The Price Part Two
By: Can (lucyc_23455@yahoo.com)
Spoilers: Up to WWL Part 2
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own them
Many thanks to Still_Waters for the beta reading. She kept me in line. I couldn't have done it without her. Thanks Still!
"You can't do this John! I won't let you!" Aeryn shouted as he went back and forth getting his gear ready. She grabbed his arm to hold him still for a microt, her eyes boring into his. "All I asked for was your help getting the antidote. You're not going to help Scorpius!"
John pulled his arm away as he replied, " Aeryn it's a done deal. He'll cure you and I go with him," John said checking his ammunition. "Everybody wins."
"Except you," Aeryn replied with her head down. " I was only trying to save.'
"I know Aeryn," John whispered. "I gotta go.still have to go over the plan."
"Hold on John, I'm coming," Aeryn replied stubbornly, checking her pulse pistol. She continued before he could start. "I just took my medication and I have another vial with me. We should be in and out of there before I need it."
John shook his head, "Not this time Aeryn. We're going in for you remember? Doesn't do us any good if you're dead." He headed for command considering the subject closed.
xxxxx
Everyone was arguing as John entered the chamber. He didn't need this right now. Just the thought of what lied ahead with Grayza and Scorpius had him on the edge already. The arguing was just about ready to send him over perhaps permanently.
Rage took over as he shouted, "Enough!" He had his hands on the side of his face as if they were a protector of some sort.
The room quickly turned to silence as they stared at him. Aeryn seemed the most surprised, never seeing this in John before. She approached him and laid a hand on his arm, but he held her at bay. "Not.now.Aeryn." She felt a slight shudder as she removed her hand.
John slowly dropped his hands as he said, "Sorry everybody. Just a little edgy, that's all." He cracked a small smile for their benefit.
Everyone nodded understanding.
Scorpius laid out the plan. "This is the lab I need to get to. As long as we don't encounter any trouble it should only take me thirty microts to get there and back."
"So we need to buy you that much time. Got a plan for that part?" John asked sarcastically.
The smile on Scorpius' face turned into a leer. "Did you have a doubt?"
John was starting to get a bad feeling, as felt his last meal start to churn in his stomach. Taking a deep breath, he responded. "Course not Scorpy. You're the man of the hour!"
Ignoring John's comment he continued, " The lab is in the opposite direction of Grayza's quarters. That is where the distraction will take place, allowing Aeryn and myself time to get in and out without being discovered.
"Whoa!" John exclaimed, holding his hand in the air. "Stop the tape, Scorpy! She's not going!"
"On the contrary, John. She has to, and it's not an option," Scorpius replied in a chilling voice.
The nervous laughter finally escaped his lips. "Some things never change do they?" He sobered with his question, glancing briefly at Aeryn.
"I'm pleased you finally understand, John."
D'Argo took over now, hoping to ease the tension in the room. "Sikozu and Chiana will be with you John. I unfortunately will be staying behind with the old woman and Rygel."
"Aeryn you will need to find the Sikozu appropriate attire for this mission. If you three are seen Chiana will be your prisoner," Scorpius ordered, turning to John. "I assume you still know how to act the part of a peacekeeper."
John turned away, his jaw clenched in anger.
The old lady made her way over to John. She held out her hand, nodding at him.
John rolled his eyes. "What is it now Granny? More herbs?"
"Oh no, John!" She replied smiling. "It's your protection against you know who." She glanced at Aeryn as she forced him to open his hand and take her offering.
John looked down in his hand. "What the hell did you do? Stock pile them?"
She nodded quickly, pleased with herself. "I saw!"
Aeryn watched the two, knowing they held a secret. "Who does John need protection from. Granny?"
"Why the commandant, of course. Remember I told you he had his."
"Oh frell!" Chiana and D'Argo exclaimed in unison, as he quickly grabbed the old woman and clasped his hand over her mouth.
"Come on old lady, it's time for your medication. She gets this way sometimes, Aeryn," D'Argo said, pulling her mumbling and kicking out of command.
Aeryn turned to John. He had his back turned to them and was slamming his head and fists against the bulkhead. She quickly went to his side. "John, stop," she said soothingly, kissing him on the back of neck. She felt him shudder and heard the intake of his breath. She drew away puzzled.
