Here's ch 27.

if there's a part like (1) or (a) or something, it's because I want to add a comment about a line that didn't fit with the character speaking or it explains in other words what they meant.

brackets italics are thought.

here's a little Farscape swearing lesson:

Frell-----Fuck

Dren----Shit

hezmana---either hell or damn, depending on context (go to hezmana, Hezmana-God damn)

farbot----nuts/crazy/insane

eema----ass

tralk---skank/slut/whore

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On Guarm

Data was reviewing the orders given to him by StarFleet. They had received a time set batch as they approached the wormhole, and it had finally opened, revealing several interesting pieces of news. The first was that several governments were sending what ships they could spare to wait at the wormhole while Delta class shuttles and a pair of Defiant ships traveled through to wait on this side. They were there in case Data required their assistance.

The second bit was that he, Data, as a commander could not be in a position of authority over Worf, a captain. So in order to correct the situation, Starfleet was issuing a new rank class. And he was being promoted two grades to this new rank. As most of the ranking system of Starfleet was based off a combination of the old Earth based system for Navy and Airforce personnel, the ranks had reflected that in most cases. The current order went Cadet, Ensign, Lt, Lt. Commander, Commander, Captain, Commodore, Admiral. StarFleet, under the authorization of the Federation of Planets was issuing several new ranks, of which he would be the first of the highest of the three. The new ranking system went Cadet, Private, Ensign, Sergeant, Lt, Lt. Commander, Commander, Captain, Lt. Major, Major, Colonel, Commodore, Admiral. Several of the ranks- Private, Sergeant, Lt. Major and Major- would be assigned only to those in the security/military services of Starfleet and all commanding officers were automatically considered both exploratory and military officers.

He was still reviewing the new criteria for advancement when Tam's voice entered his concious mind.

"Excuse me everyone, but Guarm tells me that he's moving faster then expected and that we are just minutes away from exiting Starburst. Everyone should get in their bunks and straps themselves in, because this is going to be a rough exit."

Data took a look over his shoulder to make sure that everything in the small chamber was secure, then tapped his badge. "Attention crew. As we approached the system containing the wormhole, which Starfleet has now named Beta-5, we received one last transmission containing our final orders and some other information relating to our mission. There is a joint, multi-racial task force including all of StarFleet's major allies currently travelling to be stationed on the far side of the wormhole with a wing of ships, including 5 Delta class shuttles and 2 Defiant class warships on the near side.

Should we require their aid, the captains of these ships have been ordered to travel the wormhole and find us. The fleet numbers nearly thirty ships, most of which are StarFleet or Klingon in origin, though there are some Romulan and even some Cardassian ships waiting. Overall command of the fleet is currently in the hands of Captain Elizabeth Swanson on the USS Night Angel, one of the two Defiant class ships who have will transverse the wormhole to station themselves on this side. Should we require the fleet, StarFleet has decided that command will shift to myself." he paused to let the others think about their allies who would be waiting for their call should they need them.

"As such, StarFleet has decided that as a Commander, I can not be in position to order Captains of the fleet. So in order to solve this problem they are going to issuing several new ranks into Starfleet's current ranking system. I have been promoted to one of these ranks, and now hold the Rank of Colonel. This will allow me the authority to command the fleet without the problems associated with over promotion to Commodore or Admiral, or those involved with not having the seniority as a Captain to order captains who have held their rank for extended period. StarFleet has issued several new rules to be instituted, and I urge you all to study those rules when there is time."

He again paused to wait for the others to process his statement. "As the commanding officer of this mission, and in the place of a senior officer, it is my honor to announce that StarFleet is also promoting Captain Worf Rhozenko, son of Morg to the newly created rank of Major. As Major, Worf's new responsibilities include tactical planning and surveillance. In short, Worf will continue to create the battle plans for our mission, and I will attempt to provide him with the success for those plans."

During his pause, Lt. Reed chose to add his own statement. "So in other words, aside from what we call you, nothing's changed."

Data felt a hint of a chuckle escape at the Lt's statement. "I suppose that is true, Lt. Now, let's relax and get ready to exit Starburst."

Data's timing was perfect as always as barely seconds after he finished speaking, Guarm exited Starburst and returned to normal space. Only now, they were in the star system that housed the leviathan they'd come to find.

As Data sat up from his bunk, Tam's voice came over the comms. "Uh, Colonel Data? I suggest you and Major Worf get up here. There's something you should see."

Data didn't pause, standing and moving for the exit to his quarters, absently grabbing the away kit stored on the hanging rack by the door. It contained a modified tricorder, a type I and type II phaser, a comm badge and emergency two days of emergency rations.

"All crew, report to bridge. Possible hostile contact." Tam's voice came back over the comms, sounding tense and fearful.

Data reached Worf, who was also clipping his equipment in place, though he also carried a large Klingon knife strapped to his left thigh, and his batleth hung in place on his back.

Worf grinned and slapped his friend on the back. "It looks like today might be a good day to die."

