Hello readers. I apologize for the long wait between 7 and 8 and thank
those of you who haven't given up on me. See, I'm sort of in the process
of moving into my college dorm so getting on the computer time is a bit
tight. Here now is chapter 8. I hope you enjoy and as always thanks for
reading.
Fic: Insiders 8 by: Neuroscpr rating: pg13 spoilers: current
chapter 8
Waves crashed silently against the ship's hull as John Crichton sat staring at the dark ocean around him. His breathing came in similar intervals, as calm as he had known it to be recently. Beside him, her heart beating against his chest, Aeryn tried not to think of all the anguish that would arise when she pulled away from him. For the moment, they were at peace.
"John, we need to get out of here," D'Argo said with a hint of embarrassment. As much as he would have liked to let them stay that way for arns, they were at the center of a peacekeeper accident. Who knew how many would be coming soon.
Floating above the ocean vessel, Lo'la hummed quietly as it waited for its passengers to board. Despite having hovered for some time already, it was still fully charged and ready to go.
"Why don't you just leave them alone for a while?" Chiana whispered. She jabbed the Luxan lightly in the stomach and smiled.
Behind them, Scorpius looked away with an annoyed expression on his face. More than anyone he understood what would be arriving soon. Swarms of peacekeeper ships, all intent on finding the cause of this incident and taking care of it. "If I could interject," he started.
"No!" Both D'Argo and Chiana whispered through clenched teeth.
At the commotion, John looked up and saw the faces of his two friends and comrades. He tried to avoid the third face, which displeased him. "Aeryn," he whispered.
She heard her name through the darkness and slowly pulled back. Aeryn saw the look in John's eyes and for a microt felt somewhat better about what was to come. Still, she didn't know what he was thinking.
Of all the things John should have been thinking about, he was thinking about Aeryn's hair. As long as it was, it slid from around his face and made him tingle inside. He glanced up at Aeryn's expectant face but couldn't manage a smile. He was too confused for that.
"Need I remind everyone that there is a Scarran vessel above us?" Scorpius broke in. Indeed, Klavic's ship could still be detected just outside the planet's atmosphere. Braca had not yet left the area.
"He's right," D'Argo said. "We need to go."
At the Luxan's words, Lo'la jumped to life again. Her hatch opened and the stairs lowered within reach. D'Argo climbed inside with Chiana and Scorpius right behind him.
John and Aeryn looked at each other, both knowing that it was indeed time go. "You ok now?" He finally asked.
"Better," Aeryn said as she stood. Turning slowly, she climbed aboard D'Argo's ship. As soon as John was in, she closed the hatch and the ship took off.
Far above them, Braca sat at the controls and watched with keen interest as Lo'la climbed into the atmosphere. After close observation, he had judged that the ship was not of any design he knew. It had been scanned on Arnessk but this was his first close up look. He found himself somewhat intrigued.
'What to do,' he thought to himself as the escaped prisoners grew closer. Surely his obligation was to capture them. But he did not fully know the new ship's capabilities. Would it be smart to risk his life in finding out? 'Perhaps not.'
D'Argo watched his scanning equipment for any sign that the Scarran vessel was powering up. He also did not know what kind of damage it could do. Part of him prayed that he wouldn't find out. This was no time for a fight.
"He will not fire," Scorpius said as he moved to sit in the passenger seat. "Braca knows better than that."
D'Argo grunted a reply and then pressed the accelerator. Lo'la shot past Braca and disappeared into the darkness of space.
"Give that back you insidious little beast!"
Sikozu reached across the table and grabbed the food roll out of Rygel's little hand. Grasping it tightly in her own, she shoved it in her mouth and smiled.
"How dare you!" Rygel shot back. "No Dominar has ever been treated so disrespectfully!"
Sikozu narrowed her eyes at him. "You're not my Dominar," she replied.
Rygel growled as his throne sled rose above the table. It was true that he had taken some earlier and hidden them in his quarters, but this was a matter of principle.
"I've got three stomachs!" He shouted. "You only have one."
