_____
In the flickering firelight, John watched as Aeryn writhed and moaned beneath her coverings.
Now, concern for Aeryn turned to a genuine feeling of helplessness. The shipmates he had grown
accustomed to turning to, were no longer there to lean on. Sitting in a cave, with Aeryn hovering
between life and death, while a blizzard raged outside, John felt hope slipping away.
Wacha kept a keen eye on Aeryn while busy preparing something to eat. John didn't dare ask
what, he'd learned sometimes it was better not to know details.
"How long before we can move out of here and get Aeryn some real medical help?", he asked
Wacha, still unsettled by the fact he was depending on a giant dog for his and Aeryn's survival.
"It shouldn't be more that an arn", Wacha replied without stopping the preparations. "The storms
here, though powerful, are mercifully short." He paused, thoughtfully eyeing Crichton before
continuing. "I must inform you that if you should fall ill also, it will cost you. I was, after all, only
hired for the Sebacean's well-being." Wacha said bluntly.
"Don't worry about me. I haven't made it this far to become a human popsicle on some distant
planet." John snapped.
"Whatever you say, John Crichton." Wacha said, completely undaunted by John's outburst and
more than a little intrigued by the "human" reference.
John opened his mouth to say something to the overgrown furball, and then thought better of it.
After all, the soft-spoken St. Bernard had found Aeryn and managed to get them to shelter before
the brunt of the storm hit. Even if he was getting paid for it, it was unfair for him to take out his
frustrations on their rescuer. But, one look at Aeryn, pale and helpless, only kindled his fury at
being in such a situation.
"John,...John.", Aeryn called weakly.
"Aeryn." he said softly, moving closer to place a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Slowly, she lifted heavy lids to look up at him. Her labored breathing gave her the appearance of
someone on the brink, and the site terrified John to his very core.
"It's ok Aeryn. You're going to be ok. Just rest." he said trying hard not to look away.
"With great effort, she turned her head. She felt a great urgency to tell him. She needed to clear
the air with him. If this was the end, she didn't want to leave without telling him the truth.
"I have to tell you.....something.", she stammered. Each breath, each word was diffucult and on
more than one level.
"Aeryn...don't.", he protested, but she was not to be dismissed.
"You have to know. I....I...", and with that her strength left her and she lost conciouness.
Alarmed, John leaned over her and was relieved to see she was finally resting. Although no longer
awake, she breathed a bit more easily as her body began to recoup the lost strength.
He stroked her shoulder and decided not to dwell on what she had wanted to say. It wasn't
important now. He watched while the snow swirled and the wind screamed. The raging tempest
oustide served as only to mirror the turmoil of emotions he felt inside.
"Soon Aeryn, soon.", he said more to himself than her, and while the storm raged on he watched,
and waited. "You've done this before, John," he reminded himself, "You've waited out death
before, and the crew always came through. They won't fail this time either."
*****
D'argo's disgust at Chiana's behavior was only overshadowed by a gnawing sense of urgency to
find Aeryn and Crichton. Leave it to the human to turn a time for relaxation into another drama.
He'd been content with his time farming, right up until the call had gone out about possible
victims of an avalanche. Though at first the identities wer not known, D'argo had a deep
foreboding that those involved were his shipmates. He snarled in disgust at Crichton's seemingly
endless ability to destroy any semblance of peace or tranquility.
Making matters worse was Chiana's thirst for things that didn't belong to her. Though the good
doctor seemed intelligent enough, when D'argo arrived, he was only moments away from
becoming another "score" for Chiana. She looked at him with the same lust the Hynerian looked
at food, only there was something far more disturbing about the gleem in her eye. She seemed ony
to be tagging along, and had no real interest in Aeryn or Crichton's whereabouts.
He was in no mood for her childish pranks today. If Aeryn or Crichton were indeed hurt, then the
hulking figure of a doctor was their only chance. D'argo reached out ruthlessly to grab Chiana,
and tossed her into a waiting craft. She squealed indignantly and make an attempt to kick him.
The doctor, unaffected by their exchange, climbed into the craft and ordered the driver to get
moving.
D'argo, pinning Chiana's shoulders, leaned in closely to make his point. "I don't know what you're
up to Chiana, but now is not the time.", he growled.
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about.", she purred softly. "But, you better get your
hands off me." she shrieked, raking her fingers across his face but doing no damage.
Incensed, D'argo roared his anger before striking her squarely accross the face, knocking her out
instantly.
"Good,", he said breathing heavily. "Now sit there and be quiet."
writerRach
____
*******
The Ar called Choas stood outside the cave where it had been imprisoned. 'IT FEELS SO GOOD
TO BE FREE' he thought.
Choas, (or Khay-Hoss, as he was sometimes called) glanced at the valley. 'IT HAS BARELY
CHANGED. DELIGHTFUL.' With that he was off.
