Fic: Nothing's Quite The Same

Story by: Neuroscpr and Can

P10 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 ship took a direct blast from the carrier, jolting it. The shield still held, but it's counterparts felt as if their teeth had been knocked loose.

Grayza's frustration was evident as she commanded the ship to attack again at a higher level. On the second blast John and D'Argo fell to the ground as the shield dissolved.

John was in worst shape than D'argo, as his wound opened upon impact with the ground. But that wasn't foremost in John's mind as he writhed on the ground, the heat from the blast making him feel as if he was on fire. D'Argo dizzy from the impact, tried to calm John as he thrashed about.

Commandant Grayza smiled at her victory. She leaned over Crichton as she said, "I told you it would be over soon. You will learn I am true to my word."

"And I should've shot you when I had the chance." John's words were labored, but distinct. "It's a mistake I won't make again!"

"Shh John, the wound is bleeding again," D' Argo said, trying to use the existing bandages to stop the bleeding. "You need to lie still before it gets any worse."

John felt his body cooling off, but winced as the Luxan applied pressure to the wound. He was disturbed by the blood loss, knowing John only had so much in his body. D'Argo looked to Grayza. "If you want to keep this man alive, he needs medical attention now!"

The confidence she had been exhibiting was disappearing slowly as she heard the Luxan's words. The human's face had taken on a very unhealthy pallor as his skin started to get clammy.

Feeling unsure of his real condition, she hollered for a med tech. "Do what you have to, to make him ready for travel."

She followed as the Luxan carried the half conscious man into the closest building.



xxxxx



The chill from the night air was starting to penetrate Rygel's clothing. He knew he had stayed too long in the place of the dead peacekeepers, but he was so tired of things never changing. He thought he had left behind that threat, only to find it on his very own planet.

'And here I came to liberate you from the evil Dominar, only to find you have been taken over by a much greater evil.' Rygel had not felt this much sadness since the day the peacekeepers had captured him. He shook his head, realizing his plans would have to change. What was once a small endeavor now grew almost insurmountable.

He had been warned, but chose not to listen. Rygel came to the only decision he could. He would meet back up with the people who had helped him. If they existed, he knew others had to. He would get them to ban together and take back their home.

Satisfied with his decision, he fled the bloody building and headed back to the vagrant camp. He would just have to convince them.



xxxxx



"Well?" Commandant Grayza was hovering over the med tech impatiently. "How long before he will be ready to leave this place they call a planet."

"Commandant, I have not finished yet. He has lost a lot of fluids and his vitals don't look good," the tech replied, staring at his instrument. "I don't know much about his species, but these would not be good signs for a Sebacean, sir."

Grayza approached the Luxan. "Ka D'Argo, what do you know that will help John Crichton?"

The moan that escaped John's lips brought silence to the room. D'Argo glanced down at John, knowing there was only one answer for his friend.

D'Argo was having trouble forming the words he knew he had to say. "John Crichton would rather be dead than be taken captive. He is probably willing himself to die as we speak!"

The Luxan's eyes never left Grayza's face as he spoke the dreaded words.

"He can't do that!" The confidence in the diplomat was gone as she walked over to the human. "Can he?" She looked to the tech for the answer.

"I have no way of knowing, sir. He is a strange species, which we have no information on. Scorpius was the only one who had any data on the human, and well…" The tech let the rest of his statement drop.

"Sir, give me a few more arns with him. Perhaps in that time I will be able to make some progress."

"Very well," Grayza said turning to the Luxan. "I think you lie."

D'Argo grunted as she walked past him and left the building. He sat down studying the building and counting the numbers. It would soon be time to move.



xxxxx



The camp was well guarded. Rygel was careful to make himself known early. He knew if he didn't his head would be handed to him.

The hynerian led him to the leader that had helped him.

"So, now you believe me?" He grinned slightly with the simple question.

Rygel heard an I told you so in the question. "Very well. Yes. You were correct. I had hoped…maybe… it wasn't as bad as you told me. It's worse than what I imagined."

"So now you're ready to listen to me, Dominar Rygel? I really did try to spare you, but I suppose it was better that you witnessed it yourself. Please, share in my food. You must be hungry."

Rygel's eyes lit up at the thought of food. One thing that always sparked a hynerian was food. Rygel hovered near the leader and accepted the food he was given, eating greedily.

"Mmm. It feels like I haven't eaten in arns. Thank you," Rygel said, savoring every morsel that met his mouth.

"Well Dominar, are you planning to go back to your friends now? You can see it isn't safe here, not with the added threat." The leader still found it hard to fathom that someone would come back to liberate them from cycles of abuse by a false dominar.

