"Silver Dagger" Part Three: Bad To Worse!

Time: Between Different Destinations and Eat Me, not long after "Shattered Mirror"

Disclaimer: I didn't create Farscape, didn't create the characters, and don't make a plug nickel off of it.

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Moya was coming apart at the seams, but there was nothing he could do about it.

He followed Aeryn as she ran through the corridors, barely keeping ahead of the explosions that were cascading through the Leviathan. Her left arm hung useless at her side, the wound to her shoulder ugly and bleeding. The cut on her forehead was probably not as bad as it looked.

She didn't break stride as she ran into Pilot's den, but she did stop just inside the door, her pulse pistol coming up. In front of Pilot stood the Rolvarian. He had Chiana by the neck, holding her up off the floor. In his other hand was some kind of device.

Aeryn yelled, demanding Traven release Chiana and deactivate the device. Traven regarded her coolly, then looked at Chiana and tossed her aside like a rag. Chiana missed the edge of the landing and fell. Aeryn blocked out Chiana's fading scream and began to shoot. Traven took the first few shots, laughed and released the device.

Aeryn watched the device fall, knowing she'd failed Pilot, that she'd failed Moya…she'd failed them all.

She looked up at Pilot and saw forgiveness in his eyes.

"Frell…"

There was a very bright light and a very loud noise…and…

…and John Crichton woke up screaming.

For many long microts, John sat still, waiting for his heart to slow down. He took many deep breaths and looked around.

The platform he had fallen asleep on was in the center of the small chamber Somrela said he could use. The rest of the chamber was bare, stark white in color. Who's the decorator, his tired mind babbled.

"I don't need nightmares right now." John wiped sweat from his eyes, looked up and wasn't surprised to see Scorpius standing in front of him. "Do you have something useful to provide, Harv, or are you just going to stand there looking ghoulish?"

"Have you thought about why the Rolvarians wanted the crew separated?" Scorpius sat next to John and waited for him to answer. "Oh, come on, John. It was just a nightmare…for now."

"Well, they don't like Sebaceans, Luxans, Nebari and Baniks. They love Interons and Hynerians. And I'm a mystery to them. As they see it, the inferior on one ship, the superior with them."

"But for what reason? And why leave one of their people onboard Moya? It's all there in front of you, John. You'll find it."

"Crichton! Was that you screaming?" Rygel hovered in the door of the chamber.

"I had a nightmare, Sparky. Are you certain we can trust the Rolvarians? I have a really bad feeling about the one we left on Moya."

"I most certainly do trust them. At least they know how to treat royalty. It's been too long since I received the respect I deserve."

"When the parade? Look, Ryg, all I'm saying is that maybe we shouldn't just do what they want."

"What do you suggest? Taking the ship?"

"No. All I'm saying is that we should keep our eyes open. Why not talk to Somrela, see if you can find out what Linelk's supposed to do. Just to be safe. Can you do that, Sparky?"

"I still think you're being paranoid. Why should they want to hurt us? It's just a misunderstanding that will be cleared up quickly."

"Wars have been started over simple misunderstandings. Sparky, just humor me. Okay? I'd like to make sure we have a ship to go back to."

Rygel looked like he was about to protest again, but simply shook his head. "All right, Crichton. But if you're so concerned about Moya, why didn't you stay behind?"

John shrugged. "I don't know. Didn't think again. Times like this, I wish there were two of me."

"Oh please! The universe can barely tolerate one of you." Still shaking his head, Rygel left the chamber.

John ran his fingers through his hair and whispered, "Watch your back, Aeryn."

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Pilot's four arms danced over his console, performing more tasks than Aeryn thought possible for one being. "The energy readings are in the maintenance bay."

Aeryn looked back at D'Argo and saw her own concern reflected on his face. "Can you tell the source of the readings?"

"I am still analyzing the readings, D'Argo, but if I had to hazard a guess, I would say it was some form of weaponry."

"The Rolvarians left some crates in the maintenance bay. Somrela said they were supplies for Traven, food and drink because he can't risk contamination." Aeryn turned over possibilities. "Has Traven done anything suspicious yet?"

"No. He was just sitting in the Central Chamber, staring out the windows. It's almost like he's in a trance. I left Stark with him." D'Argo began to pace. "How do you want to handle this?"

Aeryn leaned against Pilot's console. "D'Argo, go back to Linelk. See if you can find out what his orders are. I have a feeling there's more to this than we've been told."

"What if he wants to leave?"

"Stay with him. Just keep him away from the maintenance bay. Chiana, get down there and see if you can open the crates. I want to know what's in them. I'll join you in a few microts."

Both D'Argo and Chiana looked grim as they left Pilot's den. Aeryn sighed and massaged the bridge of her nose. Why do I feel as if things are starting to slip out of control, she wondered.

Aeryn felt a smile creep onto her face when she felt a claw gently touch her shoulder. "Is everything all right, Officer Sun?"

Aeryn touched Pilot's claw. "I suppose everything is as well as can be expected, Pilot. It's just that, lately, I've been thinking that I don't belong here anymore. I keep thinking that Zhaan made the wrong choice when she brought me back."

Pilot's head dipped slightly. "Moya and I also miss Zhaan. However, we are also happy that you are here. Perhaps it would be best to simply move on and not dwell on the past. It's impossible to change it, so there is no reason to dwell on what might have been."

Aeryn turned to Pilot and smiled. "You're very wise, Pilot."

Aeryn's comm chirped and D'Argo's angry voice was heard. "Aeryn! Linelk's gone! I found Stark unconscious in the Central Chamber, but that frelling Rolvarian is gone!"

"Where would he go? Where would I go?" Aeryn's eyes went wide. "Oh, frell! The maintenance bay! D'Argo, get to the maintenance bay!"

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They found the maintenance bay deserted, the two crates open and empty. There was no sigh of Linelk or Chiana, except for a few drops of deep blue blood near the workbench.

Surprised at the concern he felt, D'Argo growled, "Chiana's blood. He has her and equipment that may be weaponry."

Aeryn looked into the crates again. "D'Argo, if you had to disable a Leviathan, where would you go?"

"Disabled permanently? I'd probably go to Pilot's den. Moya would be nearly impossible to control without Pilot, and a sizeable enough explosion there could kill her."

They exchanged grim looks and ran from the maintenance bay.

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Aeryn and D'Argo burst into Pilot's den, weapons drawn. They found Linelk leaning over Pilot's console. Chiana lay still at his feet, an ugly gash on her left leg.

Aeryn started forward, her pulse pistol never wavering. "Move away from Pilot now!"

Linelk turned. A long, cylindrical device now hung from his shoulder. In one hand he held some kind of device. "Ah, the Sebacean and the Luxan. I would suggest you lower your weapons."

D'Argo growled, "I was about to tell you the same thing."

"That would be ill-advised." Linelk held the device out for them to see. "Can you guess what this is, Sebacean?"

Aeryn took a step forward. The device was cylindrical, with several small indicators and what looked like a lever or switch. A sense of dread came over her. "It's a death switch. You release it and something unpleasant happens."

"Unpleasant? Yes, I suppose that's one way of saying it. You, Pilot, tell them what I've given you."

Pilot glanced down then made eye contact with Aeryn. "He has placed several large explosive devices around me and my console. According to Moya's sensors, if the explosives are detonated, they would succeed in killing Moya."

"And us along with her." D'Argo tightened his grip on the Qualta blade.

"Yes, we shall die gloriously. The Silver Dagger has arrived!"

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TO BE CONTINUED