Choas had not been a popular man, among us his people. Among a race whose hallmarks are
egotism, and cruelty, he had stood out, like a diamond among sand. Unlike most Ar, Choas did
not use Mur, or servants of any kind. He did not share his power, or create minions. No, Choas
was an experimenter.
A young woman sat by a stream tending her sheep. At first, she thought the tall figure running
towards her to be a villager. Then she saw the man's face, blazing with its unnatural fury. Then
she saw the old shaman's eyes, fused to his robe. She turned and ran then, ran towards the woods.
Pausing to hide behind a tree, she looked at the path. "Free," she thought, "He's gone."
Suddenly, the voice came up at her shoulder. "I AM CHOAS, THE UNAVOIDABLE."
She saw the hand come towards her, then she saw no more.
Choas placed the girl's eyes below the old man's. 'WHAT A PRETTY, INNOCENT BLUE,' he
thought. Soon his new robe would be complete. Stopping to look beside a stream, he considered
the nature of his great power. Whatever Choas chased he caught. No matter how great the
distance was put between them, no matter how far was travelled, from the second Choas laid eyes
upon his desired prey, escape was impossible. It was a potent ability, one of many he possessed.
'IF THAT BASTARD MALDIS HADN'T ATTACKED ME, I'D HAVE KILLED MAGGEDON
WITHIN A CENTURY.'
Still, he had things to be grateful for. Imprisoned for two millenia he had refined his feeding to a
level greater than most of his race imagined, gaining sustenance from wars, plagues, and random
cruelty. 'I'VE SUPPED WELL OVER THE LAST TWO THOUSAND YEARS. AND NOW, I
WILL HAVE MY GREAT FEAST.'
Suddenly, something tugged at the edge of Choas's perception. He turnt his attention to it
immediately, using senses sharp even for his race. Choas smiled to himself. 'SO MAGEDDON
COMES TO THIS WORLD, DOES HE? I THINK HE HAS A SURPRISE IN STORE FOR
HIM.'
Choas glanced at the stream, and watched as his eyes blaze bone-white for a second. Then he
resumed his former appearance. Mageddon must think he held the advantage. It had beed four
thousand years since they last met, and Choas had a great deal of catching up to do.
Mister_S
_____
******
It was almost tragic, thought Mageddon, that so many species always looked at the stars and
wondered what glories those pinpoints of light beheld. They should have concentrated on the
darkness between the stars: the darkness and the things hidden in it.
The trip before him was long, even with his power, but he would get there eventually. A touch,
fingertip-soft, brushed against his consciousness. So, one of them knew of his approach. No
matter.
Meanwhile, leagues away, Rockne sat, unaware of the thing that approached. That damnation was
coming like a coldy screeching wave. A wave with bone-white eyes.
Ooshati
____
...Not all on Rockne were unaware of the approach of the malevolent tide, though... Zhaan had
felt the first warnings, like a roll of distant thunder in the great distance. She felt the force of a
great unbalancing come near, then retreat quietly sliding back and waiting.
So great was the sweep of the amorphous cloud of hate that she had almost fainted when it
passed over her. She doubled over and her knees had grown weak. Zhaan righted her self,
balanced her hand on the wall of the medical chamber's corridor and gathered her control. She
braced and pulled a loose shawl across her shoulders and remained still for moment. Reaching
with her mind to her companions, seeking their thoughts.
She could feel that John and Aeryn were in grave danger, but somehow a purely good essence
had protected them and was still guarding them, for now. D' Argo and Chianna too, had made
contact with another like Zhaan, a healer, and more than he appeared.
But the danger was great...she could still feel it ...the putrid, vile thing or things nearing.
Still the barriers of her mind had held, she was stronger than before...but she would need help.
Annisette
____
=====
Crais's ship dropped into high Orbit around the planet Rockne, synchronized over the vast sweep
of swamp and wetland that made up the River Delta. Although he didn't see Moya, he knew she
must be nearby. Pilot would have hidden her well, behind a moon, or in a dust cloud. He would
take care of the ship later, after he had settled his score with Crichton. He called out three
prowlers to find the Hynerion, and himself took the Command Lighter, with Malignan'Ci his
unwanted guest, beside him.
The swamp was hotter then he would have liked, a fact which Malignan'Ci seemed to find
amusing. And the Delta Swamp Resort sprawled over hectares of murky water, reaching creeper,
quicksand, and venomous indigenous life. And, had he mentioned hot? It was very hot. Crais
pulled at the neck of his peacekeeper uniform; he could already feel the sweat trickling down his
body beneath the leather-like composit armor.
"Tell me again, why are we looking for the Hynerion?" Malignan'Ci asked, stepping over a hump
of quivering mud from which a pair of indignant eyes peered at him before disappearing with a
splash of the unseen body they were attached to.
"The Hynerion will know where the others have gone. While they have an entire planet to choose
from, the Hynerion has only the Delta Swamp Resort as an option. "
"Ah," and you plan to extract the information you need how?"
