Chapter 4: Dead man walking
Crichton stood outside the cell, looking in on its new occupant. He kept one hand on Winona, never taking his eyes from the heavily chained prisoner.
"You wanna give me one reason why I shouldn't just kick your bony, black-leather-coated ass out of the nearest airlock?" Crichton asked, his eyes narrow and cold.
"I have information that will be of use to you."
"Ding! I'm sorry, that is the wrong answer. But you won't go away empty handed, you will receive our lovely consolation prize. What is it tonight Tina?" Crichton bellowed, doing his best game show host impression.
"Then what is the right answer?"
"There *is* no right answer," Crichton said, his lips thin. "You tortured me, now I've had my revenge. We're through, Scorpy, go find yourself another girlfriend."
"You did more than get revenge on me!" Scorpius spat. "You destroyed the universe's only chance of defeating the Scarrans. When they attack, and they will attack, we will all be defenceless. They will eliminate every race until they are all that is left. And that will include Earth."
"Better the devil you know, is it? Who do I want to invade Earth, Scarrans or Peacekeepers? You know Scorpy," Crichton said, crouching down outside Scorpius' cell, "I prefer neither. I've destroyed your wormhole project and I'll face the Scarrans when they come. One evil at a time. Now tell me again...why shouldn't I kill you?"
Scorpius grunted. "Would you really kill me?"
Crichton smirked. "You really think that I wouldn't? You'd kill me."
"No," Scorpius replied, shaking his head. "I have never wanted you dead. In fact your life is of great importance to me. My actions on the command carrier should confirm that."
"Okay so you'd torture me instead," Crichton replied, standing up again. "I don't find that comforting."
Scorpius opened his mouth to reply, but his words were lost. Movement behind Crichton distracted him and his eyes widened, then narrowed, as he noticed the person who had just entered the room.
"Crais!" he growled.
Crais nodded sharply, coming to stand beside Crichton, his hands folded behind his back. "Scorpius," he replied formally, the slightest hint of a smile in his eyes.
He turned to Crichton, still watching Scorpius out of the corner of one eye, almost enjoying the look of hatred he saw in his eyes.
"Officer Sun requests your presence in command," Crais said to Crichton. "I will take over."
Crichton hesitated, then nodded. "Don't shoot him," he said simply.
He moved towards the door and Crais turned towards the cell. From behind him, Crichton finished his sentence. "I'm the only one who gets to do that."
Crais and Scorpius regarded each other silently for a microt, until they both heard the door close.
"You survived," Scorpius stated.
"I did," Crais answered. "It seems that fortune was on my side."
"Then I hope you realise that you have condemned the entire Sebacean race and probably every other to death with your actions," Scorpius said, venom oozing from him.
Crais smiled grimly. "Allowing the Peacekeepers to wield such a weapon would have done so."
"I do not wish to conquer other races, I merely wish to destroy the Scarrans before they destroy us!"
"Even if you are telling the truth," Crais replied, "there are others in the Peacekeepers who would have used it in that way. I do not in any way regret my decision."
"You did not make that decision to be noble, you made it to get revenge on me!" Scorpius snarled.
"You believe that I was willing to sacrifice my life and that of Talyn in order to get revenge? I'm afraid, Scorpius, that you over-estimate your importance," Crais replied. "Not that getting revenge on you wasn't...an additional pleasure."
"You destroyed my wormhole project, my career and my life."
"As you destroyed mine. Perhaps," Crais said, pausing, a smile tugging at his lips "we are now even."
Scorpius spat on the floor.
***
"You wanna kill him, Crais?" Crichton asked, as Crais walked into command several arns later.
"Do you intend to?"
Crichton shook his head. "I used to think that killing another sentient being was the lowest anyone could stoop to. I've done it too many times these last three cycles. I want him dead, but I don't want to kill him. Are you gonna?"
"No," Crais replied, calmly, "I believe I have...already taken my revenge."
