The Price Part 15
By: Can (lucyc_23455@yahoo.com)
Spoilers: Up to WWL Part 2
Rating: PG - 13
Disclaimer: I don't own them
Thanks gbbarb for the beta reading
"Tirus you must come now! Peacekeepers!" Ratoc shouted down the corridor. Tirus stopped, and turned away from the lab.
Walking back the way he came, Tirus thought, 'the work will have to wait for now.' He would not have peacekeepers disrupting his people. As he rounded the passageway, Scorpius met him.
"Did I hear Ratoc correctly? The peacekeepers are here?" Scorpius asked, glaring. He couldn't afford for John or himself to end up in their hands again. The pod wasn't an option. The soldiers had probably already found it.
"Yes. That is what I am getting ready to look into. Is there a problem, Scorpius?" Tirus asked, noticing the look on his face.
Scorpius nodded. "The soldiers are hunting us. We cannot allow them to capture John Crichton. The knowledge he possesses is very dangerous. Only I.know what to do with it!"
"So you have brought these war mongers among us, terrorizing my people," Tirus replied unpleasantly. "It seems you have much to tell me, but not now. I need to deal with our current situation. Ratoc, go with Scorpius and help him with the human. I want them hidden in the underground. Take supplies with you and stay with them."
Ratoc protested. "Tirus, I will not leave you alone to handle these soldiers!"
"You will do as I wish, Ratoc," Tirus replied, motioning him to proceed with Scorpius. "You must hurry!"
Ratoc nodded angrily, glancing back at Tirus. "Of course!" He stated, leading Scorpius to the lab.
Tirus gracefully ignored the expression on his doctor's face, understanding his allegiance. He sighed as he headed to the entrance of the building.
xxxxx
Scorpius and Ratoc entered the lab, only to find it empty, except for the doctor lying on the floor. Ratoc went quickly to his side to examine him.
Scorpius let out a loud guttural growl, sending shivers up Ratoc's back. He had never heard anything like it in his life span, turning to find the cause. Scorpius was ripping the bed apart enraged by the absence of the human.
Ratoc quickly rose to his feet, knowing he could do nothing for his friend. "Scorpius, stop it! They will hear you and draw them to us!"
"How could this happen? Where is Crichton?" Scorpius' rage was all consuming, as he shattered everything within reach.
"I demand you stop!" Ratoc shouted. "You will only make things worse by your ranting! He will be found, but we must go now, or you will fall into their hands!"
Scorpius stopped, Ratoc's words penetrating his thoughts. Slowly lowering the chair, Scorpius regained control of himself. "You are correct, Ratoc. If I expect to help John, I can't afford to be captured by the peacekeepers. We should leave immediately."
Ratoc nodded, leading Scorpius down the corridor and into the depths of the tunnels.
xxxxx
Moya was floating serenely in space, starburst over. D'Argo and Aeryn were in command discussing a plan to rescue John.
"Aeryn we don't know anything about this planet. We do know someone is helping Scorpius, or he wouldn't have chosen it," D'Argo said, standing next to Aeryn as she gazed at the stars.
"John and I used to sit on the terrace in each others arms and just stare into space for arns," Aeryn said, detached from her current surroundings.
D'Argo laid a hand lightly on her arm, needing her to focus. "I wish that for you again, Aeryn."
She shook the thoughts loose and looked at D'Argo. "I'm sorry," Aeryn replied softly, hugging herself. "This is not the time to be thinking of the past." Turning her back from the view, she tapped her comm, "Pilot, what can you tell us about the planet and its inhabitants?"
"Officer Sun, the information from Moya's databanks tells us the planet is inhabited by a species called Karaks. They are a highly intelligent and peaceful race." Pilot stated. "That is all I know."
"Thank you, Pilot," D'Argo replied. "At least we know they are peaceful, but why would they be helping Scorpius?" This point puzzled the Luxan.
"I'm sure they are no different than any other species. Scorpius has something they want," Aeryn replied, realization suddenly hitting, feeling like someone had slapped her across the face.
She and D'Argo locked eyes as the word came off both of their lips at the same time. "John!"
"Pilot, how much longer until we rendezvous with the planet?" Aeryn asked, her tone demanding. 'Frell!' She kept thinking to herself, her hands together, fingers upturned, touching her chin, waiting for his answer.
"Is something wrong, Officer Sun? I detect you and Ka D'Argo have found a problem?" Pilot asked, concerned for the crew.
D'Argo spoke for Aeryn. "Yes and no, Pilot. We think John might be facing more danger than just Scorpius."
"I am sorry to hear that, Ka D'Argo. We should be within range of the planet within an arn," Pilot answered simply.
xxxxx
The Lieutenant dragged John back to the Marauder, dropping the unconscious human face down on the ground. 'Grayza's going to be very pleased,' he thought to himself. He opened his comm and advised his men of Crichton's capture. The Lieutenant ordered them to scour the city for the rest of the crew.
John groaned, his head exploding from the pain. He tried to grab his head, but his wrists were cuffed together. John slowly came to his senses, opening the one eye that wasn't in the dirt. Seeing the peacekeeper, John whispered under his breath, "Shit. Just one nightmare after another." He found himself struggling against the restraints, only to find out quickly his fight was useless, the bruising on his wrists worse.
