The Price Part 3
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 great beta reading. I couldn't have done it without her.
Part 1: www.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/984/129906 Part 2: 129982
John and Sikozu planted their devices in the designated locations, moving freely about the ship. Chiana took the back corridors, following her instructions to the most strategic locations in the vicinity.
They met back in the original corridor where they had laid their plan out, pleased with the way things had gone. The explosives were set with times that would set them off within microts of each each other, hopefully sending the ship into chaos.
"Well are we ready?" Chiana asked, enthusiastically hoping their plan would work.
John saw the smile on her face. "Why are you so happy Chi? People are gonna die here. I know it's for Aeryn but I don't feel like celebrating if that's ok with you."
Chiana stiffened slightly at John's response. She dismissed it, knowing he was on edge. "Sorry Crichton. After this we still have to take care of Grayza."
"I got it Chiana," John said, feeling anger over her enthusiasm. "I didn't forget."
"John! Just set off the sequence will you?" Sikozu asked irritated.
He pulled the detonator out and hit the button. There was a slight delay before the explosives went off, sending the carrier careening.
xxxxx
Aeryn and Scorpius waited as they heard the explosion. They wanted the area clear before they went any further.
Scorpius listened intently to the retreating footfalls, actually counting them in his head. Once satisfied, he motioned to Aeryn.
"I think it is time to proceed to the lab. Be prepared though. Not all of them have retreated to the other side, " he said as he stepped into the corridor.
The two of them quickly made it to their destination.
"You take right, I will take left, and we need to have each others backs," Aeryn said, hoping her point was understood, as she threw him her extra pistol.
Scorpius looked at her with a newfound respect.
He knew if she died he had no hold over Crichton. He definitely understood the ramifications of this mission.
"Of course, Aeryn," he replied. "Did you think otherwise?"
Aeryn said sarcastically. "I knew you would understand. On my count. one, two, three."
They stormed the lab, guns pulled and firing. Three soldiers were taken down quickly, having been right in the open. The other five guards were more than they expected. They backed themselves out of lab and into the corridor, Aeryn taking another soldier down on her way out.
Aeryn slid down to the floor exhausted from the encounter. She knew they would have to take the other four by surprise as she eyed the vent in the corridor.
She recognized the shaft immediately. "There," she pointed.
Scorpius looked up in dismay, not understanding the significance of the vent. "What do you have in mind, Officer Sun?"
Raising herself to her feet she, pulled the vent open. "I need a diversion. Do you think you can do it?"
"Of course," he replied. "Just tell me what you want."
xxxxx
"Braca, report to me immediately!" Grayza commanded over the comm. She couldn't believe this was happening. She prided herself with the security measures she had instituted. The only way an enemy could get on her ship was if someone didn't follow procedure, or so she thought.
Braca was out of breath as he faced Grayza. "Ma'am?"
Standing stiffly in front of him, she asked. "What is the meaning of this? Who has penetrated my ship?"
"Ma'am, the only two we detected were Scorpius and Sun. We are still trying to locate the other intruders," Braca replied, sure he was an arn closer to his death.
Grayza was furious with her inept Captain. "I think perhaps Crichton is among us. Blowing up carriers seems to be his signature now," the commandant yelled as she circled him. "You wondered why you couldn't find him! He was right under your nose!"
Braca's face had turned ashen as he listened to her tirade. He felt like he was her prey and had been trapped. Not daring to make a move, he waited for her directive.
"Find him!"
xxxxx
Aeryn pulled herself through the vent. "Give me ten microts then go!"
She weaved her way through, stopping over the second vent in the shaft. She waited for Scorpius as she perched patiently, ready to move.
The sound of weapons exchange was her signal. She carefully opened the vent looking before jumping to the ground. Seeing the soldiers in front of her, she descended quietly to the floor of the ship.
Scorpius had shielded himself behind a partition wall. As he saw her hit the ground, the pulse weapon she was bearing started to cut through the enemy soldiers. He came out of hiding and fired from his side of the room.
Within microts the battle was over.
"Quickly Aeryn, we don't have much time," he said in a rushed voice, realizing he hadn't allowed for this sort of delay. "It has to be here. Help me with these vials!"
Searching through the vials with Scorpius, Aeryn saw a movement out of the corner of her eye. "Careful," Aeryn stated in a hushed voice.