Data smiled and returned the gesture of friendship. He'd now known the Klingon warrior for nearly 17 years. He was one of Data's closest friends. They had had a lot in common, being the only ones of their kind in all of StarFleet and not quite managing to fit in with their fellow officers.

"Let us hope it is a good day to live, my friend." Data said in Klingon. "I'm in no hurry to experience death so soon into our mission."

Worf laughed heartily and squeezed the androids shoulder in a rare display of good humor. While it was a friendly gesture on Worf's part, Data was able to sense that it would have broken the bones of most of the established races. Luckily, his father had constructed him of more durable materials. Or as humans like to say, he wanted to be sure I was made of sterner stuff then most people. the android thought to himself as they reached the bridge and took their places.

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Ryra

John and Aeryn watched as several dozen of the enemy troops clattered onto vessels which then took off. They waited until the last was in the air before going towards the module, which had been surrounded by the enemy craft. As soon as the last vessel, looking somewhat damaged, took off they heard the sound of approaching aircraft and watched as a squad of some craft began chasing the now fleeing shapes.

So intent where they on watching the pursuit that neither noticed the presence of the potential danger until they'd already reacted.

"Hold fire!" shouted a voice from the prone Sebeccean man they were now targeting. "I am Lt. Setara from the Freedom Reigns. Lt. Reis asked myself and my men to find you and report that there is a squad of 3 Marauders on planet to escort you to safety."

"How many commandos in your team?" Aeryn asked, looking around. She noticed several forms, all armed and aiming at them now. Oddly enough, this helped calm her reaction to being startled by the Lt.. If she could see them, and they weren't hiding their actions, then it usually meant that they weren't there for a battle, but as reinforcements.

"There are 21 officers in the squad. Lt. Reis is in overall command. He and his men went to locate Coreager Lyar and seek any enemy who didn't evac by air. He ordered me and my men to find you and let you know that we are here as an escort and protection squad. The heavy gunners and pilots remained at the Marauders to secure our escape path should the module have been lost and we had to evac you in our ships." Setara stated calmly, looking them each in the eyes and not showing the slightest hint of worry at being flat on his back with two weapons pointed at his face.

John holstered Wynona and placed the stolen rifle on the ground. "Sorry about that Lt. Usually when some one sneaks up on us it's because they want us dead." He reached out a hand which the Sebaccean took. He hauled the fallen soldier to his feet, earning a flash of surprise on the other man's face. Once he was sure that Setara was on his feet, he grabbed the rifle again and glanced back over towards the module. "What do you think, Lt.? Is it safe yet to fetch the old girl?"

While not understanding the gender reference to the oddly shaped craft, the Lt. surveyed the nearly abandoned landing port. "It looks clear enough. I had a few men go around to come from the other side, but they are under radio silence until they are within 3 metras of the module."

John glanced at Aeryn and grinned. "What about you, Sundance? Think the Cavalrys gone?"

Aeryn smiled fondly at her chosen husband. "If I were them I likely would have booby trapped the shuttle and the grounds up to the shuttle before I left. Since I see no signs of such precaution, I have to think that they were either incompetent, lazy or option 3." She paused and glanced at Setara, her eyes dancing at being in her element. "And since they were too professional in the rest of their attack, that leaves out incompetence or lazyness, so that leaves option 3."

"Option 3?" Setara asked, taking his cue unconsciously.

John grinned, then stood and threw the rifle he held towards the module. It had barely gone a dozen feet before it was struck by several blasts. The crates behind which they were hiding were also struck, though John stood and watched the incoming fire before ducking back down.

Setara gapped at he man. He couldn't believe that he had just calmly watched the incoming fire without even seeking to cover himself behind the crates. Either this man is the bravest I've ever met, or he's totally farbot. he studied the pair before him, noting the exasperated expression on the attractive face of the former Peacekeeper. From her reaction, I guess he does this a lot. I guess this means the reports aren't as exaggerated as I thought. He winced as he shifted and the straps on his weapons pressed against the bruises that were forming as a result of the takedown Crighton had performed. He's faster and stronger then I was led to believe as well. I didn't even see him move. One microt, I'm approaching him from behind, all weapons holstered intending to grasp his shoulder, the next he somehow throws me over his shoulder while letting a rifle fall to hang on it's strap and draws a pulse pistol. Sun just leisurely swings her rifle from the landing pad to my head as though she knew exactly where and how I'd land.

He tuned back in as John spoke. "Did you catch that, Sundance?"

"I saw three on the left and four on the right from our current position, though they are spaced some distance from each other to cover all angles of approach. You?"

John nodded. "Caught those, but I think there's more. Far side of the module, where they couldn't have seen me toss the rifle."

Setara blinked as confusion set in. "Ah, do you mean that they saw you throw the rifle and could see what it was? Why would they shoot it then? Why not just shoot you, Crighton?"