The Lieutenant saw he had wakened and bent down on one knee, grabbing Crichton by the hair, pulling his head back, causing John's muscles to scream in pain. "You thought you could evade us but we have found you! Your efforts to escape are futile! You should know by now Commandant Grayza always gets what she wants!"
The Lieutenant slammed John's head against the ground, watching the crimson blood merge with the once brown dirt. "Don't damage the merchandise," John mumbled, his eyes closing against the most recent abuse to his head.
The Lieutenant laughed aloud. "Grayza only wants you alive, what condition you are in doesn't matter. She should be here soon, so don't frell with me, Crichton!"
"Wouldn't think.of it," John replied, trying to stay conscious.
He had to figure a way out of this and Grayza wasn't an option. She ranked with Scorpius in his feeble mind, comparing the two. Both of them wanted to destroy him bit by bit in their own way, for their own end. John decided he wouldn't be an equation for them to use anymore, even if it meant the end of his own life by his own hands.
'I'm not going back!' John thought, making this a promise to himself, life or death not mattering anymore.
xxxxx
"How much longer?" Grayza asked, pacing the floors of command. The transmission from the Lieutenant had been music to her ears, the capture of Crichton! She forgot about the Leviathan after she heard the news, but the wait was more than she could bear, as she paced in anticipation of the moment she would finally be face to face with the human again.
"In a little over an arn, Commandant," Braca replied. "What are your orders?" He wanted to be away from all this. The thought of revenge on Scorpius was appealing, but Crichton and the rest of the escaped prisoners only brought them trouble. Braca had barely escaped with his own life after their last encounter.
"Sergeant, ask your Lieutenant if they have found the others? We may need to join them in their search," Grayza ordered, hoping it wouldn't be necessary.
"Yes, ma'am," he replied, opening his comm. "Lieutenant, what about the others? Have you captured them?"
"No sir," the Lieutenant replied. "Some of my men are in the town square interrogating the people. We should have them soon, sir." The Lieutenant was confident the rest of the crew would be found if they were on this planet.
"We will join you on Karak when we are within range, Lieutenant," Grayza replied, turning to Braca and the Sergeant. "Make three Marauders ready. We will leave as soon as we enter the atmosphere." Grayza dismissed them, turning on her heels and walking out of command. "I will be in my quarters if anything should become amiss."
xxxxx
Tirus stood outside the building, watching his people run for their lives, terrorized by the soldiers. He had to stop this, there being no reason for it. He quickly walked down the stairs intent on getting the peacekeeper's attention.
Stepping to the ground, Tirus felt a gun against his head. " What do you want?" He asked, staring at the soldier.
"We are looking for the escaped prisoners. One has already been captured. Tell me where the others are and we will spare your world!" The peacekeeper demanded, prodding the Karak with his pistol.
Calmly, Tirus replied, "Show me who you are searching for. I will see if I can help." He knew that the human had been captured, but Tirus was curious to see Crichton's comrades.
The soldier activated the holo for the Karak. Tirus watched, seeing many faces he had never seen before. The only one he recognized was the human and noticed Scorpius wasn't one of the hunted.
Tirus shook his head. "The only one who has been here is the human you have already captured. He came alone," he explained to the peacekeeper, never taking his eyes from the soldier's face.
"You lie! Crichton would never come here by himself!" The peacekeeper's face was red with rage. "They never travel alone!"
Tirus stared intently at the man, aware of his anger. "You are welcome to search my home world if you don't believe me, but .peacefully. I will not have you terrorizing my people! Is that understood?"
The soldier was slightly taken aback by the Karak. "Your people will not resist us?"
"Of course not. We have nothing to hide. The human you have in custody was allowed to stay since he had nowhere else to go. I know nothing about him. That is your business." Tirus thought the soldier believed him. Scorpius now posed a newer problem for him, the first being the peacekeepers could not be allowed to find him, the second, his deception.
xxxxx
Aeryn and D'Argo were in the landing bay by the ships arguing. "We will take my vessel, Aeryn! The transport pod is too risky," D'Argo said, impatiently, shaking his head. "We don't know what is down there!"
"D'Argo, I understand your point, but if something happens to you, who's going to fly the ship? It only responds to your DNA," Aeryn replied.
"Trust me, Sikozu and Chiana know how to handle it if the situation occurs," D'Argo replied, thinking back to their use of his fluids the last time they were in trouble.
Pilot's hurried voice came over the crackling comms, stopping the argument. "I am picking up peacekeeper signatures on the planet! My scans tell me they are at least five!"
"Is there a carrier anywhere nearby, Pilot?" Aeryn asked, her heart pounding in her chest. Scorpius and the Karaks weren't going to be their only worries now.
"No, Officer Sun. I don't know where they came from. Moya's scanners haven't picked up any activity since we've been on this vector." Pilot stated, baffled by the peacekeeper presence.
D'Argo opened his comms, "Chiana and Sikozu, we need to leave now! Aeryn and I are already in the bay, so hurry!"
