A half cycle earlier...
Scorpius was in a foul mood. He hated being back on the Scarren home world and he hated his cousin's games even more.
He'd received a coded message from Arckatius a weeken ago. It was short and requested that he meet him in secret on the Scarren home world, a home Scorpius despised with all his being. Scorpius would have ignored the request except for the two words that followed the single sentence invitation - John Crichton. He selected four of his best bodyguards then took a Marauder from his command carrier and went directly to Arckatius' stronghold. Immediately upon landing he was taken along with three of his men into his cousin's throne room. Scorpius looked around the elaborate chamber with all its wealth and a sneer came to his chalk colored face. His cousin was still living his delusional dream of becoming royalty. In the next instant he scowled and growled in disgust. If Arckatius lured him here to waste his time on a drak chase, he'd make sure his relative would pay very dearly.
The door at the opposite end of the room opened and Arckatius walked in wearing a great flowing robe.
"Scorpius, how good to see you, cousin," Arckatius said in his rough Scarren voice.
Scorpius gave him an offhand smile and answered him using his smooth Sebacean voice, knowing that would irritate the Scarren criminal mastermind.
"I'm not here to exchange pleasantries, Arckatius. Tell me what you know about John Crichton so I may shake the dirt from this drez-forsaken place off my boots as soon as possible."
"Ah! You haven't changed, Scorpius... always blunt and to the point," said Arckatius with a toothy smile. "I have information and a proposition for you, cousin."
"What sort of proposition and what kind of information?" Scorpius asked appearing almost disinterested.
"I know the last location of the prey you seek. In this instants, we both have a common goal," said the Scarren Kingpin.
"And how is that... 'cousin'?" replied Scorpius.
"One of my subjects' is traveling with the group your Crichton is with. He has a very important piece of my property with him and I want it, and him if possible... back," revealed Arckatius.
"I see. How does this concern me? I'll eventually find Crichton without your help so why do I need to make any sort of deal with you now?" Scorpius asked.
"This 'man' with them is one of my special operatives. If he so chooses, he could use his knowledge and contacts within the underworld to make himself and your prey disappear, most likely forever if they have the chance. Also you should know, Scorpius... information has it that several free-lance bounty hunters may be closing in on your precious Crichton even as we speak. If that happens, our quarry may very well go to ground. I'm offering you my help before that can happen in exchange for your cooperation in getting my property returned to me," explained his cousin.
"And what would I have to do in order to 'cooperate'?" queried Scorpius as he casually examined a nearby statue. Running one black-gloved hand along its curves while displaying a calculated smile at the offer.
"I will send another of my operatives with you to help track both men. I'll need your help to get this person through Peacekeeper territory and to allow the freedom the operative will need to complete the mission. John Crichton will be turned over to you unharmed and I get my property back. Everybody wins and everyone is happy," Arckatius said spreading his clawed hands wide in a display of implied joy.
"And who will this operative be that I am to escort into PK space?" asked the half-breed.
Arckatius signaled one of his servant-bodyguards and the door opened a second time. A cloaked figure walked into the throne room and approached the pair. The figure went to one knee in front of Arckatius and with one taloned hand brushed back the hood of the dark-red trimmed black cloak. The head that was revealed was covered in dark green scales. The nose was almost nonexistent compared to Scarren standards and the yellow eyes were reptilian slits.
"You summoned me, Sire. I am here to serve," the being rasped out.
Scorpius looked over the operative. "Who is he," he asked mildly interested.
Arckatius smiled. "She," he corrected. "This is Val'Cirrus. She is one of my Master Shrikes."
"One of your mind controlled toys!" growled Scorpius. "I will not have that thing running around my command carrier."
Arckatius gave a rumble, which passed for a Scarren chuckle.
"Rise, Val'Cirrus," he commanded, "And show my cousin your pretty neck."
The reptilian woman came to her feet and opened her cloak far enough for Scorpius to see her armored breastplate and that she wore no control collar around her throat.
"I said she was a 'Master Shrike'. They wear no collars nor are they slaves. Val'Cirrus chooses to serve and do this kind of work." Arckatius turned to the woman. "You like the thrill of the kill, don't you my dear, Val'Cirrus?" he asked with a sinister purr.
