1 Nothing's Quite The Same
Story by: Neuroscpr and Can
Pt18 by: Can
Setting: After DWTB, spoilers up until that episode
Rating: R
Summary: John and the other displaced members of the crew embark on their own missions as Moya heads into unknown territory
John groggily rose to his feet. 'Frelling peacekeeper!" He thought, holding his throbbing head in both hands.
Memory coming back, he quickly looked around the cell. His heart sunk seeing that Chiana was nowhere in site. 'I just keep making your lives more miserable every chance I get!'
"Frell this!" John said stumbling over to the door. "D'Argo, talk to me! We have some big things to discuss!"
John saw the face appear behind the bars, worn, defeated. He had never seen that look in D'Argo before. "What D?"
D'Argo shook his head. "John, things are worse than you could ever imagine. This time we are really frelled!"
John never thought he would hear his friend give up. 'He's a frelling warrior for pete's sake! They never give up!'
"Run that by me again? No never mind. I got it the first time." John said, trying to understand. "What are you trying to tell me?"
D'Argo gave no response.
"Hey D'Argo, in case you didn't know they have Chiana now! We've got to figure a way out of here, and quick!" John was getting frustrated with D'Argo's lack of concern. It wasn't like him. "Look D, I don't know what's got you so down, but I don't intend to sit here and let them have their way."
D'Argo spoke quietly, "There is a bigger picture here John. One you could never understand."
"Then help me here! Help me understand! I so damn tired of hearing 'but John you don't understand…you don't understand,' I could throw up!" The anger was building in him now. He didn't like it; it made him feel as if he was losing control of the situation. He thought only one person could do that to him. He pushed that thought away.
"It would be best John, if you would just calm yourself and get some rest," D'Argo replied in a flat tone. The idea of what was to come made him shiver. "You will need all your strength for later."
"What the hell are you talking about, D'Argo?" John asked, clinging to the bars of his cell.
"Just rest John," D'Argo replied, retreating to the far corner of his cell to do the same.
"Frelling answer the question!"
John found his fingers gripping the bars tightly, receiving no response from the Luxan.
"Shit!" John exclaimed, letting go. As he turned away from the door he kicked the mat on the floor in anger. "Just my luck D'Argo would decide to talk in riddles now!"
xxxxx
Aeryn was sitting in her quarters thinking about the implications of the – special cargo – they had acquired. The peacekeeper soldier was correct about it's value. This was one thing Aeryn had never expected.
She rose to her feet, heart heavy, as she heard the knock on her door. Sighing, she asked, "What is it?"
"Aeryn it's me. I just wanted to make sure you were alright." Jaron was puzzled at her reaction to the prisoner, and why she had asked those questions of him.
"I'm fine Jaron. I just needed a little time alone," she explained as she opened the door. "Where do you have the prisoner?"
"In the small holding cell," he answered, hesitant to ask his question. 'The discovery of this Macton had definitely done something to Aeryn,' Jaron thought feeling a wedge had been put between them. "Aeryn, who is this peacekeeper? Why do you despair?"
Aeryn hadn't realized how transparent she had become. Standing slightly more erect now she spoke. "He's nothing but the dren of the universe, a murder!"
Jaron hadn't expected such a cold response, as he watched her march out of the room.
xxxxx
John turned back; ready to try to talk to the Luxan again, only to face Harvey.
"Harvey, go away. I'm having a conversation with D'Argo. I don't want you here now!"
He smiled. "John, it looks to me as if D'Argo has ended the conversation. So there's only me."
John swiped his hand by his head. "Go away Harvey. I don't feel like talking. You remind me of a bad dream right now!"
"It will help if you talk John. I'm the only one you can count on now, and you know that. We have some time and I think you need to talk. I know you too well."
John resigned himself to the inevitable, knowing Harvey was not going to stop hounding him. John put his back to the door and slid down it, sitting on the ground, arms slung over his bent knees.
"Let's just have a nice chat, John, it will help to alleviate your fears. Tell me everything; you know you can speak freely with me."
John giggled. "I can talk to a frelling neural clone, me. Get a load of that!" His laughter grew louder and then subsided, his voice becoming flat.