"How would you know how many stomachs I have?" Sikozu asked.
Rygel's bravado disappeared. He did not in fact know how many stomachs she had since he had never encountered another like her. To his benefit of course.
Sikozu chewed the last bits of food and swallowed. "One, if you were wondering."
The Hynerion clenched his tiny fists. "I won't forget this," he whispered.
"Now, what's all the fuss about?" Noranti asked from behind her table. The pot that sat in front of her smoked with some mysterious concoction. "I can make food for everyone."
"Eat your own frelling food," Rygel snapped. "I wouldn't touch it to save my life."
"Ah, but it's very tasty," Noranti cooed. "Here, try some." She held out a spoonful of green liquid.
Rygel covered his nose and backed away. "I've said it before!" he yelled. "You're trying to poison us you old bat!"
"How about you?" Noranti asked to Sikozu.
The redhead frowned and shook her head. "Frell no," she answered.
"As much as I enjoy these little spats, please shut up," Pilot's voice said from the clamshell. The hologram of his face looked displeased.
"What is it Pilot?" Rygel asked.
"If there is a problem with the food, Dominar," Pilot said. "Feel free to share from your own supply. Otherwise Moya and I would be happy to drop you at the nearest commerce planet."
Sikozu fought back a smile. "You made him angry," she whispered. Her mind suddenly caught on to what she was saying and froze. 'Did I just say that? What have these creatures done to me?'
"I'll make you angry!" Rygel shot back. "We apologize Pilot. Was there anything else?"
No answer came from Pilot's hologram for several microts. He seemed only to be observing them. Finally though, he spoke up.
"I have received a message from D'Argo and the others," he said. "They will be arriving soon."
"Proximity warning, Proximity warning."
Braca jumped in his seat and looked around with cloudy eyes. It had been several arns since the crew of Moya had passed him by. He had somehow fallen asleep afterwards. Something not befitting a peacekeeper captain.
"Captain Braca, do you read?" A voice asked.
Scrambling to get a hold of himself, Braca pressed the comms button. "Yes sir, I have you in sight," he answered.
What Braca saw brought relief to his ever-anxious mind. A giant command carrier, his in fact, had appeared from around the planet's side and was making directly for him. It would be good to be aboard it again.
"Hangar 12 has been cleared for you Captain," the voice said.
His vision restored, Braca brought the Scarran ship's navigation controls back online and aimed for the carrier's immense hangar. Once inside, he saw the comforting sight of metal on all sides. "Home at last," he whispered.
On the ground, Braca soon found himself facing someone he had only spoken to through comms. A full peacekeeper Admiral stood before him. This man answered only to High Command. A level of power Braca found quite appealing.
"Sir," he said with his head held high.
The Admiral nodded in return. "It is good to finally meet you Captain Braca," he said. "A soldier of your capabilities is to be commended."
Braca smiled on the inside. "Only doing my duty sir," he said.
"Don't be modest with me captain," the Admiral said. "Your service to us has gone beyond duty. With three unsuccessful commanders in the Uncharted Territories, you remain a model peacekeeper."
"Yes sir," Braca repeated.
"Now, what can you tell me about Commandant Grayza's mess?" The Admiral asked.
Braca nodded and motioned for the Admiral to follow him. Together they moved toward the wall where a monitor had been brought online. Already cleanup crews from the command carrier were on the planet's surface. Retrieval of Grayza's ship was high priority.
Braca scanned the data that had already been collected and turned toward his superior. "Sir, it appears the commandant has been found alive," he said with a hint of surprise in his voice. "All but two prisoners have been accounted for."
The Admiral frowned. "Grayza is no longer my concern," he said. "You may do with her as you wish. But what of these two prisoners? Can I assume Scorpius is one of them?"
Braca swallowed involuntarily. The question reminded him of something that might have cost him his position. The secret dealings that had taken place involving the hybrid. "Yes sir," he answered. "Both were classified prisoners, gamma level. Scorpius and...."
