The Price 19
By: Can (lucyc_23455@yahoo.com)
Spoilers: Up to WWL Part 2
Rating: PG - 13
Disclaimer: I don't own them
Many thanks to gbbarb for helping me out and beta reading
Aeryn and D'Argo were nearing the top of the stairs as the door suddenly opened. Adjusting their eyes to the glaring light, they could see Scorpius standing on the platform.
"Have you found John?" Aeryn asked in earnest. She knew if they were headed back to the tunnel, something must be wrong.
"Yes," Scorpius answered. "Chiana and Sikozu are bringing him." He knew as soon as Aeryn and D'Argo saw Crichton and listened to Chiana's story, there would be trouble.
D'Argo pushed Scorpius aside to enter the corridor. He saw the girls dragging John to the tunnel, sprinting to help them.
"What the frell happened, Chiana?" D'Argo asked, noting the half conscious state of his friend. He saw the leg that dragged behind the other, realizing John had been wounded. "Did Scorpius do this?" He asked, pointing to the injured leg.
Chiana shook her head, "No, he didn't shoot John, but he almost choked him to death because Crichton didn't want to come back here." She felt her shoulder relieved as D'Argo took John in his arms.
"I can't fault John there," D'Argo replied, his tone filled with sadness. "That's where Grayza held him, and we can only imagine what went on, not to mention what Scorpius put him through."
"I don't know what when on before with Scorpius and John, but he was only trying to get John to see reason," Sikozu said.
"We've got soldiers coming, D'Argo," Chiana said, glancing behind her. She turned back and saw Aeryn fighting to get around the doorway to get to John's side.
"Is he alright?" Aeryn asked, moving with D'Argo.
"Aeryn, we have to go, the soldiers are advancing on us," D'Argo said softly, seeing her distress.
Aeryn nodded and led the way to the tunnel. As they entered she palmed the door behind them, her eyes only on John.
xxxxx
D'Argo laid John carefully on the floor, watching Aeryn hover over him. She tenderly ran her hand across his face, trying to wipe away the harsh lines. Aeryn's eyes glistened with tears noticing the pink glow that normally graced his face, gone.
"Sikozu, Chiana, could you bandage John's leg, it's bleeding again," D'Argo said, as he turned his attention to Aeryn. "We have to find a way to get back to the ship, Aeryn, and quickly. It won't be long before they come down here." Aeryn was hesitant over leaving John, but Chiana assured her it would be alright. Aeryn rose to her feet, standing by the Luxan.
"Ka D'Argo, the only way for us is through these tunnels, and I suggest we leave now," Scorpius said, waiting for an answer. "I will carry Crichton if necessary."
"Like hell. you will!" John said in a strained voice, his throat bruised from the fight with Scorpius, wakened by the hands that touched his inflamed leg. He rose unsteadily to a sitting position as Chiana and Sikozu finished wrapping his leg. John saw where he was, his body shuddering, only wanting to be gone from this torture chamber. "D, how about helping me up and someone throw me a pistol."
D'Argo assisted him to his feet, John, carefully testing his weight on his leg, taking the pulse pistol Aeryn handed him.
"Are you alright?" She asked quietly, resisting the urge to embrace him.
"I've been better, thanks. Let's just get the frell out of here!" John responded, avoiding her eyes and further conversation.
They started down the tunnel, Aeryn taking the lead with D'Argo and John in the rear.
"Go to the same opening we used to enter, Aeryn," D'Argo shouted from the back of the entourage. "We will at least know where we are."
They heard the crashing noise from behind. D'Argo turned and saw the soldiers entering the tunnel. "Move!" He shouted.
Captain Braca ordered the men to pursue the prisoners while he stopped to see if Grayza was alive. "Commandant.ma'am.can you hear me?" He asked shaking her.
Grayza mumbled incoherently, still under the effects of the drug. When she tried to move, Braca heard the quick intake of breath as she cradled her wrist in her other hand. He looked at it, realizing it was broken.
"Stay here, Commandant. I'll be back after we have captured the renegades," Braca said, as he rose to his feet and ran down the corridor to catch up with his men.
D'Argo and John were firing back at the soldiers yelling for the others to move faster.
"How much further, Aeryn?" D'Argo shouted, knowing they were losing ground.
"I don't know. We are going in the right direction, but I still can't see any frelling light," Aeryn replied, frustrated that she didn't think to mark the walls as they entered.
All the running was starting to play on John's leg as he stumbled, catching himself on the corner of the tunnel. D'Argo stopped and supported John with his shoulder.
"I've got an idea D'Argo," John said, breathing heavily, leaning on the Luxan. "At the next twist in the tunnel.how 'bout we branch off, you one side, me the other and wait for them. They won't see us until it's too late."
D'Argo looked at him with skepticism on his face. Shaking his head he sighed. "Frell, I don't like it, but it's the best plan we have for now, John, but first we must alert the others."
"As soon as we hit the next bend," John said through clenched teeth, his leg throbbing along with every muscle in his body.
"I see it," Aeryn shouted ahead of them, pushing harder now.
"Get everyone out, D'Argo and I'll cover you!" John yelled, seeing the next twist up ahead. "Perfect,' he thought to himself. "Hey D, see what I see? Incredible timing!"
