Chapter THree
Scorpius didn't bother looking up from the console before him. He recognized Braca's footsteps as the lieutenant came in the room. "Well?" he simply asked, readjusting one of the fields before him on the console. The Aurora chair shined on its platform before the two men.
Braca stared at the contraption to his right, then back to the scientist, a shiver going down his spine. "Our contacts have not been able to discern when they may make their move," he reported, stepping up to stand next to his superior. "And they were not able to get an exact count of how many people have joined the resistance."
Scorpius glanced at him sideways. "All I wanted was an estimate."
Braca swallowed nervously. "Approximately five thousand." He paused, clenching his hands behind his back. "And that is just on Zorosa 3. We know they have commandeered two command carriers."
Scorpius looked up, gazing at the Aurora chair before him, desperately wishing he had Crichton sitting in it. Or Morgan. Either way, he'd be happy. He smiled slightly as the door opened again, standing up straight as he gazed at Captain Jira Raseen. "Well, you look remarkably fit."
Raseen approached the scientist. "Thanks to you," she replied. She limped over to stand below them, her back perfectly straight as her eyes tracing the lines of the chair. She was lucky to be alive, even though her back was now fused, severely limiting her range of motion. "I just received word from my contact on Zorosa 3."
Scorpius nodded to the technician that approached him, taking the data chips from the woman as she returned to her work on the chair without a word. He looked at Braca. "Her contact does not know our contact," he provided. His eyes locked with Raseen's. "And?" he prompted.
Raseen smiled evilly. "It seems Terrick has managed to gain the trust of Captain Langtree. He is a very good actor and he has been smuggling the information he has managed to wring out of her to the night guard." She handed Scorpius another data chip. "Were you aware that she gave birth to twins two monens ago?"
Scorpius' eyes grew round. "Really?" He smiled. "What a stroke of a luck that is," he commented, walking over to the Aurora chair's control panel, running his hand over it lovingly.
Raseen cast a malicious glance at Braca. "I have an idea how that could be turned to our advantage." She laid a hand on Scorpius' arm. "Something I'd like to discuss in private. A way those half-breed brats could be used to bring down the resistance and bring in Crichton and his cousin," she spat. "They almost cost me my life and I have a score to settle."
Scorpius followed her gaze to Braca. Raseen did not care for the lieutenant on bit, although the scientist did not know why. "Certainly. We can discuss it in my chambers."
Braca watched as Scorpius and Raseen walked out, a very uneasy feeling settling over him. His eyes met the technicians. "I do not like this." He turned on one heel and stormed out of the room.
Chiana walked onto Talyn's bridge, her dark eyes twinkling merrily, Aeryn and Zhaan not far behind. She stopped just inside the door, watching Morgan as she moved around the bridge, concentrating so intently that she didn't realize the three women were there. Suleah and Allan slept quietly nestled in the sling at her waist. "What in the hezmona is a bachelor party?" Chiana asked.
Morgan turned at her voice, confusion on her face. "What?" she asked, shaking her head as her nose crinkled.
"A bachelor party? What is it?" Aeryn asked, leaning against one of the consoles, staring patiently at Morgan.
The human woman placed the info pad she was carrying on the system's console and sighed, blushing slightly. "Talyn let me know if you need me." The gunship chirped in acknowledgement and she motioned for the others to follow her off the bridge. "Uh…where exactly did you hear that term?" she asked as she walked into the galley. Morgan set up the modified coffee pot, staring at the container of ground coffee that was rapidly dwindling. She sighed as Suleah started fussing and Morgan smiled down at the little girl. The twins were growing rapidly and she knew that it wouldn't be long before she was unable to carry them in the sling.
"Crichton mentioned it," Aeryn answered, taking Allan from Morgan. She sat at the table, holding the sleeping boy as Morgan laid Suleah against her shoulder rubbing her back. "Tauvo mentioned that ever since his brother arrived, things have been too serious. Some of the junior officers are actually afraid of him and he is trying to find a way to lighten things up a bit. You know, show them that Crais won't bite their heads off just because he can."
"Which Crais has been known to do. His reputation precedes him." Morgan shifted as Suleah began to fuss again. "So John mentioned having a bachelor party."
"Well, actually, Tauvo said something about a get together for all the officers and that's when Crichton mentioned it," Chiana supplied.
"It would be in Crais' honor," Zhaan added, taking Allan from Aeryn.
Morgan stared at the Delvian woman in disbelief. "For Crais?" She tried not to laugh at the absurdity of the suggestion. "Ever since John found out that I have been talking with Terrick at Crais' request, they've been at each other's throats."
Zhaan looked up at Morgan. "How is that going dear?"
Morgan nodded, untangling her daughter's fingers from her hair. "He's starting to open up. Since I managed to get him some privileges, he feels less like a criminal."
"What sort of privileges?" Aeryn asked. Once Terrick convinced both of them that Morgan was in no danger from him, she stopped accompanying her human friend.
"Reading material, fresh clothing, a bath every other day. Stuff like that." She sipped at her coffee. "I started teaching him how to play a Earth card game. It seems easier for him to talk that way."
"So, what does this bachelor party involve exactly?" Chiana butted in, effectively changing the subject.
Morgan shrugged. "A bachelor party is given to a man by his buddies as a last send off before he gets married, so the officers Tauvo invited are probably all men." She laid Suleah in the crook of her drawn up leg. "It usually involves alcohol, loud music and a stripper."
Aeryn looked at Morgan oddly. "What is a stripper?"
Morgan pursed her lips, scratching the back of her neck in embarrassment. "A woman who removes her clothes and dances for the men's enjoyment," she answered as succinctly as possible.
Aeryn snorted, her eyes going to Chiana. "Sounds like you."
"Hey!" the small grey Nebari woman protested, her face flushing slightly.
"Ladies, please," Zhaan calmed. "I'm sure they can have this party without a…stripper," she soothed, trying not to smile.
Chiana glared at Aeryn, then turned her attention back to Morgan as she sat on the table, her legs swinging back and forth. "Crichton said something about the stripper jumping out of a cake."
Morgan stared at Chiana. "Are you volunteering for the job?" she asked sarcastically, standing up and refreshing her cup of coffee.
"She'd be perfect for it," Aeryn commented dryly, standing up and taking the cup Morgan had poured for her. Somewhere between the first time she met the human woman and now, Aeryn had acquired a taste for coffee.
"What is this? Pick on Chiana day?" She crossed her legs, sitting Indian style on the table. "If it would make their party better, why not?"