D'Argo and Aeryn climbed into the ship, D'Argo shouting instructions. " Pilot, download the coordinates to my databanks while I do a systems check. Aeryn make sure we have enough weapons, I'm sure we are going to need them."
"What the frell is going on?" Chiana asked, running into the hangar and boarding the ship, Sikozu close behind. They took their seats waiting for answers.
Aeryn was busy checking the weapons, replying without looking up. "Pilot has picked up a peacekeeper presence on the planet. It seems small now, but I would say it's inevitable a carrier is on its way. We need to get in and out before they get here!"
"I'm sure it's Grayza! Frell!" Chiana responded, fear setting in, especially for John. "Isn't she ever going to give up?"
"People with only revenge on their minds never give up, Chiana. This is personal to her now. John has escaped twice, making her look like a fool, the exact thing she accused Scorpius of. Grayza won't give up until John is either in her hands or dead!" Sikozu stated plainly.
Aeryn glanced at Sikozu, fear gripping her heart, knowing the girl had spoken the truth.
"Aeryn the ship is ready. Are you finished?" D'Argo asked, impatient to be on their way.
"Yes, D'Argo. Lets go," Aeryn replied, turning away from the girl, making her way to the front of the vessel. She took her seat as the ship exited Moya into open space.
xxxxx
The Lieutenant was enjoying taunting the human. "So how does it feel to know you will be in Grayza's hands once again? Come on human tell me," he said, smiling, watching the man flinch. Getting no response, the soldier nudged John with his foot in his already sore ribs.
John groaned slightly, closing his eyes against the sharp pains that radiated from his rib cage through his chest. He opened his eyes as the throbbing subsided, still ignoring the peacekeeper. John knew he was pissing him off, but he didn't care. He wouldn't give him the satisfaction of answering him.
The impatience in the soldier grew. He wanted to torment the human before Grayza took him. This man had made them all look like incompetent fools, especially after the way they had sabotaged the carrier. Leaning down close to Crichton's ear snickering, he said, " I hear you were putty in her hands, letting her do anything she wanted. You gave in easily, like you wanted her. How I wish I could have."
John felt sick at first, but the longer the Lieutenant spoke, his body was filling with an intense rage. John let the emotion take him as he slammed the cuffs against the side of the Lieutenant's head. The soldier was flung to his back. John was on his feet immediately, pounding his fists into the soldier's face.
"You frelling asshole!" John shouted, blinded with anger, still beating him. "I'll kill her if I ever see her again!" John didn't stop until he felt the exhaustion sweep his body. He never noticed the Lieutenant had stopped moving or the blood that was flowing from the soldier's head.
"I.won't.go back!" John whispered, his voice drained, his arms in the air landing one last blow on the peacekeeper's face. He slipped off the soldier and fell next to him, breathing erratically. John slowly turned his head, staring at the Lieutenant. He used his feet to quickly push himself away from the mangled and bloody figure. John sat there, staring at the destruction that had been wrought on this man by his own hands.
John felt the tears slide slowly down his face. "What have I.?" He asked, never finishing the question, his body shivering from the shock of seeing what he was capable of. "I'm no better than you," John said, his voice devoid of any emotion.
The ship at John's disposal never entered his mind, the distress blocking all thoughts except for flight.
John rose to his feet, approaching the dead soldier. He reached down for the keys, hesitant at first to touch the body. John moved quickly and grabbed the keys dangling out the man's pocket. He unlocked the cuffs and grabbed the soldier's pulse pistol, checking for extra ammunition. John filled his pockets with all he could carry. Staring one last time at the still man, he said in a dead voice, "Told you I wasn't going back."
xxxxx
Tirus had finally joined Scorpius and Ratoc. "How did the human escape? Now the peacekeepers have him," Tirus said, irritated. "You.should have told me about this potential threat, Scorpius!"
"I didn't think they would find us. They had no idea I left with Crichton. I was sure they would pursue the Leviathan!" Scorpius stated. "When we made our agreement you didn't ask any questions, so I wasn't inclined to divulge any extra information. It was irrelevant!"
"Well things have changed and they have the human! I don't suppose you have a plan of action for this situation?" The Karak was very upset with the way things had turned out. His home was being threatened by peacekeepers all because this half-breed hadn't told him everything and his research was most probably finished.
The conversation ended abruptly upon hearing the familiar voice. Scorpius, Ratoc and Tirus turned, staring at the new arrival.
"Well, well, well. Glad to see everyone together. Now I won't have to repeat myself." John trained the pulse pistol on the three beings, walking into the cell. "This looks cozy. Probably like the cell I was in, but.it has a light," John emphasized, staring at the hybrid for a moment.
Scorpius glared at Crichton. "How did you find us?" He was glad to see the human free, but he was unsettled by the look in his eyes.
John snickered, "Don't worry about it Scorp. I've got my ways. Hmm, pretty good hiding place! Ready for anything, aren't you my man?" John had remembered the tunnels. When he escaped the peacekeeper, John headed for the same entrance he had used to exit from with Milon's help. His friend was waiting for him, overhearing what had happened, hoping he would return. Milon had showed him the way to Scorpius.