"Painfully," Crais said between teeth gritted qround an unpleasant smile.
They had reached the cavernous hollow tree that served as a front desk for the Delta Swamp
Resort. A sentient lizard with sharp teeth and quick fingers sat on a flat rock next to a comm link
sealed against moisture, and eyed them warily. He didn't ask what a Sebacean was doing in the
hottest part of the planet. He knew better than to ask a Peacekeeper anything except: "What can I
do for you?"
"I am looking for a Hynerion who came to you within the past three days."
"Ah, yes, here it is," the lizard informed him after a moment of searching in his database. "He is in
the pleasure baths--"
With a look of disgust he didn't bother to hide, Crais took the offered map. "you are here" was
printed next to an X, and the lizard had marked a second X in the swamp, with a dotted line path
between the two. He called his teams, and waited while they surrounded the pleasure baths and
brought the deposed Hynerion monarch to him.
"What do you want?" the Dominar asked in a sulky voice.
"Crichton," Crais replied. "Give us Crichton, and you may go free. Refuse, and I will enjoy
squeezing the information out of you."
"I believe he said something about the beach--he was on about waves or something."
"The creature is lying." Malingnan'Ci interrupted. Crais gave him a long-suffering look.
"I know that," he said, and then ordered his peacekeepers, "Take him to the ship. I'll deal with him
soon.--too soon, for your comfort, Hynerion," he added, then turned away as if the Dominar
meant nothing to him.
*******
_____
Choas the Unavoidable sat in the smoldering ruins of what had once been a prosperous village,
and chuckled to himself. 'THE MIGHTY MALDIS, DEFEATED BY MERE MORTALS.' He
glanced around at the bodies of the villagers. 'WERE IT NOT SO AMUSING, I'D ALMOST
CRY.'
Like all of his race, Choas possessed the ability to glance into the past. It was an ability which he
was very fond of using. Choas thought for a moment. It seemed that Maldis's vanquishers were
here now. And with Maggedon, and Malignan'Ci both coming here-- the opportunity was to great
to miss. Closing his eyes (an action that was repeated by the now plentiful eyes on his cloak)
Choas contacted the mind of John Crichton.
Wacha glanced at the cave entrance and shivered. He was struck by a sensation of immediate and
great chill. It wasn't from the ice and snow-- he was a Ourganian,and these conditions were
natural, even preferable to his kind. No, the cold came from some amazing sense of ill ease.
Wacha looked at the cave entrance again, making sure it was empty. "I'm going to insist on
double pay for this job," he thought, then went back to sleep.
Crichton moaned in his sleep, than awoke. He glanced at his companions, to make sure they were
okay. It was then he realized that a figure wearing a blood-red robe covered with-- jewels,
maybe?-- was sitting at the fire. "Who the hell are you?" he said, sleepily.
"YOU ARE JOHN CRICHTON," said the cloaked figure, in a voice that sounded like it was
coming from the very rocks in the cave.
"How'd you know that?" shouted Crichton, snapping to total consciousness, already fearing he
knew the answer.
"AS ANOTHER OF RACE, ONCE PUT IT, YOUR LANGUAGE LACKS THE TERMS TO
EXPLAIN HOW I KNOW. I SIMPLY WISHED TO AND IT WAS SO."
John looked at the stranger, trying to make out his face. Black hair, mustache-- was his mouth
moving as he spoke? Something in the way he talked reminded him of someone else he met,
someone else for whom power was wishing.
"Maldis." he said, half to himself.
The figure chuckled. "CLEVER, CRICHTON. I CAN SEE HE UNDERESTIMATED YOU.
YES, I AM OF HIS SPECIES. INDEED, WE ARE OLD AQCUAINTANCES."
John stared at the figure, watching him as he sat up and moved around the cave. His face refused
to come into focus, always staying in shadows no matter where he went.
"So," he said, "you gonna eat my brains as vengence?"
The figure laughed. "HARDLY. WE MAY BE OF THE SAME SPECIES, BUT WE WERE
NOT WHAT YOU WOULD CALL FRIENDS. QUITE THE OPPOSITE, IN FACT.
"NO, CRICHTON, I AM HERE TO WARN YOU-- MALDIS MOVES AGAINST YOU EVEN
NOW."
John stared at the figure in disbelief. "No, no way, we killed him--"
"YOU DISPERSED HIM," replied the figure. "YOU DID NOT KILL HIM. INDEED, BEINGS
OF YOUR NATURE CAN NOT KILL THOSE OF OURS-- WITHOUT HELP."
Crichton watched him warily. "What kind of help?"
The figure plucked something from its robe. It glowed red a moment, then became a knife. "THIS
DAGGER CONTAINS A FRACTION OF MY POWER. IT WILL ALLOW YOU TO KILL
THE SERVANT MALDIS HAS SENT AGAINST YOU." The figure handed it to him. "NOTE
MY WORDS, KILL.' THE DEATH YOU CAUSE THIS CREATURE, WILL BE
PERMANENT, AND LASTING. THIS WILL NOT DESTROY MALDIS, BUT WILL
WEAKEN HIM, SEVERELY."