"Would someone like to explain what this is all about?" Aeryn shouted frustrated. "John? Chiana?"
"Aeryn, please. Just leave it alone," John said barely above a whisper, the memories coming back in a rush.
Chiana shook her head with a look of warning on her face.
Scorpius interjected now. "Perhaps it would be a good time to find something suitable for Sikozu, Aeryn. We only have half an arn before departure."
Aeryn looked at him coldly. With determination in her voice she replied, "I.will.find out what happened eventually. Trust me on that!"
The three of them left the room leaving Scorpius and John alone.
"They are gone John," Scorpius said still making preparations for the mission.
John turned slowly, his hands covering his face. Scorpius stopped and looked at him. "You know John, I don't think I ever broke you like she did. Perhaps there is something to say for her techniques after all."
John looked up and saw the glaring smile on the leather-masked face. "You frelling bastard," he yelled as he lunged for him, knocking him to the ground.
John struggled with him, getting in only a few punches when Scorpius' strength overpowered him. He wrapped his hands around John's throat pinning him to the ground.
"You frelling human! If I didn't need you I would surely snap your worthless neck," Scorpius said as he released him and rose to his feet.
John lay on the floor gasping for air, as D'Argo walked in. "What the frell did you do?" D'Argo shouted as he drew his qualta blade and rushed to John's side, his eyes never leaving Scorpius.
"Tread carefully Crichton," Scorpius said as he left command. "Half an arn!"
xxxxx
They met in the maintenance bay and went over the plan again before boarding the Marauder Aeryn had stolen from the mercenaries.
As D'Argo said his good-byes he smiled when he got to Sikozu. "The outfit suits you."
"Shut up Luxan," she said as she climbed the ladder to the ship.
D'Argo pulled John aside to speak to him privately. He saw the angry welts on his neck start to appear, but that wasn't his major concern.
John sighed, "Yeah, what is it D?"
"Do you have the bugs the old woman gave you? I think it would be a good thing to take them with you. None of us know what's going to happen on the carrier."
John sighed reaching into his pocket and holding his hand out. "Trust me I don't want that to ever happen again," John said as a sickening feeling overcame him.
D'Argo nodded in understanding. "Be careful my friend and don't put your trust in Scorpius."
"You know I will big guy." John replied. "Gotta go."
The bay doors opened as the Marauder gracefully flew into the atmosphere.
"So Scorpius the plan is after thirty microts, we're to head back to the landing bay. Right?" Chiana asked trying to break the deafening silence on the ship.
"That is correct Chiana. We should be back and ready to depart," Scorpius replied. He had left out a small part purposely, but decided it could wait a while longer.
The marauder had gone quiet again. Aeryn looked behind her and saw John just sitting and staring. She knew this was very uncharacteristic of him. Of all people he was always the one who had something to say. "Chiana, is John alright?" Aeryn whispered the question, not wanting Scorpius to overhear her.
Chiana looked behind her and saw the lifeless look on his face. "He will be Aeryn. I'll go sit with him and try to snap him out of it."
"Chiana, John has helped me. I want to be able to do the same, but I need to know what happened to him."
Chiana thought for a moment. Deciding on her answer she simply said, "It's not my story to tell. Sorry Aeryn." On that note she went to try to talk to John.
"Frell," Aeryn mumbled under her breath, slamming her hand on the console.
"Doing ok John?" Chiana asked in an uplifting voice. She noticed the welts on his neck as she turned his head to face her. "What the frell happened to your neck?"
John pulled his face out of her grasp as he replied, "Just Scorpy and me. We had a little disagreement. Nothing for anyone to worry about."
Chiana was getting frustrated with him now. "Look John. I know the pain you are feeling and the uncertainty of what is to come but we've got a mission to complete. If you can't stay focused I need to know. I for one don't want to die. Tell me you are ready for it!"
John pulled her to him, leaning his head against hers. "Can't a guy have a few thoughts to himself before the big battle? I'm getting my mind right that's all Pip," he replied kissing her on the forehead. "I'm fine, don't worry."
Content with his answer, she snuggled closer to him.
xxxxx
The carrier was in sight now. Aeryn remembered the peacekeeper boarding requests as the Marauder was welcomed into the carrier, without event. They disembarked in the landing bay with no one the wiser. As the group started to separate to do their assigned jobs, Scorpius pulled John aside.