"Here's the plan guys. You're gonna help me get to the transport and leave this hellhole so I can return to Moya," John stated, expecting no arguments. "I'm going home and you're staying Scorpy!"
"But John, you can't mean that," Scorpius replied, taking a step towards him.
"Tsk, tsk. I wouldn't do that if I were you, Scorpy. You see, I don't give a damn anymore and I'll shoot you in a heart beat, you sick son of a bitch!" There was no hesitation in John's words, sending fear through Scorpius. He knew he was dealing with a deadly man.
Staring at John, Scorpius replied, "We should do as he says, Tirus. If we don't he will kill us. We can deal with the peacekeepers later."
Tirus nodded. "I will do as you say for now Scorpius. You know this man better than I do," he replied, seeing the deadly coldness in the human's eyes, devoid of all the emotions he had seen before. The human who had displayed innocence, had become hard and calculating, caring nothing for life anymore. Tirus could see through him, but didn't understand why he had changed so drastically in such a short time.
John smiled. "Glad we have an understanding. I really didn't want to have to kill you.scientists," John replied, the bitterness evident in his voice. "There should only be four soldiers left. You get all of them to the square near this building so I have enough time to reach the pod." John pushed the fleeting thought of the Lieutenant away, swallowing with difficulty. "Understand? I'll be watching and waiting. Try anything and it's lights out!"
"We will do as you say, John, have no fear there," Scorpius replied, knowing he was defeated for now. "One thing John. be sure on this point.we will meet again. I promise you that!"
John's eyes hardened with Scorpius' reply. "Adios, Scorpy. It's been real. A real frelling nightmare!" John stated, struggling to keep the calmness in his voice, despite the anger that wanted nothing more than to unleash itself on the hybrid as it did on the soldier. John slowly backed out of the room. Entering the corridor he met up with Milon and the two quickly disappeared.
xxxxx
D'Argo's vessel landed on the planet, away from the Marauder. Pilot made sure the ship would be well away from danger when he programmed the coordinates into the vessel's databanks.
Leaving the craft, D'Argo set the vessel to invisible, hoping this state would remain long enough to rescue Crichton. If they lost his ship, D'Argo didn't know what they would do. It had proven to be a valuable asset on Arnessk.
"Ok. So how are we going to get to Crichton? We don't even know where they are holding him?" Chiana asked. She really hoped it was Scorpius. That was a better alternative than the peacekeepers.
"There is no plan," Aeryn replied, staring at the Nebari. "We will have to proceed cautiously, locating the peacekeepers and Crichton, but I think our first line of attack should be the soldiers."
"I agree, Aeryn. Eliminate them first, then worry about John," D'Argo replied, feeling unsettled. He expected the command carrier to be upon them at any microt. "We must act quickly, though, where there are Marauders, a carrier is somewhere close by."
The crew set out towards the town, locating the Marauder not far from the buildings. Aeryn saw the dead soldier first, crouching down to examine the body. She saw the cuffs and picked them up, noticing the blood that stained them, and then looked down at the mangled face of the soldier. Aeryn knew in her heart who had done this, aching for him, knowing the guilt he would feel for simply surviving, but for another's loss. John had never been able to deal with these options, always tearing him apart. Aeryn worried about his mental state now. John had no choice if he wanted to survive, but he would never see it that way.
None of the others flinched seeing the dead soldier by the craft. D'Argo noticed the pained expression on Aeryn's face.
D'Argo extended his hand to Aeryn, helping her to her feet. "He had to do it, Aeryn. It was him or John."
"I agree, D'Argo. I just know what must be going through John's mind right now. Despite what happened on the former carrier, he doesn't want to be like this, he had no choice. John only wants to be John, the one who first came to us, not a killer."
"Time changes all of us, including John. It is something we have to live with," D'Argo replied, knowing he had changed in many ways because of John, but for the good. "Let's just find him and deal with the rest later, Aeryn."
"Perhaps D'Argo is right, Aeryn. John is our main concern, lets find him first," Chiana said, understanding Aeryn's worries. They had helped John through the bad times before they could do it again.
xxxxx
"Commandant it is time to launch our Marauders. The planet is within range now. Your orders, ma'am?" Braca asked, hoping to stay behind on the carrier.
"You and the Sergeant meet me in the hangar. We will go down to the planet as planned. I hope the vessels are prepared as we discussed earlier, Captain!" Grayza answered, her mind focused on Crichton.
"Yes ma'am! We will join you in a few microts," Braca replied. They didn't know what they were entering into, but he would follow the commandant, as she expected.
xxxxx
The crew of Moya had expected opposition on their trek into town. They were surprised when none was forthcoming. Entering the square they stood in silence, understanding setting in.
The peacekeeper soldiers were standing before a very tall being that was speaking to them. The first thought that entered their minds was they could be destroyed easily now. It seemed all the soldiers were together, listening.
Aeryn stepped out to fire on them, but was stopped by the frantic voice of Pilot.
"Officer Sun, Ka D'Argo, a command carrier has appeared on our scans! They are dispatching Marauders as we speak! You must vacate the planet! There's not much time before they will be upon you!"