Crichton accepted the dagger, carefully. "Why should I trust you? I mean, you're the same type of
thing he is, a vampire."
"YES, I AM, BUT I TOO WISH TO SEE MALDIS DEFEATED. THE ENEMY OF MY
ENEMY IS MY FRIEND,' IS HOW YOUR RACE PUTS IT, I BELIEVE. GOODBYE, JOHN
CRICHTON. I AM SO GLAD WE CAME TO THIS-- ARRANGEMENT."
John awoke then. "Just a dream," he thought. Beyond the cave entrance, the snow still fell. No
one could have reached them in this weather. Then he saw the knife he held in his hands, the knife
with what looked like an eye in the pommel...
Mister_S
_____
******
The driver told the doctor they could not leave yet; command central had ordered him to wait. As
yet, he did not know the reason why. The delay gave Zhaan time to join them. "Something is
vitally wrong in the cosmos," she said, "And, as usual, it has something to do with Crichton."
Dargo simply grunted his lack of surprise. The alien doctor, angered by the delay, however,
complained, "We need to leave NOW time is crucial".
The driver flinched; he knew the doctor to be a placid man dedicated to his work, but when
angered anyone in his way had to watch out. Standing up the driver said quietly " I have my
orders."
At the same moment the outer doors to the craft opened. A figure in a long black cloak entered
followed by 4 guards, 2 of which were carrying boxes. As the group entered, the ski resort
operator muttered `uh o' and moved to leave.
One of the guards grabbed him by the collar and dragged him towards the cloaked figure. The
other guards closed the doors and started to hand out heavy cloaks, and ordered the driver to
make way immediately.
D'Argo caught a scent from the figure. It excited him, he had caught the same scent on the farm
earlier but did not know whom it belonged to. Thinking the figure was a male giving him these
strange feelings made him feel a little embarrassed, so he turned and busied himself with helping
the guards distribute the cloaks.
Leaning on the shuttle wall for support, Zhaan felt a presence close by. She was not sure what,
but it helped her feel calmer. She thought to herself, is this presence the help I need?' She sensed
that maybe it was.
****
When the shuttle reached the ski resort, the guards pushed the resort operator into a cabin and the
cloaked figure followed.
Inside the figure spun around "Bendral, I want an explanation" the figure said. Slender hands
came from beneath the cloak and removed the hood, revealing a lovely woman with long dark
brown hair. She removed the cloak, setting it on a chair nearby and straightened the swords on
her hip and back.
Bendral looked worried. She came up to him, he was shorter than she, though she was not a large
woman, standing at about 5'6.
Bendral had a lot of respect for the head of security. She had helped turn this planet around and
trained the guards in fighting skills surpassed by none. He knew she could kill him with one blow
faster than he could blink. He shuffled nervously" I, I, I'm sorry Cali"
The woman's eyes flared with anger."I know you are sorry, Bendral."
She raised her voice. "I said I want an explanation. You are supposed to report the presence of
any Sebaceans to me. Why did you not do so?"
Bendral looking at the floor. "I thought I could take care of it myself. You were at the farm. I
know you enjoy your time there; I did not want to disturb you."
"Oh really, and how did they end up ice pops? Is the warning system not working?"
He looked nervous. "No. Yes, it is working fine, they had no warning bands"
"What do you mean, no warning bands"
Cali was getting very annoyed. "Is this another of you attempts to `take care of things yourself?' B
endral shifted his feet. "Y,Yes. I thought they might get into an accident and not be a problem"
Cali was furious with the little man. She paced the floor, yelling at him. "I thank you for your
consideration towards me. But you were very wrong in what you have done. Not only have you
put 2 people's lives at risk, but have risked the entire planet.
"Do you think if Sebaceans disappear no one will care? There would be an investigation; the
planet would be crawling with peacekeepers. We would end up with war, hundreds of people
killed, destroying our entire community.
"Or were you thinking of bargaining with the Peacekeepers? Say like trading me or some others
for peace?"
Bendral jumped at her words. "No, No Cali. I would never betray you. No one on this planet
would." He was shaking "please don't think that. I was really dumb, I acted without thinking".
Cali relaxed. "Thank you, I am glad to hear that. I believe your words, Bendral. But you will have
to face the council, you have endangered lived and broke several laws."
Zhaan joined D'Argo in the control room; he had moved closer to the cabin door, so he could hear
what was going on. He looked at Zhaan with a puzzled expression, saying, "A woman is shouting
at the resort op. Perhaps she is their leader. No, a female can't be their leader. But she hold some
kind of command position"
One of the guards overheard D'Argos' comments " you are right, she is not our leader; it is a
council that are our leaders. Cali is the head of security, the council listen to her, She is not a
female to cross"
D'Argo grunted. "Hmph!, female security chief,what kind of place is this?"