"I know what we are supposed to do, so lets just get on with it," John said, tired with this whole mess.
"Oh no John. You see there is something I forgot to mention. Before you leave this ship, you are to destroy Commandant Grayza. A small thing, but one I'm sure you will get great pleasure from," Scorpius replied, seeing the surprise in Crichton's face.
"That wasn't part of the original plan and you know it!" John didn't want to be in close proximity to that woman for any reason.
Scorpius cocked his head sideways as he replied. "Actually it was. I just failed to mention it. I can't afford to let her live and compromise my work any longer."
Scorpius and Aeryn were on their way out of the bay as John shouted back, "And what if I can't get that close to her?"
He stopped at the doors and looked at John. Smiling he replied, "I'm sure you will figure something out."
"Frell you freak!"
Sikozu was nervous being on a peacekeeper vessel. The exchange between Crichton and the abomination made her feel even more unsettled. "What now Crichton?"
In a veiled voice John answered. "We're supposed to kill Grayza as part of this mission."
Both girls looked at him puzzled.
"Suits me fine," Chiana said. "If anyone needs to be spaced it's her."
John pushed them ahead, "Let's just worry about the main part first. We'll deal with that later."
xxxxx
It was a good thing the lab was away from the main part of the ship. Aeryn and Scorpius had encountered more peacekeepers than they had envisioned. So far their progress was ahead of schedule, as they weaved through the corridors without resistance.
"Scorpius are you getting a bad feeling about this? No one has even questioned us. I know it's been a long time for me, but does this seem normal to you?'
"Exactly Officer Sun. I think they know we are here. I believe they will be setting some kind of trap for us."
"What do you suggest then?"
He thought for a moment before answering. "Here," he motioned as they entered an empty room. "We will wait until Crichton has started at the other end of the ship. They will have no choice but to desert this area to tend to the main part. Then we will proceed."
Aeryn nodded in agreement.
'Did you really think you could outsmart me Grayza?' Scorpius thought to himself.
xxxxx
Crichton was stopped in the first corridor. "Where are you going sir?"
"We are taking this Nebari tralk to one of the cells. She is my prisoner," he replied in his accent.
The Sergeant looked them over, especially the Nebari and nodded for them to proceed.
The whole area of the ship was crawling with peacekeepers. John, Chiana and Sikozu needed to find somewhere that was isolated, but near this part before they could begin their work. They diverted to a less populated corridor.
"This is insane Crichton! There is nothing but frelling soldiers everywhere we turn!" Sikozu said, irritated by the stupidity of the plan. "We need to come up with something more viable!"
"Any suggestions Red?" Chiana asked smiling.
Sikozu looked at Chiana as if she had been insulted. "Who are you calling Red, Nebari?"
Chiana giggled slightly, "Sorry. Couldn't help it. It just seemed to fit at that microt."
John sighed knowing he couldn't let the bantering keep going. "Both of you stop. What have you got in mind Sputnik?"
"The way I see it we need to split up and stay low. We can get more done that way. How many charges do we need to set Crichton?"
"A total of twenty on this side of the ship. That's the only way we are going to send the other peacekeepers towards us."
"Chiana, John and I can move about freely, you of course can't. So I suggest you take the less populated areas and John and I will do the others. Map please."
Sikozu pointed out the targets they wanted to hit to have the best impact on the carrier.
"Didn't know you knew about carriers to," John said impressed at her logic.
"There's a lot you don't know about me, but lets get this done and get off this carrier," she said anxiously.
xxxxx
"Where are they hiding?" Grayza asked lounging in her quarters.
"We are not quite sure ma'am. We seem to have lost them," Braca responded.
"How did that happen, Captain? I told you I didn't want them to know we were following them! Can't your soldiers do anything right!"
Braca lowered his head as he replied, "I'm sorry commandant. The men were very careful. I don't know how they detected us."
Grayza waived him off. "No matter Braca. Any sign of John Crichton?"
"Ma'am we have no indication that he is anywhere near our location. The two appear to be alone."
"Very well, Braca. Keep looking for them. They can only hide for so long on this ship."
When Braca left, Grayza's thoughts went to the human. She wanted him foremost for the humiliation she had suffered at his hands. How he had done it was still a mystery, but she knew it would never happen again. He was the one being she would always be wary of. Now Grayza knew why he was called notorious around the Unchartereds.