"Better you not say it here captain," the Admiral interrupted. "There are inquiring eyes everywhere."
Braca nodded. "Of course sir," he said.
Moya's hallways echoed once more with the sound of boots hitting ground. Not long after Pilot's announcement, Lo'la had arrived to the great satisfaction of those left onboard. Chiana and Aeryn had both gone to their own rooms while Sikozu followed Scorpius back to his own chamber.
In the corridor that branched away from Pilot's den, John and D'Argo walked quickly with both their minds on serious matters.
"I saw the way you looked at her back there," D'Argo said.
John stopped and turned toward his Luxan friend. "How did I look at her?" He asked.
"Like nothing's happened."
"Look, I know I don't always think clearly where Aeryn is concerned," John said. "But this isn't like the dren she usually pulls."
D'Argo stared back at the Human without backing off. "So you're not headed there now?"
The answer was written all over John's face despite him shaking his head. "I can handle it D," he said. "Don't worry."
"I'm not so sure John," D'Argo continued. "Remember what I told you before. You're going to get hurt either way."
John sighed heavily and turned his back on the Luxan. He put his hand up against the wall and closed his eyes. "It's not that simple D'Argo," he whispered.
"I know it isn't," D'Argo answered. "It never has been."
Still turned away, John shook his head. "Look at my life D," he said. "It's frelled and it's full of crap that I don't understand."
D'Argo reached a hand out and physically turned his friend around. Facing him again, he waited.
"But it's my life," John continued. "And it doesn't work without her."
When D'Argo only stared back, John got an idea. "Look at Chiana, man," he said. "I still see it in your face when you look at her."
D'Argo shook his head. "That was over a long time ago John," he said.
"But you understand what I'm talking about don't you?" John asked.
The Luxan nodded slightly. "Yes, I understand."
They stood in the corridor, the two of them. Both watching quietly as John Crichton entered his cell and sat down on the bed. One put a reassuring hand on the other's shoulder. It was in moments like these that their bond grew stronger.
"What the frell are you waiting for?" Chiana whispered.
Aeryn looked at the Nebari beside her and frowned. "I don't know if I can do it," she said.
"Sure you can," Chiana urged. "You did it on the boat didn't you."
"That was different," Aeryn answered.
"How?" Chiana challenged.
Aeryn managed to smile at the younger woman. It was obvious that she was not going to get out of doing what came next. Still, for every part of her that wanted to go in, another screamed against it. "Ok," she whispered.
Leaving Chiana behind, she walked down the corridor and slowly let the door to John's cell open. The room was dimly lit but she had no trouble spotting him. His face made it look like he had been waiting for her. Aeryn wasn't sure if that was a comfort or a burden.
"This looks familiar," John said. The corners of his mouth formed a thin smile.
"You're right," Aeryn spoke back. "Except I know...."
John's eyes grew distant for a moment before returning to her. "About Arnessk," he said.
Aeryn, her hands dropped at her sides, nodded silently.
"Did you have to take an oath?" John asked. "Sign with blood on the dotted line or something?"
The Sebacean was suddenly confused. "What are you talking about?"
"To be a peacekeeper again," John answered.
Aeryn took a step back but forced herself not to flee. One way or another, she was going to finish what she'd started. "It doesn't work that way," she said. "As far as they're concerned, I have always been a peacekeeper. I'll always be one."
John stared up at her until Aeryn agreed to meet his eyes. "Is that the way you see it?" He asked.
Aeryn shook her head. "No," she whispered.
"Then what does it matter?" John said.
Aeryn gave the briefest of smiles and then sat down beside him on the bed. They sat that way for a little while without speaking. She then reached into her pant pocket and removed a small black device. She stood.
"Our child," Aeryn said as she placed the peacekeeper equivalent of a pregnancy test in John's open hand. "I want to share this with you. I need you to share it with me."
A moment passed where John Crichton could not speak. He knew he had plenty of reasons to dismiss her. Good reasons too. But there was something stronger inside him now. Maybe it was the flashes of vulnerability in her pleading eyes. Or the fact that she was doing what he'd done so many times before. Most of all, he just didn't want to say no.