Morgan and Aeryn looked at each other. "You have got to be kidding me," Morgan moaned.
"You're not suggesting Chiana jump out of a cake naked?" Aeryn blurted.
Morgan swallowed the mouthful of coffee she had, shaking her head. "Not naked. But is she wants to do it, let her. I sure as hell am not jumping out of a cake in front of a roomful of men." She shrugged. "Alone with Crais… maybe."
Zhaan noticed the calculating look that had come across Morgan's face. "What are you planning?" she asked softly, rocking Allan.
Morgan started to chuckle. "Well, everyone wants to know about John's and my culture, let Chiana jump out of the cake. As a matter of fact, we'll even make it," she replied, wrapping her arm around Aeryn's shoulder.
Aeryn looked at Morgan strangely. "We will?"
Morgan simply smiled.
Crais followed Tauvo across the square. "I still do not understand why you insist on being so secretive," he snapped.
Tauvo came to sudden halt, whirling around to face his brother. "Must you know everything that happens?" he asked. "Oh for Cholak's sake, Bialar, you have done nothing except work since you set foot on this planet. How much time have you spent with Morgan and the twins relaxing, enjoying each other's company? Have you even bothered going and talking to Terrick?" He crossed his arms, staring at his brother, knowing that Crais had spoke with Terrick, but playing dumb. "For that matter, when was the last time you relaxed?"
Crais stared at Tauvo. "What are you up to?" he asked softly. He heard laughter coming from the hall as the door opened, and his eyes narrowed. "There is too much to do. If we do not take precautions now, we are leaving ourselves vulnerable to attack by whatever faction is currently out there trying to seize power! I have no time to relax."
Tauvo waited until Crais fell silent. "Are you finished?" He sighed, licking his lower lip. "You used to be so much more fun." Tauvo grabbed his brother by the arm and dragged him towards the common hall.
"Tauvo, let go of me," Crais snarled, trying to jerk his arm free. Tauvo only tightened his grip as he pushed Crais into the hall. The Captain stopped, staring at the group of twenty men that stood there, Crichton and D'Argo in the middle. "I hate you," he hissed to Tauvo, turning to glower at his brother.
"There's new information for me to absorb," Tauvo commented matter-of- factly.
"Hey Crais!" Crichton yelled, holding up a bottle of Fellip nectar. "I know it's a bit late, but congratulations on getting hitched!" The human was already half lit.
Crais stood and allowed the others to congratulate him on his marriage to Morgan until the last well wisher shook his hand. Tauvo led him over to a table reserved for them, Shantar smiling up at them. "Frell you," Crais sneered at the other Sebacean, a look of sheer irritation on his face, knowing that his security officer was in on Tauvo's party.
"Oh, lighten up Bialar," Shantar remarked, sliding a mug of raslak towards him. "You work too hard. Have been ever since losing your command. It's time to sit back and take a breather." A round of laughter at Crichton's table split through the air, drowning out the music that was playing. "Where is Morgan?"
Tauvo took a deep draught of raslak. "Playing cards with my nephew." He glanced at Crais, enjoying the scowl on his brother's face. Terrick's existence was still a source of contention between the siblings. "She seems to have managed to gain his trust."
Crais nodded, leaning back in the chair. "Yes. Although, he refuses to say more than two words at a time to me."
"Which are usually 'Frell you'," Tauvo supplied, leaning back in his chair.
Crais took a sip of his drink, watching Crichton across the hall. "He cannot get over the fact that I was…irreversibly contaminated. Or that I married an unclassified alien." His eyes followed Crichton. "My own words to Aeryn cycles ago are coming back to haunt me." He looked to the door as it opened, Father walking in, the big man's eyes finding his two sons. "Even Father gets more out of Terrick than I do, although my…son does not care for him either."
"Give it time. The boy will lighten up." Shantar smiled at Father as he approached the table. "We were all like that."
Tauvo shrugged. "Some of us still are," he teased, ducking his brother's playful punch. He could see the smile slowly start to make its way across Crais' face and knew that the evening would get better.
Morgan dealt another hand of cards to Terrick, watching the young man's face for clues. She had taught him how to ply Gin when she came to visit him shortly after the first time and he had expressed curiosity in the deck of playing cards from Earth. It helped break some of the ice between them. She picked up a card and smiled, laying her hand down as she discarded. "Gin." She heard the guard in the outer foyer chuckle. It was the sixth hand she had won.
Terrick glanced at her in frustration. "I will never get the hang of this game," he said as he gathered up the cards. He looked down as he shuffled them. "The village is quiet tonight," he commented, dealing out another hand through the cell bars.
"Most of the men are at a party my cousin and Tauvo is throwing." She tilted her head, cracking her neck as she rearranged the cards in her hand. Morgan sighed, laying the cards face down. "Wanna go for a walk? It's stuffy in here."
Terrick kept his elation down, not wanting her to know how badly he wanted out of his cell. "Sure." He picked up the cards, carefully sticking them in the small box.
Morgan opened the cell door, carefully placing the restraints around Terrick's outstretched hands. Together, they left the holding block, venturing out into Zorosa 3's warm night. She looked up at the three moons as they started up the trail that led to the rock caves they had hid Talyn in the first time they were there. "You know, it's odd enough to see orange leaves all year long, but multiple moons…I'll never get used to that."
Terrick gazed at Zorosa's moons riding high in the sky. Their pale light cast strange shadows along the path and his hands twitched as they walked. "My mother…enjoyed gazing up at the stars." He looked forward again. "That was the one thing she missed."
Morgan glanced sideways at her stepson. "What?"
Terrick stopped, looking down at her. "Being in space. She was born and raised off planet." He waited as Morgan nodded and began to walk up the path again. Terrick pulled the restraints tight and with one swift move, threw his arms up and around Morgan's neck, pulling her back against him, choking her.
Morgan struggled against him, her hands wrapping around his wrists as she choked. She could feel the chain cutting into her neck and she fought against Terrick, bringing her foot up and slamming it into his shin. He loosened his hold and Morgan let herself drop to the ground, gasping. "What the hezmona are you doing?" Realization dawned on her and she scrambled to get away from him.
Terrick leered at her evilly. "I would think that would be obvious, you trelk!" He grabbed a hold of her jacket, pulling her to her feet and slamming her against a tree, slamming his head against hers, dazing her. He fumbled for the restraint key in her jacket pocket, quickly undoing them and snapping them around Morgan's wrists. "And when I am done with you, I will take care of my Father," he spat, hauling back and punching her in the stomach. "And then the resistance will be no more!"
