"Do the supplies meet with your approval?" asked Scorpius.
Berret pretended to inspect the packages inside the cargo container. He had no intention of bringing the food cubes back to Moya for use, but he put on the act of examining the cargo for the half-Scarren's benefit. "I believe they will be sufficient to fool the others," he finally said.
"Excellent," replied Scorpius giving him a toothy grin. "Now if you don't mind I'd like to have a discussion with you somewhere more private."
Knowing he had little chance of avoiding the conversation even if he wanted to, the Shrike nodded his head in affirmation. Scorpius led the way back to his private chambers. Once inside he bid Berret to take a seat and for once the man complied without being too annoying. Scorpius studied the Sebacean man before him, for some reason he was unable to read the man like he could other creatures. There was something about his body that prevented him from getting a true reading on whether or not the man was being deceitful.
Of course it went without saying that the Shrike had something to hide, every being had their secrets. It was just annoying that he couldn't tell exactly when Berret was hiding something.
"So what is it you wanted to discuss?" asked the assassin, breaking him out of his thoughts.
Scorpius did his best to give him a disarming smile without showing his pointed teeth.
"I would very much like to try and talk you into reconsidering joining me."
Berret smirked. "There's not much hope of that. I have no reason to trust you," he said.
"You have not even asked as to why I desire the wormhole information in John Crichton's head."
"I don't care why."
"You should," answered Scorpius. "You might find the reason is of interest to you."
"Why's that?" asked the Shrike, beginning to become curious.
"You are aware that tensions between the Scarrens and Peacekeeper forces are growing. War is in inevitable. You realize that Scarrens out number Peacekeepers at over ten to one odds."
"Sounds like you have a problem," Berret said offhandedly.
"We all have the same problem," snapped Scorpius, his voice turning to a Scarren rumble. "Why must the man be so self-centered?" he thought to himself.
"If we don't develop wormhole technology based weapons and do so before the Scarrens do. We will be over-run and destroyed. The Scarrens will take control of the Territories and life as you know it will cease."
Personally Berret hoped that neither side developed any sort of new weapon and that they both spent all their time killing each other. In fact, if he were able... he'd see what he could do to push both fractions exactly in that direction. Outwardly, Berret gave Scorpius a look that said he was still bored with the conversation. "So what do you need me for? I'm just one man," he asked.
"Not just a man, a Shrike assassin. With your help I can recruit other Shrikes away from the Syndicates to aid our cause. You can even train special operatives to carry out missions behind enemy lines. Shrike agents would be a powerful weapon to have in our arsenal for the coming war." Scorpius tilted his head to one side to regard the man. "Make no mistake, I have researched the old stories and written history of the Shrike clans. There is more to the assassins then the Syndicate lets on or than I believe they really know about the true nature of the Shrike warriors themselves. I believe they are alive and well even today."
To Scorpius' displeasure, Berret gave the half-Scarren a lopsided grin and chuckled.
"That's a nice story, Scorpius. But I'm sorry... I'm just some poor nurfer your good friend Arckatius trapped into playing mindless killing machine. I don't know anything about your legendary super-warriors. I'm free now, the only thing I want is to get Crichton to you so me and my Nebari girl can get the frell out of this sector... and to maybe drop off a Ion-bomb to that bastard Arckatius on the way out of the system."
He stood up to leave the Peacekeeper commander's private chambers, "I wish you all the luck on digging them up. As far as we go, our deal is set. You get Crichton and let me go my own way with what you promised."
Berret laughed out loud once again as he reached the doorway and looked back over one shoulder at him.
"You better watch out, or you may find your secret clans of assassins might actually be here aboard your Command Carrier. Who knows? Maybe they are all now cooks in the ship's mess."
Scorpius scowled at the Shrike's departing back. He'd been a fool to think that idiot knew more then he was letting on. Once he turned Crichton over to him, he'd see if a session in the Aurora Chair changed his tune.
"You didn't have too hit him so hard," complained Andar as he dragged the unconscious PK grunt into a nearby storage locker.
"He grabbed my eema!" said Malika.