She turned quickly to see what looked like a tech huddled in the corner behind a table.
"Show yourself!" Aeryn ordered.
The tech slowly came out in the open, hands raised. "Please, take what you want. I won't try to stop you."
Scorpius stared at the tech, pulse weapon pointed. " Of course you won't. You'd have to be alive to do that."
Aeryn turned quickly to Scorpius, but not fast enough, as the blast from his pistol, sent the tech to the ground.
"Why did you do that? He was just a tech!"
"Unlike you Aeryn Sun, I don't leave my enemies alive."
She remembered the days when she had been just like him. Her life had changed and along with that came new values.
"Finally!" Scorpius exclaimed, holding the vials in his hands. "Look at this Aeryn. This is quite a significant moment for you and I."
"What are you trying to say, Scorpius?" Aeryn asked.
With his leerish grin, he replied, " It is your full recovery and my victory over Crichton's knowledge. You should be pleased."
Aeryn turned away sickened. "Let's get back to the landing bay."
xxxxx
Running out of the lab, Aeryn tapped her comm, "John we have it. We will meet you in the landing bay!"
John sighed in relief, as he replied, " Just hurry Aeryn. We don't know how much longer these explosives are going to keep them occupied. We are heading out now."
John turned to Sikozu and Chiana, "Time for you two to go to the bay. I'm gonna take care of the last part of this mission."
"Grayza." Chiana simply replied.
John nodded, feeling no words were necessary.
"Be careful Crichton. You know what she can do," Chiana replied nervously. "On second thought John.let me do it. She wants you not me."
"No way Pip. This is something I need to take care of, now both of you go. If I'm not there in fifteen microts, head back to Moya without me."
John took off quickly wanting to avoid further conversation. He definitely dreaded the remainder of this mission. The idea of having to go near Grayza sent shivers through his body. He checked his pocket and felt the bugs. 'Some comfort,' he thought to himself as he entered the final corridor.
Scorpius had told him where her quarters were. John didn't know the exact location, but he knew he was close. As he moved deeper into the corridor, he could feel the beads of sweat forming on his forehead, as the not so distant memories were trying to intrude in his current thoughts. "Get rid of it. Focus," he thought to himself, shaking his head, trying to stay with reality.
"Right away ma'am!"
John stepped back into an alcove when he heard Braca's voice. He held his breath, feeling as if he was frozen to the spot. When Braca passed him he relaxed, knowing it was time to move.
Stepping back into the corridor, John quietly made his way to the room Braca had just left. He saw Grayza standing over a table with her back turned to him.
John entered, his pulse pistol trained on her. "You know I could kill you right now, Commandant."
Grayza was stunned by the voice she heard behind her. She purposely didn't turn around knowing she had to play this right. She didn't expect him to fall so easily into her hands, but she was pleased. Soon he would be hers again.
Turning around calmly she said, "and to what do I owe this pleasure?"
"It's business lady. Strictly business!"
Smiling Grayza continued, ignoring his reply, "Actually. I'm not surprised to see you. Some have said they find me hard to resist. What do you think. John?"
Her smile sickened him. John knew she was playing with him, trying to bring up what had happened but he refused to acknowledge her question. It only enraged him, as the memories tried to push their way in. The focus he had fought so desperately to retain was slipping away.
She reached out to touch him, but John jumped back. "Just keep the hell away from me," he shouted, the gun shaking in his hand. 'Why didn't I just shoot her when I had the chance?' he asked himself, trying to clear his thoughts.
"Why did you come back then Crichton? You knew I would attempt to recapture you. I think you're destined to be in my control, after all. you have the knowledge we need to stop the Scarrans, and they are a much more dangerous enemy than we are," Grayza replied with a lilt in her voice, hoping to relax the human.
John laughed, but it wasn't a laugh of happiness. It carried a painful ring to it, the laugh of a man on the verge of hysteria, as the flashes from his memory became more frequent.
Grayza moved towards him again.
"Don't. do that!" John said, evading her.
"And now you're telling me I would be better off in your prison than a Scarran prison. Right? How about we try the flipside. I'm better off without either of you!"
Grayza hoped he would listen to reason, but she could see her tactics weren't working. "John at least in our hands we can protect you from them."
