By Darkman
Rating: PG for minor violence and language.
Category: Action/Adventure
Time/Spoilers: Some Season 3 spoilers. Takes place somewhere near the end of Season 3 after John and Aeryn's resolution of their relationship problems
Summary: After a strange encounter on a Commerce planet, the crew begins to plan their assault on Scorpius, but they need more currency.
Disclaimer: I don't own them, didn't create them, and certainly don't profit from them. Wish I did or had. I promise that I'll put them back where I found them.
Chapter 9 – Velorek
Inside his small shop, the Sebacean man paced worriedly. The sign outside read "Household Goods—Repair Service Available" in seven languages. Every time he thought of the name, he smiled mirthlessly. My training provides a wonderful cover, but it is a long step down from my previous position, he thought.
Quickly his mind turned to the reason for his distress, Frell! Frell! Frell! That Scorvian promised me the last time would be the last time. I can't believe this. He told me at first I was free to go and he wouldn't bother me anymore. He lied. Three cycles later, he showed up with a small request. I did everything he demanded. My original invention to track Leviathans through starburst needed an adjustment. I knew then that he would be back again and again. I knew then that I was never to be free. I will be his slave forever.
What does he want this time? This is his third coded message so it must be important, at least to him.
Hezmana, how I want to forget him and the Peacekeepers!! I have been away for five cycles. Five cycles?? Has it been that long? I have made a life for myself here on this backwater planet. I like being anonymous.
Now that I think about it, he contacted me only two times in five cycles. That is a small price to pay for my life. After all, I would be dead now if not for Ch'rall and his disdain for the Peacekeepers.
Turning to his console, he wondered, Where is he now? What?? These coordinates are impossible. For the love of Chilnak, he's in orbit here and he's in a Leviathan. What in the name of all that is holy could make him come here aboard a Leviathan?
Pulling a keyboard from a hidden niche in the wall, the man punched in his personal code. The acceptance of the code automatically started a series of protocols beginning with scrambling the source of transmissions and ending with encrypting the signal being sent. After a short pause, Ch'rall's face appeared in the view screen.
"Toram, so good to see you again," smiled Ch'rall.
At least he remembered to use my assumed name, he thought while cursing Ch'rall and every ancestor the Scorvian had.
Returning the smile half-heartedly, he replied, "Ch'rall, what a pleasant surprise." His tone implied everything but pleasure. "What can I do for you this time?"
Ch'rall glanced over his shoulder slightly when John commented, "He doesn't sound overjoyed to see you."
Ch'rall motioned for John to stop talking and focused his attention on 'Toram.' "This time I have a proposition for you which involves a great deal of currency."
"Yours or mine?"
"Actually, neither! I wonder if you would like to earn it by taking part in a little endeavor."
Suspicion was obvious in his question. "What kind of endeavor?"
"One that is better discussed in person. I will pick you up within the arn. And Toram, I do not need to remind you to come unarmed, do I?"
"Of course not," was the clipped reply. "I will be at the usual coordinates. Toram out."
John crossed his arms and leaned against a console. "Well, he didn't exactly look thrilled to see you, did he? Are you sure about this, Ch'rall?"
Ch'rall turned to John and the others with a small smile. "This is the second time I have sought him out in the past five cycles. He has been hiding so long that paranoia has become a large part of his life. He is never happy to be reminded of who he is and where he came from."
"If he's not happy to see you, then he ought to be downright depressed to see Crais and Aeryn," John drawled.
The pod entered Moya with Toram and Ch'rall aboard. During the trip and despite the Sebacean's questions, Ch'rall had explained little except to warn Toram that some large surprises were in store.
"What do you mean by 'large surprises,' Ch'rall? You know I hate surprises," he exclaimed nervously as the pod came to a stop.
Ch'rall lightly grasped his shoulder and murmured, "Keep two facts foremost in your thoughts: I have given you my word that I would never turn you in and sometimes appearances are deceiving."
