Fic: Nothing's Quite The Same
Story by: Neuroscpr and Can
P8 by: Can
Setting: After DWTB, spoilers up until that ep.
Rating: R
Summary: John and the other displaced members of the crew embark on their own missions as Moya heads into unknown territory.
The idea of being captured was not an option. That would never be an option for her again.
As she lifted her foot from the land mine, she automatically swiped her leg sideways, hitting the rebel in the face. Aeryn continued the brutal attack on the traitor until she was sure the woman was unconscious.
Aeryn reached down, grabbing the woman's collar, "Next time you'd be wise to know who the frell you are dealing with!"
She dragged the unconscious being back to the rebel camp, dropping her unceremoniously in the midst of the rebels. By the surprised look on the faces of the men, she knew they didn't expect to see her again.
Jaron and Malot hurriedly approached Aeryn. "What did she tell you?" Malot asked in a concerned voice.
"Nothing. I knocked her unconscious as soon as I was off the mine. I'll leave the questions to you," Aeryn replied as she walked away. All she wanted to do was rest for a bit and contemplate as she sat under the tree. She knew her instincts weren't as sharp as they once were. The close call with the mine proved that.
A dark shadow loomed over the only spot that evoked any light. Aeryn sighed, looking up. "What is it Jaron? I know I left your side, but it couldn't be helped. It's time you let me be the soldier that I am."
Jaron smiled slightly. "You did well, Aeryn."
The simple statement took Aeryn aback, as she was sure he had come to reprimand her again.
"Welcome to our army Aeryn Sun."
xxxxx
"What in hezmana are you talking about, Human Data?" D'Argo was totally confused now. He was convinced his ship was speaking in riddles.
"I am picking up a disturbance on the planet below. It seems the human data I'm picking up is in the vicinity of this. What are your orders Ka D'Argo?"
'Could it be? Frell! When will that word, human, stop haunting me?' D'Argo thought carefully before answering his ship. "Veer away! I don't want any encounters with the peacekeepers!"
D'Argo felt the ship change course, as a feeling of guilt overcame him. He felt as if he was fighting with himself now. What if it was really John? What if his friend was in trouble? Was the pursuit of Macton worth losing someone who had shown him nothing but friendship and loyalty?
"I've reconsidered. Change our course and head back to the planet." If there were the slightest doubt that John was in trouble, D'Argo would never forgive himself if he turned his back on his friend.
"Hover over the disturbance and try to collect as much data as you can, before we land."
xxxxx
John was running now through the corridors. He had no idea where he was. All he knew was he had to get away before Grayza's men showed up to take him back to the carrier.
He heard the footfalls echoing down the corridor. John knew they were coming for him, as the sound grew louder. "Frell," John gasped, changing direction.
As he turned and headed down a new extension, he was surprised as a peacekeeper soldier stepped in front of him, gun pointed in his direction.
"Stop right there Crichton! Drop your rifle and put your hands up where I can see them!"
John looked wildly around him for a microt before dropping his weapon. "Hey, you know you have to keep me alive," he chuckled; feeling as if he still had a small edge on them.
"We know what our orders are, but we don't take kindly to someone killing our commanding officer. Whether you live or die is up to you."
Crichton felt the sweat start on his brow. 'Wrong thing to say John. This guy means business.'
"Now turn and proceed back to your cell. It shouldn't be long before the commandant's soldiers arrive to take you to the ship."
John turned appearing to follow the orders, as the soldiers words mulled through his mind. He decided if he were going to die, at least it would be fighting. Grayza wouldn't give him that option.
John took a few steps before throwing himself at the soldier. The soldiers pulse rifle went off as John hit him in the chest.
The pain in his shoulder and hand were starting to intrude on his mind. He blocked it out as he continued to fight. As soon as thought he had him down, the soldier would come back at him. He knew his body was wearing thin with the constant attacks.