"You dared him too!" replied the Sebacean man.
"He said he was going too and I told him what would happen if he did."
"He thought you were being coy."
"I wasn't, so he got what he deserved."
Andar rolled his eyes at his stubborn friend. "We're suppose to be keeping a low profile," he said.
"We are, he won't tell anyone," she replied with a nodded at the crumbled Peacekeeper.
"Damn it, we are so close to being out of here," Andar said as he padded the lump that was his computer hacking device that they had just finished retrieving when they ran in to the amorous trooper. "We just have to make it back to the ship with these codes and we're almost done. Try and not call anymore attention to us by beating up anymore soldiers," he asked.
"As long as they keep their hands to their selves, everything will be fine," Malika replied.
The Sebacean sighed loudly as he cracked open the locker door and peered out into the corridor.
"The halls clear, let's go before your new friend wakes up," he said as he led he back into the passageway.
Once in the passage they resumed their roles as Peacekeeper officer and pleasure slave. A few Techs openly leered at Malika as they passed.
"Easy, just a little further," cautioned Andar in a low voice to the Delvian at his side. "Try and keep your temper under... ACK!" he cut himself off as a strong hand gave his behind a healthy squeeze.
Beside him, Malika wore a wicked smile as he turned to look at her in surprise. Behind them the Techs snickered as they caught the antics of the Delvian pleasure slave.
"I see it's alright for you to do it," Andar whispered in mock annoyance.
Malika leaned in and kissed him soundly on the cheek.
"Of course," she whispered back to him. "Double standards in my favor," she explained.
Andar raised an eyebrow at the comment.
"Besides, I think the way you squeaked was cute," she added.
Berret sat at the lounge bar in front of several empty Raslek bottles, waiting for the signal from his crewmates that would tell him that they had completed their retrieval mission. Forcing himself to drink several bottles of the vile beverage, he could see his PK chaperone speaking discreetly into his comm badge, probably keeping Scorpius up to date on the damage he was doing to his tab. The Shrike smiled to himself as he thought about how annoyed the half-Scarren had to be. Berret finished his current bottle and suppressed a shiver as the liquid slid down his throat. "I never want to see another bottle of Raslek for as long as I live," he thought to himself. Pretending to be very intoxicated, he waved the barkeep to bring him another. He was saved from having to drink the fresh one when the comm badge that Andar altered to a secured comm-link vibrated against his skin inside his armored breastplate. Berret sighed lightly in relief as the signal told him that Malika and Andar had gotten the device safely back to the Wraith and were beginning phase two of their new plan and were on their way to met with Shenna. Having kept his guard and Scorpius busy while the secret lab was invaded, it was now time to rid himself of the watchdog.
Berret wobbled to his feet and made a show of checking his chron. Turning to his guard he announced,
"It'll be time for me to leave in just over an arn." He leaned in closer to the man as if confiding a secret.
"Whadda' ya say we pay that scaly bitch one last visit fore' I go... just to say 'goodbye and hope ya rot in hezmana'?" He lifted an eyebrow and grinned at the trooper as if he just said something extremely witty.
"We can do whatever you wish, sir," replied the guard, not even attempting to hide a look of disgust for the drunken man. Berret pretended he didn't notice the look and draped one arm over the man's shoulder as if they were the best of friends.
"That's a good man. I'll but in a good word with Scorpy for ya fore' I leave," he slurred.
The pair made it to the lounge doorway and Berret turned to walk in the wrong direction from the holding cells.
"Excuse me, sir. The brig is this way," indicated the guard with a scowl.
Berret spun about and almost slammed into a bulkhead, his eyes going wide in surprise.
"Right you are, lead the way my good man. Did I tell you, you were a good man?" asked Berret as they walked on down the corridor.