D'Argo and John both stopped, firing heavily on the soldiers to slow their progress. The soldiers returned the fire, Braca shouting out to Crichton.
"Give yourself up, Crichton, or you will all die. I promise you there is no escape," Braca stated, confident they would never make it out of the tunnel. "Turn yourself into to me and I will allow your friends to leave peacefully."
"How do I know I can trust you?" John asked, a new idea coming to him. In a hushed voice, John whispered to D'Argo, "I've got them occupied, tell Aeryn to get them out of here!"
"I won't leave without you, Crichton!" D'Argo replied firmly.
"I was hoping you'd say that D, now tell Aeryn to get moving," John said, focusing back on Braca.
"You have my word as an Officer," Braca replied, hoping Crichton would believe him.
"And that's supposed to mean something to me, Braca? You above all want me dead, and what about Grayza? Will she stand by your word as an.Officer?" John questioned, the laugh threatening to escape his lips. 'Just a few more minutes,' John thought, glancing over his shoulder, seeing his friends vacating the tunnel.
"The Commandant will stand by my word, I am sure of it!" Braca professed, hoping his words were true.
John glanced back again, seeing Aeryn and D'Argo ready, Aeryn hanging through the opening. "You know, Braca, I really appreciate your.word and all, but I think I'll have to pass this time," John replied, firing his pulse pistol into the soldiers before turning and running for the exit. D'Argo and Aeryn covered him with their fire, dodging the returning blasts from the soldiers.
"Go, go, go!" John shouted, as Aeryn pulled back and the Luxan pulled himself through, John following up the exit, feeling the pulse fire lick his boots.
D'Argo and Aeryn grabbed John's arms and hastily drew him through the opening, dropping him to the ground, sealing the opening with the metal disc.
John laid there trying to catch his breath, sure the rest of the journey would be more than his body wanted to endure. Chiana crawled over to him and laid his head in her lap, tenderly wiping the sweat from his face. John closed his eyes, feeling the softness of her skin run over him. It had been so long since he felt tenderness; John had almost forgotten what it felt like, savoring the touch.
Chiana felt Aeryn and D'Argo standing over them. "We have to go John," Chiana said, helping him to his feet.
John stood on his shaking legs, not sure they would hold up. "Where to now?" He asked, hiding the pain that coursed through his body.
"The ship is on that side of town," D'Argo stated, pointing in the direction of where Lo'la waited. "We should be there in a quarter of an arn."
"L.let's go, before those peacekeeper. assholes figure the way out," John replied, trying to keep his head up and his words from slurring. John was running on pure adrenalin, but he didn't know how much longer it would flow.
"Aeryn lead the way, I'll stay with John," D'Argo yelled, eyeing his friend's condition.
Aeryn hesitated, concerned for John.
"Move now!" D'Argo snapped, getting her attention. Aeryn looked at D'Argo and nodded, focusing on the situation.
Chiana, Scorpius and Sikozu filed in behind Aeryn, D'Argo following in the rear with John.
xxxxx
The crew, with Scorpius in tow, made it to the ship without incident. John leaned against the Luxan vessel and closed his eyes, dropping his head. The idea of being able to go back to Moya after a monen was something he never thought would happen, stuck in this tortured world for so long without hope.
"We've made it John," D'Argo said, seeing the relief in his friends face, placing his hand on his shoulder. "Now we only have to find Moya and you will be home once again."
John opened his eyes and stared at the Luxan. "Thanks D," he said with relief in his voice. The Luxan saw the pain in John's eyes, confirming his suspicions. His friend had suffered since leaving Moya, in ways they would never know.
The crew was boarding the ship when John saw Scorpius. He lifted his pulse pistol and pointed it at him, his hands shaking. "Hold on Scorpy! Where the hell do you think you're going?" John shouted, circling him. "You sure as hell ain't going with me! You. can.stay here with your. buddies!" John's mind bucked at the thought of being in his company after what he had been through with the hybrid.
Scorpius looked at the weapon. "John, you know that is impossible. I am an enemy of the peacekeepers also," he said, worried about the turn of events, but not surprised by the human's reaction. Grasping at straws Scorpius said, "Remember I saved you from Grayza!"
John was trying to control the rage that was building in him as the rest of the crew looked on. "No. you didn't Scorpy; I did that on my own! But.but Grayza wouldn't have found me if it wasn't for you! Did you forget that?" The crooked smile on John's face was filled with nothing but contempt.
"John, you are hurt and tired, you must see reason now. They will kill me or worse.I am not your enemy!" Scorpius answered, hoping he had gotten through to John's more reasonable senses.
John laughed, the hysteria rising in his voice. "You frelled with my mind and almost killed me, but you're not my enemy? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" The pain of Scorpius' techniques were still fresh in John's mind, the agony from those memories opening a new wound, the tears glistening in his bloodshot eyes.
Aeryn intervened, the instability in John showing. She went to his side and placed her hand on his, lowering his weapon. "John, we can't deal with this now. We have to get back to Moya and away from the peacekeepers. We'll deal with Scorpius later."