Many thanks to Still_Waters for the beta reading. She kept me in line. I couldn't have done it without her. Thanks Still!
"You can't do this John! I won't let you!" Aeryn shouted as he went back and forth getting his gear ready. She grabbed his arm to hold him still for a microt, her eyes boring into his. "All I asked for was your help getting the antidote. You're not going to help Scorpius!"
John pulled his arm away as he replied, " Aeryn it's a done deal. He'll cure you and I go with him," John said checking his ammunition. "Everybody wins."
"Except you," Aeryn replied with her head down. " I was only trying to save.'
"I know Aeryn," John whispered. "I gotta go.still have to go over the plan."
"Hold on John, I'm coming," Aeryn replied stubbornly, checking her pulse pistol. She continued before he could start. "I just took my medication and I have another vial with me. We should be in and out of there before I need it."
John shook his head, "Not this time Aeryn. We're going in for you remember? Doesn't do us any good if you're dead." He headed for command considering the subject closed.
xxxxx
Everyone was arguing as John entered the chamber. He didn't need this right now. Just the thought of what lied ahead with Grayza and Scorpius had him on the edge already. The arguing was just about ready to send him over perhaps permanently.
Rage took over as he shouted, "Enough!" He had his hands on the side of his face as if they were a protector of some sort.
The room quickly turned to silence as they stared at him. Aeryn seemed the most surprised, never seeing this in John before. She approached him and laid a hand on his arm, but he held her at bay. "Not.now.Aeryn." She felt a slight shudder as she removed her hand.
John slowly dropped his hands as he said, "Sorry everybody. Just a little edgy, that's all." He cracked a small smile for their benefit.
Everyone nodded understanding.
Scorpius laid out the plan. "This is the lab I need to get to. As long as we don't encounter any trouble it should only take me thirty microts to get there and back."
"So we need to buy you that much time. Got a plan for that part?" John asked sarcastically.
The smile on Scorpius' face turned into a leer. "Did you have a doubt?"
John was starting to get a bad feeling, as felt his last meal start to churn in his stomach. Taking a deep breath, he responded. "Course not Scorpy. You're the man of the hour!"
Ignoring John's comment he continued, " The lab is in the opposite direction of Grayza's quarters. That is where the distraction will take place, allowing Aeryn and myself time to get in and out without being discovered.
"Whoa!" John exclaimed, holding his hand in the air. "Stop the tape, Scorpy! She's not going!"
"On the contrary, John. She has to, and it's not an option," Scorpius replied in a chilling voice.
The nervous laughter finally escaped his lips. "Some things never change do they?" He sobered with his question, glancing briefly at Aeryn.
"I'm pleased you finally understand, John."
D'Argo took over now, hoping to ease the tension in the room. "Sikozu and Chiana will be with you John. I unfortunately will be staying behind with the old woman and Rygel."
"Aeryn you will need to find the Sikozu appropriate attire for this mission. If you three are seen Chiana will be your prisoner," Scorpius ordered, turning to John. "I assume you still know how to act the part of a peacekeeper."
John turned away, his jaw clenched in anger.
The old lady made her way over to John. She held out her hand, nodding at him.
John rolled his eyes. "What is it now Granny? More herbs?"
"Oh no, John!" She replied smiling. "It's your protection against you know who." She glanced at Aeryn as she forced him to open his hand and take her offering.
John looked down in his hand. "What the hell did you do? Stock pile them?"
She nodded quickly, pleased with herself. "I saw!"
Aeryn watched the two, knowing they held a secret. "Who does John need protection from. Granny?"
"Why the commandant, of course. Remember I told you he had his."
"Oh frell!" Chiana and D'Argo exclaimed in unison, as he quickly grabbed the old woman and clasped his hand over her mouth.
"Come on old lady, it's time for your medication. She gets this way sometimes, Aeryn," D'Argo said, pulling her mumbling and kicking out of command.
Aeryn turned to John. He had his back turned to them and was slamming his head and fists against the bulkhead. She quickly went to his side. "John, stop," she said soothingly, kissing him on the back of neck. She felt him shudder and heard the intake of his breath. She drew away puzzled.
"Would someone like to explain what this is all about?" Aeryn shouted frustrated. "John? Chiana?"