"Understood Pilot. Keep Moya safe," D'Argo replied as the fighting erupted.
Thanks gbbarb for the beta reading
"Tirus you must come now! Peacekeepers!" Ratoc shouted down the corridor. Tirus stopped, and turned away from the lab.
Walking back the way he came, Tirus thought, 'the work will have to wait for now.' He would not have peacekeepers disrupting his people. As he rounded the passageway, Scorpius met him.
"Did I hear Ratoc correctly? The peacekeepers are here?" Scorpius asked, glaring. He couldn't afford for John or himself to end up in their hands again. The pod wasn't an option. The soldiers had probably already found it.
"Yes. That is what I am getting ready to look into. Is there a problem, Scorpius?" Tirus asked, noticing the look on his face.
Scorpius nodded. "The soldiers are hunting us. We cannot allow them to capture John Crichton. The knowledge he possesses is very dangerous. Only I.know what to do with it!"
"So you have brought these war mongers among us, terrorizing my people," Tirus replied unpleasantly. "It seems you have much to tell me, but not now. I need to deal with our current situation. Ratoc, go with Scorpius and help him with the human. I want them hidden in the underground. Take supplies with you and stay with them."
Ratoc protested. "Tirus, I will not leave you alone to handle these soldiers!"
"You will do as I wish, Ratoc," Tirus replied, motioning him to proceed with Scorpius. "You must hurry!"
Ratoc nodded angrily, glancing back at Tirus. "Of course!" He stated, leading Scorpius to the lab.
Tirus gracefully ignored the expression on his doctor's face, understanding his allegiance. He sighed as he headed to the entrance of the building.
xxxxx
Scorpius and Ratoc entered the lab, only to find it empty, except for the doctor lying on the floor. Ratoc went quickly to his side to examine him.
Scorpius let out a loud guttural growl, sending shivers up Ratoc's back. He had never heard anything like it in his life span, turning to find the cause. Scorpius was ripping the bed apart enraged by the absence of the human.
Ratoc quickly rose to his feet, knowing he could do nothing for his friend. "Scorpius, stop it! They will hear you and draw them to us!"
"How could this happen? Where is Crichton?" Scorpius' rage was all consuming, as he shattered everything within reach.
"I demand you stop!" Ratoc shouted. "You will only make things worse by your ranting! He will be found, but we must go now, or you will fall into their hands!"
Scorpius stopped, Ratoc's words penetrating his thoughts. Slowly lowering the chair, Scorpius regained control of himself. "You are correct, Ratoc. If I expect to help John, I can't afford to be captured by the peacekeepers. We should leave immediately."
Ratoc nodded, leading Scorpius down the corridor and into the depths of the tunnels.
xxxxx
Moya was floating serenely in space, starburst over. D'Argo and Aeryn were in command discussing a plan to rescue John.
"Aeryn we don't know anything about this planet. We do know someone is helping Scorpius, or he wouldn't have chosen it," D'Argo said, standing next to Aeryn as she gazed at the stars.
"John and I used to sit on the terrace in each others arms and just stare into space for arns," Aeryn said, detached from her current surroundings.
D'Argo laid a hand lightly on her arm, needing her to focus. "I wish that for you again, Aeryn."
She shook the thoughts loose and looked at D'Argo. "I'm sorry," Aeryn replied softly, hugging herself. "This is not the time to be thinking of the past." Turning her back from the view, she tapped her comm, "Pilot, what can you tell us about the planet and its inhabitants?"
"Officer Sun, the information from Moya's databanks tells us the planet is inhabited by a species called Karaks. They are a highly intelligent and peaceful race." Pilot stated. "That is all I know."
"Thank you, Pilot," D'Argo replied. "At least we know they are peaceful, but why would they be helping Scorpius?" This point puzzled the Luxan.
"I'm sure they are no different than any other species. Scorpius has something they want," Aeryn replied, realization suddenly hitting, feeling like someone had slapped her across the face.
She and D'Argo locked eyes as the word came off both of their lips at the same time. "John!"
"Pilot, how much longer until we rendezvous with the planet?" Aeryn asked, her tone demanding. 'Frell!' She kept thinking to herself, her hands together, fingers upturned, touching her chin, waiting for his answer.
"Is something wrong, Officer Sun? I detect you and Ka D'Argo have found a problem?" Pilot asked, concerned for the crew.
D'Argo spoke for Aeryn. "Yes and no, Pilot. We think John might be facing more danger than just Scorpius."
"I am sorry to hear that, Ka D'Argo. We should be within range of the planet within an arn," Pilot answered simply.
xxxxx
The Lieutenant dragged John back to the Marauder, dropping the unconscious human face down on the ground. 'Grayza's going to be very pleased,' he thought to himself. He opened his comm and advised his men of Crichton's capture. The Lieutenant ordered them to scour the city for the rest of the crew.
John groaned, his head exploding from the pain. He tried to grab his head, but his wrists were cuffed together. John slowly came to his senses, opening the one eye that wasn't in the dirt. Seeing the peacekeeper, John whispered under his breath, "Shit. Just one nightmare after another." He found himself struggling against the restraints, only to find out quickly his fight was useless, the bruising on his wrists worse.