John threw her off of him, turning quickly. "Y...you.don't know what he .did to me," he replied, feeling only hatred. "I.I.don't want that son of a bitch near me," John replied, his tone deadly, his eyes cold. He sighed heavily remembering the events that had led him here. Wiping away the tears, John said in a voice devoid of emotion, "Never mind, Aeryn. You wouldn't understand."
Aeryn looked stunned. She felt as if John had hit her, his words piercing her heart. Aeryn refrained from spewing the words that were on her lips as he limped heavily towards Lo'La and boarded the ship. Aeryn knew she was seeing the love of her life breaking before her eyes, the ache in her growing. She was torn, but knew they couldn't leave Scorpius to the peacekeepers. Aeryn owed him, but whatever he did to John would be dealt with back on Moya.
Aeryn followed feeling a heavy weight on her shoulders.
D'Argo watched the others enter the ship, approaching Scorpius before he boarded the vessel. "You heard John, Scorpius. stay away from him if you want to live!"
Scorpius nodded in agreement as the Luxan entered Lo'La. He followed in complete silence, taking a seat on the vessel away from the human.
xxxxx
Braca and his men emerged from the tunnels and searched the immediate area for any sign of Crichton and his friends. He frowned when they came up empty, thinking of Grayza's reaction when he broke the news to her, not wanting to think of the tongue lashing that would ensue.
Braca broke away from his inner thoughts as the men lined up before him, waiting for their orders, staring at his Sergeant.
"Ready the Marauders! They won't get by the carrier," Braca ordered, notifying the command carrier of the threat. "We need to quickly retrieve Commandant Grayza and board our vessel!"
"I will go with my men to the ships while you attend to the Commandant," the Sergeant stated. He didn't want to be near Grayza when she heard the news. "We will be ready to depart when you get there."
"Very well, Sergeant. Give me two men and we will join you shortly," Braca replied, heading for the entrance of the building. He knew this was the longer route, but it bought him time before facing Grayza. Braca wanted to put that encounter off as long as possible.
Tirus met Braca and his men in the corridor as they entered the building.
"I thought you were done here!" Tirus stated, impatient with their presence on the planet.
"We are going to help the Commandant and then we will be gone." Braca replied stiffly, stepping around the Karak to continue with his goal.
"And the human, what happened to him?" Tirus asked, his back to the peacekeeper officer.
Braca hesitated, then stopped. He glanced back at the Karak, and replied. "He escaped with his friends, but we will intercept them with our command carrier." Braca turned away and moved down the corridor towards the door to the underground tunnels, never seeing the smile on the Karak's face.
"Quite a formidable species, I think. Perhaps our paths will cross again someday human," Tirus said to himself in admiration.
xxxxx
"Aeryn, keep your eyes on the scanners. The carrier is hiding somewhere and we must see it before it can lock onto us. In the meantime I'm going to open up a secure channel to Moya. Hopefully she will answer," D'Argo said, flipping the switches above his head.
Aeryn was studying the scanners as she replied to D'Argo. "Can't you make the ship invisible while we search for Moya?"
"Yes, but it's not wise. It takes too much energy away from the propulsion units. I'll delay that until we have no other choice," D'Argo replied, opening the communications channel.
"Understood, D'Argo," Aeryn replied, her eyes still in the scanners.
"Pilot.Pilot, do you read me?" D'Argo asked, holding his breath.
Everyone on Lo'La was quiet, hoping to hear Pilot's voice, but instead they heard only static on the other end.
"Frell," D'Argo growled under his breath in disgust. This was all they needed after all they had gone through to rescue John, no Moya. "Aeryn where is the peacekeeper vessel?"
"I. I can't find it. It's not on the scanners!" Aeryn stated baffled. Such a large vessel like a command carrier couldn't stay hidden as this one did. "D'Argo, something is wrong!"
xxxxx
Braca and his men helped Grayza to her feet. She was still disoriented from the drug, but not enough to forget about her prized possession.
"Where is Crichton?" Grayza asked, carefully forming her words.
Braca swallowed hard, taking a deep breath before answering. "He escaped with the others."
Grayza was fuming. "Braca, how did this happen?" She shouted curses at him, shaking when she was finished.
Braca stood at attention, eyes straight ahead, until Grayza finished. "Ma'am, there is no excuse. I underestimated the situation.and the prisoners. I have alerted the command carrier of their escape."
"Captain, hear me clearly," Grayza stated, her mind alert after hearing the news. "If Crichton escapes from the carrier, I will hold you totally responsible." She walked away, cradling her wrist, her head held high thinking only of the human.
Braca motioned for the men to follow the Commandant. He stood motionless trying to get his wits about him before following. Braca finally raised his hand to wipe away the sweat that had formed on his brow. He knew Grayza was true to her word and his future was in question. There were few choices left as he slowly climbed the stairs to the upper level.
xxxxx
John heard the concern in Aeryn and D'Argo's voices, drawing him out of the corner of the universe his mind had reverted to. He listened intently to their conversation, hearing the static on the other end of the communications channel. John rose to his feet and stepped around Chiana, limping to the front of the ship.
He dropped his weary body into the seat behind D'Argo, running his hands over his face and leaned towards him. "What's the problem D? I didn't catch it all," John said looking at the instruments on the console.
D'Argo glanced over his shoulder surprised to see John. "I thought you were sleeping?"