The last maneuver by the soldier took John by surprise. He managed to lay a blow directly on his injured shoulder, sending John to his knees gasping in pain. The soldier had retrieved his weapon and now had it against John's head.
"I told you whether you live or die is up to you. You have made your choice, human," the soldier said as he slowly started to pull the trigger.
xxxxx
D'Argo was studying the data his ship had collected from the planet. He closed his eyes for a microt knowing John was in trouble for sure. "What other information can you give me to help in this rescue?"
"Only that it is an old prison, Ka D'Argo, so it shouldn't be as vast as the ones you are familiar with. Also it is not fully manned."
"Any idea where John is?" D'Argo asked. He felt saddened that John had no one to count on anymore, since they had all left Moya.
"The only thing I can tell you is the human's signature is in the third corridor. If I get closer I may be able to give you a more precise location."
"No need. Let's get his done before it's too lateā¦for him."
The ship landed close to the facility, but far enough away to escape detection. D'Argo disembarked the vessel; making his way quickly to the coordinates his ship had given him.
The structure was old, as the ship had told him, probably not fit for an animal. D'Argo entered quietly fearing the worst for his friend, as there was no sound coming from within. As he went deeper inside he heard what he thought could be a voice. It was faint so he wasn't sure.
D'Argo was counting the corridors, trying to get to the third one when he saw several peacekeeper soldiers coming around the corner. He slammed himself against the wall, listening.
"It's better that we left. Orn will take care of him and now there are no witnesses. We didn't see anything."
The Luxan felt sick to his stomach imagining what they must have put John through. 'Frell me for waiting.'
He let soldiers pass before quickening his pace to the corridor. As he rounded the corner, his whole body froze at the sight before him.
"Go ahead, pull the frelling trigger! I'm not going back with you asshole! Get it yet? No way Jose!"
D'Argo could hear the pain in his friends voice as he decided on his next move. He could see the soldier's hand shaking, probably due to John's words.
The peacekeeper finally spoke, "You really do have a death wish, Crichton. But not today. Get up!"
The laughter that erupted from John sent chills up D'Argo's back. It reminded him of another time. One he definitely wanted to forget, but it seemed to affect the soldier.
D'Argo used this microt to make his move on the soldier. With his qualta blade drawn, he attacked the peacekeeper. Before the soldier could react, the blade had become one with him as the soldier hit the ground, a blank expression on his face.
John fell to the ground on his side. He heard a voice talking to him, but he was having trouble focusing on it, exhaustion setting in.
"John, it's me. C'mon John we have to get out of here," D'Argo said trying to get John to his feet.
John fought him slightly, but smiled as his eyes focused on what he thought was an apparition. "Hey D. Good to see you, just wish it was really you. But it can't be, you all left me." John closed his eyes, resigned to his fate.
D'Argo was losing patience with John now. "John!! Look at me! I'm here, and we must get out of here before the others return. I didn't come to rescue you only for both of us to get captured! Now get up!"
John opened his eyes, shock written all over his face. "Hey big guy, is it really you?" John reached out to touch him and they both smiled as the realization showed on John's face.
"Let's get the frell out of here," John said struggling to his feet, accepting D'Argo's help.
"Man you don't know how glad I am to see you," John said coughing and gasping for breath.
D'Argo didn't like the way his wound looked nor the way he sounded. "I am happy to see you also John. No more talk. Let's just get back to my ship. You can talk all you want once we are there."
John nodded, using D'Argo as a crutch as they headed for the ship.
xxxxx
The rebels were getting ready to disembark. Their numbers were much lower going home than when they had started this mission.
Aeryn watched as the men entered the ships, their bodies weary. This whole mission was frelled from the beginning. Not only did they have a traitor among them, but also the mission wasn't even planned out well. They had much to learn if they were going to continue to fight. She only hoped they would allow her more input in the future.
Jaron walked up beside her, "Well what do you think of our little army Aeryn?"