Crichton watched as the cake came wheeling in, Bian and another woman from the community tugging it behind them. His head was a bit dizzy from too much raslak and he hoped that Crais' was too. He glanced over to where the Captain sat, a silly expression across his face as he, Tauvo and Shantar sang bawdy Peacekeeper songs at the top of their lungs. Crichton had to begrudgingly admit that Crais could sing. "Hey! Captain Crunch! We've got a present for you!" Crichton laughed, pointing to the cake.
Chiana pushed through the top of the cake as Crichton hit the play button on Morgan's radio, a smile on her face and not much more on her body. But it wasn't Chiana Crichton saw. Instead, Scorpius appeared, wearing his usual leather uniform with a long neon green wig, matching feather boa and bright green sequined tassels, strategically placed on his chest and rotating on their own. "John, this is not amusing," the neural clone complained as he leaned on the cake.
Crichton burst into hysterical giggles as he stared at Scorpius. "Actually, that's the best I've seen you in cycles!"
Scorpius sighed in frustration. He put his hands on his head and seductively thrust his hips, the paper cake ripping as he pushed his way through and approached Crichton. It was then the human noticed the teeny tiny neon green bikini and matching pumps. Crichton fell backwards laughing, tears streaming from his eyes. "I need to speak with you about something very important."
Crichton smiled at Scorpius. "Get lost Harvey! Can't you see I'm partying and having a great time!" He staggered towards the table.
Scorpius rolled his eyes and took the boa from around his neck, lassoing Crichton with it and pulling him back. He held the human tightly, whispering. "John, your concerns about Morgan speaking with Terrick were not unfounded, I'm afraid."
Crichton quickly sobered up and he turned to look at the clone. "What do you mean?" he asked hoarsely.
"It seems that young Terrick is working with…"
Chiana's scream ripped through the air, the neural clone disappearing. Crichton dropped the mug of raslak he had been holding as he rushed to her side. "Pip? Pip, what's the matter?"
Chiana looked up at Crichton, shaking, her black eyes filled with terror. "I saw…blood…on the trail going towards the cave. And Morgan…" She shook her head, tears streaming down her face.
Crichton's eyes met D'Argo's over Chiana's head as the Luxan wrapped a blanket Bian handed him around her shoulders. They took off at a run, the Luxan drawing his Qualta blade as they left the building.
Crais stopped laughing at Chiana's scream, immediately standing up, his eyes narrowing. An uneasy feeling suddenly came over him. "What is…"
"Something's wrong. D'Argo just pulled his Qualta blade," Tauvo observed, rising slowly, the bottle of raslak in his hand forgotten as they watched Crichton and D'Argo leave. The two brothers pushed their way through the crowd, following the human and Luxan as a scream ripped through the air.
"Morgan!" Crichton yelled, drawing his pulse pistol as he started up the trail.
"Let…go…of…me!"
"When you're dead!"
Crichton heard Morgan and Terrick fighting, heard the teenager's grunt of pain as Morgan did something to him. Zorosa 3's moons lit the path and Crichton squinted in the faint light trying to get a clear shot of Terrick. D'Argo, Crais and Tauvo quickly caught up with them, the four men gazing around, trying to determine exactly where Terrick and Morgan were. The path was scuffed, chunks of dirt scattering across it as if someone had pushed the dirt out of place.
Crais noticed a wet spot on one the boulders that littered the trail, the moons casting silver light over the area. He reached out, his fingers coming away wet, stained with blood. He looked around, listening.
"I'm…not….the…one who is…gonna…ow….die!"
"Don't be so sure of that!"
"Up there!" Crais hissed, pointing to the top of the rock cliffs, his adrenalin pumping. Terrick had dragged Morgan to the top in the hopes of tossing her over, making it look like an unfortunate accident. He took off at a run, Tauvo and Crichton on his heels as D'Argo weaved his way up the rocky face. She struggled against the teenager, kicking and biting.
"Drop them!" Terrick yelled, his arm clenching tighter around Morgan's neck, as the three of them slowly approached him.
"Let her go Terrick!" Crais called, laying his pulse pistol on the still warm rocks.
"Give me one good reason to," Terrick replied coldly, tightening his grip. He backed towards the rock edge. "You come any closer and I will push her over the edge."
"And what would that accomplish, you self-centered teenaged bastard?" Crichton yelled. He lunged towards Terrick and Morgan, Crais and Tauvo grabbing his arms and pulling him back.
"John!" Morgan hissed through clenched teeth, as she tugged on Terrick's arm, her legs kicking as she tried to get loose.
"It would be one less person I have to kill on this base!" Terrick answered. He gazed over the edge, turning sideways and inching closer to the precipice.
"Terrick, let her go and we can discuss what you want," Crais reasoned. He didn't know where the Luxan was and hoped Ka D'Argo would hurry. His eyes met Morgan's in the moonlight and he could see the pure fear in them. He gut clenched as they moved closer to the ledge.
"There is nothing to discuss, Father," Terrick spat. "I want nothing more than to see all of you dead. And you are not man enough to stop me!"
"Terrick, there is nothing to be gained by doing this," Tauvo called, his eyes meeting Crais' briefly. "You'll only lose in the end."
"You are the ones that will lose!" Terrick's mouth pursed. "My career is over because of you!"
"Terrick…your mother…sent you here…to be safe," Morgan choked, struggling against him. "She didn't…want you in…the middle of this."
Terrick looked down at Morgan, his eyes narrowed. "You are pathetic. And easily fooled. This resistance of yours will never succeed!"
Crais drew himself up to his full height. "Well, it is nice to see that the…Peacekeepers still teach the same dren." He let Crichton go. "We are not your enemy, Terrick."
"Yes you are." Tears slid down his face unbidden. "She tried. She tried to keep your criminal actions from me." Terrick swallowed. "How do think I felt when I found out that my father, a distinguished Captain, a man whose career I followed and looked up to, had lost his nerve and lost his command to half-breed Scarren scientist over a frelling human?" he screamed. Morgan gagged as he squeezed her neck tighter, her nails digging into his arms as she struggled. "You don't have the nimvoks to stop me from killing her!"
"No, but I do!" D'Argo quietly answered, looming up behind Terrick and stinging him with his tongue.