"Naw, can't. Too much going through my mind. So what's up?" John asked, his voice low, his energy spent. There was no doubt in his mind something was wrong. They had come too far to be frelled now.
"We know a carrier is somewhere in the vicinity, but it's not showing up on our scanners," Aeryn answered, still studying them.
D'Argo turned to him. "We still can't raise Moya, John."
"You want to flush them out, guys? I've got a sure way to do that, but D'Argo you have to be ready to move and quick!" John knew his plan would work. The only problem would be locating Moya. If she had starburst they would be dead, but John was betting she didn't. 'Nothing like a high stake poker game,' John thought sarcastically to himself.
"What do you have in mind John?" D'Argo asked, remembering the look on Crichton's face that he had seen so many times in the past.
"Open the regular channel and comm Pilot, that will bring them out. They'll show up on your scanners for sure now, Aeryn. We just have to be ready to move the microt you see them," John said, rubbing his tired eyes, hoping D'Argo could maneuver quick enough before the carrier had a lock on them.
D'Argo and Aeryn looked at each other, stunned by John's fahrbot plan.
'Perhaps what he's endured was worse than we could even imagine,' Aeryn thought sadly, looking to D'Argo to say something.
The Luxan nodded, clearing his throat. "John.I don't know if."
John shrugged, cutting him off. "If you want to flush them out, it's the only way. It's up to you," John stated, leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes. He wanted his friends to make it back to Moya safely. If it wasn't for him they wouldn't be in this position. This was just another thing to add to the record. The list had become so enormous in his mind, he felt like his head was going to explode, the flashes cutting deeply into the core of his already weakened mental state.
D'Argo stared at his friend, seeing only a fraction of the man he was. He missed the emotion John always displayed, even in the tightest battles. D'Argo turned and looked at Aeryn. "Let's do it," he said opening the normal channel.
xxxxx
Grayza and the soldiers emerged from the building only to be met by another peacekeeper.
"Commandant Grayza, is the Captain with you?" The soldier asked out of breath.
"He is coming. Where are the rest of the men?" Grayza asked curious, seeing the square vacant.
"Ma'am, we went to get the Marauders ready. They have been disabled. We have no way to get off this planet!"
Grayza's tolerance for bad news was at its limit. "Frell! Braca get out here!" She shouted, the rage building like a dam ready to break through the brick walls.
Braca emerged hearing the end of the conversation. "What do you mean? How can the Marauders be down?" He asked, glancing at Grayza and seeing the rage in her.
"Exactly as I said, sir. They've been sabotaged!"
"Then fix them!" Braca shouted angrily, the veins bulging from his neck. He had dealt with enough dren for one day. Grayza had threatened him and now the marauders, the only way to get back to their vessel. He didn't want to hear excuses, only answers. "Go back and tell the Sergeant to start right away. We have no time to lose!"
"Very well, sir," the soldier replied, running back to his unit to deliver the message.
Braca remembered the Marauder from the first group that had flown down. He started to jog to its location.
Grayza yelled out, "Where do you think you are going, Captain?"
Glancing back Braca replied, "Give me a minute Commandant."
"Frelling inept Sebacean!" Grayza mumbled under her breath.
Braca boarded the Marauder and checked the systems. The vessel powered up easily, no malfunctions noted. Feeling somewhat triumphant, Braca said, "You forgot about this one!" He maneuvered the vessel towards the front to the building, getting as close as possible. Stepping out of the ship, he shouted to Grayza, "Ma'am, I am going to pursue them now. Commandant, join the Sergeant. I will notify you when I have found them."
"Not so quickly Braca!" Grayza stated, walking over to the Marauder. "I shall be joining you."
Braca tried to find a way to discourage her. He didn't want her as his flight partner, having other plans that might not meet with her approval. "Ma'am it's too dangerous. They are in an attack ship now. You need to be on the carrier where you can still issue orders."
"Braca, don't tell me where I need to be. That is my decision!" Grayza snapped back.
"Very well then," he replied, watching her board the ship. He pulled back on the throttle and they were airborne, on their way to intercept the Luxan ship.
xxxxx
"Pilot, do you read me?" D'Argo asked, hoping desperately to receive a reply this time. They felt their hearts sink when only static greeted them.
"D'Argo, I have the vessel on the scanner!" Aeryn shouted, looking up to the view screen seeing the carrier appear. "It worked!" She said, looking back at John, only to see him despondent.
D'Argo tried again. "Pilot, this is Ka D'Argo do you read me?"
"Of course Ka D'Argo," Pilot replied in the soothing voice they had all come to know. "What is your location?"
D'Argo read the coordinates to Pilot, the rest of the ship sighing in relief.
"I am sending my location to your databanks now," Pilot said, relieved to hear from the crew. It had been so long, he didn't know if they were alive. "Did you manage to find.Commander Crichton?"
"Yes, Pilot, we did. He is aboard the ship," Aeryn replied, pushing away the tears. She checked her scanners again and froze.
D'Argo sensed the change in her. "What is it Aeryn?"
"The carrier is trying to get a lock on us and another vessel is headed our way! We need to get the frell out of here!" Aeryn shouted, seeing the prowlers being launched from the carrier. "Prowlers launched! Do as John told you, move now!"