"Aeryn, please. Just leave it alone," John said barely above a whisper, the memories coming back in a rush.
Chiana shook her head with a look of warning on her face.
Scorpius interjected now. "Perhaps it would be a good time to find something suitable for Sikozu, Aeryn. We only have half an arn before departure."
Aeryn looked at him coldly. With determination in her voice she replied, "I.will.find out what happened eventually. Trust me on that!"
The three of them left the room leaving Scorpius and John alone.
"They are gone John," Scorpius said still making preparations for the mission.
John turned slowly, his hands covering his face. Scorpius stopped and looked at him. "You know John, I don't think I ever broke you like she did. Perhaps there is something to say for her techniques after all."
John looked up and saw the glaring smile on the leather-masked face. "You frelling bastard," he yelled as he lunged for him, knocking him to the ground.
John struggled with him, getting in only a few punches when Scorpius' strength overpowered him. He wrapped his hands around John's throat pinning him to the ground.
"You frelling human! If I didn't need you I would surely snap your worthless neck," Scorpius said as he released him and rose to his feet.
John lay on the floor gasping for air, as D'Argo walked in. "What the frell did you do?" D'Argo shouted as he drew his qualta blade and rushed to John's side, his eyes never leaving Scorpius.
"Tread carefully Crichton," Scorpius said as he left command. "Half an arn!"
xxxxx
They met in the maintenance bay and went over the plan again before boarding the Marauder Aeryn had stolen from the mercenaries.
As D'Argo said his good-byes he smiled when he got to Sikozu. "The outfit suits you."
"Shut up Luxan," she said as she climbed the ladder to the ship.
D'Argo pulled John aside to speak to him privately. He saw the angry welts on his neck start to appear, but that wasn't his major concern.
John sighed, "Yeah, what is it D?"
"Do you have the bugs the old woman gave you? I think it would be a good thing to take them with you. None of us know what's going to happen on the carrier."
John sighed reaching into his pocket and holding his hand out. "Trust me I don't want that to ever happen again," John said as a sickening feeling overcame him.
D'Argo nodded in understanding. "Be careful my friend and don't put your trust in Scorpius."
"You know I will big guy." John replied. "Gotta go."
The bay doors opened as the Marauder gracefully flew into the atmosphere.
"So Scorpius the plan is after thirty microts, we're to head back to the landing bay. Right?" Chiana asked trying to break the deafening silence on the ship.
"That is correct Chiana. We should be back and ready to depart," Scorpius replied. He had left out a small part purposely, but decided it could wait a while longer.
The marauder had gone quiet again. Aeryn looked behind her and saw John just sitting and staring. She knew this was very uncharacteristic of him. Of all people he was always the one who had something to say. "Chiana, is John alright?" Aeryn whispered the question, not wanting Scorpius to overhear her.
Chiana looked behind her and saw the lifeless look on his face. "He will be Aeryn. I'll go sit with him and try to snap him out of it."
"Chiana, John has helped me. I want to be able to do the same, but I need to know what happened to him."
Chiana thought for a moment. Deciding on her answer she simply said, "It's not my story to tell. Sorry Aeryn." On that note she went to try to talk to John.
"Frell," Aeryn mumbled under her breath, slamming her hand on the console.
"Doing ok John?" Chiana asked in an uplifting voice. She noticed the welts on his neck as she turned his head to face her. "What the frell happened to your neck?"
John pulled his face out of her grasp as he replied, "Just Scorpy and me. We had a little disagreement. Nothing for anyone to worry about."
Chiana was getting frustrated with him now. "Look John. I know the pain you are feeling and the uncertainty of what is to come but we've got a mission to complete. If you can't stay focused I need to know. I for one don't want to die. Tell me you are ready for it!"
John pulled her to him, leaning his head against hers. "Can't a guy have a few thoughts to himself before the big battle? I'm getting my mind right that's all Pip," he replied kissing her on the forehead. "I'm fine, don't worry."
Content with his answer, she snuggled closer to him.
xxxxx
The carrier was in sight now. Aeryn remembered the peacekeeper boarding requests as the Marauder was welcomed into the carrier, without event. They disembarked in the landing bay with no one the wiser. As the group started to separate to do their assigned jobs, Scorpius pulled John aside.
"I know what we are supposed to do, so lets just get on with it," John said, tired with this whole mess.
