1 Nothing's Quite The Same
Story by: Neuroscpr and Can
Pt 27 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
`
Chiana turned the gun on Dunbar, "Where the frell is she? How many more of you are there?"
Dunbar was stunned by the quick change in the creature. He was speechless until he felt the gun meet the side of his head.
"There…are only f…four of us."
"So you're in charge, I take it," Chiana hissed at him, burying the gun deeper into his head.
He nodded. "Call them off or I'll kill you! Then I'll track them down and do the same! Am I clear!"
Dunbar quickly reached for his radio. "Sergeant, back off and let the girl go. We are coming to your location. I have a friend of hers with me."
As he released the button, all he heard was loud screeching. He grabbed his ears, quickly handing the radio over to Chiana. "Can you please get her to stop?"
Chiana grabbed the radio and tried to speak to Jool. She pushed the Captain ahead of her, " Lets go. It'll be easier if she sees me."
They both took off at a quick trot.
xxxxx
John backed up several steps, not liking the sound of things now. "Hey guys, I don't think you understood me. I…wasn't there. It was the other me."
Jack ignored him as he continued. "We can't allow you to spread the knowledge any further than it has already gone. It is best for everyone. My people and your people."
"All I've done is protect the knowledge, but I didn't get it there. I didn't get it from…him," John said staring at the one on the table, a slight edge to his voice now. "Frell I just destroyed a command carrier to protect it!"
John found himself with his back against the wall, suddenly realizing he had been backing away from them the whole time he was talking. As he saw them all staring at him, he felt his stomach start to churn.
Jack took a step towards him as John sidled along the wall. He stopped, realizing he felt fear.
"John, we all know about the carrier. Knowing the kind of person you are we know that you must have been left with no choice. But that is exactly our point, you are a danger to everyone as long as you possess that knowledge."
John was looking around for a way out. "Where the frell are my friends?" John started yelling out, "D'Argo… Aeryn…Rygel! Someone answer me!" He continued to yell and slide against the wall feeling for any type of opening.
The Ancients merely watched and listened to his rant.
"Hey guys, you gotta help me here." His voice was scratchy from all the yelling. Exhausted now, he closed his eyes.
"It's time John," Jack said as several advanced on him.
xxxxx
Aeryn paced back and forth like a caged animal. D'Argo and Rygel decided to sit it out and wait. They didn't believe the Ancients meant them any harm, but were puzzled as to why they found the need to isolate them. And of course the question running through all their minds was where was John.
The pacing was driving D'Argo crazy. "Please, Aeryn! Just stop! Sit! You're pacing is not helping anyone here!"
Aeryn turned on him with a deadly look in her eyes. "You don't understand what happened, D'Argo! They think this is the John who was on Dam-ba-ba with the other Jack."
D'Argo rose to his feet. "What are you talking about Aeryn? What other Jack?"
Aeryn dropped her head as she spoke, "The one that died."
"Frell!" D'Argo exclaimed, himself now pacing. "Why didn't you tell us the whole story Aeryn? Didn't you ever think one day it might be something we needed to know?"
"I…didn't really give it much…thought."
D'Argo bit his tongue on that note and stopped himself from saying what was really on his mind. "Well Aeryn I think that day has come."
"How was I to know they would find us again?" She retorted in anger.
D'Argo stepped up to her at that moment. "And now John is most probably in danger again. He trusted again when he should not have, because he never knew the truth!"
"Please, stop this blithering argument!" Rygel rose in his throne sled, positioning himself between them. "We can't help him if all you two are going to do is fight! Hash is out later, right now we need to figure out a way to help Crichton!"
Aeryn and D'Argo conceded as suddenly his cries were heard throughout the glass cell, and then silence.
xxxxx
Chiana and Dunbar weaved through Moya's corridors for what seemed like forever.
"Where the frell did you put her?" Chiana asked, feeling the tiredness in her legs.
"We're almost there," the Captain replied, trying to get his soldiers to talk to him. "Sergeant, status of the situation." Still nothing. "Damn!"