Looking up into her pleading eyes, he smiled. "Ask me again," he said.
Unlike the last person who had sat in the Aurora Chair, Grayza screamed like a madwoman. With all the pain she had dealt out in her lifetime, the commandant had never been at the receiving end. Never like this.
"Braca stop this," she moaned. "I order you."
Facing the chair, Braca watched with satisfaction from behind his control panel. He'd been working the controls personally as a gift from the Admiral. There would be no stopping. He took no orders from her now.
"Do you remember the last time we were in here together?" Braca asked.
Grayza, held up only by the chair's restraints, managed a weak nod.
"You had the poor flight officer in here," Braca said. "Officer Rinlo, I believe. It is a pity he died so quickly. Especially considering his mind revealed no evidence of treachery."
Grayza felt her own sweat cascading down her body in waves. The odor burned into her nostrils and caused searing pain to run through her body. Her oils were not meant to be used on their own host.
"It wasn't him," Braca said. Even as he spoke, a tiny portion of his brain fought with all its might to be let loose. Deep within the confines of Braca's mind, the captain he had become was temporarily held at bay by a tiny little chip. Not even the Braca in charge knew about it.
The commandant managed to look up at him and felt even more fear run through her. She'd seen it happen with her own eyes. The change that had come over him. It had never happened before. At least not in her presence.
Braca set the chair on auto and moved out from behind the control station. Taking his time, he arrived beside Grayza and smiled as her seat began to spin. He leaned in close and whispered into her ears.
"There's something I wish to confess Commandant," he whispered. "It was me."
The words created a surge of anger inside of her but she could do nothing to express them. As the Aurora chair picked up speed once again, Grayza's eyes rolled into the back of her head and she was silent.
Braca stepped away from the chair and walked to a large metal door on the rear wall. He slipped his key card into the slot and watched the obstruction move out of the way. Behind it, a figure appeared. It was clearly alive but locked in stasis.
"Isn't that right, Bialar?"
THE END
(Did I mention this was the last one?)
Neuroscpr
Fic: Insiders 8 by: Neuroscpr rating: pg13 spoilers: current
chapter 8
Waves crashed silently against the ship's hull as John Crichton sat staring at the dark ocean around him. His breathing came in similar intervals, as calm as he had known it to be recently. Beside him, her heart beating against his chest, Aeryn tried not to think of all the anguish that would arise when she pulled away from him. For the moment, they were at peace.
"John, we need to get out of here," D'Argo said with a hint of embarrassment. As much as he would have liked to let them stay that way for arns, they were at the center of a peacekeeper accident. Who knew how many would be coming soon.
Floating above the ocean vessel, Lo'la hummed quietly as it waited for its passengers to board. Despite having hovered for some time already, it was still fully charged and ready to go.
"Why don't you just leave them alone for a while?" Chiana whispered. She jabbed the Luxan lightly in the stomach and smiled.
Behind them, Scorpius looked away with an annoyed expression on his face. More than anyone he understood what would be arriving soon. Swarms of peacekeeper ships, all intent on finding the cause of this incident and taking care of it. "If I could interject," he started.
"No!" Both D'Argo and Chiana whispered through clenched teeth.
At the commotion, John looked up and saw the faces of his two friends and comrades. He tried to avoid the third face, which displeased him. "Aeryn," he whispered.
She heard her name through the darkness and slowly pulled back. Aeryn saw the look in John's eyes and for a microt felt somewhat better about what was to come. Still, she didn't know what he was thinking.
Of all the things John should have been thinking about, he was thinking about Aeryn's hair. As long as it was, it slid from around his face and made him tingle inside. He glanced up at Aeryn's expectant face but couldn't manage a smile. He was too confused for that.
"Need I remind everyone that there is a Scarran vessel above us?" Scorpius broke in. Indeed, Klavic's ship could still be detected just outside the planet's atmosphere. Braca had not yet left the area.