"Yeah," Crichton said, thoughtfully, "I don't think I ever said it, but...that was a pretty great thing you did. Although it would've meant more if you hadn't come back."
Crais raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, for once I didn't mean it like that," Crichton said, rubbing his forehead. "Anyway...thanks."
Crais nodded in acknowledgement.
"What do you intend to do with him?" he asked. "Do you trust his motives for being here?"
Crichton shrugged. "According to Scorpy, Braca double-crossed him, he only just got away. From what I've seen of that guy, I believe it. And with his project destroyed by us, I don't think the PKs are gonna welcome him back with open arms." He scratched his head. "Damn, do we have a sign out front 'Misfit Motel: special rates for ex-Peacekeeper-commanders? First you, now Scorpius. And when you came aboard you stole Talyn...what's he gonna do?"
"I feel confident that we can keep him under control...if we are vigilant," Crais replied.
Crichton groaned, feeling a headache coming on. "Okay, enough of the prison guard stuff for now. How's Talyn?"
Talyn had recently moved back to live with Crais after three monens on Moya. As incredible as it was to be able to look on Talyn in his current form, Crais missed Carma. His longing to see her had intensified over the monens, but she had stuck to her word and allowed Talyn to remain in her body. He was feeling her presence more and more though, as she slowly gained control over Talyn's body.
"He is very well," Crais replied warmly, "and he is making progress in his training. Officer Sun has done an excellent job of instructing him."
"Have you seen Carma?"
"No."
"I figured she'd take some time off occasionally."
"She...informed me that she did not intend to return to her own body for some time," Crais answered.
Crichton nodded. "You miss her?" he asked.
"I...appreciate the logic of her decision."
"That's not what I asked."
"I would...prefer it if I had the opportunity to see her occasionally," Crais replied, his tone making it clear that this was all he was prepared to say on the subject.
"I think that was a yes," Crichton said, grinning. "Damn, who'd have thought it? The big bad PK captain is in love."
Crais shot Crichton a dark look. Crichton just went on grinning. "Crais and Carma, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Carma with a baby carriage."
Crais' head jerked up at that.
"Relax, Crais, it's just a song," Crichton said, laughing at his expression. "Oh man, now I've got this priceless image of you changing diapers. That's a sight I would *love* to see."
"I suspect you will have a long wait."
Crichton smiled as he rose. "You never know, stranger things have happened. You can't plan everything."
He walked out, whistling a tune Crais didn't recognise, leaving him to hope that Crichton's words were not prophetic.
***
"Hey."
Crais looked up in surprise as he entered his quarters, not expecting anyone to be there. Carma smiled at him. "Long time no see."
Crais strode rapidly over to the bed and answered her with a hungry kiss. "Indeed," he answered, when they had come up for air. "To what do I owe this visit?"
Carma wrapped her arms around him. "Talyn told me about finding Scorpius. I didn't get the whole story, but Talyn seems pretty convinced that he's bad news. So I want to hear about that...tomorrow."
"And tonight?"
Carma smiled. "Do you really need me to answer that?"
She saw the smile on Crais' lips for a microt before he kissed her. "You have been gone too long," he murmured.
She closed her eyes as he kissed her neck. "I shouldn't even be here now, but there are limits to my self-control." She paused. "I've missed you."
"And I you," Crais answered, meeting her eyes, his voice low.
She smiled. "Prove it."
"Oh I intend to," Crais replied, his eyes gleaming.
***
"I thought you did not intend to return to your own body," Aeryn said, slowly working her way through a plate of uninspiring food cubes.
"I didn't," Carma replied, sitting down opposite Aeryn and starting her own meal.
"So you're here because of Scorpius?"
Carma half-smiled. "Officially. To be honest, I just wanted to see Crais."
"Or rather, you just wanted to *frell* Crais."
Carma looked sheepish. "Yeah, that's basically it. Hey, everyone has weaknesses. Mine just happens to be him."
"I don't understand your taste," Aeryn said, shaking her head.