The Lieutenant saw he had wakened and bent down on one knee, grabbing Crichton by the hair, pulling his head back, causing John's muscles to scream in pain. "You thought you could evade us but we have found you! Your efforts to escape are futile! You should know by now Commandant Grayza always gets what she wants!"
The Lieutenant slammed John's head against the ground, watching the crimson blood merge with the once brown dirt. "Don't damage the merchandise," John mumbled, his eyes closing against the most recent abuse to his head.
The Lieutenant laughed aloud. "Grayza only wants you alive, what condition you are in doesn't matter. She should be here soon, so don't frell with me, Crichton!"
"Wouldn't think.of it," John replied, trying to stay conscious.
He had to figure a way out of this and Grayza wasn't an option. She ranked with Scorpius in his feeble mind, comparing the two. Both of them wanted to destroy him bit by bit in their own way, for their own end. John decided he wouldn't be an equation for them to use anymore, even if it meant the end of his own life by his own hands.
'I'm not going back!' John thought, making this a promise to himself, life or death not mattering anymore.
xxxxx
"How much longer?" Grayza asked, pacing the floors of command. The transmission from the Lieutenant had been music to her ears, the capture of Crichton! She forgot about the Leviathan after she heard the news, but the wait was more than she could bear, as she paced in anticipation of the moment she would finally be face to face with the human again.
"In a little over an arn, Commandant," Braca replied. "What are your orders?" He wanted to be away from all this. The thought of revenge on Scorpius was appealing, but Crichton and the rest of the escaped prisoners only brought them trouble. Braca had barely escaped with his own life after their last encounter.
"Sergeant, ask your Lieutenant if they have found the others? We may need to join them in their search," Grayza ordered, hoping it wouldn't be necessary.
"Yes, ma'am," he replied, opening his comm. "Lieutenant, what about the others? Have you captured them?"
"No sir," the Lieutenant replied. "Some of my men are in the town square interrogating the people. We should have them soon, sir." The Lieutenant was confident the rest of the crew would be found if they were on this planet.
"We will join you on Karak when we are within range, Lieutenant," Grayza replied, turning to Braca and the Sergeant. "Make three Marauders ready. We will leave as soon as we enter the atmosphere." Grayza dismissed them, turning on her heels and walking out of command. "I will be in my quarters if anything should become amiss."
xxxxx
Tirus stood outside the building, watching his people run for their lives, terrorized by the soldiers. He had to stop this, there being no reason for it. He quickly walked down the stairs intent on getting the peacekeeper's attention.
Stepping to the ground, Tirus felt a gun against his head. " What do you want?" He asked, staring at the soldier.
"We are looking for the escaped prisoners. One has already been captured. Tell me where the others are and we will spare your world!" The peacekeeper demanded, prodding the Karak with his pistol.
Calmly, Tirus replied, "Show me who you are searching for. I will see if I can help." He knew that the human had been captured, but Tirus was curious to see Crichton's comrades.
The soldier activated the holo for the Karak. Tirus watched, seeing many faces he had never seen before. The only one he recognized was the human and noticed Scorpius wasn't one of the hunted.
Tirus shook his head. "The only one who has been here is the human you have already captured. He came alone," he explained to the peacekeeper, never taking his eyes from the soldier's face.
"You lie! Crichton would never come here by himself!" The peacekeeper's face was red with rage. "They never travel alone!"
Tirus stared intently at the man, aware of his anger. "You are welcome to search my home world if you don't believe me, but .peacefully. I will not have you terrorizing my people! Is that understood?"
The soldier was slightly taken aback by the Karak. "Your people will not resist us?"
"Of course not. We have nothing to hide. The human you have in custody was allowed to stay since he had nowhere else to go. I know nothing about him. That is your business." Tirus thought the soldier believed him. Scorpius now posed a newer problem for him, the first being the peacekeepers could not be allowed to find him, the second, his deception.
xxxxx
Aeryn and D'Argo were in the landing bay by the ships arguing. "We will take my vessel, Aeryn! The transport pod is too risky," D'Argo said, impatiently, shaking his head. "We don't know what is down there!"
"D'Argo, I understand your point, but if something happens to you, who's going to fly the ship? It only responds to your DNA," Aeryn replied.
"Trust me, Sikozu and Chiana know how to handle it if the situation occurs," D'Argo replied, thinking back to their use of his fluids the last time they were in trouble.
Pilot's hurried voice came over the crackling comms, stopping the argument. "I am picking up peacekeeper signatures on the planet! My scans tell me they are at least five!"
"Is there a carrier anywhere nearby, Pilot?" Aeryn asked, her heart pounding in her chest. Scorpius and the Karaks weren't going to be their only worries now.
"No, Officer Sun. I don't know where they came from. Moya's scanners haven't picked up any activity since we've been on this vector." Pilot stated, baffled by the peacekeeper presence.
D'Argo opened his comms, "Chiana and Sikozu, we need to leave now! Aeryn and I are already in the bay, so hurry!"