"Yeah, while you're frelling with my mind and.anything.else you.want. Thanks, but no thanks. I'll take my chances," John replied sarcastically, finally feeling in control of himself. "You know, you peacekeepers have one major problem.you think you're superior to every other being. Wrong!"
"Then why did you come here?" Grayza asked, her eyes roaming.
"To kill you," John said simply. "But I've changed my mind. You're not worth the chakhan oil."
John turned his back on her, planning to go meet the rest of Moya's crew. Entering the corridor, he found himself face to face with Braca and several peacekeeper soldiers. John pulled up his weapon to fire, but was knocked to the ground by a soldier who appeared from behind.
Braca kicked the gun out of John's reach and pinned him to the floor with his foot. "I do believe we have found Crichton, Commandant," Braca said smiling.
John could hear her laughter even in his numb state. He tried to shake off the paralysis, for as her footsteps got closer, his panic continued to rise. He feigned being in pain, so Braca would remove his foot as he grabbed his head and rotated to his side, moaning.
John reached down to his pocket in search of the bug, knowing he would need it before Grayza reached him. With the bugs in his shaking hand, he raised it to his face. Grayza immediately saw the movement and kicked his hand, the drugs flying all over the ground.
Grayza bent down to pick one up. She smelled it, thinking for a moment, before a smile appeared on her lips.
She knelt in front of Crichton. "How ingenious John. So this is how you beat me," she said with admiration, rolling it around in her fingers.
John moaned again, but this time with much more than feigned physical pain.
"Well at least I know I didn't lose my touch. But you know.," she said, touching her skin then running a finger along his cheek, "You will pay for this."
John shuddered as the finger ran down his face, trying to fight her as it took hold of his mind.
"Bring him!"
xxxxx
Aeryn and Scorpius finally made it to the landing bay. Scorpius was concerned that he had grossly misjudged the timing of this mission. There had been too many delays that he hadn't expected, thus the safety window he had calculated was much smaller than originally planned.
Aeryn saw Chiana and Sikozu getting the marauder ready for departure. She looked around for John, but didn't see him.
"Chiana, where is Crichton?"
Chiana only glanced at her as she said, "He's coming. John told me to have the ship ready when he got here."
The answer didn't satisfy Aeryn. "I asked.where is he?"
Chiana stopped and looked at her. "I told you. he'll be here soon," she said, not really sure she was speaking the truth.
Aeryn heard the unspoken doubt in Chiana's answer. She knew Chiana was being evasive, which only worried her more.
"But you didn't tell me where he was!"
Sikozu answered her question, glancing at Scorpius first. "Crichton is doing as Scorpius ordered. He's taking care of Commandant Grayza."
Chiana grabbed Sikozu. "Shut up you tralk! It was something he needed to do for himself also."
Aeryn turned to Scorpius, not really hearing Chiana's final statement. "This wasn't part of the deal Scorpius! You did this behind my back. Why?"
Scorpius glared at Sikozu before looking at Aeryn. "She is an enemy Officer Sun. Much has happened since you left Moya, so you wouldn't understand. Let's just say.it was necessary!"
Scorpius felt Aeryn's eyes bore through him. "I will not accept that!" She said, feeling the rage of betrayal engulf her. She had already done enough in her life to hurt John Crichton; she would not be part of this. If death was in her future then so be it. She would not sacrifice him anymore for her own ends.
"Accept it Officer Sun. You have no choice," Scorpius said, holding her lifeline in front of her eyes.
Aeryn's mind was working quickly. "If John dies, how can he help you, Scorpius?"
Scorpius thought for a moment, now realizing his taste for revenge had clouded his better judgment. He wanted Grayza dead with a vengeance. The humiliation she had put him through, all the groveling he had to do had overridden what he originally had planned. He now realized the tremendous danger he had put Crichton in, and he regretted it. After all, he was the only one who had the wormhole knowledge now.
Pulling out the map, Scorpius pointed out the general location of where Grayza's quarters should be.
Aeryn studied the map. "Anything else I need to know?"
Scorpius nodded. "Don't let her touch you!"
Before Aeryn could get the question out, Chiana joined her. "I'm coming with you. I think you're gonna need me."
xxxxx
Grayza's quarters were lavishly furnished. She made sure she had everything in them that she needed including the chains that held the infamous John Crichton.
He hung from the chains, the pain radiating through his arms. He welcomed this over her chemical. At least he felt in control, his mind still functioning.