Harvey gave pause for a microt; fearing hysteria was building in the human. 'That would not do at all.'
"Hell, Harvey. I finally get rid of the big bad wolf and end up with Hitler! I can't win for losing anymore."
Confusion took over for a microt at the human's reference. He smiled, as he suddenly understood the meaning.
"Hell, all I ever wanted was her and to go home! I can forget about the wormhole technology now. Home is not in the cards anymore. I can't risk being followed. But what have I got here anymore? She left me too!" The emptiness washed over him, as he ran the words through his head again. "Nothing!"
"That's not true John! You can work on the technology again as soon as we get out of here." He was getting worried over the emptiness he heard in the human's voice. "And as far as Aeryn, you will find her. I have no doubt in your abilities."
"I don't know Harv. She made her choice," his thoughts going back to that painful moment. John could still see the coin flipping through the air and the clatter as it hit the ground. The look on her face as she climbed into the prowler. John shuddered as he pushed it all away.
xxxxx
Grayza was getting impatient waiting for the other vessel to arrive. Everything had fallen into place perfectly and she didn't want anything to go wrong now. She knew High Command would be pleased at the way she had handled everything.
She had done something Scorpius had not been able to achieve, the capture of the criminals. Grayza allowed herself a smile now, relishing the capture of the elusive Officer Aeryn Sun. With Crichton in custody, she knew it wouldn't be long in coming. That was her ace in the hole. She had heard all the stories and was fully expecting Officer Sun at any microt. 'I just hope I have Macton on board first!'
The vessel had been on full alert since their capture, but all had been quiet so far. "Sergeant, when may I expect the other vessel to arrive? I am getting quite impatient."
The Sergeant checked the console for any vessels in the area before replying, " Commandant, we have heard nothing from the ship. I know they are not to contact us until they have us in sight. Right now my scanners show no movement within a hundred metra's."
Pacing command, Grayza replied, "Open a channel, Sergeant. I want to know how far away they are."
The Sergeant looked perplexed as to what to do. He had his previous orders, and now they were being contradicted.
"Um… Commandant Grayza, if…we do that… we stand the chance of them being…discovered. It may ruin all your planning." The Sergeant held his breath now, waiting for her wrath to descend upon him.
She looked at the Sergeant, taking in all he said. She walked over to him. He flinched feeling her breath on his cheek.
"Very good, Sergeant. Thank you for reminding me," she said in a menacing whisper. As she backed away from him, she felt a great satisfaction in feeling his fear. "Notify me when they arrive," Grayza ordered as she left command.
The Sergeant took in a deep breath and wiped the sweat off his face as he heard the retreat.
xxxxx
There was nothing but silence in the room. Macton was becoming uneasy as he sat and waited, the rebels surrounding him. He wasn't sure if they planned on killing him or using him for some unknown project of theirs. He could only eye them with contempt. 'Frelling traitors!'
The sound in the room was breached as the figure, dressed in black, entered. Aeryn stood in the shadows hesitant to proceed any deeper into the room. Jaron looked at her questioningly, as she motioned him to go ahead. He nodded and stood in front of the prisoner.
"We know who you are, just not why you were being hidden on the peacekeeper vessel. We expect you to tell us what your mission was." Jaron could be forceful when he needed to be. He had a feeling it would come to that with this Sebacean, seeing the cold look in his eyes.
Macton laughed suddenly. "I will tell you nothing, traitor!" He spat out the word venomously.
Jaron's anger quickly welled up in him at that word. He reached out and backhanded the prisoner before he could stop himself. "There are no traitors in this room, but perhaps maybe yourself. Do not use that word again!"
Aeryn saw the situation getting out of control, stepping forward. "Jaron, it's alright," Aeryn said in a quiet voice, putting her hand on his shoulder. "I'll take over now." She knew Jaron was insulted by the word.
Aeryn stood fully erect, the peacekeeper in her taking over. She knew she was facing a formidable opponent, and it would take all her inner strength to defeat him.
Macton stared at the woman that just emerged. "You look like a peacekeeper soldier. What are you doing with this dren?"