As they entered the final corridor, the screaming stopped. Chiana and Dunbar stopped, noting the eery silence that had enveloped the ship.
"There," Dunbar said pointing to the cell. "You go first. She'll probably try to kill me."
"No way Dunbar, you first," Chiana replied, still holding the gun on him.
"Well at least let me tell them we are coming in," The Captain replied. "Sergeant, I am entering with another species. Put down your weapons."
"Yes sir."
As they entered the cell, they found Jool gagged, sitting on the cot.
Chiana issued the new orders. "Captain, have one of your men take that thing off her mouth!" She pushed the weapon against his temple for emphasis.
Dunbar nodded as one of the soldiers did as she ordered.
"I'm sorry sir. It was the only way we could stop the screaming."
As the gag was removed Jool jumped up and looked around in anticipation. "Where are the others?"
"I came ahead. They're on their way. Moya's in some kind of danger, and we couldn't wait."
Jool gasped, "What danger? Haven't we been through enough already?"
Chiana shook her head. "I don't know. It wasn't clear. Perhaps it was just these guys and you. We'll have to wait and see. But for now, introductions."
"This is Captain Dunbar and I don't know who the frell the rest of you are," Chiana said. "Shall we Captain?"
"Let me warn them first," he replied, telling his men what was going to happen. They all agreed, fascinated by what they had encountered thus far.
The Captain nodded.
"Pilot, send in the DRD's."
"Very well Chiana," Pilot replied as three entered the cell, coasting next to the soldiers and injecting almost simultaneously.
"Wow," the Sergeant replied. "What a rush."
"Sergeant!" Captain Dunbar shouted.
"Sorry sir," he replied, standing at attention.
"Well now that we can all understand each other, I think it's time for some explanations," Chiana stated.
xxxxx
Grayza paced back and forth in command. 'How could I have so easily duped by that hybrid? Frell him. We will meet again and he will definitely pay for this day!'
Letting go of these thoughts for now, she turned to her tech, "Have we located Colonel Schumka yet?"
"Commandant, it appears he died from the ships blast as it exited our carrier. We can only find ashes."
Grayza dismissed this. " Oh my, how horrible. No matter we need to lose the other vessel. Forget the wormhole now. We can't possibly follow. Set this ship on an evasive course."
She knew sooner or later he would die from his own stupidity and Scorpius was his downfall. 'Idiot, how could you fall for anything the traitor had to say?' The fact was very gratifying to her. She and Schumka had always seemed to be in a contest, whom would best whom. Now she could prove she was the smarter of the two.
She was brought out of her private victory by her tech's voice, "Commandant, I am detecting a huge power source. I can't make sense of it. The Scarran's couldn't have possibly gained that much on us."
"Well if it's not the Scarrans, then who is it?"
"Sir I can't identify it, but it is huge!"
She could hear the panic in the tech's voice, as she tried to decide on the best course of action. Engaging this ship was not an option in her mind. Attack quickly and precisely; this was the only course she could possibly take now.
In a steady voice she issued the orders. "As soon as the ship is in range, fire and get us out of here quickly!"
xxxxx
He felt their hands on his wrists and he resisted. Just the thought of someone messing with his mind sent chills up his spine. The panic and nausea set in as he realized his struggles were for naught. They controlled his every move now.
"You know this is the only way, John," Jack said.
John still fought against them, trying to keep some semblance of himself. As he saw the table cleared, it dawned on him that he was the next to be laid upon it.
He pleaded now. "I'm not him! He frelling died on that planet with your man!"
Jack spoke in a calming voice. He wanted the human to trust and not fear them. It would be easier that way. "We are not here to hurt you. That is not our nature."
John thrashed as they laid him on the cold table. Jack nodded to the others, and the restraints came out, snapping around his wrists.
"No! No! Not again!"
Jack stood over him, trying to get him to understand. " Calm down John. I promise we won't harm you. This was not your fault. It was ours for giving you the knowledge. All we are going to do is correct it."