"I don't understand yours," Carma said, grinning. "After all," she said, her tone making it clear she was teasing, "why would anyone choose a *boy* over a *man*? Especially one like Crais."
"What? Stubborn, has to be in charge, always plotting something?" Aeryn teased back, in a suspiciously good mood.
Carma gave a suggestive grin. "Oh, if you had seen what I've seen, you'd *know* what I mean."
"I don't want to know," Aeryn laughed back. "Seriously...you love Crais, don't you?"
"Oh yeah," Carma said, sobering up. "Even though I probably shouldn't. We've had a lot of problems and I doubt they're over yet."
"John insists that love conquers all."
Carma sighed. "It would be so easy if he were right."
***
Scorpius sat in his cell. He didn't have a lot of choice about it, since he was still chained up. He was tired, but frankly uncertain as to whether he should risk sleeping here. There were no small number of people here that would be happy to see him dead.
The door to the space outside his cell opened and a figure came in. Scorpius squinted in the darkness to make out who it was. He belatedly recognised her as the woman who had come in with Crais earlier. What she was doing here in the middle of the night he couldn't fathom, she didn't even know him.
She activated the door controls to his cell and stepped inside when the door slid open.
"Why are you here?" Scorpius asked.
"To kill you," was the matter-of-fact response.
"You have no weapon," Scorpius pointed out.
"Don't need one."
She moved closer to him and activated the release mechanism on his suit. There was nothing he could do to resist. His cooling rod holder spun gently outwards. She calmly removed the rod, picked up his reserve supplies and started to leave.
"Why are you doing this?" Scorpius asked, conscious of the heat already moving through his body.
"You deserve it."
She walked out, not looking back. Scorpius groaned as the heat began to increase. He struggled against his bonds, knowing he had no chance of breaking through them unarmed. He gazed around in frustration, searching for something he could use, as his vision began to blur and the pain started to take over his body. He saw nothing.
"Crichton!" he screamed. "Crichton!"
Crichton stood outside the cell, looking in on its new occupant. He kept one hand on Winona, never taking his eyes from the heavily chained prisoner.
"You wanna give me one reason why I shouldn't just kick your bony, black-leather-coated ass out of the nearest airlock?" Crichton asked, his eyes narrow and cold.
"I have information that will be of use to you."
"Ding! I'm sorry, that is the wrong answer. But you won't go away empty handed, you will receive our lovely consolation prize. What is it tonight Tina?" Crichton bellowed, doing his best game show host impression.
"Then what is the right answer?"
"There *is* no right answer," Crichton said, his lips thin. "You tortured me, now I've had my revenge. We're through, Scorpy, go find yourself another girlfriend."
"You did more than get revenge on me!" Scorpius spat. "You destroyed the universe's only chance of defeating the Scarrans. When they attack, and they will attack, we will all be defenceless. They will eliminate every race until they are all that is left. And that will include Earth."
"Better the devil you know, is it? Who do I want to invade Earth, Scarrans or Peacekeepers? You know Scorpy," Crichton said, crouching down outside Scorpius' cell, "I prefer neither. I've destroyed your wormhole project and I'll face the Scarrans when they come. One evil at a time. Now tell me again...why shouldn't I kill you?"
Scorpius grunted. "Would you really kill me?"
Crichton smirked. "You really think that I wouldn't? You'd kill me."
"No," Scorpius replied, shaking his head. "I have never wanted you dead. In fact your life is of great importance to me. My actions on the command carrier should confirm that."
"Okay so you'd torture me instead," Crichton replied, standing up again. "I don't find that comforting."
Scorpius opened his mouth to reply, but his words were lost. Movement behind Crichton distracted him and his eyes widened, then narrowed, as he noticed the person who had just entered the room.
"Crais!" he growled.
Crais nodded sharply, coming to stand beside Crichton, his hands folded behind his back. "Scorpius," he replied formally, the slightest hint of a smile in his eyes.