"He's right," D'Argo said. "We need to go."
At the Luxan's words, Lo'la jumped to life again. Her hatch opened and the stairs lowered within reach. D'Argo climbed inside with Chiana and Scorpius right behind him.
John and Aeryn looked at each other, both knowing that it was indeed time go. "You ok now?" He finally asked.
"Better," Aeryn said as she stood. Turning slowly, she climbed aboard D'Argo's ship. As soon as John was in, she closed the hatch and the ship took off.
Far above them, Braca sat at the controls and watched with keen interest as Lo'la climbed into the atmosphere. After close observation, he had judged that the ship was not of any design he knew. It had been scanned on Arnessk but this was his first close up look. He found himself somewhat intrigued.
'What to do,' he thought to himself as the escaped prisoners grew closer. Surely his obligation was to capture them. But he did not fully know the new ship's capabilities. Would it be smart to risk his life in finding out? 'Perhaps not.'
D'Argo watched his scanning equipment for any sign that the Scarran vessel was powering up. He also did not know what kind of damage it could do. Part of him prayed that he wouldn't find out. This was no time for a fight.
"He will not fire," Scorpius said as he moved to sit in the passenger seat. "Braca knows better than that."
D'Argo grunted a reply and then pressed the accelerator. Lo'la shot past Braca and disappeared into the darkness of space.
"Give that back you insidious little beast!"
Sikozu reached across the table and grabbed the food roll out of Rygel's little hand. Grasping it tightly in her own, she shoved it in her mouth and smiled.
"How dare you!" Rygel shot back. "No Dominar has ever been treated so disrespectfully!"
Sikozu narrowed her eyes at him. "You're not my Dominar," she replied.
Rygel growled as his throne sled rose above the table. It was true that he had taken some earlier and hidden them in his quarters, but this was a matter of principle.
"I've got three stomachs!" He shouted. "You only have one."
"How would you know how many stomachs I have?" Sikozu asked.
Rygel's bravado disappeared. He did not in fact know how many stomachs she had since he had never encountered another like her. To his benefit of course.
Sikozu chewed the last bits of food and swallowed. "One, if you were wondering."
The Hynerion clenched his tiny fists. "I won't forget this," he whispered.
"Now, what's all the fuss about?" Noranti asked from behind her table. The pot that sat in front of her smoked with some mysterious concoction. "I can make food for everyone."
"Eat your own frelling food," Rygel snapped. "I wouldn't touch it to save my life."
"Ah, but it's very tasty," Noranti cooed. "Here, try some." She held out a spoonful of green liquid.
Rygel covered his nose and backed away. "I've said it before!" he yelled. "You're trying to poison us you old bat!"
"How about you?" Noranti asked to Sikozu.
The redhead frowned and shook her head. "Frell no," she answered.
"As much as I enjoy these little spats, please shut up," Pilot's voice said from the clamshell. The hologram of his face looked displeased.
"What is it Pilot?" Rygel asked.
"If there is a problem with the food, Dominar," Pilot said. "Feel free to share from your own supply. Otherwise Moya and I would be happy to drop you at the nearest commerce planet."
Sikozu fought back a smile. "You made him angry," she whispered. Her mind suddenly caught on to what she was saying and froze. 'Did I just say that? What have these creatures done to me?'
"I'll make you angry!" Rygel shot back. "We apologize Pilot. Was there anything else?"
No answer came from Pilot's hologram for several microts. He seemed only to be observing them. Finally though, he spoke up.
"I have received a message from D'Argo and the others," he said. "They will be arriving soon."
"Proximity warning, Proximity warning."
Braca jumped in his seat and looked around with cloudy eyes. It had been several arns since the crew of Moya had passed him by. He had somehow fallen asleep afterwards. Something not befitting a peacekeeper captain.
"Captain Braca, do you read?" A voice asked.
Scrambling to get a hold of himself, Braca pressed the comms button. "Yes sir, I have you in sight," he answered.