"That's what they all say," John replied, feeling the sweat on his brow and a certain amount of defeat.
Jack now placed his hand on his forehead. The first feelings were soothing then he felt a sudden painful jolt to his mind and body. John's body went rigid as a slight whimper emitted from his lips, back arching.
The others watched deeply entranced on the procedure most had never witnessed before.
Jack concentrated on the cleansing, only to be thrown back as a sudden jolt rocked the ship. The connection was broken as he and the others were flung back, only John remaining stable from the restraints.
They scurried quickly, realizing they were under attack.
Jack hurried back to the table, looking at the John with compassion. "I can't leave you this way. None of this was your fault. Just guard it carefully."
xxxxx
They cringed as they heard the cries again. There was no doubt in their minds that the Ancients definitely had a plan for John, and it was not in his favor.
D'Argo couldn't take it any longer, as he approached Aeryn. "We've got to do something."
"And what the frell do you propose, D'Argo?" Aeryn asked, the rage filling her. "We're locked in this place and he's in there! Help me here!" Her voice faltered on her last words.
With each cry, she felt even more helpless. The guilt was consuming her now. This John had nothing to do with what had happened, though he was paying the price for it.
Rygel saw the pain in her face. He had been there with her, and knew how much this was affecting her. D'Argo couldn't understand no matter how hard he tried.
"Aeryn, I feel the pain also. You're not alone in this," Rygel said, sincerity in his words. "Remember I was there with you."
D'Argo was exasperated by the supposed connection the two had since being on Talyn together. "Frell the both of you!"
The white flash appeared again blinding them all.
xxxxx
Aeryn woke first in confusion. They were now back on the Nebari vessel. 'What the frell,' she thought as she struggled to get to her feet.
She saw D'Argo and Rygel rousing as she scanned the ship. No Jack. She felt relieved that they seemed clear of the Ancients.
Aeryn went to the console to reassure herself that the ship was still headed on the right course. As her mind cleared, a single thought came, John!
She turned quickly and saw him. His body was unmoving, lying in the back of the vessel.
Story by: Neuroscpr and Can
Pt 27 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
`
Chiana turned the gun on Dunbar, "Where the frell is she? How many more of you are there?"
Dunbar was stunned by the quick change in the creature. He was speechless until he felt the gun meet the side of his head.
"There…are only f…four of us."
"So you're in charge, I take it," Chiana hissed at him, burying the gun deeper into his head.
He nodded. "Call them off or I'll kill you! Then I'll track them down and do the same! Am I clear!"
Dunbar quickly reached for his radio. "Sergeant, back off and let the girl go. We are coming to your location. I have a friend of hers with me."
As he released the button, all he heard was loud screeching. He grabbed his ears, quickly handing the radio over to Chiana. "Can you please get her to stop?"
Chiana grabbed the radio and tried to speak to Jool. She pushed the Captain ahead of her, " Lets go. It'll be easier if she sees me."
They both took off at a quick trot.
xxxxx
John backed up several steps, not liking the sound of things now. "Hey guys, I don't think you understood me. I…wasn't there. It was the other me."
Jack ignored him as he continued. "We can't allow you to spread the knowledge any further than it has already gone. It is best for everyone. My people and your people."
"All I've done is protect the knowledge, but I didn't get it there. I didn't get it from…him," John said staring at the one on the table, a slight edge to his voice now. "Frell I just destroyed a command carrier to protect it!"
John found himself with his back against the wall, suddenly realizing he had been backing away from them the whole time he was talking. As he saw them all staring at him, he felt his stomach start to churn.
Jack took a step towards him as John sidled along the wall. He stopped, realizing he felt fear.
"John, we all know about the carrier. Knowing the kind of person you are we know that you must have been left with no choice. But that is exactly our point, you are a danger to everyone as long as you possess that knowledge."
John was looking around for a way out. "Where the frell are my friends?" John started yelling out, "D'Argo… Aeryn…Rygel! Someone answer me!" He continued to yell and slide against the wall feeling for any type of opening.