Terrick went down, dragging Morgan with him. She rolled away, coughing, struggling to her knees with her restrained hands, gulping in lungfuls of air. Crais, Tauvo and Crichton rushed to their sides, Crichton and Crais both trying to get to Morgan as Tauvo knelt next to his nephew.
Crichton gathered Morgan up in his arms, pushing Crais away, fumbling with the restraint key Tauvo handed him. "I warned you!" he yelled, stroking Morgan's hair as Aeryn, Zhaan and Bian arrived, pulling his cousin to her feet. She shook in his arms, clinging to Crichton. He gently handed Morgan to Aeryn, and turned, swinging and punching Crais, his fist connecting with the Captain's chin. "I hope you're frelling happy!"
"She continued to visit Terrick on her own accord, Crichton," Crais replied, rubbing his. "I do not want to fight you."
"Too frelling late!" Crichton responded, swinging with his other fist. "You had to have it your way! You always have to be top dog on the heap!" He grabbed Crais' jacket, slamming him into a boulder, looming over him.
"Stop it! Both of you!" Morgan screamed. Everyone turned and looked at her, tears streaming down her bloody face as she broke away form Aeryn. "I am so sick of this! Crais asked me to help!" She glowered at Crichton. "I wanted to help! And I thought I was. But the little…drensucker deceived me." She pounded her chest with her hand, staring at Terrick as he moaned softly, lying at D'Argo's feet, Tauvo kneeling next to him.
"He deceived us all Morgan," D'Argo said softly.
"Morgan, I didn't trust him. I didn't want anything to happen to you," Crichton remarked, letting go of Crais and moving towards her.
"Yeah, well, I am a frelling grown woman!" She paused, staring at Crais and Crichton, sadness in her eyes. "When are the two of you going to grow up?" she finished, breaking down in Aeryn and Zhaan's arms.
Tauvo approached the women. "Take her home." He looked at Crichton, Crais and D'Argo. "We'll take care of Terrick."
Terrick came to slowly, the effects of D'Argo's sting finally wearing off. His head hurt and he sat up, finding himself back in the holding cell. His knuckles were still bloody from where he had beat Morgan, and he smiled.
"Pleased with yourself, Officer?"
Terrick looked up to find Crais leaning against the far wall in the shadows. He couldn't see his father's face but the tone of his voice was enough to send a chill up the teenager's spine. He stood up slowly, flexing his hand, his body taught, ready to spring. "I'd be pleased if she was dead. And you along with her."
Crais' eyes narrowed as he slowly approached his son, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. "You would be wise to learn to hold your tongue, Terrick," he growled. Crais moved fast, backhanding the boy. "Since when did Peacekeepers make it a habit to beat on civilians?"
Terrick rubbed his face, backing away from Crais. "She is not a civilian. Truth be known, she is your second-in-command." He could see the cold fury in Crais' eyes and even through all of his training, he had never seen a look more intimidating, more frightening than the one that was on his father's face.
Crais pulled back and swung, knocking Terrick backwards on the ground. "You…attacked…my wife. Did you think that would…endear you to me, Terrick?" He grabbed him by the shirt, slamming him against the wall.
"That trelk is an alien! She is not of our kind!" Terrick answered, scurrying away from Crais as he backhanded him again, biting his tongue as he went down. His jaw was swollen from his father's punch, his lip split.
"She is closer to my kind that you will ever be!" Crais retorted, pointing at Terrick.
"You turned your back on everything! You ran away instead of facing the consequences of your actions!"
Crais was livid at his words. "Is that what you think?" he asked quietly, his tone filled with menace. "Is that what you were told?" He grabbed Terrick, slamming him against the wall, pinning him there, his face denches from his son. "I did not turn my back on the Peacekeepers," he hissed, one hand around his son's throat. "I was taken away from my family against my will, trained to be a Peacekeeper. I had to…claw my way through the ranks and I did everything in my power to keep my brother with me. When I saw what I believed was your uncle's death, all I wanted was revenge," he hissed through clenched teeth. "That half-breed bastard Scorpius…set me up and took everything I worked for away from me. He stole my command and my life!" Crais backed away from Terrick.
Terrick stared at him, his breath heaving in his chest. "You are soft."
Crais' temper finally snapped and he lunged at Terrick with a feral snarl, taking the boy in the stomach. He swung the teen around, pummeling his face. Crais slammed Terrick against the bars of the holding cell, his fist clenched in the boy's hair. "You…mean…nothing…to…me!" Crais yelled, emphasizing his words by banging Terrick's face off the bars. "And…as…far…as I am…concerned…you can…rot…in…hell!" A knife had appeared in Crais' hand and he was about to slide it across Terrick's neck when he was stopped.
"Bialar! Let him go!"
Crais looked through the bars at Morgan, his chest heaving in fury. She stood there, her face pale and bruised, Tauvo and Crichton with her, her hands wrapped around Crichton's arm, her eyes filled with terror, terror that was reflected in Terrick's. He let the boy loose, shoving him towards the back of the cell. "You are not my son. And you are dead to me," he simply stated as he slipped from the cell.
A shadowy figure slipped from the house, a bundle in its arms, silent and sleeping. The distraction Terrick provided was perfect, although the young Peacekeeper officer was supposed to come along too. Too bad the Luxan had frelled up those plans. It didn't matter, though. The figure got what it had come after, although for some reason, he didn't particularly care for the way this whole thing was being handled. It was not right drugging an old blind woman the way he had. Or kidnapping a defenseless baby. He shook his head as he moved through the forest to rendezvous' with the cargo ship waiting for him.
"Well? Did you get them?" Raseen asked imperiously an arn later as he slipped onto the ship.
"I was only able to get one of them. The other was crying too loudly! Here! I hope you are satisfied." He thrust the bundle to the Captain, slipping up into the cockpit of the ship.
"I'm not the one who has to be satisfied, Lt. Braca," she purred, uncovering the bundle as he eased the vessel into the atmosphere, taking care to stay out of the orbiting ships sensor range. Especially Talyn's. Braca knew they would be caught if the Leviathan realized they were not as they seemed. He heard Raseen crooning to the baby in her arms. "Oh look, a little girl. How sweet," she said bitterly. "Won't you just be the best little Peacekeeper? Mmm, we'll teach you how to hate mommy and daddy too," she snarled, stroking Suleah's cheek, her strange eyes narrowing menacingly as the baby cooed. "Oh, yes. We'll make sure you hate them."
Braca shuddered in disgust, knowing that, if Crais and Morgan ever found out he was involved in the child's kidnapping, he was dead.