The guard laughed as the cabin door opened. "Maybe you'll learn something."
Cali stepped out of the cabin and started to walk to the command station, but stopped and turned
to Zhaan. Looking Zhaan in the eye Cali spoke softly.
"Greeting, Delvian. I am Calista, head of security here on Rockne" and bowed her head keeping
eye contact with Zhaan.
"Greeting Calista, I am Zhaan, Delvian Priestess"
Cali smiled " yes, I have sensed your presence here. We will talk later." She touched Zhaan's arm.
"But first we must rescue these people"
Zhaan felt a charge at Cali's touch, she knew this was the presence she had felt earlier. But still the
evil one loomed in the distance, a shadow crossed Zhaan's face as she thought of it
"Fear not Zhaan, all will be well" Cali said turning and bumping into D'Argo.
D'Argo had moved closer to her, his senses running wild. This woman's scent was driving him
nuts and he was getting annoyed with himself for not controlling his reaction
D'Argo stepped back muttering "Sebacean bitch", thinking what the frell is going on.'
Cali's eyes flared angrily. " Careful who you insult stranger, for I have done nothing to you, to
cause you to reference me to a female dog, and, FYI, I am not Sebacean." She turned away
quickly, moving to the control area.
D'Argo started to say something but stopped with his mouth open. He wasn't prepared for the
come back she gave, and the beautiful sight of her. She had looked him straight in the eyes, he had
felt like he was drowning, her eyes were beautiful, a dark brown, with long curling lashes. Her
skin was smooth and slightly tanned. She wore none of the face paints so many females of various
species liked to wear. He liked that.
He was thinking, she looks like a Sebacean, but says she is not. What the frell does FYI' mean?
She has a strange accent, and a dog: what is a dog? She talks as oddly as Crighton.'
He looked at her standing by the command consul. Great body, not very strong looking but he
could tell very fit. Wearing swords? Just plain blades not duel purpose like his. In fact, he noticed
she bore no firing weapons at all. Odd, he thought, for chief of security, no guns on any of the
guards.
She had long daggers in each of her boots, a belt that held many small dagger-like objects in it, a
sword on her left side and one on her back. He could not see much of the sword on her back as it
was hidden by her long hair. He would later learn the swords she carried were those of the
Samurai. He had already realized she was the source of the scent that was driving him crazy.
Zhaan moved towards D'Argo, smiling. he reached up and gently closed his mouth, saying
"D'Argo your drooling."
D'Argo ,a little embarrassed, reluctantly broke his gaze from Cali and looked at Zhaan "what is
she?"
"I don't know, but she has some powers, I can sense them. And these people seem to have a lot of
respect for her".
Cali asked the driver "what is our ETA?"
"Approximate * of an arn, this storm is worse than predicted, there is another close behind. We
will have a window of about an arn to find them and get out" he replied.
Cali told him they were most likely in the caves above the ridge. They had lost Whacha's locator
signal going in that direction.
"Are the sensors picking anything up yet?" she asked.
"No, the storm is messing everything up; we are having to use manual directional instruments. If
they are on the ridge it will be at least an arn"
"Ok. Pass by where we lost Whacha's signal first. Let me know when we get close"
Cali turned to a guard at her side and asked "is the team ready?"
He moved saying" I'll make sure they are".
Cali turned around and spotted Chiana slumped in the corner "what happened to her?"
"She was being uncooperative and the big male hit her, " said the Doc as he moved towards
Chiana.
"Take her to the med section and take care of her."
The doc scooped Chiana up and took her through a door. When they were gone, Cali moved
toward the cabin, motioning Zhaan and D'Argo inside. She closed the door behind them and asked
them to sit down. She sat on the edge of a desk with her arms folded.
She looked at Zhaan saying "Am I right in the assumption that the three of you are together?"
Zhaan nodded
"So tell me how you came to be on this rescue; guests are not usually permitted on these mission
due to the dangers. And you"-- she look at Dargo--"Not cooperating , so you knocked her out?
Not a nice way to treat one of your friends"
D'Argo jumped up. "She is not one of my friends, and it's none of your business"
Cali stood up; the top of her head only came to D'Argos' chin. She showed no fear of him, though
she could tell he was a strong warrior
"It IS my business. You are guests here; I expect you to behave accordingly. We do not tolerate
violence here"
Zhaan stepped in between Cali and D'Argo. "Chiana was trying to cause a problem that could cost
these people their lives. Sometimes it is the only way to deal with her"
"Ok, I am protective of people here," Cali said, "Especially the weaker ones. Don't keep it as a
habit. Lets start over."
They all sat again, D'Argo amused at this woman having the guts to stand against him. He was
always impressed by a strong woman, but usually they turn out to be too controlling, which he
hated.