"Was a peacekeeper. Was, being the operative word here. Now answer the questions," Aeryn replied, in a threatening tone.
"Not on your life, bitch!" Macton, pleased with himself, leaned further back in the chair. "I have nothing to say!"
Aeryn breathed deeply, deciding on a new angle. "I know all about you, Macton! Does the name Ka D'Argo have any meaning to you?" She saw the paled expression on his face and knew she had gotten his attention.
Macton sat there speechless.
"I thought so. You killed your own sister and let this man take the blame!" Aeryn was yelling as she continued. "You speak of traitors? Well you are the worse kind! You betrayed your own sister!"
Aeryn leaned against the wall, exhausted, as Jaron came to her side.
They both turned as Macton finally found his voice. "I did it for the race! To keep it pure!" He had risen from his chair now, the rebels moving in his direction. "Ka D'Argo will be of no consequence soon! He's been captured and will be dealt with accordingly!"
Jaron took a weapon from one of the soldiers, using it against Mactons head. The silence that ensued was deafening.
Aeryn's heart caught in her throat as she replayed the words in her mind. She ran towards command hell bent on setting a new course.
xxxxx
"John, this will not do. You need to concentrate on escaping from this ship so you can continue with your research. After all, many lives have been lost over it."
"Exactly, Harv! No technology, no more people die! That's why I destroyed the Command Carrier. At least now no harm can come to any other universe," John replied, reinforcing his reason.
"You know Grayza isn't going to allow that after all that has happened. She is hungry John, she wants it all."
John paused for a moment, taking in reality. "Well she ain't gonna get it anymore than Scorpy did, bastard that he was. It was destroyed on the carrier and I lost quite a few brain cells when Moya left me hanging in space." John chuckled to himself, remembering what should have been a tremendous moment for him, only to turn to horror.
D'Argo woke to the sound of John's voice. 'Who the frell is he talking to now!' He clumsily rose to his feet, walking towards his cell door. "John who are you talking to?" D'Argo asked as he looked in the corridor and gasped.
"John!"
John heard his friends voice and looked out the cell door. "Harvey get out of my way. D'Argo is trying to talk to me now."
D'Argo contemplated what John had just said. He blinked several times and refocused. If John was talking to Harvey then why could he see him also? "John, I don't think that's Harvey." The Luxan swallowed hard as he spoke.
"What the hell D. Are you dreaming or something?" John laughed at the Luxan's expression. "Just Harvey and I having a discussion. Sorry about that."
"John, I can see him also!"
It took a moment for it to register. "Dammit no!" John yelled as he put his hands through the bars, meeting with flesh.
Scorpy backed away, the same smile that haunted John's memories on his face.
Scorpius bowed slightly as he said, "Thank you, John. As always a very stimulating conversation." He headed down the corridor, out of range of John screams.
xxxxx
Jaron entered command, seeing Aeryn changing coordinates. He grabbed her, only to be thrown against the wall. He quickly got to his feet, attempting to stop her again.
"Aeryn, what do you think you're doing? We have orders that we must follow. You just can't decide to change that without their blessing." He saw her fingers gripping the controls, turning white.
"Aeryn…Aeryn…please stop!" Jaron said, wrestling with her hands. "Let's do this the right way!"
She relaxed, as he continued, "I know this has something to do with your past. But you must explain it to me. From there we can come to a decision."
Aeryn finally let go of the controls and faced him, deciding in that microt to be truthful with him.
Jaron listened closely to Aeryn's story. The history behind Macton and her friend Ka D'Argo was the most horrendous he had heard. He understood now the reaction it had elicited from her.
"What do you want to do Aeryn?" Jaron asked, knowing he her would follow without a doubt. They had in the past set wrongs back to right.
Aeryn was torn between her long time friend and the directives of her commander. She didn't want to endanger the rebellions purpose, but she felt compelled to help a warrior she respected. One who had saved her life many times.
"I need to go to his aid, Jaron. I can't let him die at the hands of the peacekeepers," Aeryn replied, deciding her options. "With or without the help of the rebels."
Jaron looked into her eyes, seeing the resolution in them. "We will follow you, Aeryn."