She looked at the sweat form on his brow. "I told you that you would pay for what you did on Arnessk. I was hoping feeling pleasure would change things for you and make you more willing to help us. I see now I was wrong. Maybe you do need pain after all."
John replied in a whispered voice, "Help you? I don't ever see that happening."
His words only infuriated Grayza more. "Proceed Captain Braca! The human needs to be taught a lesson!"
Braca smiled, relishing the moment. "As you wish ma'am!" He hated this man. He had been nothing but his downfall. He would finally get the moment to vent his anger on the man who had caused him so much trouble.
Braca lifted the lash and put all his force behind it. He smiled as he saw the lacerations on Crichton's back. 'Amazing what one stoke can do,' Braca thought as he saw the reddened skin and heard the human gasp. 'This is for every moment you made my life unbearable, Crichton,' he thought as he continued the beating.
John blocked the painful sensation as much as he could. His mind was still weak from his first encounter with Grayza on Arnessk. He gritted his teeth as each lash hit his back, finally murmuring in pain.
Grayza stopped Braca at this point. "This is exactly where I want him. Enough Braca!"
John hung on the chains muttering nothing that made any sense, his mind and body in hell together.
"Don't fight me anymore John. It will be easier that way," Grayza said, sliding her hand softly over his lips.
John gasped as he breathed the chemical in. 'Not again. Please no!' His mind was screaming not to let this happen again. "No.", was all that escaped his lips.
Grayza and Braca watched him struggle against the chains as the chemical slowly took hold of his mind. She smiled as his movements became sporadic and finally still.
Grayza nodded to Braca, "Captain, release him now. I think he's ready to be questioned."
Braca reached up and unlocked the shackles that were holding John. He caught him before he hit the ground, the human limp in his hands. "Where do you want him ma'am?"
"Leave him where he is Braca," Grayza replied, her focus now on her Captain. "I think you should join your men and continue the search for the intruders. I.want them found."
"Very well, ma'am," Braca replied, releasing Crichton. He started to leave, then turned back, "You are sure you don't need my help with.him?"
"I assure you, Captain, I have everything under control."
I will be posting again on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Hope you join me then. Thanks for all the feedback. You guys are great!
Can
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 great beta reading. I couldn't have done it without her.
Part 1: www.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/984/129906 Part 2: 129982
John and Sikozu planted their devices in the designated locations, moving freely about the ship. Chiana took the back corridors, following her instructions to the most strategic locations in the vicinity.
They met back in the original corridor where they had laid their plan out, pleased with the way things had gone. The explosives were set with times that would set them off within microts of each each other, hopefully sending the ship into chaos.
"Well are we ready?" Chiana asked, enthusiastically hoping their plan would work.
John saw the smile on her face. "Why are you so happy Chi? People are gonna die here. I know it's for Aeryn but I don't feel like celebrating if that's ok with you."
Chiana stiffened slightly at John's response. She dismissed it, knowing he was on edge. "Sorry Crichton. After this we still have to take care of Grayza."
"I got it Chiana," John said, feeling anger over her enthusiasm. "I didn't forget."
"John! Just set off the sequence will you?" Sikozu asked irritated.
He pulled the detonator out and hit the button. There was a slight delay before the explosives went off, sending the carrier careening.
xxxxx
Aeryn and Scorpius waited as they heard the explosion. They wanted the area clear before they went any further.
Scorpius listened intently to the retreating footfalls, actually counting them in his head. Once satisfied, he motioned to Aeryn.
"I think it is time to proceed to the lab. Be prepared though. Not all of them have retreated to the other side, " he said as he stepped into the corridor.
The two of them quickly made it to their destination.
"You take right, I will take left, and we need to have each others backs," Aeryn said, hoping her point was understood, as she threw him her extra pistol.
Scorpius looked at her with a newfound respect.
He knew if she died he had no hold over Crichton. He definitely understood the ramifications of this mission.
"Of course, Aeryn," he replied. "Did you think otherwise?"
Aeryn said sarcastically. "I knew you would understand. On my count. one, two, three."
They stormed the lab, guns pulled and firing. Three soldiers were taken down quickly, having been right in the open. The other five guards were more than they expected. They backed themselves out of lab and into the corridor, Aeryn taking another soldier down on her way out.
Aeryn slid down to the floor exhausted from the encounter. She knew they would have to take the other four by surprise as she eyed the vent in the corridor.