Zhaan told Cali that the people to be rescued were part of their crew.
"That explains a lot." Cali looked at D'Argo . "Do you have a name, or do you like to keep it a
secret?" she smiled a little at him.
He replied "Yes, I am Ka D'Argo," puzzled at her change in attitude.
"Greetings, Ka D'Argo, I am Calista. Tell me were are you from? I have not met one of your
species before; some similar, Ilonics, they are similar to you. Nice people actually."
She had relaxed her position and was checking D'Argo out. She was thinking what a great
physique he had, and very interesting eyes.
D'Argo almost felt embarrassed; fortunately, Luxans don't blush,. Her scent was getting to him
again, and the way she looked at him. "I am a Luxan warrior, the Ilonics are a cousin race"
"I have heard of the Luxan warriors, I have always been curious to meet one." She smiled at him.
"what about you?" Zhaan asked " you say you are not Sebacean, but you look like one"
"Yes, a problem I run into from time to time. I am not Sebacean" not fully answering Zhaans'
question, she asked: "Your friends-- Whacha's report was a little curious, he said the male that
had enlisted his help, `doesn't smell right', is how he put it" "
that's for sure" D'Argo said with amusement.
Zhaan shot D'Argo a look that said shut up. "I am not certain what you mean" said Zhaan.
Cali got up "Whacha has a very good sense of smell, that is what makes him good at his job. If he
says he doesn't smell right, there is something you two are not telling me"
Zhaan looked down trying to avoid Calis' eyes
"I can get the truth without your help" Cali said warningly "what is it?"
Zhaan sighed, she had sensed Cali had mind probing powers so told her "John is not Sebacean, he
is a human"
" Thank you for being honest with me. A male from Earth, this could get interesting"
Both Zhaan and D'Argo looked up with surprise;she knew of Erp, and said it correctly.
"You know of Erp?" Zhaan asked Cali.
Cali laughed " Strangely enough yes, I know earth well; I once lived there"
Zhaan was amazed " But how? When? John said Erp does not have the technology to travel great
distance in space, and he also told me Erp beings do not have powers similar to mine." Zhaan was
becoming erratic.
"Calm down Zhaan. What he told you is true, but also not true. Some of us have powers similar
to yours, but usually not controlled. I had external help with mine"
D'Argo groaned "another as strange as Crighton, what did I do to deserve this torture?"
Cali spun around to D'Argo "You know ,D'Argo, you are doing a great job of agitating me today.
What is it about you?"
She moved closer; he could feel the warmth of her body close to him and her scent stronger
"Why to liken me to another? Just because we are the same species, does not make me like him.
You continue to insult me, yet you do not know me, why?"
D'Argo spluttered "yes, you are right, I had no intent to insult you" D'Argo was surprised at the
words coming out of his mouth, Luxans don't apologize, but here he was apologizing to this
woman. She was having an effect on him.
"I will let it pass this time." she stroked the side of his face and smiled " please try not to insult me
so much."
D'Argo felt like an electrical charge went through his entire body when she touched him; he liked
the feeling
"I like your eyes, they tell a lot of you" she said softly.
"th, thanks" D'Argo shifted not wanting to break contact with her, but felt he must.
She stood back. "D"argo would you go to the control room and find out what our ETA is
please?"
D'Argo got up " Certainly" not sure if he wanted to get out of this situation or not. Females did
not usually get his pulse racing with so little effort.
Zhaan was smiling to herself.
"what is it, Zhaan?" Cali asked
"I think D'Argo is attracted to you"
"But he insults me all the time" Cali replied
"I don't think he means to. I have never seen him like that" said Zhaan shaking her head.
" Yes, he is acting a bit like a bowl of Jell-O" laughed Cali.
"what is Jell-O?, I have heard John make reference to it before"
"It is a gelatinous sweet treat we have on earth."
Zhaan laughed " this is going to get interesting".
" D'Argo is quite impressive, is he attached?"
" What do you mean by attached?"
"Wife, girlfriend"
"Oh a mate. No, none that I know of."
"really." Cali smiled secretly.
Just then a message came through from the driver " we are almost there Cal, approaching the
caves right now"
"OK I am on my way. Ready the team." Cali looked at Zhaan. "Cross your fingers and start
hoping."
Zhaan looked puzzled and followed Cali, not sure what crossing her fingers had to do with
anything, but knew what hope was.
Shiwa
_____
*************
As Cali, the doctor, Chianna, D'argo, and Zhann walked to the hovercraft, a short, slightly bald
figure in purple robes ran towards them.
"Hey, Cali!!" it shouted. It was humanoid, like Cali, vaguely Sebaecian, and probably male.
Cali stared at the man with a look of mild disgust. "What is it, Hul?" she muttered.
"I just wanted to tell you, something very bad is going to happen." said Hul.
"What?" asked Cali.
