission briefing room where they had access to the tactical console with detailed plans of the Command Carrier. They were looking at the docking bays. Planning the get away first, only it wasn't looking good.
"There are 20 docking bays, how are we going to know which one we will land in." Sikozu was still trying to tell them how farbot their plan to rescue Aeryn was.
"Then we have a plan for all 20 bays. Besides once I contact Grayza, we will be instructed to what bay to land in."
"You don't even know where Aeryn is being held on the Command Carrier." Sikozu would not give up.
"There are only two places they could have her, she was wounded, so she will ether be in the medical unit or in a holding cell." There was a third place, Aeryn could be, only Rygel wasn't going to mention it. Even he didn't want to believe she could be dead.
"Ge...getting in isn't going to be the problem. It's getting out that's going to be the hard part." That was what concerned Chiana.
"Getting Aeryn to leave without John is one concern." D'Argo looked at his friend.
"That's not going to be a problem if I can help it Big Guy."
D'Argo looked at his friend confused. "I thought you were giving yourself to Grayza?"
"Someone convinced me I have a lot to live for and that I never give up so, I'm not going to start now."
D'Argo was relieved that his friend wasn't going to give up without a fight. Now his only concern was once they were aboard the Command Carrier and they found Aeryn, how were they going to get John away from Grayza and off that ship alive.
"What is your plan for getting away from Grayza?"
John didn't answer for a moment just looked at the tactical console. Then without looking up answered D'Argo not with the answer he wanted to hear.
"I don't have one."
"I may be able to help with that."
Everyone turned and looked at the man standing in the door.
Lechna walked into the room, he and John never took their eyes off each other.
"I know the lay out of the Command Carrier and I have the manpower."
John didn't say anything he just stared at Lechna. He didn't know what his motives were he didn't trust him, but they needed him and his commandos if they were going to have any chance of getting off that ship.
Before Lechna could say another word the comms on the console buzzed. He walked over and pressed the button.
"Yes."
"Captain, we are receiving a communication from the Command Carrier for Crichton."
Lechna looked at John. "Send it though."
John was on his feet and standing next to Lechna in front of the view screen.
It was only a matter of micros before Grayza appeared in the screen.
"John Crichton, I have someone you want back."
John just stared at her for a moment before speaking. "How is she? Can I See her?"
Grayza didn't say anything just stepped aside and another figure stepped up to the screen.
John stepped closer to the screen, pushing Lechna out of the way.
"Aeryn...are you alright?"
"I'm fine, they treated my wound and it is healing."
He could see tears in her eyes, he also had a feeling there was something she wasn't saying because Grayza was there.
"So...everything's ok?"
Aeryn understood what he was asking and it brought a slight smile to her face.
"Yes, everything is fine."
"It won't be long..."
Before he could say another word Aeryn was pulled from view and Grayza stepped back into view.
The sight of her made John's stomach turn.
"I swear if anything happens to her, you will not get what's in my head."
"I assure you Officer Sun is well protected. We have her isolated from the rest of the ship. Officer Sun has been made comfortable in Officer quarters with guards posted, no harm will come to her or your child."
Then the link was cut and the screen went black.
John just stood there staring at the blank screen, with Grayza's last words repeating in his head. "Your Child."
He wasn't the only one thinking about Grayza's last words.
Lechna was caught by surprise by what Grayza just said. He didn't know Aeryn was pregnant. She never told anyone. He turned to Crichton.
"Did you know she was pregnant?"
John leaned back onto the table. "Yeah...only not till after she left and we didn't know for sure who the Father was till now.
Lechna just stood there looking at John.
"Now you know why we have to get her back. There's no telling what they'll do to the baby. You know how they feel about half breeds and they want to use Aeryn as an example to what happens if you try to leave the Peacekeepers." John paused. "Now we can do this on our own and Grayza gets what's in my head. Or you can help us."
Lechna didn't say anything for several microts.
"Alright I'll help, only if I can go with you, my team will provide back up."
John looked at D'Agro, he nodded his head in agreement.
"Agreed, only you do what we say."
"Agreed."
Aeryn woke from sleep cycle showered, dressed and was standing in front of the view port combing her hair when the door chimed. She thought it was someone bringing her morning meal. Till it opened and Grayza and Braca walked in. Her guard went up.