She recognized the shaft immediately. "There," she pointed.
Scorpius looked up in dismay, not understanding the significance of the vent. "What do you have in mind, Officer Sun?"
Raising herself to her feet she, pulled the vent open. "I need a diversion. Do you think you can do it?"
"Of course," he replied. "Just tell me what you want."
xxxxx
"Braca, report to me immediately!" Grayza commanded over the comm. She couldn't believe this was happening. She prided herself with the security measures she had instituted. The only way an enemy could get on her ship was if someone didn't follow procedure, or so she thought.
Braca was out of breath as he faced Grayza. "Ma'am?"
Standing stiffly in front of him, she asked. "What is the meaning of this? Who has penetrated my ship?"
"Ma'am, the only two we detected were Scorpius and Sun. We are still trying to locate the other intruders," Braca replied, sure he was an arn closer to his death.
Grayza was furious with her inept Captain. "I think perhaps Crichton is among us. Blowing up carriers seems to be his signature now," the commandant yelled as she circled him. "You wondered why you couldn't find him! He was right under your nose!"
Braca's face had turned ashen as he listened to her tirade. He felt like he was her prey and had been trapped. Not daring to make a move, he waited for her directive.
"Find him!"
xxxxx
Aeryn pulled herself through the vent. "Give me ten microts then go!"
She weaved her way through, stopping over the second vent in the shaft. She waited for Scorpius as she perched patiently, ready to move.
The sound of weapons exchange was her signal. She carefully opened the vent looking before jumping to the ground. Seeing the soldiers in front of her, she descended quietly to the floor of the ship.
Scorpius had shielded himself behind a partition wall. As he saw her hit the ground, the pulse weapon she was bearing started to cut through the enemy soldiers. He came out of hiding and fired from his side of the room.
Within microts the battle was over.
"Quickly Aeryn, we don't have much time," he said in a rushed voice, realizing he hadn't allowed for this sort of delay. "It has to be here. Help me with these vials!"
Searching through the vials with Scorpius, Aeryn saw a movement out of the corner of her eye. "Careful," Aeryn stated in a hushed voice.
She turned quickly to see what looked like a tech huddled in the corner behind a table.
"Show yourself!" Aeryn ordered.
The tech slowly came out in the open, hands raised. "Please, take what you want. I won't try to stop you."
Scorpius stared at the tech, pulse weapon pointed. " Of course you won't. You'd have to be alive to do that."
Aeryn turned quickly to Scorpius, but not fast enough, as the blast from his pistol, sent the tech to the ground.
"Why did you do that? He was just a tech!"
"Unlike you Aeryn Sun, I don't leave my enemies alive."
She remembered the days when she had been just like him. Her life had changed and along with that came new values.
"Finally!" Scorpius exclaimed, holding the vials in his hands. "Look at this Aeryn. This is quite a significant moment for you and I."
"What are you trying to say, Scorpius?" Aeryn asked.
With his leerish grin, he replied, " It is your full recovery and my victory over Crichton's knowledge. You should be pleased."
Aeryn turned away sickened. "Let's get back to the landing bay."
xxxxx
Running out of the lab, Aeryn tapped her comm, "John we have it. We will meet you in the landing bay!"
John sighed in relief, as he replied, " Just hurry Aeryn. We don't know how much longer these explosives are going to keep them occupied. We are heading out now."
John turned to Sikozu and Chiana, "Time for you two to go to the bay. I'm gonna take care of the last part of this mission."
"Grayza." Chiana simply replied.
John nodded, feeling no words were necessary.
"Be careful Crichton. You know what she can do," Chiana replied nervously. "On second thought John.let me do it. She wants you not me."
"No way Pip. This is something I need to take care of, now both of you go. If I'm not there in fifteen microts, head back to Moya without me."
John took off quickly wanting to avoid further conversation. He definitely dreaded the remainder of this mission. The idea of having to go near Grayza sent shivers through his body. He checked his pocket and felt the bugs. 'Some comfort,' he thought to himself as he entered the final corridor.
Scorpius had told him where her quarters were. John didn't know the exact location, but he knew he was close. As he moved deeper into the corridor, he could feel the beads of sweat forming on his forehead, as the not so distant memories were trying to intrude in his current thoughts. "Get rid of it. Focus," he thought to himself, shaking his head, trying to stay with reality.