Scorpius didn't bother looking up from the console before him. He recognized Braca's footsteps as the lieutenant came in the room. "Well?" he simply asked, readjusting one of the fields before him on the console. The Aurora chair shined on its platform before the two men.
Braca stared at the contraption to his right, then back to the scientist, a shiver going down his spine. "Our contacts have not been able to discern when they may make their move," he reported, stepping up to stand next to his superior. "And they were not able to get an exact count of how many people have joined the resistance."
Scorpius glanced at him sideways. "All I wanted was an estimate."
Braca swallowed nervously. "Approximately five thousand." He paused, clenching his hands behind his back. "And that is just on Zorosa 3. We know they have commandeered two command carriers."
Scorpius looked up, gazing at the Aurora chair before him, desperately wishing he had Crichton sitting in it. Or Morgan. Either way, he'd be happy. He smiled slightly as the door opened again, standing up straight as he gazed at Captain Jira Raseen. "Well, you look remarkably fit."
Raseen approached the scientist. "Thanks to you," she replied. She limped over to stand below them, her back perfectly straight as her eyes tracing the lines of the chair. She was lucky to be alive, even though her back was now fused, severely limiting her range of motion. "I just received word from my contact on Zorosa 3."
Scorpius nodded to the technician that approached him, taking the data chips from the woman as she returned to her work on the chair without a word. He looked at Braca. "Her contact does not know our contact," he provided. His eyes locked with Raseen's. "And?" he prompted.
Raseen smiled evilly. "It seems Terrick has managed to gain the trust of Captain Langtree. He is a very good actor and he has been smuggling the information he has managed to wring out of her to the night guard." She handed Scorpius another data chip. "Were you aware that she gave birth to twins two monens ago?"
Scorpius' eyes grew round. "Really?" He smiled. "What a stroke of a luck that is," he commented, walking over to the Aurora chair's control panel, running his hand over it lovingly.
Raseen cast a malicious glance at Braca. "I have an idea how that could be turned to our advantage." She laid a hand on Scorpius' arm. "Something I'd like to discuss in private. A way those half-breed brats could be used to bring down the resistance and bring in Crichton and his cousin," she spat. "They almost cost me my life and I have a score to settle."
Scorpius followed her gaze to Braca. Raseen did not care for the lieutenant on bit, although the scientist did not know why. "Certainly. We can discuss it in my chambers."
Braca watched as Scorpius and Raseen walked out, a very uneasy feeling settling over him. His eyes met the technicians. "I do not like this." He turned on one heel and stormed out of the room.
Chiana walked onto Talyn's bridge, her dark eyes twinkling merrily, Aeryn and Zhaan not far behind. She stopped just inside the door, watching Morgan as she moved around the bridge, concentrating so intently that she didn't realize the three women were there. Suleah and Allan slept quietly nestled in the sling at her waist. "What in the hezmona is a bachelor party?" Chiana asked.
Morgan turned at her voice, confusion on her face. "What?" she asked, shaking her head as her nose crinkled.
"A bachelor party? What is it?" Aeryn asked, leaning against one of the consoles, staring patiently at Morgan.
The human woman placed the info pad she was carrying on the system's console and sighed, blushing slightly. "Talyn let me know if you need me." The gunship chirped in acknowledgement and she motioned for the others to follow her off the bridge. "Uh…where exactly did you hear that term?" she asked as she walked into the galley. Morgan set up the modified coffee pot, staring at the container of ground coffee that was rapidly dwindling. She sighed as Suleah started fussing and Morgan smiled down at the little girl. The twins were growing rapidly and she knew that it wouldn't be long before she was unable to carry them in the sling.
"Crichton mentioned it," Aeryn answered, taking Allan from Morgan. She sat at the table, holding the sleeping boy as Morgan laid Suleah against her shoulder rubbing her back. "Tauvo mentioned that ever since his brother arrived, things have been too serious. Some of the junior officers are actually afraid of him and he is trying to find a way to lighten things up a bit. You know, show them that Crais won't bite their heads off just because he can."
"Which Crais has been known to do. His reputation precedes him." Morgan shifted as Suleah began to fuss again. "So John mentioned having a bachelor party."
"Well, actually, Tauvo said something about a get together for all the officers and that's when Crichton mentioned it," Chiana supplied.
"It would be in Crais' honor," Zhaan added, taking Allan from Aeryn.
Morgan stared at the Delvian woman in disbelief. "For Crais?" She tried not to laugh at the absurdity of the suggestion. "Ever since John found out that I have been talking with Terrick at Crais' request, they've been at each other's throats."
Zhaan looked up at Morgan. "How is that going dear?"
Morgan nodded, untangling her daughter's fingers from her hair. "He's starting to open up. Since I managed to get him some privileges, he feels less like a criminal."
"What sort of privileges?" Aeryn asked. Once Terrick convinced both of them that Morgan was in no danger from him, she stopped accompanying her human friend.
"Reading material, fresh clothing, a bath every other day. Stuff like that." She sipped at her coffee. "I started teaching him how to play a Earth card game. It seems easier for him to talk that way."
"So, what does this bachelor party involve exactly?" Chiana butted in, effectively changing the subject.
Morgan shrugged. "A bachelor party is given to a man by his buddies as a last send off before he gets married, so the officers Tauvo invited are probably all men." She laid Suleah in the crook of her drawn up leg. "It usually involves alcohol, loud music and a stripper."
Aeryn looked at Morgan oddly. "What is a stripper?"
Morgan pursed her lips, scratching the back of her neck in embarrassment. "A woman who removes her clothes and dances for the men's enjoyment," she answered as succinctly as possible.
Aeryn snorted, her eyes going to Chiana. "Sounds like you."
"Hey!" the small grey Nebari woman protested, her face flushing slightly.
"Ladies, please," Zhaan calmed. "I'm sure they can have this party without a…stripper," she soothed, trying not to smile.
Chiana glared at Aeryn, then turned her attention back to Morgan as she sat on the table, her legs swinging back and forth. "Crichton said something about the stripper jumping out of a cake."
Morgan stared at Chiana. "Are you volunteering for the job?" she asked sarcastically, standing up and refreshing her cup of coffee.
"She'd be perfect for it," Aeryn commented dryly, standing up and taking the cup Morgan had poured for her. Somewhere between the first time she met the human woman and now, Aeryn had acquired a taste for coffee.
"What is this? Pick on Chiana day?" She crossed her legs, sitting Indian style on the table. "If it would make their party better, why not?"