Final chapter on Thursday
Many thanks to gbbarb for helping me out and beta reading
Aeryn and D'Argo were nearing the top of the stairs as the door suddenly opened. Adjusting their eyes to the glaring light, they could see Scorpius standing on the platform.
"Have you found John?" Aeryn asked in earnest. She knew if they were headed back to the tunnel, something must be wrong.
"Yes," Scorpius answered. "Chiana and Sikozu are bringing him." He knew as soon as Aeryn and D'Argo saw Crichton and listened to Chiana's story, there would be trouble.
D'Argo pushed Scorpius aside to enter the corridor. He saw the girls dragging John to the tunnel, sprinting to help them.
"What the frell happened, Chiana?" D'Argo asked, noting the half conscious state of his friend. He saw the leg that dragged behind the other, realizing John had been wounded. "Did Scorpius do this?" He asked, pointing to the injured leg.
Chiana shook her head, "No, he didn't shoot John, but he almost choked him to death because Crichton didn't want to come back here." She felt her shoulder relieved as D'Argo took John in his arms.
"I can't fault John there," D'Argo replied, his tone filled with sadness. "That's where Grayza held him, and we can only imagine what went on, not to mention what Scorpius put him through."
"I don't know what when on before with Scorpius and John, but he was only trying to get John to see reason," Sikozu said.
"We've got soldiers coming, D'Argo," Chiana said, glancing behind her. She turned back and saw Aeryn fighting to get around the doorway to get to John's side.
"Is he alright?" Aeryn asked, moving with D'Argo.
"Aeryn, we have to go, the soldiers are advancing on us," D'Argo said softly, seeing her distress.
Aeryn nodded and led the way to the tunnel. As they entered she palmed the door behind them, her eyes only on John.
xxxxx
D'Argo laid John carefully on the floor, watching Aeryn hover over him. She tenderly ran her hand across his face, trying to wipe away the harsh lines. Aeryn's eyes glistened with tears noticing the pink glow that normally graced his face, gone.
"Sikozu, Chiana, could you bandage John's leg, it's bleeding again," D'Argo said, as he turned his attention to Aeryn. "We have to find a way to get back to the ship, Aeryn, and quickly. It won't be long before they come down here." Aeryn was hesitant over leaving John, but Chiana assured her it would be alright. Aeryn rose to her feet, standing by the Luxan.
"Ka D'Argo, the only way for us is through these tunnels, and I suggest we leave now," Scorpius said, waiting for an answer. "I will carry Crichton if necessary."
"Like hell. you will!" John said in a strained voice, his throat bruised from the fight with Scorpius, wakened by the hands that touched his inflamed leg. He rose unsteadily to a sitting position as Chiana and Sikozu finished wrapping his leg. John saw where he was, his body shuddering, only wanting to be gone from this torture chamber. "D, how about helping me up and someone throw me a pistol."
D'Argo assisted him to his feet, John, carefully testing his weight on his leg, taking the pulse pistol Aeryn handed him.
"Are you alright?" She asked quietly, resisting the urge to embrace him.
"I've been better, thanks. Let's just get the frell out of here!" John responded, avoiding her eyes and further conversation.
They started down the tunnel, Aeryn taking the lead with D'Argo and John in the rear.
"Go to the same opening we used to enter, Aeryn," D'Argo shouted from the back of the entourage. "We will at least know where we are."
They heard the crashing noise from behind. D'Argo turned and saw the soldiers entering the tunnel. "Move!" He shouted.
Captain Braca ordered the men to pursue the prisoners while he stopped to see if Grayza was alive. "Commandant.ma'am.can you hear me?" He asked shaking her.
Grayza mumbled incoherently, still under the effects of the drug. When she tried to move, Braca heard the quick intake of breath as she cradled her wrist in her other hand. He looked at it, realizing it was broken.
"Stay here, Commandant. I'll be back after we have captured the renegades," Braca said, as he rose to his feet and ran down the corridor to catch up with his men.
D'Argo and John were firing back at the soldiers yelling for the others to move faster.
"How much further, Aeryn?" D'Argo shouted, knowing they were losing ground.
"I don't know. We are going in the right direction, but I still can't see any frelling light," Aeryn replied, frustrated that she didn't think to mark the walls as they entered.
All the running was starting to play on John's leg as he stumbled, catching himself on the corner of the tunnel. D'Argo stopped and supported John with his shoulder.
"I've got an idea D'Argo," John said, breathing heavily, leaning on the Luxan. "At the next twist in the tunnel.how 'bout we branch off, you one side, me the other and wait for them. They won't see us until it's too late."
D'Argo looked at him with skepticism on his face. Shaking his head he sighed. "Frell, I don't like it, but it's the best plan we have for now, John, but first we must alert the others."
"As soon as we hit the next bend," John said through clenched teeth, his leg throbbing along with every muscle in his body.
"I see it," Aeryn shouted ahead of them, pushing harder now.
"Get everyone out, D'Argo and I'll cover you!" John yelled, seeing the next twist up ahead. "Perfect,' he thought to himself. "Hey D, see what I see? Incredible timing!"