The pod door swung open and Toram blinked in surprise at the figures of Crichton and D'Argo standing there. His eyes darted to Ch'rall, full of questions. As introductions were made, his eyes widened slightly as he recognized the names. Other than that, he gave no sign of recognition as his PK mask fell into place.
"I thought you always worked alone, Ch'rall," he said in an accusing tone.
"Don't worry. Both of them are being sought by the Peacekeepers and have no wish to be found," came the terse reply.
John studied Toram carefully. His eyes did not betray his thoughts. So, this is the guy. The first man Aeryn was willing to call a 'lover.' The first man Aeryn actually loved. Shaking his head, he pushed those thoughts away. Don't go there, Johnny boy. Focus on the mission.
Glancing at Ch'rall, John asked, "What have you told him?"
Before the Scorvian could reply, Toram blurted, "He said nothing about his endeavor. All he would say was to be prepared to be surprised."
D'Argo and John looked at each other and John grinned broadly, "Buddy, you ain't seen nothing yet. Come on, we're meeting in the Control Room. If you think you're surprised now, just wait."
John and D'Argo turned and started walking out of the hangar bay with Ch'rall at their side, leaving Toram staring after them. Noticing his hesitation, John turned and called, "Are you coming? I can guarantee that nobody on this ship bites if that's worrying you." Motioning towards D'Argo, "Not even him," he added with an engaging smile.
Toram hurried to catch up with the trio and peppered them with questions the whole way. Finally, John shrugged impatiently and said, "Look, just wait until we get there and we'll answer every question you have and some you probably haven't thought about. Fair enough?" He didn't wait for an answer, but continued walking.
Toram swore he heard the Luxan tease the Human, "He talks as much as you do, John." When the one called John chuckled and playfully pushed the Luxan slightly, he knew he had heard correctly.
Upon entering Control, Toram nearly fainted from shock. He saw the Nebari, the Hynerian, and the Interon, but his knees went weak when the Sebacean woman turned towards him with a quizzical expression on her face. He started to bolt when he recognized the other Sebacean in the room. Only Ch'rall's quick grasp on his arm kept him from running all the way to the transport pod.
He turned on Ch'rall with fury and a touch of fear in his voice. "You gave your word, you lying Scorvian," he yelled.
Ch'rall responded by lifting him completely off the ground. "I also told you about big surprises. I haven't betrayed you in any way. All of these people are working toward the same goal and against the Peacekeepers, Velorek," Ch'rall said in a soothing tone.
"You told them my name?" Velorek gasped. Spitting into Ch'rall's face, he screamed, "I am to die now and you are to blame!"
"Wrong on both points, Lieutenant. You are not going to die now and you are free to join us or not when you have heard what we plan," Crais said in a calm voice. "Please put him down, Ch'rall."
Velorek turned and his eyes locked on Crais. "How are you, Captain? Still torturing people?" he sneered weakly. Turning to Aeryn, he continued, "And you, Aeryn! Are you still betraying bed partners for better things?" He smiled slightly and coldly as he saw Aeryn's head dip. Good. I meant it to sting a little, he thought.
Crais rapped the table lightly with his knuckles to regain attention. "Clearly an awkward and unexpected situation, don't you think? Everyone here knows who you are and why you ran from the Peacekeepers, Velorek. The irony is that now we all share the same circumstances." Seeing Velorek's disbelieving look, he added, "Yes, even me! All of us have a price on our heads. I suggest you listen to our proposition and put the past behind you for now."
Velorek slowly scanned the room. He noticed the one called John put his arm around Aeryn in a comforting manner. He noticed the Luxan and the Nebari move closer together. He also noticed the Interon slowly edge toward Crais. The Hynerian was studying him closely with an expression of undisguised disgust.
A calm and gentle voice interrupted his reverie. "It is good to see you alive, Lieutenant," said Pilot's image over the clamshell. "Moya and I are pleased that you have survived."
Leaning heavily against Ch'rall, Velorek looked from face to face. "Before you begin to talk about anything, I have one question." His voice betrayed the strain he felt.
John looked at him in a kind manner. "Sure, what is it?" he asked gently.
"Are there any intoxicants aboard?"
End Chapter 9