Morgan and Aeryn looked at each other. "You have got to be kidding me," Morgan moaned.
"You're not suggesting Chiana jump out of a cake naked?" Aeryn blurted.
Morgan swallowed the mouthful of coffee she had, shaking her head. "Not naked. But is she wants to do it, let her. I sure as hell am not jumping out of a cake in front of a roomful of men." She shrugged. "Alone with Crais… maybe."
Zhaan noticed the calculating look that had come across Morgan's face. "What are you planning?" she asked softly, rocking Allan.
Morgan started to chuckle. "Well, everyone wants to know about John's and my culture, let Chiana jump out of the cake. As a matter of fact, we'll even make it," she replied, wrapping her arm around Aeryn's shoulder.
Aeryn looked at Morgan strangely. "We will?"
Morgan simply smiled.
Crais followed Tauvo across the square. "I still do not understand why you insist on being so secretive," he snapped.
Tauvo came to sudden halt, whirling around to face his brother. "Must you know everything that happens?" he asked. "Oh for Cholak's sake, Bialar, you have done nothing except work since you set foot on this planet. How much time have you spent with Morgan and the twins relaxing, enjoying each other's company? Have you even bothered going and talking to Terrick?" He crossed his arms, staring at his brother, knowing that Crais had spoke with Terrick, but playing dumb. "For that matter, when was the last time you relaxed?"
Crais stared at Tauvo. "What are you up to?" he asked softly. He heard laughter coming from the hall as the door opened, and his eyes narrowed. "There is too much to do. If we do not take precautions now, we are leaving ourselves vulnerable to attack by whatever faction is currently out there trying to seize power! I have no time to relax."
Tauvo waited until Crais fell silent. "Are you finished?" He sighed, licking his lower lip. "You used to be so much more fun." Tauvo grabbed his brother by the arm and dragged him towards the common hall.
"Tauvo, let go of me," Crais snarled, trying to jerk his arm free. Tauvo only tightened his grip as he pushed Crais into the hall. The Captain stopped, staring at the group of twenty men that stood there, Crichton and D'Argo in the middle. "I hate you," he hissed to Tauvo, turning to glower at his brother.
"There's new information for me to absorb," Tauvo commented matter-of- factly.
"Hey Crais!" Crichton yelled, holding up a bottle of Fellip nectar. "I know it's a bit late, but congratulations on getting hitched!" The human was already half lit.
Crais stood and allowed the others to congratulate him on his marriage to Morgan until the last well wisher shook his hand. Tauvo led him over to a table reserved for them, Shantar smiling up at them. "Frell you," Crais sneered at the other Sebacean, a look of sheer irritation on his face, knowing that his security officer was in on Tauvo's party.
"Oh, lighten up Bialar," Shantar remarked, sliding a mug of raslak towards him. "You work too hard. Have been ever since losing your command. It's time to sit back and take a breather." A round of laughter at Crichton's table split through the air, drowning out the music that was playing. "Where is Morgan?"
Tauvo took a deep draught of raslak. "Playing cards with my nephew." He glanced at Crais, enjoying the scowl on his brother's face. Terrick's existence was still a source of contention between the siblings. "She seems to have managed to gain his trust."
Crais nodded, leaning back in the chair. "Yes. Although, he refuses to say more than two words at a time to me."
"Which are usually 'Frell you'," Tauvo supplied, leaning back in his chair.
Crais took a sip of his drink, watching Crichton across the hall. "He cannot get over the fact that I was…irreversibly contaminated. Or that I married an unclassified alien." His eyes followed Crichton. "My own words to Aeryn cycles ago are coming back to haunt me." He looked to the door as it opened, Father walking in, the big man's eyes finding his two sons. "Even Father gets more out of Terrick than I do, although my…son does not care for him either."
"Give it time. The boy will lighten up." Shantar smiled at Father as he approached the table. "We were all like that."
Tauvo shrugged. "Some of us still are," he teased, ducking his brother's playful punch. He could see the smile slowly start to make its way across Crais' face and knew that the evening would get better.
Morgan dealt another hand of cards to Terrick, watching the young man's face for clues. She had taught him how to ply Gin when she came to visit him shortly after the first time and he had expressed curiosity in the deck of playing cards from Earth. It helped break some of the ice between them. She picked up a card and smiled, laying her hand down as she discarded. "Gin." She heard the guard in the outer foyer chuckle. It was the sixth hand she had won.
Terrick glanced at her in frustration. "I will never get the hang of this game," he said as he gathered up the cards. He looked down as he shuffled them. "The village is quiet tonight," he commented, dealing out another hand through the cell bars.
"Most of the men are at a party my cousin and Tauvo is throwing." She tilted her head, cracking her neck as she rearranged the cards in her hand. Morgan sighed, laying the cards face down. "Wanna go for a walk? It's stuffy in here."
Terrick kept his elation down, not wanting her to know how badly he wanted out of his cell. "Sure." He picked up the cards, carefully sticking them in the small box.
Morgan opened the cell door, carefully placing the restraints around Terrick's outstretched hands. Together, they left the holding block, venturing out into Zorosa 3's warm night. She looked up at the three moons as they started up the trail that led to the rock caves they had hid Talyn in the first time they were there. "You know, it's odd enough to see orange leaves all year long, but multiple moons…I'll never get used to that."
Terrick gazed at Zorosa's moons riding high in the sky. Their pale light cast strange shadows along the path and his hands twitched as they walked. "My mother…enjoyed gazing up at the stars." He looked forward again. "That was the one thing she missed."
Morgan glanced sideways at her stepson. "What?"
Terrick stopped, looking down at her. "Being in space. She was born and raised off planet." He waited as Morgan nodded and began to walk up the path again. Terrick pulled the restraints tight and with one swift move, threw his arms up and around Morgan's neck, pulling her back against him, choking her.
Morgan struggled against him, her hands wrapping around his wrists as she choked. She could feel the chain cutting into her neck and she fought against Terrick, bringing her foot up and slamming it into his shin. He loosened his hold and Morgan let herself drop to the ground, gasping. "What the hezmona are you doing?" Realization dawned on her and she scrambled to get away from him.
Terrick leered at her evilly. "I would think that would be obvious, you trelk!" He grabbed a hold of her jacket, pulling her to her feet and slamming her against a tree, slamming his head against hers, dazing her. He fumbled for the restraint key in her jacket pocket, quickly undoing them and snapping them around Morgan's wrists. "And when I am done with you, I will take care of my Father," he spat, hauling back and punching her in the stomach. "And then the resistance will be no more!"