Story by: Neuroscpr and Can
Pt18 by: Can
Setting: After DWTB, spoilers up until that episode
Rating: R
Summary: John and the other displaced members of the crew embark on their own missions as Moya heads into unknown territory
John groggily rose to his feet. 'Frelling peacekeeper!" He thought, holding his throbbing head in both hands.
Memory coming back, he quickly looked around the cell. His heart sunk seeing that Chiana was nowhere in site. 'I just keep making your lives more miserable every chance I get!'
"Frell this!" John said stumbling over to the door. "D'Argo, talk to me! We have some big things to discuss!"
John saw the face appear behind the bars, worn, defeated. He had never seen that look in D'Argo before. "What D?"
D'Argo shook his head. "John, things are worse than you could ever imagine. This time we are really frelled!"
John never thought he would hear his friend give up. 'He's a frelling warrior for pete's sake! They never give up!'
"Run that by me again? No never mind. I got it the first time." John said, trying to understand. "What are you trying to tell me?"
D'Argo gave no response.
"Hey D'Argo, in case you didn't know they have Chiana now! We've got to figure a way out of here, and quick!" John was getting frustrated with D'Argo's lack of concern. It wasn't like him. "Look D, I don't know what's got you so down, but I don't intend to sit here and let them have their way."
D'Argo spoke quietly, "There is a bigger picture here John. One you could never understand."
"Then help me here! Help me understand! I so damn tired of hearing 'but John you don't understand…you don't understand,' I could throw up!" The anger was building in him now. He didn't like it; it made him feel as if he was losing control of the situation. He thought only one person could do that to him. He pushed that thought away.
"It would be best John, if you would just calm yourself and get some rest," D'Argo replied in a flat tone. The idea of what was to come made him shiver. "You will need all your strength for later."
"What the hell are you talking about, D'Argo?" John asked, clinging to the bars of his cell.
"Just rest John," D'Argo replied, retreating to the far corner of his cell to do the same.
"Frelling answer the question!"
John found his fingers gripping the bars tightly, receiving no response from the Luxan.
"Shit!" John exclaimed, letting go. As he turned away from the door he kicked the mat on the floor in anger. "Just my luck D'Argo would decide to talk in riddles now!"
xxxxx
Aeryn was sitting in her quarters thinking about the implications of the – special cargo – they had acquired. The peacekeeper soldier was correct about it's value. This was one thing Aeryn had never expected.
She rose to her feet, heart heavy, as she heard the knock on her door. Sighing, she asked, "What is it?"
"Aeryn it's me. I just wanted to make sure you were alright." Jaron was puzzled at her reaction to the prisoner, and why she had asked those questions of him.
"I'm fine Jaron. I just needed a little time alone," she explained as she opened the door. "Where do you have the prisoner?"
"In the small holding cell," he answered, hesitant to ask his question. 'The discovery of this Macton had definitely done something to Aeryn,' Jaron thought feeling a wedge had been put between them. "Aeryn, who is this peacekeeper? Why do you despair?"
Aeryn hadn't realized how transparent she had become. Standing slightly more erect now she spoke. "He's nothing but the dren of the universe, a murder!"
Jaron hadn't expected such a cold response, as he watched her march out of the room.
xxxxx
John turned back; ready to try to talk to the Luxan again, only to face Harvey.
"Harvey, go away. I'm having a conversation with D'Argo. I don't want you here now!"
He smiled. "John, it looks to me as if D'Argo has ended the conversation. So there's only me."
John swiped his hand by his head. "Go away Harvey. I don't feel like talking. You remind me of a bad dream right now!"
"It will help if you talk John. I'm the only one you can count on now, and you know that. We have some time and I think you need to talk. I know you too well."
John resigned himself to the inevitable, knowing Harvey was not going to stop hounding him. John put his back to the door and slid down it, sitting on the ground, arms slung over his bent knees.
"Let's just have a nice chat, John, it will help to alleviate your fears. Tell me everything; you know you can speak freely with me."
John giggled. "I can talk to a frelling neural clone, me. Get a load of that!" His laughter grew louder and then subsided, his voice becoming flat.
