Chapter Fifteen: Making Plans…



Chiana managed to sneak quietly into the hangar bay and found that everything was silent and still, including all the DRDs in sight. Apparently, Pilot wasn't able to maintain the ship, but he still had to be alive. If he weren't, Moya would be panicking by now over the lack of his presence and control.

That was one thing in their favor. Another was that no enemy soldiers were hanging about here. The Nebari moved deeper into the launch bay, hiding behind crates and tables as she went. At one work table she stopped when she eyed a large box on it that had D'Argo's Qualta Blade hilt sticking out of it.

What do we have here? Chiana smiled, glancing about to make sure the area was clear, then she peeked inside. It was filled with everyone's personal weapons, John's pulse pistol Winona, D'Argo sword and Sheba's huge blaster.

She reached in and fished out Sheba's weapon, holster, and belt. She ducked down and strapped it about her waist before drawing the pistol. It was a heavy weapon and it looked primitive and awkward to use, but Rygel had told her when he inspected Sheba's Viper. The Hynerian discovered that her people, technology wise was as good or even better than Peacekeeper technology. Using Sheba's weapon might provide an element of surprise when she made her move.

Chiana admired the blaster weapon for a few more moments. It was a big pistol and she wondered why Sheba would need such a powerful weapon? They must have serious enemies where she came from.

Slinging the pulse rifle over her shoulder Chiana moved closer to Aeryn's Prowler. If she could contact Crais he could bring back Talyn much sooner to assist them. She never would had dreamed that she'll be calling him for help. Just goes to show how twisted the universe can be.

Something moved up behind her and Chiana spun about levelling Sheba's large blaster and almost shot a DRD. Its tiny sensor eyes were looking up at her. Chiana was surprised, considering every DRD she'd seen so far was deactivated due to lack of direction from Pilot.

Chiana leaned down to the little robot, whispering. "Pilot? Are you in there?"

The tiny machine beep quietly and moved in closer, moving side to side as if to say no.

The Nebari stared at it for a moment, if Pilot was not directing this then it had to be...

"Moya? Is that you!"

The DRD raised its antenna like eyes, beeping in acknowledgement.

Chiana grinned from ear to ear, the only one who can direct the DRDs besides Pilot is Moya. She reached down and hugged the little machine.

"I'm glad to see you!" Chiana whispered gratefully. "I'm going to try and contact Crais and your son Talyn, can you help?"

The DRD under Moya's direction, beeped and extended every single tool it had. She was going to help.

"Good," Chiana picked up the little DRD. "I'm going for Aeryn's Prowler to see if we can contact them. Maybe with your help we won't get detected when we start broadcasting."

With the DRD under one arm, Chiana hurried over to Aeryn's Prowler and climbed inside. Everything now depended on the lone Nebari and a single DRD under control of the Leviathan.

***

This was it!

No more!

From this point on, D'Argo vowed to never be taken prisoner again.

The Luxan warrior paced angrily about his cell and, after a bit, checked the cell door to see if he could muscle it open. After a few experimental pulls and pushes with all his might, he slammed his fists about the heavy metal bars in frustration.

Then he looked at the only bright side, he might have had Rygel for a cellmate.

After cooling down, he glanced across to John's cell. "How is she Crichton?"

He couldn't see John and Aeryn, but the Human answered back with hope in his voice. "Better. Her skin is looking even more pinkish than it did since last you asked... five minutes ago"

D'Argo nodded in relief, Aeryn's slow recovery was the only other good thing happening.

Jool shouted down to them from her cell with Rygel. "Someone is coming!"

A few moments later, four Jaffa soldiers marched down the corridor. Two of them were dragging an unconscious Sheba between them, her arms were still tightly bonded.

Jool and Rygel watched silently, trying to see any sign of life in the Colonial Warrior as the Jaffa moved by their cell dragging their limp burden. John left Aeryn's side for a moment to look as they approached D'Argo's cell. The Luxan warrior was too enraged at the condition of Sheba to say anything beyond growling at her captors.

One Jaffa, a huge bearded man with a golden symbol stamp on his forehead, leading the others stepped forward, addressing D'Argo in a commanding tone. "Step away from the cell door."

D'Argo glared at the Jaffa First Prime, imagining how may different injuries he could inflict, without actually killing him. Slowly, still looking at Sheba and the Luxan warrior backed away from the cell door. Now wasn't the time for an rash moves.

With his staff weapon armed, the First Prime opened the cell door, and stepped inside... keeping his weapon trained on D'Argo. The two Jaffa holding Sheba dragged her inside, dropping her unceremoniously on the floor and turned, leaving the cell.

Seeing the naked hatred in D'Argo's eyes, the First Prime smiled, taunting the Luxan, trying to goad him into doing something rash, but D'Argo refused to bite.

"I am patient," The Luxan said with studied deliberation, but with utter hatred remaining in his eyes. "Your time will come. If not by my hand, then by another."

"Mere words, creature." The Jaffa leader spat, before backing out of the cell, as the doors slid shut once more.

The Jaffa warriors left, marching away down the corridor, and D'Argo stepped quickly to Sheba's side. He knelt down, untying her bonds, freeing her, then he gently turned her over. The small Human female looked in rough shape. Although he could not find any physical injuries, her flesh was extremely warm and sweaty.

"Is she alright?" John called from his cell.

D'Argo nodded as he felt her pulse. It was still strong. "Yes, she will live. Take care of Aeryn. I will tend to Sheba."

Carefully, D'Argo placed a hand under her head to get it up off the hard floor. Sheba suddenly stirred, holding her hands up defensively.

"No," D'Argo said softly. "You are with friends now."

Sheba eyes finally focused on the Luxan warrior before relaxing. "D'Argo... Where are the Goa'uld?"

"The aliens? Gone. They brought you to my cell. John and the others are here but they are in separate cells." He then leaned down and whispered. "Where's Chiana?"

Sheba shook her head. "I don't know."

Slowly, Sheba tried to sit up, but felt dizzy, then winced in pain and immediately laid back down. D'Argo placed a hand on her arm. "Just rest, Sheba and regain your strength. When we get a chance for freedom, we must be ready."

"No," Sheba whispered. "They're going to kill us or make us beg for death before we get the opportunity to get out."

"Sheba, as long we draw breath there is a chance for..."

"Filter carb!" Sheba snapped. "I've seen their leader and I looked into his eyes. They look Human but they're not. Something is not right about them. They're truly evil, D'Argo."

The Luxan warrior listened, and he believed her. Sheba reached down and grasped his hand that was on her arm.

She looked at him with pleading eyes. "If they come for me again, you must promise not to let them take me alive. They wanted to know about my fleet and they came closer to breaking me than they thought. I will talk if they torture me again. You must be prepared to kill me."

D'Argo froze in shock. Once, John Crichton asked him to kill him when Scorpius's brain implant nearly drove him insane. Now, here he is again with another Human he began to deeply care for, asking him yet again to help end their life.

"Sheba," D'Argo said as he held her hand. "Lets do everything we can to avoid that."

"And if they do come for me or even you?"

"Then we will face them together as warriors." D'Argo promised.

Sheba managed to smile. "And try to take a few of them down with us?"

D'Argo nodded.

"I like that plan better... I don't want to be... alone." Sheba closed her eyes as exhaustion overcame her again. D'Argo stayed by her side, watching over her.