"Oh no John. You see there is something I forgot to mention. Before you leave this ship, you are to destroy Commandant Grayza. A small thing, but one I'm sure you will get great pleasure from," Scorpius replied, seeing the surprise in Crichton's face.
"That wasn't part of the original plan and you know it!" John didn't want to be in close proximity to that woman for any reason.
Scorpius cocked his head sideways as he replied. "Actually it was. I just failed to mention it. I can't afford to let her live and compromise my work any longer."
Scorpius and Aeryn were on their way out of the bay as John shouted back, "And what if I can't get that close to her?"
He stopped at the doors and looked at John. Smiling he replied, "I'm sure you will figure something out."
"Frell you freak!"
Sikozu was nervous being on a peacekeeper vessel. The exchange between Crichton and the abomination made her feel even more unsettled. "What now Crichton?"
In a veiled voice John answered. "We're supposed to kill Grayza as part of this mission."
Both girls looked at him puzzled.
"Suits me fine," Chiana said. "If anyone needs to be spaced it's her."
John pushed them ahead, "Let's just worry about the main part first. We'll deal with that later."
xxxxx
It was a good thing the lab was away from the main part of the ship. Aeryn and Scorpius had encountered more peacekeepers than they had envisioned. So far their progress was ahead of schedule, as they weaved through the corridors without resistance.
"Scorpius are you getting a bad feeling about this? No one has even questioned us. I know it's been a long time for me, but does this seem normal to you?'
"Exactly Officer Sun. I think they know we are here. I believe they will be setting some kind of trap for us."
"What do you suggest then?"
He thought for a moment before answering. "Here," he motioned as they entered an empty room. "We will wait until Crichton has started at the other end of the ship. They will have no choice but to desert this area to tend to the main part. Then we will proceed."
Aeryn nodded in agreement.
'Did you really think you could outsmart me Grayza?' Scorpius thought to himself.
xxxxx
Crichton was stopped in the first corridor. "Where are you going sir?"
"We are taking this Nebari tralk to one of the cells. She is my prisoner," he replied in his accent.
The Sergeant looked them over, especially the Nebari and nodded for them to proceed.
The whole area of the ship was crawling with peacekeepers. John, Chiana and Sikozu needed to find somewhere that was isolated, but near this part before they could begin their work. They diverted to a less populated corridor.
"This is insane Crichton! There is nothing but frelling soldiers everywhere we turn!" Sikozu said, irritated by the stupidity of the plan. "We need to come up with something more viable!"
"Any suggestions Red?" Chiana asked smiling.
Sikozu looked at Chiana as if she had been insulted. "Who are you calling Red, Nebari?"
Chiana giggled slightly, "Sorry. Couldn't help it. It just seemed to fit at that microt."
John sighed knowing he couldn't let the bantering keep going. "Both of you stop. What have you got in mind Sputnik?"
"The way I see it we need to split up and stay low. We can get more done that way. How many charges do we need to set Crichton?"
"A total of twenty on this side of the ship. That's the only way we are going to send the other peacekeepers towards us."
"Chiana, John and I can move about freely, you of course can't. So I suggest you take the less populated areas and John and I will do the others. Map please."
Sikozu pointed out the targets they wanted to hit to have the best impact on the carrier.
"Didn't know you knew about carriers to," John said impressed at her logic.
"There's a lot you don't know about me, but lets get this done and get off this carrier," she said anxiously.
xxxxx
"Where are they hiding?" Grayza asked lounging in her quarters.
"We are not quite sure ma'am. We seem to have lost them," Braca responded.
"How did that happen, Captain? I told you I didn't want them to know we were following them! Can't your soldiers do anything right!"
Braca lowered his head as he replied, "I'm sorry commandant. The men were very careful. I don't know how they detected us."
Grayza waived him off. "No matter Braca. Any sign of John Crichton?"
"Ma'am we have no indication that he is anywhere near our location. The two appear to be alone."
"Very well, Braca. Keep looking for them. They can only hide for so long on this ship."
When Braca left, Grayza's thoughts went to the human. She wanted him foremost for the humiliation she had suffered at his hands. How he had done it was still a mystery, but she knew it would never happen again. He was the one being she would always be wary of. Now Grayza knew why he was called notorious around the Unchartereds.