"Well, I don't really know. I was just taking a shower, and then it occurred to me that something
unbelievably horrible was going to happen. I said to myself, well, I'll just tell Cali, that's what I'll
do.' Can't say I've been keeping it to myself that way, can you?"
Cali turnt to the visitors and gestured towards the small man. "I'd like you to meet Hul Vrink,
Rockne's resident seer."
"This little... introduction is a waste of time." Dargo said, "Someone should be trying to get news
to Rygel of our search."
"Rygel the XVI?" said Hul.
"Yes." said Zhann, somewhat amazed.
"Dominar of over two hundred worlds?"
"Yes."
"A little froggy fellow, in a hoverchair?"
"Yes-- you know him?" asked Zhann.
"Know who?"
"Rygel!" shouted D'argo.
"Who's Rygel?" asked Hul, somewhat puzzled.
"We just mentioned him." said D'argo.
"Did you? Well, I can hardly be expected to know him now, can I? I mean, I can't expect you to
know Cali, director of Security now, can I?"
D'argo decided to ignore that last bit.
"You descibed him in minute detail."
"I did? Must have been thinking of someone else. It's very hard to keep a train of thought when
you're temporally discombulated."
Chianna looked at the little fellow, amused. "Temporally what?" she asked.
"Discombulated. My sense of time is all mixed up. It's like this dugo fruit." Here he grabbed a
piece of fruit from a dish. "Now this dugo fruit is time. Now, you take it and cut it in half--" here
he performed said action,-- "and that's what-- no wait, that's not it.."
With that Hul Vrinks sucked the juice out of the dugo fruit and turnt to Cali. "Cali, I've got to tell
you. Something very bad is going to happen." Cali sighed. "Come with us, Hul. You can tell me
on the way."
=====
Choas the Unavoidable paused for a moment. 'THAT'S ODD...' he thought. The overwhelming
forces of Maggedon and Malignan'Ci, chaneling Maldis, had blocked them out, but... yes, there
were forces here. He got a fix on them.
'A PA'HU, 10TH LEVEL. AHH, YES, MALDIS'S OTHER 'SLAYER'... AS I RECALL SHE
WAS ONLY A 9TH LEVEL THEN... ANOTHER ONE, A WILD TALENT. POWERFUL,
BUT A LITTLE UNDISCIPLINED... FROM EARTH...' Choas chuckled to himself. 'IMAGINE
THAT. SHE'S HAD TRAINING, THOUGH...'
Here Choas paused for a second. He was a cunning man, and he disliked mysteries. 'PERHAPS--
NO, SOMETHING IS BLOCKING MY DIVINATIONS ABOUT HER PAST. I'LL HAVE TO
READ HER THOUGHTS DIRECTLY, THEN... ANOTHER, A HEALER... HE'LL CRACK
WITH LITTLE DIFFICULTY... AND... SOMETHING ELSE... SOMETHING VERY
POWERFUL... BUT HARD TO SENSE...' Choas looked out at the horizon. 'I WILL DEAL
WITH THEM, EVENTUALLY. BUT NOW, I HAVE OTHER THINGS TO WORRY
ABOUT.'
And with that Choas continued to prepare for the coming of Maggedon.
*********
Mageddon raced through space. Soon, he thought, very soon. Shortly he would be on the
planet Rockne, to teach a lesson to those quarelling fools, Choas, and Maldis. Soon, he would
feast upon their essences. Perhaps he'd even allow a few people on the planet to live. He was in a
charitable mood.
*******
Meanwhile, on the transport that took Rygel to Crais's ship, Malignan'Ci fell forward, wincing in
pain. "No," he thought, "it can't be."
But Malignan'Ci knew there was no uncertainty about those sensations. The being who was
suffering incarnate, the lord of the Ar, was heading for this planet. He would soon be here. Which
meant he had to pursue his master's plan immediately. He could not afford to be here when the
demon arrived.
Crais glanced at his visitor, interested. For all his power, for all his might, this servant of Maldis
could feel pain. That meant he could be beaten. Crais glanced at the stars, feeling for the first
time, the glimmer of hope...
Mister_S
_____
************
Malignan'Ci retreated to his quarters,where he began to summon his powers. First, he searched
the world Rockne until he had found Crighton. His mind recoiled at the presence of his enemy
RIGHT NEXT TO JOHN! He felt something else on John, something he couldn't place...
Something with what felt like a piece of Chaos.
Before his sworn enemy could respond, Malignan'Ci snatched John from the surface of the planet.
**********
Chaos felt something in the air. Turning, he had just enough time to realize that John was fading
when his unwilling companion disappeared.
The blade Chaos had given John clattered on a boulder.
DAMN HIM! HE WHO SERVES MY ENEMY HAS TAKEN CRIGHTON TO A PLACE
WHERE I CANNOT SEE OR FEEL HIM!,' raged Chaos.
**********
John gasped as the world went swimmy on him. Trying not to puke, he collapsed on a floor.