What Braca saw brought relief to his ever-anxious mind. A giant command carrier, his in fact, had appeared from around the planet's side and was making directly for him. It would be good to be aboard it again.
"Hangar 12 has been cleared for you Captain," the voice said.
His vision restored, Braca brought the Scarran ship's navigation controls back online and aimed for the carrier's immense hangar. Once inside, he saw the comforting sight of metal on all sides. "Home at last," he whispered.
On the ground, Braca soon found himself facing someone he had only spoken to through comms. A full peacekeeper Admiral stood before him. This man answered only to High Command. A level of power Braca found quite appealing.
"Sir," he said with his head held high.
The Admiral nodded in return. "It is good to finally meet you Captain Braca," he said. "A soldier of your capabilities is to be commended."
Braca smiled on the inside. "Only doing my duty sir," he said.
"Don't be modest with me captain," the Admiral said. "Your service to us has gone beyond duty. With three unsuccessful commanders in the Uncharted Territories, you remain a model peacekeeper."
"Yes sir," Braca repeated.
"Now, what can you tell me about Commandant Grayza's mess?" The Admiral asked.
Braca nodded and motioned for the Admiral to follow him. Together they moved toward the wall where a monitor had been brought online. Already cleanup crews from the command carrier were on the planet's surface. Retrieval of Grayza's ship was high priority.
Braca scanned the data that had already been collected and turned toward his superior. "Sir, it appears the commandant has been found alive," he said with a hint of surprise in his voice. "All but two prisoners have been accounted for."
The Admiral frowned. "Grayza is no longer my concern," he said. "You may do with her as you wish. But what of these two prisoners? Can I assume Scorpius is one of them?"
Braca swallowed involuntarily. The question reminded him of something that might have cost him his position. The secret dealings that had taken place involving the hybrid. "Yes sir," he answered. "Both were classified prisoners, gamma level. Scorpius and...."
"Better you not say it here captain," the Admiral interrupted. "There are inquiring eyes everywhere."
Braca nodded. "Of course sir," he said.
Moya's hallways echoed once more with the sound of boots hitting ground. Not long after Pilot's announcement, Lo'la had arrived to the great satisfaction of those left onboard. Chiana and Aeryn had both gone to their own rooms while Sikozu followed Scorpius back to his own chamber.
In the corridor that branched away from Pilot's den, John and D'Argo walked quickly with both their minds on serious matters.
"I saw the way you looked at her back there," D'Argo said.
John stopped and turned toward his Luxan friend. "How did I look at her?" He asked.
"Like nothing's happened."
"Look, I know I don't always think clearly where Aeryn is concerned," John said. "But this isn't like the dren she usually pulls."
D'Argo stared back at the Human without backing off. "So you're not headed there now?"
The answer was written all over John's face despite him shaking his head. "I can handle it D," he said. "Don't worry."
"I'm not so sure John," D'Argo continued. "Remember what I told you before. You're going to get hurt either way."
John sighed heavily and turned his back on the Luxan. He put his hand up against the wall and closed his eyes. "It's not that simple D'Argo," he whispered.
"I know it isn't," D'Argo answered. "It never has been."
Still turned away, John shook his head. "Look at my life D," he said. "It's frelled and it's full of crap that I don't understand."
D'Argo reached a hand out and physically turned his friend around. Facing him again, he waited.
"But it's my life," John continued. "And it doesn't work without her."
When D'Argo only stared back, John got an idea. "Look at Chiana, man," he said. "I still see it in your face when you look at her."
D'Argo shook his head. "That was over a long time ago John," he said.
"But you understand what I'm talking about don't you?" John asked.
The Luxan nodded slightly. "Yes, I understand."
They stood in the corridor, the two of them. Both watching quietly as John Crichton entered his cell and sat down on the bed. One put a reassuring hand on the other's shoulder. It was in moments like these that their bond grew stronger.
"What the frell are you waiting for?" Chiana whispered.
Aeryn looked at the Nebari beside her and frowned. "I don't know if I can do it," she said.