Grayza didn't say a word just walked over to the communications console and pressed a button. "Lieutenant, contact the base and put it though here."
It wasn't long before the base communications officer appeared on the screen.
"Get me John Crichton."
Lechna was the next to appear and then John.
"John Crichton, I have someone you want back."
A few microts went by before he spoke. "How is she? Can I see her?"
Grayza didn't say anything just stepped aside and another figure stepped up to the screen.
John stepped closer so his face filled the screen.
"Aeryn...are you alright?"
No matter how she tried to control her emotions in front of Braca and Grayza, but just seeing John's face brought tears to her eyes.
"I'm fine. They treated my wound and it is healing."
"So everything's ok." She understood what he was asking, if the baby was ok. It brought a slight smile to her face.
"Yes, everything is fine."
"It won't be long."
Before John could say another word, Braca pulled her away from the console and Grayza took her place.
She could still hear what John was saying.
"I swear if anything happens to her you will not get what's in my head."
"I assure you Officer Sun is well protected. We have her isolated from the rest of the ship and has been made comfortable in Officer Quarters with guards posted, no harm will come to her or your child."
With that Grayza closed the link and the screen went blank.
Aeryn jerked her arm free from Braca's grip and stared at Grayza. "Crichton will not just turn himself over to you and give you the wormhole knowledge."
Grayza ran her hand down her chest. "Oh I believe he will, if he want's you and your child released unharmed." Grayza turned and left the room. Braca remained behind.
It was all Aeryn could do to stop herself from killing him right then, but she knew if she did she would never leave this ship alive.
Braca waited till the door closed behind Grayza before he approached Aeryn.
"Grayza doesn't care bout you or your unborn abomination. As long as you cooperate you will be free to go unharmed." Braca said as he walked by her.
"So what really happened to Scorpius?"
She knew how loyal he had been to Scorpius until Grayza arrived, she had a feeling it had something to do with the Heppel Oil. She had a feeling Grayza used it to climb though the ranks to Commandant.
Braca stopped just short of the door at Aeryn's question but did not turn around. His only response was. "Someone will bring your first meal." He opened the door and walked out. Leaving Aeryn angry and no way to vent it.
She wished they would let her go to one of the training rooms. She hated sitting around with nothing to do. She would also like to work some of the soreness out of her shoulder and build the strength back in it.
Aiken and Balin and other commandos were in the Rec Room playing cards, drinking and talking about their current assignment.
"I can't believe they have that tralk in Officer quarters and not in a cell where she belongs, or just not executed for allowing herself to be contaminated and a traitor to her own people." Balin said with disgust. Everyone at the table agreed with him.
"I even heard that she recreated with this Crichton. There's also word she's pregnant with his child." Aiken added. He paused to look around the table to get a feel of the others reaction. Then continued. "She should be in a cell awaiting execution, not being made comfortable in officer quarters and taking us off regular duty to stand guard outside her quarters." The voices along with their anger was rising around the table.
Six arns later Balin and Aiken were on their way to their next shift of guard duty. Just before reaching their destination they were approached by Braca. As he passed they stepped aside to let him pass and addressed him in unison.
"Captain."
Braca didn't acknowledge them just continued down the corridor.
They then continued on their way to relieve their comrades. They were still angry from their earlier conversation.
Balin knew that nothing could be done about Sun not being held accountable for her crimes.
Aiken on the other hand was ready to take things into his own hands and he wanted Balin to help him. He turned to Balin who stood on the left side of the door to Aeryn's quarters.
"Balin, the tralk should pay for what she has done."
Balin looked at his friend. "I agree, but how are we going to ch..."
"We take care of her ourselves." Aiken interrupted Balin.
Balin thought about what his friend was suggesting and the more he thought about it the more he liked the idea. He turned and entered the code to open the door.
Aeryn was in the bedroom making her bed and putting her clothes away when she heard the door open. She was expecting the morning meal to be delivered so she didn't think anything of it, until someone stepped up behind her and put a hand over her month. She tried to struggle free only her shoulder prevented her from fighting back like she normally would.
"Lets see if you like it rough, TRALK." Aiken whispered in her ear.
Balin came around and took her legs and together they lifted her onto the bed.