D'Argo and John both stopped, firing heavily on the soldiers to slow their progress. The soldiers returned the fire, Braca shouting out to Crichton.
"Give yourself up, Crichton, or you will all die. I promise you there is no escape," Braca stated, confident they would never make it out of the tunnel. "Turn yourself into to me and I will allow your friends to leave peacefully."
"How do I know I can trust you?" John asked, a new idea coming to him. In a hushed voice, John whispered to D'Argo, "I've got them occupied, tell Aeryn to get them out of here!"
"I won't leave without you, Crichton!" D'Argo replied firmly.
"I was hoping you'd say that D, now tell Aeryn to get moving," John said, focusing back on Braca.
"You have my word as an Officer," Braca replied, hoping Crichton would believe him.
"And that's supposed to mean something to me, Braca? You above all want me dead, and what about Grayza? Will she stand by your word as an.Officer?" John questioned, the laugh threatening to escape his lips. 'Just a few more minutes,' John thought, glancing over his shoulder, seeing his friends vacating the tunnel.
"The Commandant will stand by my word, I am sure of it!" Braca professed, hoping his words were true.
John glanced back again, seeing Aeryn and D'Argo ready, Aeryn hanging through the opening. "You know, Braca, I really appreciate your.word and all, but I think I'll have to pass this time," John replied, firing his pulse pistol into the soldiers before turning and running for the exit. D'Argo and Aeryn covered him with their fire, dodging the returning blasts from the soldiers.
"Go, go, go!" John shouted, as Aeryn pulled back and the Luxan pulled himself through, John following up the exit, feeling the pulse fire lick his boots.
D'Argo and Aeryn grabbed John's arms and hastily drew him through the opening, dropping him to the ground, sealing the opening with the metal disc.
John laid there trying to catch his breath, sure the rest of the journey would be more than his body wanted to endure. Chiana crawled over to him and laid his head in her lap, tenderly wiping the sweat from his face. John closed his eyes, feeling the softness of her skin run over him. It had been so long since he felt tenderness; John had almost forgotten what it felt like, savoring the touch.
Chiana felt Aeryn and D'Argo standing over them. "We have to go John," Chiana said, helping him to his feet.
John stood on his shaking legs, not sure they would hold up. "Where to now?" He asked, hiding the pain that coursed through his body.
"The ship is on that side of town," D'Argo stated, pointing in the direction of where Lo'la waited. "We should be there in a quarter of an arn."
"L.let's go, before those peacekeeper. assholes figure the way out," John replied, trying to keep his head up and his words from slurring. John was running on pure adrenalin, but he didn't know how much longer it would flow.
"Aeryn lead the way, I'll stay with John," D'Argo yelled, eyeing his friend's condition.
Aeryn hesitated, concerned for John.
"Move now!" D'Argo snapped, getting her attention. Aeryn looked at D'Argo and nodded, focusing on the situation.
Chiana, Scorpius and Sikozu filed in behind Aeryn, D'Argo following in the rear with John.
xxxxx
The crew, with Scorpius in tow, made it to the ship without incident. John leaned against the Luxan vessel and closed his eyes, dropping his head. The idea of being able to go back to Moya after a monen was something he never thought would happen, stuck in this tortured world for so long without hope.
"We've made it John," D'Argo said, seeing the relief in his friends face, placing his hand on his shoulder. "Now we only have to find Moya and you will be home once again."
John opened his eyes and stared at the Luxan. "Thanks D," he said with relief in his voice. The Luxan saw the pain in John's eyes, confirming his suspicions. His friend had suffered since leaving Moya, in ways they would never know.
The crew was boarding the ship when John saw Scorpius. He lifted his pulse pistol and pointed it at him, his hands shaking. "Hold on Scorpy! Where the hell do you think you're going?" John shouted, circling him. "You sure as hell ain't going with me! You. can.stay here with your. buddies!" John's mind bucked at the thought of being in his company after what he had been through with the hybrid.
Scorpius looked at the weapon. "John, you know that is impossible. I am an enemy of the peacekeepers also," he said, worried about the turn of events, but not surprised by the human's reaction. Grasping at straws Scorpius said, "Remember I saved you from Grayza!"
John was trying to control the rage that was building in him as the rest of the crew looked on. "No. you didn't Scorpy; I did that on my own! But.but Grayza wouldn't have found me if it wasn't for you! Did you forget that?" The crooked smile on John's face was filled with nothing but contempt.
"John, you are hurt and tired, you must see reason now. They will kill me or worse.I am not your enemy!" Scorpius answered, hoping he had gotten through to John's more reasonable senses.
John laughed, the hysteria rising in his voice. "You frelled with my mind and almost killed me, but you're not my enemy? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" The pain of Scorpius' techniques were still fresh in John's mind, the agony from those memories opening a new wound, the tears glistening in his bloodshot eyes.
Aeryn intervened, the instability in John showing. She went to his side and placed her hand on his, lowering his weapon. "John, we can't deal with this now. We have to get back to Moya and away from the peacekeepers. We'll deal with Scorpius later."
John threw her off of him, turning quickly. "Y...you.don't know what he .did to me," he replied, feeling only hatred. "I.I.don't want that son of a bitch near me," John replied, his tone deadly, his eyes cold. He sighed heavily remembering the events that had led him here. Wiping away the tears, John said in a voice devoid of emotion, "Never mind, Aeryn. You wouldn't understand."
