Chapter Eleven: Juggernauts



With pulse rifle in hand, Aeryn hurried up to the top level in Moya. When she arrived she heard a hissing sound of a cutting beam. The air was also hot and smelled of scorched metal as Moya's hull was melting.

Rounding the corner, Aeryn spotted the entry point that was being cut into. A large circle was being sawed through the corridor ceiling by an energy beam and it was three-quarters completed.

She tapped her comm unit. Pilot, Chiana? I'm at the spot and we might be having company soon. Have you contacted Crichton?

Chiana was nervous. No, we're being jammed.

Aeryn swallowed hard. They were in trouble. Pilot, what about it?

Chiana is right. Our communication is being jammed, I can't reach anyone but I located the source of the jamming. It is coming from about one metra off of our port side.

Another ship? Aeryn said as she kept an eye on the circular hole that was nearing completion in the ceiling.

Yes. The ship is cloaked to our sensors but the power output from its jamming field is allowing Moya to detect it. And judging by the power reading, the ship has to be huge. Pilot reported.

Aeryn, I'm coming to help you! Chiana suddenly said over the comm.

Chiana, no! Aeryn shouted. Stay the hez where you are! You and pilot have to make sure that Crichton and others know what is going on up here or they'll be walking into a trap when they return. Whoever these people are, they're smart. They waited until Moya was almost deserted before they made their move.

Suddenly the beam finished slicing its circular cut into the ceiling and the entire section collapsed to the deck below like a gigantic coin and with a thunderous crash. Chiana and Pilot shouted to Aeryn over her comm unit demanding to know what was happening.

However, Aeryn was transfixed when she saw a blinding beam of light burst through the hole as several giant rings descended from it, neatly stacking one on top of the other on the deck. A second later, between the spacing in the rings Aeryn could see figures forming inside. Another second later, the rings quickly ascended back up through the hole in the ceiling, leaving behind six large armored giants.

For an instant, Aeryn wondered if they were robots. They were completely armored head to toe. Their massive helmets were designed like hideous serpent heads, with blood red glowing eyes. With their helmets they stood easily eight feet tall. The only noticeable weapons were the staffs which they held close to their bodies.

Clutching her rifle tightly until he knuckles turned white, Aeryn said calmly into her comm unit. Pilot, Chiana, we have been boarded. I will try to hold them here as long as I can.

Then with two steps, she moved out into the middle of the corridor and shouted to the armored beings.

That's far enough! Aeryn used every ounce of intimidation she could muster, the type that would make Crichton duck and seek cover. Drop your weapons, NOW!

Two of the armored beings facing Aeryn lowered their staffs, aiming them directly at her. The tips of the two staffs suddenly split into quarters with a loud crack of energy.

Aeryn's reaction was immediate, she pulled and held down the trigger of her rifle, spraying the intruders with searing bolts of pulse energy fire. To her amazement, the bolts merely bounced off their armor, with barely any noticeable effect beyond some scarring across the metal plates of their heavy suits.

With no fear, the aliens shrugged off Aeryn's pulse rifle fire, and advanced on the former Peacekeeper. With each step they took towards her, they produced an incredible heavy metal concussion sound as they stomped across the floor.

They were like juggernauts.

With little choice, Aeryn retreated back down the corridor, firing as she went. Cursing herself for not bringing a heavier weapon but she doubted anything short of a cannon could bring one of these monstrosities down.

Suddenly, one of the juggernauts collapsed under Aeryn's steady weapon fire, falling to the ground. They weren't as invincible as they appeared.

She continued to fire as a new one took his fallen comrade's place but he held a different smaller weapon. He pointed it like a pistol and was moving up quicker than the others as if to get a good aim.

Seeing this, Aeryn ducked behind a bulkhead for cover as the alien fired and a blue bolt of energy shot by, barely missing her.

Sensing the end was near, she spoke firmly into her comm unit.

Chiana, I want you to hide, got that? Hide! Pilot, don't resist, they'll kill you for certain.

With that, she ripped her comm unit off, tossing it to the floor. She drew her pistol, and held her rifle in both hands. Ready, Aeryn stepped out, firing all she had at the enemy. It was an incredibly one sided match with one determined former Peacekeeper against five obviously superior aliens who she could barely harm.

It didn't matter, Aeryn Sun was prepared to die that day, in that very corridor if needed. She was fighting to protect her home and friends. With a weapon in both hands and with defiance in her heart, this was Aeryn at her best as a warrior. She had no doubts, nor regrets in that moment of time.

Except for one, John Crichton.

The armored juggernaut with the pistol weapon closed in, advancing through Aeryn's withering weapons fire.

He aimed and fired.

A blue beam of energy burst forward, hitting Aeryn and her entire body was enveloped by the energy. She felt her muscles seize up in searing pain for a moment before going limp. In that instant, she thought this was it. She collapsed to the floor, staring helplessly at the ceiling unable to move. Her final thoughts were of John Crichton and how she treated him when she first returned back to Moya. Now Aeryn wished she could have explained everything to him, as to how she felt and why. To make him understand and perhaps smooth things over between them.

Now it was too late.

John, She thought weakly as the darkness consumed her, wishing that he could sense her final thoughts. I'm sorry...