Rygel paused from eating. "Actually, no. I was hoping we could gather all who wanted to fight and take back out home." He studied the leaders face as he spoke. He smiled seeing the reaction he had hoped for.

"Dominar, you jest! You would not fight by our side. You are royal, we are just peasants!"

"I would be proud to fight by your side. What do you say? I think it's worth a try. After all we have nothing now. There must be many who have organized as you have. We just need to find them. We are stronger as one."

The leader looked in Rygel's face hoping to see the truth. He saw the sincerity in the Dominar and became excited. "Yes, Dominar! You are right, there are many of us and I know where they can be found. I would feel honored to follow you into battle."

"Good. Let's take it one step at a time. First we must gather everyone, then we'll set the plan." Rygel finally felt hope. Win or lose he knew there was a reason he had come home.



xxxxx



They were like all peacekeepers. Fools! D'Argo still possessed his most dangerous weapon, his comm. Unbeknownst to the soldiers he was having whispered conversations with the ship.

He had gauged the odds and knew where all the soldiers were. Grayza was the only one who was a mystery. D'Argo decided he would take his chances with her. It was better than the alternative.

His biggest problem was going to be John. His friend was not recovering as he had hoped. As he studied him, he saw the burns start to welt on his face and hands. He had definitely caught the worst of the blast. 'Stupid plan on my part.'

D'Argo knelt by John's side, the med tech quickly rising. "Leave him Luxan! He needs his rest!"

"Give me a few minutes with him, perhaps I can help. I can see he's not getting any better," D'Argo replied hoping the tech believed him.

D'Argo felt relieved as the tech nodded and settled himself against the wall again.

"John… John. Can you hear me?"

D'Argo was pleased to see him respond to his voice as he stirred slightly. "John, we need to get out of here and I have a plan."

"Plan? You? H…hope…i…it's better than the last one," John whispered through clenched lips. His voice was barely audible as D'Argo held his ear to his lips to hear the words.

D'Argo smiled slightly, hearing the humor in his words. "It's not going to be easy, especially for you. I need you to stay awake and follow my lead."

"Hey D if you didn't notice, I can barely speak, forget moving." He still whispered, his breathing labored.

"I will not leave you, I promise John! Just help me as much as you can and we will get out of here. It's this or being prey to the peacekeepers." D'Argo hoped John would choose the former.

"I'm with ya D, just lead the way," John said, as he tried to open his eyes.

D'Argo looked around the room, making sure the peacekeepers were accounted for. "Get ready, John. Ship now!"

The explosion took out the whole side of the building along with the soldiers lined against its wall. D'Argo quickly yanked John to his feet hearing the scream that followed. D'Argo wanted to stop but knew he couldn't if they were to get to the opening in the wall.

"Hold on John," D'Argo said as he grabbed his qualta blade before heading for the hole in the wall.

John held the expletives in as he bit on his lower lip, causing the blood to run down his chin. He knew he had to hold on for D'Argo's sake. He on the other hand was so tired. Death could take him at his very microt and he would most likely welcome it. But he couldn't do that to D'Argo, as he fought to stay awake and follow him.

As they finally came to the hole in the wall, a soldier attacked them. D'Argo let loose of John. He took his blade out of his sheath and plummeted the soldier. As he reached down to get John to his feet, Commandant Grayza appeared before them.

"Stand where you are, Luxan! Leave the human alone! How dare you make a mockery out of my command. You are my prisoners and that way you will stay," she said taking the pulse pistol from its holster.

D'Argo slowly rose, leaving John on the ground. He looked around and saw that Grayza was by herself. The odd man out. The mystery. Well now D'Argo knew where she was, as he set his back up plan in motion.

"Now!" The blast from his ship had targeted her, but she moved before it could hit her. The only effect was it knocked her to the ground.

D'Argo grabbed John again; pleased she was at least diverted for a few microts. It was just enough time for D'Argo to get to his ship, hauling John unceremoniously into it as he hit the metal floor with a thud.

"We're in. Take off. All guns loaded and ready for battle!"

The ship sped away from the peacekeeper fleet, ready for any attack from the peacekeeper vessels. As their commandant was slightly indisposed from the blast, no orders were issued. The vessel left without being pursued.

D'Argo was relieved his plan had worked, as his attention was drawn to the moaning figure on the floor.

D'Argo turned John so he could lie on his back. "Sorry I had to be so rough, John. It was either that or Grayza."

John grimaced, as he spoke, "Good choice, D'Argo." He looked around. "I guess we made it huh?"

He chuckled slightly, "Finally, a plan that worked." Those were the last words D'Argo heard from his friend as he fell into a deep sleep.

"Yes John, sleep. It's something we both need."

As he looked out at the stars, he set the orders, "This time I really mean it. Find a planet not populated with peacekeepers. We both need a rest."