D'Argo and Aeryn climbed into the ship, D'Argo shouting instructions. " Pilot, download the coordinates to my databanks while I do a systems check. Aeryn make sure we have enough weapons, I'm sure we are going to need them."
"What the frell is going on?" Chiana asked, running into the hangar and boarding the ship, Sikozu close behind. They took their seats waiting for answers.
Aeryn was busy checking the weapons, replying without looking up. "Pilot has picked up a peacekeeper presence on the planet. It seems small now, but I would say it's inevitable a carrier is on its way. We need to get in and out before they get here!"
"I'm sure it's Grayza! Frell!" Chiana responded, fear setting in, especially for John. "Isn't she ever going to give up?"
"People with only revenge on their minds never give up, Chiana. This is personal to her now. John has escaped twice, making her look like a fool, the exact thing she accused Scorpius of. Grayza won't give up until John is either in her hands or dead!" Sikozu stated plainly.
Aeryn glanced at Sikozu, fear gripping her heart, knowing the girl had spoken the truth.
"Aeryn the ship is ready. Are you finished?" D'Argo asked, impatient to be on their way.
"Yes, D'Argo. Lets go," Aeryn replied, turning away from the girl, making her way to the front of the vessel. She took her seat as the ship exited Moya into open space.
xxxxx
The Lieutenant was enjoying taunting the human. "So how does it feel to know you will be in Grayza's hands once again? Come on human tell me," he said, smiling, watching the man flinch. Getting no response, the soldier nudged John with his foot in his already sore ribs.
John groaned slightly, closing his eyes against the sharp pains that radiated from his rib cage through his chest. He opened his eyes as the throbbing subsided, still ignoring the peacekeeper. John knew he was pissing him off, but he didn't care. He wouldn't give him the satisfaction of answering him.
The impatience in the soldier grew. He wanted to torment the human before Grayza took him. This man had made them all look like incompetent fools, especially after the way they had sabotaged the carrier. Leaning down close to Crichton's ear snickering, he said, " I hear you were putty in her hands, letting her do anything she wanted. You gave in easily, like you wanted her. How I wish I could have."
John felt sick at first, but the longer the Lieutenant spoke, his body was filling with an intense rage. John let the emotion take him as he slammed the cuffs against the side of the Lieutenant's head. The soldier was flung to his back. John was on his feet immediately, pounding his fists into the soldier's face.
"You frelling asshole!" John shouted, blinded with anger, still beating him. "I'll kill her if I ever see her again!" John didn't stop until he felt the exhaustion sweep his body. He never noticed the Lieutenant had stopped moving or the blood that was flowing from the soldier's head.
"I.won't.go back!" John whispered, his voice drained, his arms in the air landing one last blow on the peacekeeper's face. He slipped off the soldier and fell next to him, breathing erratically. John slowly turned his head, staring at the Lieutenant. He used his feet to quickly push himself away from the mangled and bloody figure. John sat there, staring at the destruction that had been wrought on this man by his own hands.
John felt the tears slide slowly down his face. "What have I.?" He asked, never finishing the question, his body shivering from the shock of seeing what he was capable of. "I'm no better than you," John said, his voice devoid of any emotion.
The ship at John's disposal never entered his mind, the distress blocking all thoughts except for flight.
John rose to his feet, approaching the dead soldier. He reached down for the keys, hesitant at first to touch the body. John moved quickly and grabbed the keys dangling out the man's pocket. He unlocked the cuffs and grabbed the soldier's pulse pistol, checking for extra ammunition. John filled his pockets with all he could carry. Staring one last time at the still man, he said in a dead voice, "Told you I wasn't going back."
xxxxx
Tirus had finally joined Scorpius and Ratoc. "How did the human escape? Now the peacekeepers have him," Tirus said, irritated. "You.should have told me about this potential threat, Scorpius!"
"I didn't think they would find us. They had no idea I left with Crichton. I was sure they would pursue the Leviathan!" Scorpius stated. "When we made our agreement you didn't ask any questions, so I wasn't inclined to divulge any extra information. It was irrelevant!"
"Well things have changed and they have the human! I don't suppose you have a plan of action for this situation?" The Karak was very upset with the way things had turned out. His home was being threatened by peacekeepers all because this half-breed hadn't told him everything and his research was most probably finished.
The conversation ended abruptly upon hearing the familiar voice. Scorpius, Ratoc and Tirus turned, staring at the new arrival.
"Well, well, well. Glad to see everyone together. Now I won't have to repeat myself." John trained the pulse pistol on the three beings, walking into the cell. "This looks cozy. Probably like the cell I was in, but.it has a light," John emphasized, staring at the hybrid for a moment.
Scorpius glared at Crichton. "How did you find us?" He was glad to see the human free, but he was unsettled by the look in his eyes.
John snickered, "Don't worry about it Scorp. I've got my ways. Hmm, pretty good hiding place! Ready for anything, aren't you my man?" John had remembered the tunnels. When he escaped the peacekeeper, John headed for the same entrance he had used to exit from with Milon's help. His friend was waiting for him, overhearing what had happened, hoping he would return. Milon had showed him the way to Scorpius.