Aeryn looked stunned. She felt as if John had hit her, his words piercing her heart. Aeryn refrained from spewing the words that were on her lips as he limped heavily towards Lo'La and boarded the ship. Aeryn knew she was seeing the love of her life breaking before her eyes, the ache in her growing. She was torn, but knew they couldn't leave Scorpius to the peacekeepers. Aeryn owed him, but whatever he did to John would be dealt with back on Moya.
Aeryn followed feeling a heavy weight on her shoulders.
D'Argo watched the others enter the ship, approaching Scorpius before he boarded the vessel. "You heard John, Scorpius. stay away from him if you want to live!"
Scorpius nodded in agreement as the Luxan entered Lo'La. He followed in complete silence, taking a seat on the vessel away from the human.
xxxxx
Braca and his men emerged from the tunnels and searched the immediate area for any sign of Crichton and his friends. He frowned when they came up empty, thinking of Grayza's reaction when he broke the news to her, not wanting to think of the tongue lashing that would ensue.
Braca broke away from his inner thoughts as the men lined up before him, waiting for their orders, staring at his Sergeant.
"Ready the Marauders! They won't get by the carrier," Braca ordered, notifying the command carrier of the threat. "We need to quickly retrieve Commandant Grayza and board our vessel!"
"I will go with my men to the ships while you attend to the Commandant," the Sergeant stated. He didn't want to be near Grayza when she heard the news. "We will be ready to depart when you get there."
"Very well, Sergeant. Give me two men and we will join you shortly," Braca replied, heading for the entrance of the building. He knew this was the longer route, but it bought him time before facing Grayza. Braca wanted to put that encounter off as long as possible.
Tirus met Braca and his men in the corridor as they entered the building.
"I thought you were done here!" Tirus stated, impatient with their presence on the planet.
"We are going to help the Commandant and then we will be gone." Braca replied stiffly, stepping around the Karak to continue with his goal.
"And the human, what happened to him?" Tirus asked, his back to the peacekeeper officer.
Braca hesitated, then stopped. He glanced back at the Karak, and replied. "He escaped with his friends, but we will intercept them with our command carrier." Braca turned away and moved down the corridor towards the door to the underground tunnels, never seeing the smile on the Karak's face.
"Quite a formidable species, I think. Perhaps our paths will cross again someday human," Tirus said to himself in admiration.
xxxxx
"Aeryn, keep your eyes on the scanners. The carrier is hiding somewhere and we must see it before it can lock onto us. In the meantime I'm going to open up a secure channel to Moya. Hopefully she will answer," D'Argo said, flipping the switches above his head.
Aeryn was studying the scanners as she replied to D'Argo. "Can't you make the ship invisible while we search for Moya?"
"Yes, but it's not wise. It takes too much energy away from the propulsion units. I'll delay that until we have no other choice," D'Argo replied, opening the communications channel.
"Understood, D'Argo," Aeryn replied, her eyes still in the scanners.
"Pilot.Pilot, do you read me?" D'Argo asked, holding his breath.
Everyone on Lo'La was quiet, hoping to hear Pilot's voice, but instead they heard only static on the other end.
"Frell," D'Argo growled under his breath in disgust. This was all they needed after all they had gone through to rescue John, no Moya. "Aeryn where is the peacekeeper vessel?"
"I. I can't find it. It's not on the scanners!" Aeryn stated baffled. Such a large vessel like a command carrier couldn't stay hidden as this one did. "D'Argo, something is wrong!"
xxxxx
Braca and his men helped Grayza to her feet. She was still disoriented from the drug, but not enough to forget about her prized possession.
"Where is Crichton?" Grayza asked, carefully forming her words.
Braca swallowed hard, taking a deep breath before answering. "He escaped with the others."
Grayza was fuming. "Braca, how did this happen?" She shouted curses at him, shaking when she was finished.
Braca stood at attention, eyes straight ahead, until Grayza finished. "Ma'am, there is no excuse. I underestimated the situation.and the prisoners. I have alerted the command carrier of their escape."
"Captain, hear me clearly," Grayza stated, her mind alert after hearing the news. "If Crichton escapes from the carrier, I will hold you totally responsible." She walked away, cradling her wrist, her head held high thinking only of the human.
Braca motioned for the men to follow the Commandant. He stood motionless trying to get his wits about him before following. Braca finally raised his hand to wipe away the sweat that had formed on his brow. He knew Grayza was true to her word and his future was in question. There were few choices left as he slowly climbed the stairs to the upper level.
xxxxx
John heard the concern in Aeryn and D'Argo's voices, drawing him out of the corner of the universe his mind had reverted to. He listened intently to their conversation, hearing the static on the other end of the communications channel. John rose to his feet and stepped around Chiana, limping to the front of the ship.
He dropped his weary body into the seat behind D'Argo, running his hands over his face and leaned towards him. "What's the problem D? I didn't catch it all," John said looking at the instruments on the console.
D'Argo glanced over his shoulder surprised to see John. "I thought you were sleeping?"