Crichton watched as the cake came wheeling in, Bian and another woman from the community tugging it behind them. His head was a bit dizzy from too much raslak and he hoped that Crais' was too. He glanced over to where the Captain sat, a silly expression across his face as he, Tauvo and Shantar sang bawdy Peacekeeper songs at the top of their lungs. Crichton had to begrudgingly admit that Crais could sing. "Hey! Captain Crunch! We've got a present for you!" Crichton laughed, pointing to the cake.
Chiana pushed through the top of the cake as Crichton hit the play button on Morgan's radio, a smile on her face and not much more on her body. But it wasn't Chiana Crichton saw. Instead, Scorpius appeared, wearing his usual leather uniform with a long neon green wig, matching feather boa and bright green sequined tassels, strategically placed on his chest and rotating on their own. "John, this is not amusing," the neural clone complained as he leaned on the cake.
Crichton burst into hysterical giggles as he stared at Scorpius. "Actually, that's the best I've seen you in cycles!"
Scorpius sighed in frustration. He put his hands on his head and seductively thrust his hips, the paper cake ripping as he pushed his way through and approached Crichton. It was then the human noticed the teeny tiny neon green bikini and matching pumps. Crichton fell backwards laughing, tears streaming from his eyes. "I need to speak with you about something very important."
Crichton smiled at Scorpius. "Get lost Harvey! Can't you see I'm partying and having a great time!" He staggered towards the table.
Scorpius rolled his eyes and took the boa from around his neck, lassoing Crichton with it and pulling him back. He held the human tightly, whispering. "John, your concerns about Morgan speaking with Terrick were not unfounded, I'm afraid."
Crichton quickly sobered up and he turned to look at the clone. "What do you mean?" he asked hoarsely.
"It seems that young Terrick is working with…"
Chiana's scream ripped through the air, the neural clone disappearing. Crichton dropped the mug of raslak he had been holding as he rushed to her side. "Pip? Pip, what's the matter?"
Chiana looked up at Crichton, shaking, her black eyes filled with terror. "I saw…blood…on the trail going towards the cave. And Morgan…" She shook her head, tears streaming down her face.
Crichton's eyes met D'Argo's over Chiana's head as the Luxan wrapped a blanket Bian handed him around her shoulders. They took off at a run, the Luxan drawing his Qualta blade as they left the building.
Crais stopped laughing at Chiana's scream, immediately standing up, his eyes narrowing. An uneasy feeling suddenly came over him. "What is…"
"Something's wrong. D'Argo just pulled his Qualta blade," Tauvo observed, rising slowly, the bottle of raslak in his hand forgotten as they watched Crichton and D'Argo leave. The two brothers pushed their way through the crowd, following the human and Luxan as a scream ripped through the air.
"Morgan!" Crichton yelled, drawing his pulse pistol as he started up the trail.
"Let…go…of…me!"
"When you're dead!"
Crichton heard Morgan and Terrick fighting, heard the teenager's grunt of pain as Morgan did something to him. Zorosa 3's moons lit the path and Crichton squinted in the faint light trying to get a clear shot of Terrick. D'Argo, Crais and Tauvo quickly caught up with them, the four men gazing around, trying to determine exactly where Terrick and Morgan were. The path was scuffed, chunks of dirt scattering across it as if someone had pushed the dirt out of place.
Crais noticed a wet spot on one the boulders that littered the trail, the moons casting silver light over the area. He reached out, his fingers coming away wet, stained with blood. He looked around, listening.
"I'm…not….the…one who is…gonna…ow….die!"
"Don't be so sure of that!"
"Up there!" Crais hissed, pointing to the top of the rock cliffs, his adrenalin pumping. Terrick had dragged Morgan to the top in the hopes of tossing her over, making it look like an unfortunate accident. He took off at a run, Tauvo and Crichton on his heels as D'Argo weaved his way up the rocky face. She struggled against the teenager, kicking and biting.
"Drop them!" Terrick yelled, his arm clenching tighter around Morgan's neck, as the three of them slowly approached him.
"Let her go Terrick!" Crais called, laying his pulse pistol on the still warm rocks.
"Give me one good reason to," Terrick replied coldly, tightening his grip. He backed towards the rock edge. "You come any closer and I will push her over the edge."
"And what would that accomplish, you self-centered teenaged bastard?" Crichton yelled. He lunged towards Terrick and Morgan, Crais and Tauvo grabbing his arms and pulling him back.
"John!" Morgan hissed through clenched teeth, as she tugged on Terrick's arm, her legs kicking as she tried to get loose.
"It would be one less person I have to kill on this base!" Terrick answered. He gazed over the edge, turning sideways and inching closer to the precipice.
"Terrick, let her go and we can discuss what you want," Crais reasoned. He didn't know where the Luxan was and hoped Ka D'Argo would hurry. His eyes met Morgan's in the moonlight and he could see the pure fear in them. He gut clenched as they moved closer to the ledge.
"There is nothing to discuss, Father," Terrick spat. "I want nothing more than to see all of you dead. And you are not man enough to stop me!"
"Terrick, there is nothing to be gained by doing this," Tauvo called, his eyes meeting Crais' briefly. "You'll only lose in the end."
"You are the ones that will lose!" Terrick's mouth pursed. "My career is over because of you!"
"Terrick…your mother…sent you here…to be safe," Morgan choked, struggling against him. "She didn't…want you in…the middle of this."
Terrick looked down at Morgan, his eyes narrowed. "You are pathetic. And easily fooled. This resistance of yours will never succeed!"
Crais drew himself up to his full height. "Well, it is nice to see that the…Peacekeepers still teach the same dren." He let Crichton go. "We are not your enemy, Terrick."
"Yes you are." Tears slid down his face unbidden. "She tried. She tried to keep your criminal actions from me." Terrick swallowed. "How do think I felt when I found out that my father, a distinguished Captain, a man whose career I followed and looked up to, had lost his nerve and lost his command to half-breed Scarren scientist over a frelling human?" he screamed. Morgan gagged as he squeezed her neck tighter, her nails digging into his arms as she struggled. "You don't have the nimvoks to stop me from killing her!"
"No, but I do!" D'Argo quietly answered, looming up behind Terrick and stinging him with his tongue.