"Here's the plan guys. You're gonna help me get to the transport and leave this hellhole so I can return to Moya," John stated, expecting no arguments. "I'm going home and you're staying Scorpy!"
"But John, you can't mean that," Scorpius replied, taking a step towards him.
"Tsk, tsk. I wouldn't do that if I were you, Scorpy. You see, I don't give a damn anymore and I'll shoot you in a heart beat, you sick son of a bitch!" There was no hesitation in John's words, sending fear through Scorpius. He knew he was dealing with a deadly man.
Staring at John, Scorpius replied, "We should do as he says, Tirus. If we don't he will kill us. We can deal with the peacekeepers later."
Tirus nodded. "I will do as you say for now Scorpius. You know this man better than I do," he replied, seeing the deadly coldness in the human's eyes, devoid of all the emotions he had seen before. The human who had displayed innocence, had become hard and calculating, caring nothing for life anymore. Tirus could see through him, but didn't understand why he had changed so drastically in such a short time.
John smiled. "Glad we have an understanding. I really didn't want to have to kill you.scientists," John replied, the bitterness evident in his voice. "There should only be four soldiers left. You get all of them to the square near this building so I have enough time to reach the pod." John pushed the fleeting thought of the Lieutenant away, swallowing with difficulty. "Understand? I'll be watching and waiting. Try anything and it's lights out!"
"We will do as you say, John, have no fear there," Scorpius replied, knowing he was defeated for now. "One thing John. be sure on this point.we will meet again. I promise you that!"
John's eyes hardened with Scorpius' reply. "Adios, Scorpy. It's been real. A real frelling nightmare!" John stated, struggling to keep the calmness in his voice, despite the anger that wanted nothing more than to unleash itself on the hybrid as it did on the soldier. John slowly backed out of the room. Entering the corridor he met up with Milon and the two quickly disappeared.
xxxxx
D'Argo's vessel landed on the planet, away from the Marauder. Pilot made sure the ship would be well away from danger when he programmed the coordinates into the vessel's databanks.
Leaving the craft, D'Argo set the vessel to invisible, hoping this state would remain long enough to rescue Crichton. If they lost his ship, D'Argo didn't know what they would do. It had proven to be a valuable asset on Arnessk.
"Ok. So how are we going to get to Crichton? We don't even know where they are holding him?" Chiana asked. She really hoped it was Scorpius. That was a better alternative than the peacekeepers.
"There is no plan," Aeryn replied, staring at the Nebari. "We will have to proceed cautiously, locating the peacekeepers and Crichton, but I think our first line of attack should be the soldiers."
"I agree, Aeryn. Eliminate them first, then worry about John," D'Argo replied, feeling unsettled. He expected the command carrier to be upon them at any microt. "We must act quickly, though, where there are Marauders, a carrier is somewhere close by."
The crew set out towards the town, locating the Marauder not far from the buildings. Aeryn saw the dead soldier first, crouching down to examine the body. She saw the cuffs and picked them up, noticing the blood that stained them, and then looked down at the mangled face of the soldier. Aeryn knew in her heart who had done this, aching for him, knowing the guilt he would feel for simply surviving, but for another's loss. John had never been able to deal with these options, always tearing him apart. Aeryn worried about his mental state now. John had no choice if he wanted to survive, but he would never see it that way.
None of the others flinched seeing the dead soldier by the craft. D'Argo noticed the pained expression on Aeryn's face.
D'Argo extended his hand to Aeryn, helping her to her feet. "He had to do it, Aeryn. It was him or John."
"I agree, D'Argo. I just know what must be going through John's mind right now. Despite what happened on the former carrier, he doesn't want to be like this, he had no choice. John only wants to be John, the one who first came to us, not a killer."
"Time changes all of us, including John. It is something we have to live with," D'Argo replied, knowing he had changed in many ways because of John, but for the good. "Let's just find him and deal with the rest later, Aeryn."
"Perhaps D'Argo is right, Aeryn. John is our main concern, lets find him first," Chiana said, understanding Aeryn's worries. They had helped John through the bad times before they could do it again.
xxxxx
"Commandant it is time to launch our Marauders. The planet is within range now. Your orders, ma'am?" Braca asked, hoping to stay behind on the carrier.
"You and the Sergeant meet me in the hangar. We will go down to the planet as planned. I hope the vessels are prepared as we discussed earlier, Captain!" Grayza answered, her mind focused on Crichton.
"Yes ma'am! We will join you in a few microts," Braca replied. They didn't know what they were entering into, but he would follow the commandant, as she expected.
xxxxx
The crew of Moya had expected opposition on their trek into town. They were surprised when none was forthcoming. Entering the square they stood in silence, understanding setting in.
The peacekeeper soldiers were standing before a very tall being that was speaking to them. The first thought that entered their minds was they could be destroyed easily now. It seemed all the soldiers were together, listening.
Aeryn stepped out to fire on them, but was stopped by the frantic voice of Pilot.
"Officer Sun, Ka D'Argo, a command carrier has appeared on our scans! They are dispatching Marauders as we speak! You must vacate the planet! There's not much time before they will be upon you!"
"Understood Pilot. Keep Moya safe," D'Argo replied as the fighting erupted.