"You lost lives needlessly today, Jaron. If we're going to fight then we need to do it the right way!"
"So you question our battle tactics? You doubt we know what we are doing?" Jaron was slightly miffed at her reply.
"I just think we can be more efficient and lose less lives if we are more careful in our intelligence," Aeryn replied somewhat disheartened. "I want to run the intelligence for the rebel army."
Jaron contemplated her response. "Let's just go home. We'll discuss this later."
"Very well," Aeryn replied, hearing Malot's voice that it was time to take off. She entered the ship with Jaron and settled herself in for the ride back.
xxxxx
The darkness made him feel slightly unsettled as he waited for his contact to arrive. Rygel knew there was only one person he could trust, the only person he remembered to be a friend to the real throne.
It felt so good to be home, but he could see how so much had changed on his planet. He could feel the peacekeeper presence here even though he couldn't see it. 'Frell them for selling out. I would never had done that!'
The sadness in Rygel was evident as a few tears escaped his eyes. He saw his people as pawns for the peacekeepers. His people were beyond this sort of treatment, at least he hoped.
The anger in Rygel built as he thought about the way the new Dominar treated his people. He would bring him down if it were the last thing he did.
Rygel snapped to attention as his cohort arrived.
"Dominar Rygel, so good to see you again. How did you get back to us?"
"It's none of your concern, just tell me what has happened to my frelling people? What has this dominar done to them? I smell peacekeeper presence all over!"
"We had no choice, Dominar. If we didn't align with them they would have destroyed us."
"How sad for us all," Rygel replied, wrestling with his conscience. He understood what his friend was saying but it still didn't make him any happier.
"As we were left with no choice in that matter, I was left with no choice but to report your presence on this planet. I am truly sorry Dominar."
Rygel stared at his trusted friend, not believing what he heard. As the soldiers surrounded him, he knew his hearing had not deceived him.
Rygel looked at the hynerian. "Frell you!" Rygel's voice was filled with contempt as he spat at him.
Story by: Neuroscpr and Can
P8 by: Can
Setting: After DWTB, spoilers up until that ep.
Rating: R
Summary: John and the other displaced members of the crew embark on their own missions as Moya heads into unknown territory.
The idea of being captured was not an option. That would never be an option for her again.
As she lifted her foot from the land mine, she automatically swiped her leg sideways, hitting the rebel in the face. Aeryn continued the brutal attack on the traitor until she was sure the woman was unconscious.
Aeryn reached down, grabbing the woman's collar, "Next time you'd be wise to know who the frell you are dealing with!"
She dragged the unconscious being back to the rebel camp, dropping her unceremoniously in the midst of the rebels. By the surprised look on the faces of the men, she knew they didn't expect to see her again.
Jaron and Malot hurriedly approached Aeryn. "What did she tell you?" Malot asked in a concerned voice.
"Nothing. I knocked her unconscious as soon as I was off the mine. I'll leave the questions to you," Aeryn replied as she walked away. All she wanted to do was rest for a bit and contemplate as she sat under the tree. She knew her instincts weren't as sharp as they once were. The close call with the mine proved that.
A dark shadow loomed over the only spot that evoked any light. Aeryn sighed, looking up. "What is it Jaron? I know I left your side, but it couldn't be helped. It's time you let me be the soldier that I am."
Jaron smiled slightly. "You did well, Aeryn."
The simple statement took Aeryn aback, as she was sure he had come to reprimand her again.
"Welcome to our army Aeryn Sun."
xxxxx
"What in hezmana are you talking about, Human Data?" D'Argo was totally confused now. He was convinced his ship was speaking in riddles.
"I am picking up a disturbance on the planet below. It seems the human data I'm picking up is in the vicinity of this. What are your orders Ka D'Argo?"
'Could it be? Frell! When will that word, human, stop haunting me?' D'Argo thought carefully before answering his ship. "Veer away! I don't want any encounters with the peacekeepers!"