The Ancients merely watched and listened to his rant.
"Hey guys, you gotta help me here." His voice was scratchy from all the yelling. Exhausted now, he closed his eyes.
"It's time John," Jack said as several advanced on him.
xxxxx
Aeryn paced back and forth like a caged animal. D'Argo and Rygel decided to sit it out and wait. They didn't believe the Ancients meant them any harm, but were puzzled as to why they found the need to isolate them. And of course the question running through all their minds was where was John.
The pacing was driving D'Argo crazy. "Please, Aeryn! Just stop! Sit! You're pacing is not helping anyone here!"
Aeryn turned on him with a deadly look in her eyes. "You don't understand what happened, D'Argo! They think this is the John who was on Dam-ba-ba with the other Jack."
D'Argo rose to his feet. "What are you talking about Aeryn? What other Jack?"
Aeryn dropped her head as she spoke, "The one that died."
"Frell!" D'Argo exclaimed, himself now pacing. "Why didn't you tell us the whole story Aeryn? Didn't you ever think one day it might be something we needed to know?"
"I…didn't really give it much…thought."
D'Argo bit his tongue on that note and stopped himself from saying what was really on his mind. "Well Aeryn I think that day has come."
"How was I to know they would find us again?" She retorted in anger.
D'Argo stepped up to her at that moment. "And now John is most probably in danger again. He trusted again when he should not have, because he never knew the truth!"
"Please, stop this blithering argument!" Rygel rose in his throne sled, positioning himself between them. "We can't help him if all you two are going to do is fight! Hash is out later, right now we need to figure out a way to help Crichton!"
Aeryn and D'Argo conceded as suddenly his cries were heard throughout the glass cell, and then silence.
xxxxx
Chiana and Dunbar weaved through Moya's corridors for what seemed like forever.
"Where the frell did you put her?" Chiana asked, feeling the tiredness in her legs.
"We're almost there," the Captain replied, trying to get his soldiers to talk to him. "Sergeant, status of the situation." Still nothing. "Damn!"
As they entered the final corridor, the screaming stopped. Chiana and Dunbar stopped, noting the eery silence that had enveloped the ship.
"There," Dunbar said pointing to the cell. "You go first. She'll probably try to kill me."
"No way Dunbar, you first," Chiana replied, still holding the gun on him.
"Well at least let me tell them we are coming in," The Captain replied. "Sergeant, I am entering with another species. Put down your weapons."
"Yes sir."
As they entered the cell, they found Jool gagged, sitting on the cot.
Chiana issued the new orders. "Captain, have one of your men take that thing off her mouth!" She pushed the weapon against his temple for emphasis.
Dunbar nodded as one of the soldiers did as she ordered.
"I'm sorry sir. It was the only way we could stop the screaming."
As the gag was removed Jool jumped up and looked around in anticipation. "Where are the others?"
"I came ahead. They're on their way. Moya's in some kind of danger, and we couldn't wait."
Jool gasped, "What danger? Haven't we been through enough already?"
Chiana shook her head. "I don't know. It wasn't clear. Perhaps it was just these guys and you. We'll have to wait and see. But for now, introductions."
"This is Captain Dunbar and I don't know who the frell the rest of you are," Chiana said. "Shall we Captain?"
"Let me warn them first," he replied, telling his men what was going to happen. They all agreed, fascinated by what they had encountered thus far.
The Captain nodded.
"Pilot, send in the DRD's."
"Very well Chiana," Pilot replied as three entered the cell, coasting next to the soldiers and injecting almost simultaneously.
"Wow," the Sergeant replied. "What a rush."
"Sergeant!" Captain Dunbar shouted.
"Sorry sir," he replied, standing at attention.
"Well now that we can all understand each other, I think it's time for some explanations," Chiana stated.
xxxxx
Grayza paced back and forth in command. 'How could I have so easily duped by that hybrid? Frell him. We will meet again and he will definitely pay for this day!'
Letting go of these thoughts for now, she turned to her tech, "Have we located Colonel Schumka yet?"