"Sure you can," Chiana urged. "You did it on the boat didn't you."
"That was different," Aeryn answered.
"How?" Chiana challenged.
Aeryn managed to smile at the younger woman. It was obvious that she was not going to get out of doing what came next. Still, for every part of her that wanted to go in, another screamed against it. "Ok," she whispered.
Leaving Chiana behind, she walked down the corridor and slowly let the door to John's cell open. The room was dimly lit but she had no trouble spotting him. His face made it look like he had been waiting for her. Aeryn wasn't sure if that was a comfort or a burden.
"This looks familiar," John said. The corners of his mouth formed a thin smile.
"You're right," Aeryn spoke back. "Except I know...."
John's eyes grew distant for a moment before returning to her. "About Arnessk," he said.
Aeryn, her hands dropped at her sides, nodded silently.
"Did you have to take an oath?" John asked. "Sign with blood on the dotted line or something?"
The Sebacean was suddenly confused. "What are you talking about?"
"To be a peacekeeper again," John answered.
Aeryn took a step back but forced herself not to flee. One way or another, she was going to finish what she'd started. "It doesn't work that way," she said. "As far as they're concerned, I have always been a peacekeeper. I'll always be one."
John stared up at her until Aeryn agreed to meet his eyes. "Is that the way you see it?" He asked.
Aeryn shook her head. "No," she whispered.
"Then what does it matter?" John said.
Aeryn gave the briefest of smiles and then sat down beside him on the bed. They sat that way for a little while without speaking. She then reached into her pant pocket and removed a small black device. She stood.
"Our child," Aeryn said as she placed the peacekeeper equivalent of a pregnancy test in John's open hand. "I want to share this with you. I need you to share it with me."
A moment passed where John Crichton could not speak. He knew he had plenty of reasons to dismiss her. Good reasons too. But there was something stronger inside him now. Maybe it was the flashes of vulnerability in her pleading eyes. Or the fact that she was doing what he'd done so many times before. Most of all, he just didn't want to say no.
Looking up into her pleading eyes, he smiled. "Ask me again," he said.
Unlike the last person who had sat in the Aurora Chair, Grayza screamed like a madwoman. With all the pain she had dealt out in her lifetime, the commandant had never been at the receiving end. Never like this.
"Braca stop this," she moaned. "I order you."
Facing the chair, Braca watched with satisfaction from behind his control panel. He'd been working the controls personally as a gift from the Admiral. There would be no stopping. He took no orders from her now.
"Do you remember the last time we were in here together?" Braca asked.
Grayza, held up only by the chair's restraints, managed a weak nod.
"You had the poor flight officer in here," Braca said. "Officer Rinlo, I believe. It is a pity he died so quickly. Especially considering his mind revealed no evidence of treachery."
Grayza felt her own sweat cascading down her body in waves. The odor burned into her nostrils and caused searing pain to run through her body. Her oils were not meant to be used on their own host.
"It wasn't him," Braca said. Even as he spoke, a tiny portion of his brain fought with all its might to be let loose. Deep within the confines of Braca's mind, the captain he had become was temporarily held at bay by a tiny little chip. Not even the Braca in charge knew about it.
The commandant managed to look up at him and felt even more fear run through her. She'd seen it happen with her own eyes. The change that had come over him. It had never happened before. At least not in her presence.
Braca set the chair on auto and moved out from behind the control station. Taking his time, he arrived beside Grayza and smiled as her seat began to spin. He leaned in close and whispered into her ears.
"There's something I wish to confess Commandant," he whispered. "It was me."
The words created a surge of anger inside of her but she could do nothing to express them. As the Aurora chair picked up speed once again, Grayza's eyes rolled into the back of her head and she was silent.
Braca stepped away from the chair and walked to a large metal door on the rear wall. He slipped his key card into the slot and watched the obstruction move out of the way. Behind it, a figure appeared. It was clearly alive but locked in stasis.
"Isn't that right, Bialar?"
THE END
(Did I mention this was the last one?)
Neuroscpr