D'Argo felt the ship change course, as a feeling of guilt overcame him. He felt as if he was fighting with himself now. What if it was really John? What if his friend was in trouble? Was the pursuit of Macton worth losing someone who had shown him nothing but friendship and loyalty?
"I've reconsidered. Change our course and head back to the planet." If there were the slightest doubt that John was in trouble, D'Argo would never forgive himself if he turned his back on his friend.
"Hover over the disturbance and try to collect as much data as you can, before we land."
xxxxx
John was running now through the corridors. He had no idea where he was. All he knew was he had to get away before Grayza's men showed up to take him back to the carrier.
He heard the footfalls echoing down the corridor. John knew they were coming for him, as the sound grew louder. "Frell," John gasped, changing direction.
As he turned and headed down a new extension, he was surprised as a peacekeeper soldier stepped in front of him, gun pointed in his direction.
"Stop right there Crichton! Drop your rifle and put your hands up where I can see them!"
John looked wildly around him for a microt before dropping his weapon. "Hey, you know you have to keep me alive," he chuckled; feeling as if he still had a small edge on them.
"We know what our orders are, but we don't take kindly to someone killing our commanding officer. Whether you live or die is up to you."
Crichton felt the sweat start on his brow. 'Wrong thing to say John. This guy means business.'
"Now turn and proceed back to your cell. It shouldn't be long before the commandant's soldiers arrive to take you to the ship."
John turned appearing to follow the orders, as the soldiers words mulled through his mind. He decided if he were going to die, at least it would be fighting. Grayza wouldn't give him that option.
John took a few steps before throwing himself at the soldier. The soldiers pulse rifle went off as John hit him in the chest.
The pain in his shoulder and hand were starting to intrude on his mind. He blocked it out as he continued to fight. As soon as thought he had him down, the soldier would come back at him. He knew his body was wearing thin with the constant attacks.
The last maneuver by the soldier took John by surprise. He managed to lay a blow directly on his injured shoulder, sending John to his knees gasping in pain. The soldier had retrieved his weapon and now had it against John's head.
"I told you whether you live or die is up to you. You have made your choice, human," the soldier said as he slowly started to pull the trigger.
xxxxx
D'Argo was studying the data his ship had collected from the planet. He closed his eyes for a microt knowing John was in trouble for sure. "What other information can you give me to help in this rescue?"
"Only that it is an old prison, Ka D'Argo, so it shouldn't be as vast as the ones you are familiar with. Also it is not fully manned."
"Any idea where John is?" D'Argo asked. He felt saddened that John had no one to count on anymore, since they had all left Moya.
"The only thing I can tell you is the human's signature is in the third corridor. If I get closer I may be able to give you a more precise location."
"No need. Let's get his done before it's too lateā¦for him."
The ship landed close to the facility, but far enough away to escape detection. D'Argo disembarked the vessel; making his way quickly to the coordinates his ship had given him.
The structure was old, as the ship had told him, probably not fit for an animal. D'Argo entered quietly fearing the worst for his friend, as there was no sound coming from within. As he went deeper inside he heard what he thought could be a voice. It was faint so he wasn't sure.
D'Argo was counting the corridors, trying to get to the third one when he saw several peacekeeper soldiers coming around the corner. He slammed himself against the wall, listening.
"It's better that we left. Orn will take care of him and now there are no witnesses. We didn't see anything."
The Luxan felt sick to his stomach imagining what they must have put John through. 'Frell me for waiting.'
He let soldiers pass before quickening his pace to the corridor. As he rounded the corner, his whole body froze at the sight before him.
"Go ahead, pull the frelling trigger! I'm not going back with you asshole! Get it yet? No way Jose!"
D'Argo could hear the pain in his friends voice as he decided on his next move. He could see the soldier's hand shaking, probably due to John's words.
The peacekeeper finally spoke, "You really do have a death wish, Crichton. But not today. Get up!"