"Yes, Lord. I live to spill blood for the Syndicate," she hissed and displayed the razor-sharp talons on one hand. Stamping one foot, several blades protruded from the sole of her armor-covered boot.
"You see, Scorpius? Perfectly safe and in control," said the Scarren. "She will track our prey and deliver Crichton straight into your hands."
"We may have a deal if you can answer one small question, cousin," said Scorpius after a micron's thought. "Who is this man you lost that you have to send a master assassin to retrieve him?"
"He's of no concern to you. Val'Cirrus will..." he started.
"Don't frell with me!" hissed Scorpius, his voice turning Scarren rough. "Who is he?"
"Oh, very well..." said Arckatius trying to recover his composure after jumping at his cousin's sudden outburst of anger. "His designation is Shrike 457, just a Sebacean slave who momentarily slipped his collar. You need not worry, Val'Cirrus will deal with him and any of the bounty hunters as needed."
Scorpius wasn't buying his cousin's casual attitude.
"I see. One of your toys got away from you with some information. Valuable information, I take it."
To Arckatius discomfort his cousin began to laugh. "If she can find them and bring me Crichton then she can come along. I personally don't care about your lost toys," he finally said.
Val'Cirrus nodded. "I can find them, Lord Scorpius. You will get the soft skin called Crichton. 457 is prey," she said.
Scorpius nodded and turned away to leave.
"Scorpius!" called the Scarren. The Peacekeeper commander turned back to face his cousin. "Make sure none of your men bother Val'Cirrus too much on the voyage... she does so like to kill... 'soft skins'. She enjoys the way they squeal," he said with a rumbling chuckle.
"Just have her report to my Marauder within the quarter arn," was all Scorpius replied.
After he was gone Arckatius turned to the Master Shrike. "I don't care what you have to do or who you have to kill... bring me back 457's control collar," he said to her. "And beware of Scorpius. He will betray us the first chance he gets," he added.
Val'Cirrus bowed while sweeping her hood back up to cover her head and features again.
"Not even death... my Lord," she vowed in a hiss and then turned and walked away.
Scorpius was in a foul mood. He hated being back on the Scarren home world and he hated his cousin's games even more.
He'd received a coded message from Arckatius a weeken ago. It was short and requested that he meet him in secret on the Scarren home world, a home Scorpius despised with all his being. Scorpius would have ignored the request except for the two words that followed the single sentence invitation - John Crichton. He selected four of his best bodyguards then took a Marauder from his command carrier and went directly to Arckatius' stronghold. Immediately upon landing he was taken along with three of his men into his cousin's throne room. Scorpius looked around the elaborate chamber with all its wealth and a sneer came to his chalk colored face. His cousin was still living his delusional dream of becoming royalty. In the next instant he scowled and growled in disgust. If Arckatius lured him here to waste his time on a drak chase, he'd make sure his relative would pay very dearly.
The door at the opposite end of the room opened and Arckatius walked in wearing a great flowing robe.
"Scorpius, how good to see you, cousin," Arckatius said in his rough Scarren voice.
Scorpius gave him an offhand smile and answered him using his smooth Sebacean voice, knowing that would irritate the Scarren criminal mastermind.
"I'm not here to exchange pleasantries, Arckatius. Tell me what you know about John Crichton so I may shake the dirt from this drez-forsaken place off my boots as soon as possible."
"Ah! You haven't changed, Scorpius... always blunt and to the point," said Arckatius with a toothy smile. "I have information and a proposition for you, cousin."
"What sort of proposition and what kind of information?" Scorpius asked appearing almost disinterested.
"I know the last location of the prey you seek. In this instants, we both have a common goal," said the Scarren Kingpin.
"And how is that... 'cousin'?" replied Scorpius.
"One of my subjects' is traveling with the group your Crichton is with. He has a very important piece of my property with him and I want it, and him if possible... back," revealed Arckatius.
"I see. How does this concern me? I'll eventually find Crichton without your help so why do I need to make any sort of deal with you now?" Scorpius asked.