"Naw, can't. Too much going through my mind. So what's up?" John asked, his voice low, his energy spent. There was no doubt in his mind something was wrong. They had come too far to be frelled now.
"We know a carrier is somewhere in the vicinity, but it's not showing up on our scanners," Aeryn answered, still studying them.
D'Argo turned to him. "We still can't raise Moya, John."
"You want to flush them out, guys? I've got a sure way to do that, but D'Argo you have to be ready to move and quick!" John knew his plan would work. The only problem would be locating Moya. If she had starburst they would be dead, but John was betting she didn't. 'Nothing like a high stake poker game,' John thought sarcastically to himself.
"What do you have in mind John?" D'Argo asked, remembering the look on Crichton's face that he had seen so many times in the past.
"Open the regular channel and comm Pilot, that will bring them out. They'll show up on your scanners for sure now, Aeryn. We just have to be ready to move the microt you see them," John said, rubbing his tired eyes, hoping D'Argo could maneuver quick enough before the carrier had a lock on them.
D'Argo and Aeryn looked at each other, stunned by John's fahrbot plan.
'Perhaps what he's endured was worse than we could even imagine,' Aeryn thought sadly, looking to D'Argo to say something.
The Luxan nodded, clearing his throat. "John.I don't know if."
John shrugged, cutting him off. "If you want to flush them out, it's the only way. It's up to you," John stated, leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes. He wanted his friends to make it back to Moya safely. If it wasn't for him they wouldn't be in this position. This was just another thing to add to the record. The list had become so enormous in his mind, he felt like his head was going to explode, the flashes cutting deeply into the core of his already weakened mental state.
D'Argo stared at his friend, seeing only a fraction of the man he was. He missed the emotion John always displayed, even in the tightest battles. D'Argo turned and looked at Aeryn. "Let's do it," he said opening the normal channel.
xxxxx
Grayza and the soldiers emerged from the building only to be met by another peacekeeper.
"Commandant Grayza, is the Captain with you?" The soldier asked out of breath.
"He is coming. Where are the rest of the men?" Grayza asked curious, seeing the square vacant.
"Ma'am, we went to get the Marauders ready. They have been disabled. We have no way to get off this planet!"
Grayza's tolerance for bad news was at its limit. "Frell! Braca get out here!" She shouted, the rage building like a dam ready to break through the brick walls.
Braca emerged hearing the end of the conversation. "What do you mean? How can the Marauders be down?" He asked, glancing at Grayza and seeing the rage in her.
"Exactly as I said, sir. They've been sabotaged!"
"Then fix them!" Braca shouted angrily, the veins bulging from his neck. He had dealt with enough dren for one day. Grayza had threatened him and now the marauders, the only way to get back to their vessel. He didn't want to hear excuses, only answers. "Go back and tell the Sergeant to start right away. We have no time to lose!"
"Very well, sir," the soldier replied, running back to his unit to deliver the message.
Braca remembered the Marauder from the first group that had flown down. He started to jog to its location.
Grayza yelled out, "Where do you think you are going, Captain?"
Glancing back Braca replied, "Give me a minute Commandant."
"Frelling inept Sebacean!" Grayza mumbled under her breath.
Braca boarded the Marauder and checked the systems. The vessel powered up easily, no malfunctions noted. Feeling somewhat triumphant, Braca said, "You forgot about this one!" He maneuvered the vessel towards the front to the building, getting as close as possible. Stepping out of the ship, he shouted to Grayza, "Ma'am, I am going to pursue them now. Commandant, join the Sergeant. I will notify you when I have found them."
"Not so quickly Braca!" Grayza stated, walking over to the Marauder. "I shall be joining you."
Braca tried to find a way to discourage her. He didn't want her as his flight partner, having other plans that might not meet with her approval. "Ma'am it's too dangerous. They are in an attack ship now. You need to be on the carrier where you can still issue orders."
"Braca, don't tell me where I need to be. That is my decision!" Grayza snapped back.
"Very well then," he replied, watching her board the ship. He pulled back on the throttle and they were airborne, on their way to intercept the Luxan ship.
xxxxx
"Pilot, do you read me?" D'Argo asked, hoping desperately to receive a reply this time. They felt their hearts sink when only static greeted them.
"D'Argo, I have the vessel on the scanner!" Aeryn shouted, looking up to the view screen seeing the carrier appear. "It worked!" She said, looking back at John, only to see him despondent.
D'Argo tried again. "Pilot, this is Ka D'Argo do you read me?"
"Of course Ka D'Argo," Pilot replied in the soothing voice they had all come to know. "What is your location?"
D'Argo read the coordinates to Pilot, the rest of the ship sighing in relief.
"I am sending my location to your databanks now," Pilot said, relieved to hear from the crew. It had been so long, he didn't know if they were alive. "Did you manage to find.Commander Crichton?"
"Yes, Pilot, we did. He is aboard the ship," Aeryn replied, pushing away the tears. She checked her scanners again and froze.
D'Argo sensed the change in her. "What is it Aeryn?"
"The carrier is trying to get a lock on us and another vessel is headed our way! We need to get the frell out of here!" Aeryn shouted, seeing the prowlers being launched from the carrier. "Prowlers launched! Do as John told you, move now!"
Final chapter on Thursday