The laughter that erupted from John sent chills up D'Argo's back. It reminded him of another time. One he definitely wanted to forget, but it seemed to affect the soldier.
D'Argo used this microt to make his move on the soldier. With his qualta blade drawn, he attacked the peacekeeper. Before the soldier could react, the blade had become one with him as the soldier hit the ground, a blank expression on his face.
John fell to the ground on his side. He heard a voice talking to him, but he was having trouble focusing on it, exhaustion setting in.
"John, it's me. C'mon John we have to get out of here," D'Argo said trying to get John to his feet.
John fought him slightly, but smiled as his eyes focused on what he thought was an apparition. "Hey D. Good to see you, just wish it was really you. But it can't be, you all left me." John closed his eyes, resigned to his fate.
D'Argo was losing patience with John now. "John!! Look at me! I'm here, and we must get out of here before the others return. I didn't come to rescue you only for both of us to get captured! Now get up!"
John opened his eyes, shock written all over his face. "Hey big guy, is it really you?" John reached out to touch him and they both smiled as the realization showed on John's face.
"Let's get the frell out of here," John said struggling to his feet, accepting D'Argo's help.
"Man you don't know how glad I am to see you," John said coughing and gasping for breath.
D'Argo didn't like the way his wound looked nor the way he sounded. "I am happy to see you also John. No more talk. Let's just get back to my ship. You can talk all you want once we are there."
John nodded, using D'Argo as a crutch as they headed for the ship.
xxxxx
The rebels were getting ready to disembark. Their numbers were much lower going home than when they had started this mission.
Aeryn watched as the men entered the ships, their bodies weary. This whole mission was frelled from the beginning. Not only did they have a traitor among them, but also the mission wasn't even planned out well. They had much to learn if they were going to continue to fight. She only hoped they would allow her more input in the future.
Jaron walked up beside her, "Well what do you think of our little army Aeryn?"
"You lost lives needlessly today, Jaron. If we're going to fight then we need to do it the right way!"
"So you question our battle tactics? You doubt we know what we are doing?" Jaron was slightly miffed at her reply.
"I just think we can be more efficient and lose less lives if we are more careful in our intelligence," Aeryn replied somewhat disheartened. "I want to run the intelligence for the rebel army."
Jaron contemplated her response. "Let's just go home. We'll discuss this later."
"Very well," Aeryn replied, hearing Malot's voice that it was time to take off. She entered the ship with Jaron and settled herself in for the ride back.
xxxxx
The darkness made him feel slightly unsettled as he waited for his contact to arrive. Rygel knew there was only one person he could trust, the only person he remembered to be a friend to the real throne.
It felt so good to be home, but he could see how so much had changed on his planet. He could feel the peacekeeper presence here even though he couldn't see it. 'Frell them for selling out. I would never had done that!'
The sadness in Rygel was evident as a few tears escaped his eyes. He saw his people as pawns for the peacekeepers. His people were beyond this sort of treatment, at least he hoped.
The anger in Rygel built as he thought about the way the new Dominar treated his people. He would bring him down if it were the last thing he did.
Rygel snapped to attention as his cohort arrived.
"Dominar Rygel, so good to see you again. How did you get back to us?"
"It's none of your concern, just tell me what has happened to my frelling people? What has this dominar done to them? I smell peacekeeper presence all over!"
"We had no choice, Dominar. If we didn't align with them they would have destroyed us."
"How sad for us all," Rygel replied, wrestling with his conscience. He understood what his friend was saying but it still didn't make him any happier.
"As we were left with no choice in that matter, I was left with no choice but to report your presence on this planet. I am truly sorry Dominar."
Rygel stared at his trusted friend, not believing what he heard. As the soldiers surrounded him, he knew his hearing had not deceived him.
Rygel looked at the hynerian. "Frell you!" Rygel's voice was filled with contempt as he spat at him.