"Right away ma'am!"
John stepped back into an alcove when he heard Braca's voice. He held his breath, feeling as if he was frozen to the spot. When Braca passed him he relaxed, knowing it was time to move.
Stepping back into the corridor, John quietly made his way to the room Braca had just left. He saw Grayza standing over a table with her back turned to him.
John entered, his pulse pistol trained on her. "You know I could kill you right now, Commandant."
Grayza was stunned by the voice she heard behind her. She purposely didn't turn around knowing she had to play this right. She didn't expect him to fall so easily into her hands, but she was pleased. Soon he would be hers again.
Turning around calmly she said, "and to what do I owe this pleasure?"
"It's business lady. Strictly business!"
Smiling Grayza continued, ignoring his reply, "Actually. I'm not surprised to see you. Some have said they find me hard to resist. What do you think. John?"
Her smile sickened him. John knew she was playing with him, trying to bring up what had happened but he refused to acknowledge her question. It only enraged him, as the memories tried to push their way in. The focus he had fought so desperately to retain was slipping away.
She reached out to touch him, but John jumped back. "Just keep the hell away from me," he shouted, the gun shaking in his hand. 'Why didn't I just shoot her when I had the chance?' he asked himself, trying to clear his thoughts.
"Why did you come back then Crichton? You knew I would attempt to recapture you. I think you're destined to be in my control, after all. you have the knowledge we need to stop the Scarrans, and they are a much more dangerous enemy than we are," Grayza replied with a lilt in her voice, hoping to relax the human.
John laughed, but it wasn't a laugh of happiness. It carried a painful ring to it, the laugh of a man on the verge of hysteria, as the flashes from his memory became more frequent.
Grayza moved towards him again.
"Don't. do that!" John said, evading her.
"And now you're telling me I would be better off in your prison than a Scarran prison. Right? How about we try the flipside. I'm better off without either of you!"
Grayza hoped he would listen to reason, but she could see her tactics weren't working. "John at least in our hands we can protect you from them."
"Yeah, while you're frelling with my mind and.anything.else you.want. Thanks, but no thanks. I'll take my chances," John replied sarcastically, finally feeling in control of himself. "You know, you peacekeepers have one major problem.you think you're superior to every other being. Wrong!"
"Then why did you come here?" Grayza asked, her eyes roaming.
"To kill you," John said simply. "But I've changed my mind. You're not worth the chakhan oil."
John turned his back on her, planning to go meet the rest of Moya's crew. Entering the corridor, he found himself face to face with Braca and several peacekeeper soldiers. John pulled up his weapon to fire, but was knocked to the ground by a soldier who appeared from behind.
Braca kicked the gun out of John's reach and pinned him to the floor with his foot. "I do believe we have found Crichton, Commandant," Braca said smiling.
John could hear her laughter even in his numb state. He tried to shake off the paralysis, for as her footsteps got closer, his panic continued to rise. He feigned being in pain, so Braca would remove his foot as he grabbed his head and rotated to his side, moaning.
John reached down to his pocket in search of the bug, knowing he would need it before Grayza reached him. With the bugs in his shaking hand, he raised it to his face. Grayza immediately saw the movement and kicked his hand, the drugs flying all over the ground.
Grayza bent down to pick one up. She smelled it, thinking for a moment, before a smile appeared on her lips.
She knelt in front of Crichton. "How ingenious John. So this is how you beat me," she said with admiration, rolling it around in her fingers.
John moaned again, but this time with much more than feigned physical pain.
"Well at least I know I didn't lose my touch. But you know.," she said, touching her skin then running a finger along his cheek, "You will pay for this."
John shuddered as the finger ran down his face, trying to fight her as it took hold of his mind.
"Bring him!"
xxxxx
Aeryn and Scorpius finally made it to the landing bay. Scorpius was concerned that he had grossly misjudged the timing of this mission. There had been too many delays that he hadn't expected, thus the safety window he had calculated was much smaller than originally planned.
Aeryn saw Chiana and Sikozu getting the marauder ready for departure. She looked around for John, but didn't see him.
"Chiana, where is Crichton?"
Chiana only glanced at her as she said, "He's coming. John told me to have the ship ready when he got here."
The answer didn't satisfy Aeryn. "I asked.where is he?"