Harvey gave pause for a microt; fearing hysteria was building in the human. 'That would not do at all.'
"Hell, Harvey. I finally get rid of the big bad wolf and end up with Hitler! I can't win for losing anymore."
Confusion took over for a microt at the human's reference. He smiled, as he suddenly understood the meaning.
"Hell, all I ever wanted was her and to go home! I can forget about the wormhole technology now. Home is not in the cards anymore. I can't risk being followed. But what have I got here anymore? She left me too!" The emptiness washed over him, as he ran the words through his head again. "Nothing!"
"That's not true John! You can work on the technology again as soon as we get out of here." He was getting worried over the emptiness he heard in the human's voice. "And as far as Aeryn, you will find her. I have no doubt in your abilities."
"I don't know Harv. She made her choice," his thoughts going back to that painful moment. John could still see the coin flipping through the air and the clatter as it hit the ground. The look on her face as she climbed into the prowler. John shuddered as he pushed it all away.
xxxxx
Grayza was getting impatient waiting for the other vessel to arrive. Everything had fallen into place perfectly and she didn't want anything to go wrong now. She knew High Command would be pleased at the way she had handled everything.
She had done something Scorpius had not been able to achieve, the capture of the criminals. Grayza allowed herself a smile now, relishing the capture of the elusive Officer Aeryn Sun. With Crichton in custody, she knew it wouldn't be long in coming. That was her ace in the hole. She had heard all the stories and was fully expecting Officer Sun at any microt. 'I just hope I have Macton on board first!'
The vessel had been on full alert since their capture, but all had been quiet so far. "Sergeant, when may I expect the other vessel to arrive? I am getting quite impatient."
The Sergeant checked the console for any vessels in the area before replying, " Commandant, we have heard nothing from the ship. I know they are not to contact us until they have us in sight. Right now my scanners show no movement within a hundred metra's."
Pacing command, Grayza replied, "Open a channel, Sergeant. I want to know how far away they are."
The Sergeant looked perplexed as to what to do. He had his previous orders, and now they were being contradicted.
"Um… Commandant Grayza, if…we do that… we stand the chance of them being…discovered. It may ruin all your planning." The Sergeant held his breath now, waiting for her wrath to descend upon him.
She looked at the Sergeant, taking in all he said. She walked over to him. He flinched feeling her breath on his cheek.
"Very good, Sergeant. Thank you for reminding me," she said in a menacing whisper. As she backed away from him, she felt a great satisfaction in feeling his fear. "Notify me when they arrive," Grayza ordered as she left command.
The Sergeant took in a deep breath and wiped the sweat off his face as he heard the retreat.
xxxxx
There was nothing but silence in the room. Macton was becoming uneasy as he sat and waited, the rebels surrounding him. He wasn't sure if they planned on killing him or using him for some unknown project of theirs. He could only eye them with contempt. 'Frelling traitors!'
The sound in the room was breached as the figure, dressed in black, entered. Aeryn stood in the shadows hesitant to proceed any deeper into the room. Jaron looked at her questioningly, as she motioned him to go ahead. He nodded and stood in front of the prisoner.
"We know who you are, just not why you were being hidden on the peacekeeper vessel. We expect you to tell us what your mission was." Jaron could be forceful when he needed to be. He had a feeling it would come to that with this Sebacean, seeing the cold look in his eyes.
Macton laughed suddenly. "I will tell you nothing, traitor!" He spat out the word venomously.
Jaron's anger quickly welled up in him at that word. He reached out and backhanded the prisoner before he could stop himself. "There are no traitors in this room, but perhaps maybe yourself. Do not use that word again!"
Aeryn saw the situation getting out of control, stepping forward. "Jaron, it's alright," Aeryn said in a quiet voice, putting her hand on his shoulder. "I'll take over now." She knew Jaron was insulted by the word.
Aeryn stood fully erect, the peacekeeper in her taking over. She knew she was facing a formidable opponent, and it would take all her inner strength to defeat him.
Macton stared at the woman that just emerged. "You look like a peacekeeper soldier. What are you doing with this dren?"