He turned to Crichton, still watching Scorpius out of the corner of one eye, almost enjoying the look of hatred he saw in his eyes.
"Officer Sun requests your presence in command," Crais said to Crichton. "I will take over."
Crichton hesitated, then nodded. "Don't shoot him," he said simply.
He moved towards the door and Crais turned towards the cell. From behind him, Crichton finished his sentence. "I'm the only one who gets to do that."
Crais and Scorpius regarded each other silently for a microt, until they both heard the door close.
"You survived," Scorpius stated.
"I did," Crais answered. "It seems that fortune was on my side."
"Then I hope you realise that you have condemned the entire Sebacean race and probably every other to death with your actions," Scorpius said, venom oozing from him.
Crais smiled grimly. "Allowing the Peacekeepers to wield such a weapon would have done so."
"I do not wish to conquer other races, I merely wish to destroy the Scarrans before they destroy us!"
"Even if you are telling the truth," Crais replied, "there are others in the Peacekeepers who would have used it in that way. I do not in any way regret my decision."
"You did not make that decision to be noble, you made it to get revenge on me!" Scorpius snarled.
"You believe that I was willing to sacrifice my life and that of Talyn in order to get revenge? I'm afraid, Scorpius, that you over-estimate your importance," Crais replied. "Not that getting revenge on you wasn't...an additional pleasure."
"You destroyed my wormhole project, my career and my life."
"As you destroyed mine. Perhaps," Crais said, pausing, a smile tugging at his lips "we are now even."
Scorpius spat on the floor.
***
"You wanna kill him, Crais?" Crichton asked, as Crais walked into command several arns later.
"Do you intend to?"
Crichton shook his head. "I used to think that killing another sentient being was the lowest anyone could stoop to. I've done it too many times these last three cycles. I want him dead, but I don't want to kill him. Are you gonna?"
"No," Crais replied, calmly, "I believe I have...already taken my revenge."
"Yeah," Crichton said, thoughtfully, "I don't think I ever said it, but...that was a pretty great thing you did. Although it would've meant more if you hadn't come back."
Crais raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, for once I didn't mean it like that," Crichton said, rubbing his forehead. "Anyway...thanks."
Crais nodded in acknowledgement.
"What do you intend to do with him?" he asked. "Do you trust his motives for being here?"
Crichton shrugged. "According to Scorpy, Braca double-crossed him, he only just got away. From what I've seen of that guy, I believe it. And with his project destroyed by us, I don't think the PKs are gonna welcome him back with open arms." He scratched his head. "Damn, do we have a sign out front 'Misfit Motel: special rates for ex-Peacekeeper-commanders? First you, now Scorpius. And when you came aboard you stole Talyn...what's he gonna do?"
"I feel confident that we can keep him under control...if we are vigilant," Crais replied.
Crichton groaned, feeling a headache coming on. "Okay, enough of the prison guard stuff for now. How's Talyn?"
Talyn had recently moved back to live with Crais after three monens on Moya. As incredible as it was to be able to look on Talyn in his current form, Crais missed Carma. His longing to see her had intensified over the monens, but she had stuck to her word and allowed Talyn to remain in her body. He was feeling her presence more and more though, as she slowly gained control over Talyn's body.
"He is very well," Crais replied warmly, "and he is making progress in his training. Officer Sun has done an excellent job of instructing him."
"Have you seen Carma?"
"No."
"I figured she'd take some time off occasionally."
"She...informed me that she did not intend to return to her own body for some time," Crais answered.
Crichton nodded. "You miss her?" he asked.
"I...appreciate the logic of her decision."
"That's not what I asked."
"I would...prefer it if I had the opportunity to see her occasionally," Crais replied, his tone making it clear that this was all he was prepared to say on the subject.
"I think that was a yes," Crichton said, grinning. "Damn, who'd have thought it? The big bad PK captain is in love."