Chiana stopped and looked at her. "I told you. he'll be here soon," she said, not really sure she was speaking the truth.
Aeryn heard the unspoken doubt in Chiana's answer. She knew Chiana was being evasive, which only worried her more.
"But you didn't tell me where he was!"
Sikozu answered her question, glancing at Scorpius first. "Crichton is doing as Scorpius ordered. He's taking care of Commandant Grayza."
Chiana grabbed Sikozu. "Shut up you tralk! It was something he needed to do for himself also."
Aeryn turned to Scorpius, not really hearing Chiana's final statement. "This wasn't part of the deal Scorpius! You did this behind my back. Why?"
Scorpius glared at Sikozu before looking at Aeryn. "She is an enemy Officer Sun. Much has happened since you left Moya, so you wouldn't understand. Let's just say.it was necessary!"
Scorpius felt Aeryn's eyes bore through him. "I will not accept that!" She said, feeling the rage of betrayal engulf her. She had already done enough in her life to hurt John Crichton; she would not be part of this. If death was in her future then so be it. She would not sacrifice him anymore for her own ends.
"Accept it Officer Sun. You have no choice," Scorpius said, holding her lifeline in front of her eyes.
Aeryn's mind was working quickly. "If John dies, how can he help you, Scorpius?"
Scorpius thought for a moment, now realizing his taste for revenge had clouded his better judgment. He wanted Grayza dead with a vengeance. The humiliation she had put him through, all the groveling he had to do had overridden what he originally had planned. He now realized the tremendous danger he had put Crichton in, and he regretted it. After all, he was the only one who had the wormhole knowledge now.
Pulling out the map, Scorpius pointed out the general location of where Grayza's quarters should be.
Aeryn studied the map. "Anything else I need to know?"
Scorpius nodded. "Don't let her touch you!"
Before Aeryn could get the question out, Chiana joined her. "I'm coming with you. I think you're gonna need me."
xxxxx
Grayza's quarters were lavishly furnished. She made sure she had everything in them that she needed including the chains that held the infamous John Crichton.
He hung from the chains, the pain radiating through his arms. He welcomed this over her chemical. At least he felt in control, his mind still functioning.
She looked at the sweat form on his brow. "I told you that you would pay for what you did on Arnessk. I was hoping feeling pleasure would change things for you and make you more willing to help us. I see now I was wrong. Maybe you do need pain after all."
John replied in a whispered voice, "Help you? I don't ever see that happening."
His words only infuriated Grayza more. "Proceed Captain Braca! The human needs to be taught a lesson!"
Braca smiled, relishing the moment. "As you wish ma'am!" He hated this man. He had been nothing but his downfall. He would finally get the moment to vent his anger on the man who had caused him so much trouble.
Braca lifted the lash and put all his force behind it. He smiled as he saw the lacerations on Crichton's back. 'Amazing what one stoke can do,' Braca thought as he saw the reddened skin and heard the human gasp. 'This is for every moment you made my life unbearable, Crichton,' he thought as he continued the beating.
John blocked the painful sensation as much as he could. His mind was still weak from his first encounter with Grayza on Arnessk. He gritted his teeth as each lash hit his back, finally murmuring in pain.
Grayza stopped Braca at this point. "This is exactly where I want him. Enough Braca!"
John hung on the chains muttering nothing that made any sense, his mind and body in hell together.
"Don't fight me anymore John. It will be easier that way," Grayza said, sliding her hand softly over his lips.
John gasped as he breathed the chemical in. 'Not again. Please no!' His mind was screaming not to let this happen again. "No.", was all that escaped his lips.
Grayza and Braca watched him struggle against the chains as the chemical slowly took hold of his mind. She smiled as his movements became sporadic and finally still.
Grayza nodded to Braca, "Captain, release him now. I think he's ready to be questioned."
Braca reached up and unlocked the shackles that were holding John. He caught him before he hit the ground, the human limp in his hands. "Where do you want him ma'am?"
"Leave him where he is Braca," Grayza replied, her focus now on her Captain. "I think you should join your men and continue the search for the intruders. I.want them found."
"Very well, ma'am," Braca replied, releasing Crichton. He started to leave, then turned back, "You are sure you don't need my help with.him?"
"I assure you, Captain, I have everything under control."
I will be posting again on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Hope you join me then. Thanks for all the feedback. You guys are great!
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