"Was a peacekeeper. Was, being the operative word here. Now answer the questions," Aeryn replied, in a threatening tone.
"Not on your life, bitch!" Macton, pleased with himself, leaned further back in the chair. "I have nothing to say!"
Aeryn breathed deeply, deciding on a new angle. "I know all about you, Macton! Does the name Ka D'Argo have any meaning to you?" She saw the paled expression on his face and knew she had gotten his attention.
Macton sat there speechless.
"I thought so. You killed your own sister and let this man take the blame!" Aeryn was yelling as she continued. "You speak of traitors? Well you are the worse kind! You betrayed your own sister!"
Aeryn leaned against the wall, exhausted, as Jaron came to her side.
They both turned as Macton finally found his voice. "I did it for the race! To keep it pure!" He had risen from his chair now, the rebels moving in his direction. "Ka D'Argo will be of no consequence soon! He's been captured and will be dealt with accordingly!"
Jaron took a weapon from one of the soldiers, using it against Mactons head. The silence that ensued was deafening.
Aeryn's heart caught in her throat as she replayed the words in her mind. She ran towards command hell bent on setting a new course.
xxxxx
"John, this will not do. You need to concentrate on escaping from this ship so you can continue with your research. After all, many lives have been lost over it."
"Exactly, Harv! No technology, no more people die! That's why I destroyed the Command Carrier. At least now no harm can come to any other universe," John replied, reinforcing his reason.
"You know Grayza isn't going to allow that after all that has happened. She is hungry John, she wants it all."
John paused for a moment, taking in reality. "Well she ain't gonna get it anymore than Scorpy did, bastard that he was. It was destroyed on the carrier and I lost quite a few brain cells when Moya left me hanging in space." John chuckled to himself, remembering what should have been a tremendous moment for him, only to turn to horror.
D'Argo woke to the sound of John's voice. 'Who the frell is he talking to now!' He clumsily rose to his feet, walking towards his cell door. "John who are you talking to?" D'Argo asked as he looked in the corridor and gasped.
"John!"
John heard his friends voice and looked out the cell door. "Harvey get out of my way. D'Argo is trying to talk to me now."
D'Argo contemplated what John had just said. He blinked several times and refocused. If John was talking to Harvey then why could he see him also? "John, I don't think that's Harvey." The Luxan swallowed hard as he spoke.
"What the hell D. Are you dreaming or something?" John laughed at the Luxan's expression. "Just Harvey and I having a discussion. Sorry about that."
"John, I can see him also!"
It took a moment for it to register. "Dammit no!" John yelled as he put his hands through the bars, meeting with flesh.
Scorpy backed away, the same smile that haunted John's memories on his face.
Scorpius bowed slightly as he said, "Thank you, John. As always a very stimulating conversation." He headed down the corridor, out of range of John screams.
xxxxx
Jaron entered command, seeing Aeryn changing coordinates. He grabbed her, only to be thrown against the wall. He quickly got to his feet, attempting to stop her again.
"Aeryn, what do you think you're doing? We have orders that we must follow. You just can't decide to change that without their blessing." He saw her fingers gripping the controls, turning white.
"Aeryn…Aeryn…please stop!" Jaron said, wrestling with her hands. "Let's do this the right way!"
She relaxed, as he continued, "I know this has something to do with your past. But you must explain it to me. From there we can come to a decision."
Aeryn finally let go of the controls and faced him, deciding in that microt to be truthful with him.
Jaron listened closely to Aeryn's story. The history behind Macton and her friend Ka D'Argo was the most horrendous he had heard. He understood now the reaction it had elicited from her.
"What do you want to do Aeryn?" Jaron asked, knowing he her would follow without a doubt. They had in the past set wrongs back to right.
Aeryn was torn between her long time friend and the directives of her commander. She didn't want to endanger the rebellions purpose, but she felt compelled to help a warrior she respected. One who had saved her life many times.
"I need to go to his aid, Jaron. I can't let him die at the hands of the peacekeepers," Aeryn replied, deciding her options. "With or without the help of the rebels."
Jaron looked into her eyes, seeing the resolution in them. "We will follow you, Aeryn."