"Commandant, it appears he died from the ships blast as it exited our carrier. We can only find ashes."
Grayza dismissed this. " Oh my, how horrible. No matter we need to lose the other vessel. Forget the wormhole now. We can't possibly follow. Set this ship on an evasive course."
She knew sooner or later he would die from his own stupidity and Scorpius was his downfall. 'Idiot, how could you fall for anything the traitor had to say?' The fact was very gratifying to her. She and Schumka had always seemed to be in a contest, whom would best whom. Now she could prove she was the smarter of the two.
She was brought out of her private victory by her tech's voice, "Commandant, I am detecting a huge power source. I can't make sense of it. The Scarran's couldn't have possibly gained that much on us."
"Well if it's not the Scarrans, then who is it?"
"Sir I can't identify it, but it is huge!"
She could hear the panic in the tech's voice, as she tried to decide on the best course of action. Engaging this ship was not an option in her mind. Attack quickly and precisely; this was the only course she could possibly take now.
In a steady voice she issued the orders. "As soon as the ship is in range, fire and get us out of here quickly!"
xxxxx
He felt their hands on his wrists and he resisted. Just the thought of someone messing with his mind sent chills up his spine. The panic and nausea set in as he realized his struggles were for naught. They controlled his every move now.
"You know this is the only way, John," Jack said.
John still fought against them, trying to keep some semblance of himself. As he saw the table cleared, it dawned on him that he was the next to be laid upon it.
He pleaded now. "I'm not him! He frelling died on that planet with your man!"
Jack spoke in a calming voice. He wanted the human to trust and not fear them. It would be easier that way. "We are not here to hurt you. That is not our nature."
John thrashed as they laid him on the cold table. Jack nodded to the others, and the restraints came out, snapping around his wrists.
"No! No! Not again!"
Jack stood over him, trying to get him to understand. " Calm down John. I promise we won't harm you. This was not your fault. It was ours for giving you the knowledge. All we are going to do is correct it."
"That's what they all say," John replied, feeling the sweat on his brow and a certain amount of defeat.
Jack now placed his hand on his forehead. The first feelings were soothing then he felt a sudden painful jolt to his mind and body. John's body went rigid as a slight whimper emitted from his lips, back arching.
The others watched deeply entranced on the procedure most had never witnessed before.
Jack concentrated on the cleansing, only to be thrown back as a sudden jolt rocked the ship. The connection was broken as he and the others were flung back, only John remaining stable from the restraints.
They scurried quickly, realizing they were under attack.
Jack hurried back to the table, looking at the John with compassion. "I can't leave you this way. None of this was your fault. Just guard it carefully."
xxxxx
They cringed as they heard the cries again. There was no doubt in their minds that the Ancients definitely had a plan for John, and it was not in his favor.
D'Argo couldn't take it any longer, as he approached Aeryn. "We've got to do something."
"And what the frell do you propose, D'Argo?" Aeryn asked, the rage filling her. "We're locked in this place and he's in there! Help me here!" Her voice faltered on her last words.
With each cry, she felt even more helpless. The guilt was consuming her now. This John had nothing to do with what had happened, though he was paying the price for it.
Rygel saw the pain in her face. He had been there with her, and knew how much this was affecting her. D'Argo couldn't understand no matter how hard he tried.
"Aeryn, I feel the pain also. You're not alone in this," Rygel said, sincerity in his words. "Remember I was there with you."
D'Argo was exasperated by the supposed connection the two had since being on Talyn together. "Frell the both of you!"
The white flash appeared again blinding them all.
xxxxx
Aeryn woke first in confusion. They were now back on the Nebari vessel. 'What the frell,' she thought as she struggled to get to her feet.
She saw D'Argo and Rygel rousing as she scanned the ship. No Jack. She felt relieved that they seemed clear of the Ancients.
Aeryn went to the console to reassure herself that the ship was still headed on the right course. As her mind cleared, a single thought came, John!
She turned quickly and saw him. His body was unmoving, lying in the back of the vessel.