"This 'man' with them is one of my special operatives. If he so chooses, he could use his knowledge and contacts within the underworld to make himself and your prey disappear, most likely forever if they have the chance. Also you should know, Scorpius... information has it that several free-lance bounty hunters may be closing in on your precious Crichton even as we speak. If that happens, our quarry may very well go to ground. I'm offering you my help before that can happen in exchange for your cooperation in getting my property returned to me," explained his cousin.
"And what would I have to do in order to 'cooperate'?" queried Scorpius as he casually examined a nearby statue. Running one black-gloved hand along its curves while displaying a calculated smile at the offer.
"I will send another of my operatives with you to help track both men. I'll need your help to get this person through Peacekeeper territory and to allow the freedom the operative will need to complete the mission. John Crichton will be turned over to you unharmed and I get my property back. Everybody wins and everyone is happy," Arckatius said spreading his clawed hands wide in a display of implied joy.
"And who will this operative be that I am to escort into PK space?" asked the half-breed.
Arckatius signaled one of his servant-bodyguards and the door opened a second time. A cloaked figure walked into the throne room and approached the pair. The figure went to one knee in front of Arckatius and with one taloned hand brushed back the hood of the dark-red trimmed black cloak. The head that was revealed was covered in dark green scales. The nose was almost nonexistent compared to Scarren standards and the yellow eyes were reptilian slits.
"You summoned me, Sire. I am here to serve," the being rasped out.
Scorpius looked over the operative. "Who is he," he asked mildly interested.
Arckatius smiled. "She," he corrected. "This is Val'Cirrus. She is one of my Master Shrikes."
"One of your mind controlled toys!" growled Scorpius. "I will not have that thing running around my command carrier."
Arckatius gave a rumble, which passed for a Scarren chuckle.
"Rise, Val'Cirrus," he commanded, "And show my cousin your pretty neck."
The reptilian woman came to her feet and opened her cloak far enough for Scorpius to see her armored breastplate and that she wore no control collar around her throat.
"I said she was a 'Master Shrike'. They wear no collars nor are they slaves. Val'Cirrus chooses to serve and do this kind of work." Arckatius turned to the woman. "You like the thrill of the kill, don't you my dear, Val'Cirrus?" he asked with a sinister purr.
"Yes, Lord. I live to spill blood for the Syndicate," she hissed and displayed the razor-sharp talons on one hand. Stamping one foot, several blades protruded from the sole of her armor-covered boot.
"You see, Scorpius? Perfectly safe and in control," said the Scarren. "She will track our prey and deliver Crichton straight into your hands."
"We may have a deal if you can answer one small question, cousin," said Scorpius after a micron's thought. "Who is this man you lost that you have to send a master assassin to retrieve him?"
"He's of no concern to you. Val'Cirrus will..." he started.
"Don't frell with me!" hissed Scorpius, his voice turning Scarren rough. "Who is he?"
"Oh, very well..." said Arckatius trying to recover his composure after jumping at his cousin's sudden outburst of anger. "His designation is Shrike 457, just a Sebacean slave who momentarily slipped his collar. You need not worry, Val'Cirrus will deal with him and any of the bounty hunters as needed."
Scorpius wasn't buying his cousin's casual attitude.
"I see. One of your toys got away from you with some information. Valuable information, I take it."
To Arckatius discomfort his cousin began to laugh. "If she can find them and bring me Crichton then she can come along. I personally don't care about your lost toys," he finally said.
Val'Cirrus nodded. "I can find them, Lord Scorpius. You will get the soft skin called Crichton. 457 is prey," she said.
Scorpius nodded and turned away to leave.
"Scorpius!" called the Scarren. The Peacekeeper commander turned back to face his cousin. "Make sure none of your men bother Val'Cirrus too much on the voyage... she does so like to kill... 'soft skins'. She enjoys the way they squeal," he said with a rumbling chuckle.
"Just have her report to my Marauder within the quarter arn," was all Scorpius replied.
After he was gone Arckatius turned to the Master Shrike. "I don't care what you have to do or who you have to kill... bring me back 457's control collar," he said to her. "And beware of Scorpius. He will betray us the first chance he gets," he added.
Val'Cirrus bowed while sweeping her hood back up to cover her head and features again.
"Not even death... my Lord," she vowed in a hiss and then turned and walked away.