Terrick went down, dragging Morgan with him. She rolled away, coughing, struggling to her knees with her restrained hands, gulping in lungfuls of air. Crais, Tauvo and Crichton rushed to their sides, Crichton and Crais both trying to get to Morgan as Tauvo knelt next to his nephew.
Crichton gathered Morgan up in his arms, pushing Crais away, fumbling with the restraint key Tauvo handed him. "I warned you!" he yelled, stroking Morgan's hair as Aeryn, Zhaan and Bian arrived, pulling his cousin to her feet. She shook in his arms, clinging to Crichton. He gently handed Morgan to Aeryn, and turned, swinging and punching Crais, his fist connecting with the Captain's chin. "I hope you're frelling happy!"
"She continued to visit Terrick on her own accord, Crichton," Crais replied, rubbing his. "I do not want to fight you."
"Too frelling late!" Crichton responded, swinging with his other fist. "You had to have it your way! You always have to be top dog on the heap!" He grabbed Crais' jacket, slamming him into a boulder, looming over him.
"Stop it! Both of you!" Morgan screamed. Everyone turned and looked at her, tears streaming down her bloody face as she broke away form Aeryn. "I am so sick of this! Crais asked me to help!" She glowered at Crichton. "I wanted to help! And I thought I was. But the little…drensucker deceived me." She pounded her chest with her hand, staring at Terrick as he moaned softly, lying at D'Argo's feet, Tauvo kneeling next to him.
"He deceived us all Morgan," D'Argo said softly.
"Morgan, I didn't trust him. I didn't want anything to happen to you," Crichton remarked, letting go of Crais and moving towards her.
"Yeah, well, I am a frelling grown woman!" She paused, staring at Crais and Crichton, sadness in her eyes. "When are the two of you going to grow up?" she finished, breaking down in Aeryn and Zhaan's arms.
Tauvo approached the women. "Take her home." He looked at Crichton, Crais and D'Argo. "We'll take care of Terrick."
Terrick came to slowly, the effects of D'Argo's sting finally wearing off. His head hurt and he sat up, finding himself back in the holding cell. His knuckles were still bloody from where he had beat Morgan, and he smiled.
"Pleased with yourself, Officer?"
Terrick looked up to find Crais leaning against the far wall in the shadows. He couldn't see his father's face but the tone of his voice was enough to send a chill up the teenager's spine. He stood up slowly, flexing his hand, his body taught, ready to spring. "I'd be pleased if she was dead. And you along with her."
Crais' eyes narrowed as he slowly approached his son, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. "You would be wise to learn to hold your tongue, Terrick," he growled. Crais moved fast, backhanding the boy. "Since when did Peacekeepers make it a habit to beat on civilians?"
Terrick rubbed his face, backing away from Crais. "She is not a civilian. Truth be known, she is your second-in-command." He could see the cold fury in Crais' eyes and even through all of his training, he had never seen a look more intimidating, more frightening than the one that was on his father's face.
Crais pulled back and swung, knocking Terrick backwards on the ground. "You…attacked…my wife. Did you think that would…endear you to me, Terrick?" He grabbed him by the shirt, slamming him against the wall.
"That trelk is an alien! She is not of our kind!" Terrick answered, scurrying away from Crais as he backhanded him again, biting his tongue as he went down. His jaw was swollen from his father's punch, his lip split.
"She is closer to my kind that you will ever be!" Crais retorted, pointing at Terrick.
"You turned your back on everything! You ran away instead of facing the consequences of your actions!"
Crais was livid at his words. "Is that what you think?" he asked quietly, his tone filled with menace. "Is that what you were told?" He grabbed Terrick, slamming him against the wall, pinning him there, his face denches from his son. "I did not turn my back on the Peacekeepers," he hissed, one hand around his son's throat. "I was taken away from my family against my will, trained to be a Peacekeeper. I had to…claw my way through the ranks and I did everything in my power to keep my brother with me. When I saw what I believed was your uncle's death, all I wanted was revenge," he hissed through clenched teeth. "That half-breed bastard Scorpius…set me up and took everything I worked for away from me. He stole my command and my life!" Crais backed away from Terrick.
Terrick stared at him, his breath heaving in his chest. "You are soft."
Crais' temper finally snapped and he lunged at Terrick with a feral snarl, taking the boy in the stomach. He swung the teen around, pummeling his face. Crais slammed Terrick against the bars of the holding cell, his fist clenched in the boy's hair. "You…mean…nothing…to…me!" Crais yelled, emphasizing his words by banging Terrick's face off the bars. "And…as…far…as I am…concerned…you can…rot…in…hell!" A knife had appeared in Crais' hand and he was about to slide it across Terrick's neck when he was stopped.
"Bialar! Let him go!"
Crais looked through the bars at Morgan, his chest heaving in fury. She stood there, her face pale and bruised, Tauvo and Crichton with her, her hands wrapped around Crichton's arm, her eyes filled with terror, terror that was reflected in Terrick's. He let the boy loose, shoving him towards the back of the cell. "You are not my son. And you are dead to me," he simply stated as he slipped from the cell.
A shadowy figure slipped from the house, a bundle in its arms, silent and sleeping. The distraction Terrick provided was perfect, although the young Peacekeeper officer was supposed to come along too. Too bad the Luxan had frelled up those plans. It didn't matter, though. The figure got what it had come after, although for some reason, he didn't particularly care for the way this whole thing was being handled. It was not right drugging an old blind woman the way he had. Or kidnapping a defenseless baby. He shook his head as he moved through the forest to rendezvous' with the cargo ship waiting for him.
"Well? Did you get them?" Raseen asked imperiously an arn later as he slipped onto the ship.
"I was only able to get one of them. The other was crying too loudly! Here! I hope you are satisfied." He thrust the bundle to the Captain, slipping up into the cockpit of the ship.
"I'm not the one who has to be satisfied, Lt. Braca," she purred, uncovering the bundle as he eased the vessel into the atmosphere, taking care to stay out of the orbiting ships sensor range. Especially Talyn's. Braca knew they would be caught if the Leviathan realized they were not as they seemed. He heard Raseen crooning to the baby in her arms. "Oh look, a little girl. How sweet," she said bitterly. "Won't you just be the best little Peacekeeper? Mmm, we'll teach you how to hate mommy and daddy too," she snarled, stroking Suleah's cheek, her strange eyes narrowing menacingly as the baby cooed. "Oh, yes. We'll make sure you hate them."
Braca shuddered in disgust, knowing that, if Crais and Morgan ever found out he was involved in the child's kidnapping, he was dead.