John chuckled. "Because the last time they saw us throw a weapon, Aeryn's pulse pistol overloaded and killed half the crew that attacked us as we left our meeting with Lyar. They wouldn't want to let that happen again, so they had to take out the rifle to keep it from overloading."

Setara nodded, understanding the ruse. "Still, why throw a good weapon away? We might be outgunned and out manned and could have used the rifle."

"A couple of reasons, Set. Mind if I call you Set? Good. Anyway, the rifle wasn't all that familiar to me and as best I could tell, it was nearly empty. Also, we needed a way to find their position, and the easiest way was to give them a target they had to shoot at while not being shot ourselves. Now we know where there are and roughly how many are here. From the way they spread out, I'm guessing that there's three more who were blocked by the module and couldn't get a shot off. They aren't going to move because they don't think we were able to pinpoint their location from just the one or two shots each fired." John explained while looking around.

"So got a plan yet, Butch?" Aeryn asked as she checked the levels on her rifle.

"Working on it." a wicked grin crossed his face. One that Aeryn recognized from her long association with the human. It was his 'I'm about to make some obscure reference to Earth's culture that none of you will understand but in some weird way will fit our situation and has led me to a plan' face. She hated that face. " 'Now if only we had a holocaust cloak, then we'd have a chance.'(a) "

Before Setara could ask what he was talking about, the comms crackled to life. "John, Aeryn I am microts from the landing pad. Are you under fire?"

John's grin widened and he let out a loud whoop. "Ask and ye shall receive. Hey D, just in time. It's insanely silly plan time and you're invited."

"Frell John, why is it that all your plans are insanely silly? Just once couldn't you have an insanely brilliant plan? Is that too much for a Luxan to ask?" Dargo stated dramatically over the comms.

John turned to look at Setara. "Well it's not a holocaust cloak, but a cloaked ship capable of a holocaust will have to do. Listen up: ..."

The plan was simple. Dargo would fly Lo'la and land in front of the module, placing the bulk of the invisible ship between the attackers and themselves. Then John, who was still wearing the shielding device, would walk out towards the module like nothing was wrong in order to draw fire. Aeryn and Setara would then pop up and start firing on the enemies to the left while the other commandos, including the pair Setara had sent around would get those who were blocked by the module. Once they had been taken care of, Dargo would lift off, exposing the remaining attackers, who would now be faced with a reversal of situations and be outmaned and outgunned. Dargo would decloak after take up and rotate to aim Lo'la's huge cannon at the center of the position. If they did not open fire, Aeryn and Setara would instead leap up an throw pancake explosives towards the enemy positions, forcing them to fight, move, or die.

Surprisingly enough, the plan worked as it had been designed. Setara's men were able to take out the 4 hidden soldiers without injury. Dargo's ship wasn't even scuffed by the rounds from the weapons. Aeryn and Setara's aim was dead on and they easily ended the threat from the left. The only hiccup was when Dargo took off. One of the soldiers got a lucky shot off that hit John's shoulder. Lucky the shield device held out and he was unharmed. He even managed to take out two of the hidden snipers himself as he fell from the impact of the shot hitting the shield.

Once the action was over, Setara order his men to strip the dead of any usefully equipment and surrendered most of the shields to John, who wanted to see if he could improve on their already amazing design. They spoke to Reis over the comms, learning that he was heading back to the Marauders to aid in a patrol of the city at the orders of the Coreager. Setara and his crew headed back to meet their comrades, while John and Aeryn strapped into the module. With Dargo there in Lo'la, there was little need of a PK escort, though Reis did hope to finish his patrol soon and meet them in orbit.

As they exited the range of the planet's gravity, a call came over the comms. "John, this is Chiana. Are you there? Better pick up, old man. This is important."

John sighed and wondered if Rygel had been bothering the Nebari girl again or if it was Stark muttering his weird ass comments that was bugging her. The only good thing was he knew it couldn't be Jooly since she was still knocked out on Dargo's ship. "What is it this time, Pip?" he asked, weariness from the long, pain filled day starting to set in.

"That ship that was trying to contact us, the Old one that Pilot was talking about? It's here. And there's humans on board. Their leader says he has a fleet waiting for him at the wormhole." Chiana paused for a moment. "They want to talk to you. Seems they aren't able to understand us and aren't willing to take microbes until you speak to them. They said they had a really small computer that they inject just below the skin near your ear that does the same thing as the microbes, but also said some science talk I didn't understand about it not working with the languages here. John, there's other races with them too. One of them makes Dargo look tame. We moved to be near the Command Carrier, and they have all their ships out, protecting us in case something happens."

John jumped at the thought that not only were there now more humans in the Uncharted Territories, but somehow they'd managed to bring a fleet with them. "I'm on the way back Pip. I'll be there in a few microts. Hang on and don't do anything to spook them." He paused for a moment. "Don't let Ryge or Stark talk to them. No telling what they'd do after a few microts dealing with either of those two."

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a- Paraphrase of a quote from the movie/book 'The Princess Bride'.