Crais shot Crichton a dark look. Crichton just went on grinning. "Crais and Carma, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Carma with a baby carriage."
Crais' head jerked up at that.
"Relax, Crais, it's just a song," Crichton said, laughing at his expression. "Oh man, now I've got this priceless image of you changing diapers. That's a sight I would *love* to see."
"I suspect you will have a long wait."
Crichton smiled as he rose. "You never know, stranger things have happened. You can't plan everything."
He walked out, whistling a tune Crais didn't recognise, leaving him to hope that Crichton's words were not prophetic.
***
"Hey."
Crais looked up in surprise as he entered his quarters, not expecting anyone to be there. Carma smiled at him. "Long time no see."
Crais strode rapidly over to the bed and answered her with a hungry kiss. "Indeed," he answered, when they had come up for air. "To what do I owe this visit?"
Carma wrapped her arms around him. "Talyn told me about finding Scorpius. I didn't get the whole story, but Talyn seems pretty convinced that he's bad news. So I want to hear about that...tomorrow."
"And tonight?"
Carma smiled. "Do you really need me to answer that?"
She saw the smile on Crais' lips for a microt before he kissed her. "You have been gone too long," he murmured.
She closed her eyes as he kissed her neck. "I shouldn't even be here now, but there are limits to my self-control." She paused. "I've missed you."
"And I you," Crais answered, meeting her eyes, his voice low.
She smiled. "Prove it."
"Oh I intend to," Crais replied, his eyes gleaming.
***
"I thought you did not intend to return to your own body," Aeryn said, slowly working her way through a plate of uninspiring food cubes.
"I didn't," Carma replied, sitting down opposite Aeryn and starting her own meal.
"So you're here because of Scorpius?"
Carma half-smiled. "Officially. To be honest, I just wanted to see Crais."
"Or rather, you just wanted to *frell* Crais."
Carma looked sheepish. "Yeah, that's basically it. Hey, everyone has weaknesses. Mine just happens to be him."
"I don't understand your taste," Aeryn said, shaking her head.
"I don't understand yours," Carma said, grinning. "After all," she said, her tone making it clear she was teasing, "why would anyone choose a *boy* over a *man*? Especially one like Crais."
"What? Stubborn, has to be in charge, always plotting something?" Aeryn teased back, in a suspiciously good mood.
Carma gave a suggestive grin. "Oh, if you had seen what I've seen, you'd *know* what I mean."
"I don't want to know," Aeryn laughed back. "Seriously...you love Crais, don't you?"
"Oh yeah," Carma said, sobering up. "Even though I probably shouldn't. We've had a lot of problems and I doubt they're over yet."
"John insists that love conquers all."
Carma sighed. "It would be so easy if he were right."
***
Scorpius sat in his cell. He didn't have a lot of choice about it, since he was still chained up. He was tired, but frankly uncertain as to whether he should risk sleeping here. There were no small number of people here that would be happy to see him dead.
The door to the space outside his cell opened and a figure came in. Scorpius squinted in the darkness to make out who it was. He belatedly recognised her as the woman who had come in with Crais earlier. What she was doing here in the middle of the night he couldn't fathom, she didn't even know him.
She activated the door controls to his cell and stepped inside when the door slid open.
"Why are you here?" Scorpius asked.
"To kill you," was the matter-of-fact response.
"You have no weapon," Scorpius pointed out.
"Don't need one."
She moved closer to him and activated the release mechanism on his suit. There was nothing he could do to resist. His cooling rod holder spun gently outwards. She calmly removed the rod, picked up his reserve supplies and started to leave.
"Why are you doing this?" Scorpius asked, conscious of the heat already moving through his body.
"You deserve it."
She walked out, not looking back. Scorpius groaned as the heat began to increase. He struggled against his bonds, knowing he had no chance of breaking through them unarmed. He gazed around in frustration, searching for something he could use, as his vision began to blur and the pain started to take over his body. He saw nothing.
"Crichton!" he screamed. "Crichton!"