Gasping for his breath, he realized that he was surrounded by cold. Cold... and a stench. A stench
of something stale. Rotten.
He looked up and saw he was onboard Moya. But Moya was different. Cursing under his breath,
he muttered, "Damn it, this better not be another Moya dimensional screw-up. I really don't want
to go back to the red, yellow, and blue Moyas again." Then he yelled, "PILOT!"
No answer. Not good.
John started running towards the tier where Pilot's chamber was.
Something about what Moya felt like right now reminded John of a haunted house.
*************
Malignan'Ci smiled, then vanished from his quarters.
Gilina disappeared,too.
Both of them reappeared onboard the dead Leviathan.
**************
Huffing and puffing with exertion, John wondered why the corridors had to be so damn LONG.
He stopped outside of the chamber where Pilot sat.
WHY DO I FEEL LIKE BODY SNATCHER PODS ARE GONNA BE IN HERE?', he mused,
then almost laughed with bleak humor. IF THIS HAD BEEN A MOVIE, OR SOME KIND OF
HIGHLY-RATED SCI FI SHOW, THE AUDIENCE WOULD BE SHOUTING, "JOHN!
DON'T GO IN THERE!" Now,'
John realized why those idiots in movies always DID "go in there". The same reason he did. They
had no choice.
**************
John saw Pilot and opened his mouth. Then he shut it with a snap. It wasn't Pilot who sat in the
chair in the center of the chamber, it was some lanky stranger with yellow eyes.
And Gilina was with him.
His thoughts raced furiously as he recalled the first time he had met her. It had been aboard the
wrecked Zelbinion, and he had been somewhat taken with her. She had been gentle, innocent, like
a dove. She had been the kind of girl John called a "sweetie pie".
Now, faced with her again, those old feelings came back in a rush. He loved her, but he wasn't IN
LOVE with her. Not like he felt with Aeryn. Not like... well, he still wasn't totally sure about that.
"Gilina!", he cried hoarsly.
"John!", she replied with strain, because the stranger had a clawed hand around her neck.
John bristled and glared at this stranger. "You're Maldis' crony?"
"Yes, Crighton. My master seeks words with you." He raised his arms and said, "How do you like
my chariot? A living-dead Levithan. As humans say, 'who'da thunk?'"
John felt queasy. A living-dead Leviathan? He didn't really want to think about that. So history
was repeating itself. John was meeting Gilina on another dead ship. He clenched his fists and said,
"Release her, and we'll talk."
Malignan'Ci looked as if he'd tasted something nasty. "You are mistaken if yu think you are in a
position to bargain. My master wants you. He also wants Zhaan." The stranger looked at Gilina
and licked her cheek to her intense disgust. "This pretty one is merely an incentive."
John was about to answer, when Malignan'Ci thundered, "WERE YOU REALLY SO FOOLISH
TO THINK THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE OF THE RACE THAT MALDIS WAS A PART
OF?!!"
John flinched and felt very cold. NO, he thought, OH DEAR JESUS, A WHOLE SPECIES OF
THESE MONSTERS?
"Yes, 'a whole species of these monsters.' You call us monsters. How unflattering." Then he
grimaced and said, answering John's new thought, "NO, we're not gods either, Crighton. We're
just extremely powerful."
Shaking his head, he continued, "Gods indeed. I know that all creatures like me in your fiction say
this, but I actually HAVE a life."
John started, then remembered that Maldis had been able to read his mind, too. SWELL, HOW
DO I SHIELD MYSELF AGAINST THIS GUY? I REALLY WISH THAT THE UNITY
BETWEEN ME AND ZHAAN HAD TOLD ME HOW TO DO THIS.'
Then, something shifted in his head.
Malignan'Ci looked baffled, "Swell? That's all you have to say is swell? You CAN'T shield
yourself against me."
John sighed and wondered how the others were doing.
"Your mind has gone blank, John Crighton, which should surprise no one. Chaos may have been
impressed with your cognitive abilities, but I am not. Crais also is a bore. He clings to a slim hope
that I can be defeated."
Crais was here, too? Oh, this just got better and better. Then something occurred to John. HE
HADN'T SAID ANYTHING ABOUT MY CONCERN OVER THE OTHERS. EITHER HE
DIDN'T CARE, OR...
Or he hadn't read John's mind, then. Well, he HAD felt something shift...
Maybe there was a chance, after all.
**************
On the planet, Zhaan flinched as an image from John's mind came to her consciousness. A
SERVANT OF MALDIS? NO! IT'S TOO SOON! I CANNOT REAWAKEN THAT SAVAGE
PART OF ME AGAIN AS I DID BEFORE!'
Shivering, ZHaan wept for her soul and her fear that she would lose it. Then, she turned and went
to warn the others.
Wacha, on the other hand, was slightly worried about the disappearance of John.
Meanwhile, Mageddon shreiked towards Rockne...
Ooshati
___
*******