They dropped down one level and headed into the special secured area below the actual brig where the door to Val'Cirrus' cell was actually located. They had just crossed a corridor intersection where an old Delvian servant was pushing a cleaning cart along. They passed the old man and heading toward them was a tall Flight Commander and a very young and pretty Delvian pleasure slave. The guard took his attention off the drunken fool of a Shrike to give the girl an appraising glance. She saw his attention and gave him a sly smile and a provocative shake of her hips as she passed by him. He couldn't help but turn his head to follow her just a few microts more. When he turned back to his charge, he found himself almost nose to nose with the assassin, who didn't appear drunk any longer.
"Tell me," asked the Shrike with a wicked grin, "What size are you?"
Before he could ask the man what the frell he was talking about, he became aware that the Flight Commander and the slave where standing close right behind him. He turned to glance at the girl and found that she was no longer smiling at him anymore.
"What the frell is going on here?" he asked momentarily confused.
Instead of answering the Shrike rammed one armored fist into his solar plexus driving the air out of him and making it impossible for him to raise his pulse rifle. As he staggered back into the pair behind him, they caught his arms and held him upright. Berret sent an uppercut into the nerve center under his chin that knocked him out cold on his feet.
"Your new uniform, Commander," Berret said to Andar with a mock bow.
"Couldn't you have gotten one with a bit more flash?" asked Andar offhandedly as he and Malika began to strip the man.
Shenna joined them and gave the trooper an injection. "That should keep him out for the better part of a solar day," he explained as they finished undressing the man and dumped him into the cleaning cart. Before covering him with linens and cleaning clothes, Malika pulled out a bag containing her new change of clothes. She withdrew a green tech coverall and donned it over her pleasure slave garb. After wrapping her long blue hair in a scarf, she secured a utility belt with cleaning implements round her thin waist. Andar quickly changed into the guard's uniform and tightened the battle helmet over his head and dropped the dark visor down, further obscuring his features. Gripping the guard's Pulse-rifle across his chest, he gave Berret a nod to signify he was ready to go.
Shenna approached Berret. "I want to thank you for helping me break Val'Cirrus out, my boy."
Berret shook his head and frowned, "I still can't believe I let you talk me into this. I'm still for letting her stay here and rot."
"What's done is done, Berret," said Malika. "If it wasn't for Master Shenna we never would have gotten as far as we have. We need each other's help still if we're all going to get away."
Berret grudgingly admitted the woman was right and turned back to the old Delvian.
"Are you sure your escape plan is all set? I'm not going to hang around this system any longer then I have too once we are away."
Shenna nodded. "I have a ship waiting two sectors away from here. We approach it under stealth and we transfer aboard and then each of us go our separate ways. The Peacekeepers will be none the wiser. By the time they discover Val'Cirrus missing we'll be beyond their reach."
"I still don't like the idea of her aboard the Wraith with us," commented the Shrike.
"I will be able to control her," promised Shenna.
Berret's frowned deepened as if he somehow doubted that. "Let's go get this done," he finally said.
Berret entered the lower holding area for Val'Cirrus' cell followed by his armed guard. He drunkenly approached the viewing glass and appeared to gaze malevolently at the female Shrike behind the barrier. Behind the two, a pair of Delvian slaves on cleaning duty entered and began to clean the area. Val'Cirrus glared at Berret but elected to remain seated where she was in her cell and not give the man the pleasure of her responding to his drunken taunts. Malika worked her way over to the camera system and gave the lens a critical inspection before apparently deciding that they were in need of a cleaning. She brought over a folding step stool and climbed up in front of the camera so that her body blocked the view of the room. Taking a bottle of soap she sprayed the lens until they were covered with thick foam and then began to take her time slowly wiping them clean while humming loudly to herself in case there was audio.
As soon as the girl blocked the camera, Berret hissed, "Go!" to Andar.
In a flash the Sebacean man was beside the locked cell door, another of his picking devices in his hand.
"We also got the cell door codes from Scorpius' computer while we were at it," he explained as Berret and Shenna joined him.
The device sounded a tone and the door's locked cycled open. Andar yanked his machine off the lock and Berret and Shenna slipped into the cell. Berret entered first and Val'Cirrus jumped to her feet in surprise, her clawed hands coming up into a defensive position.
"So you've come to try and kill me while I'm relatively defenseless," she accused in a hiss.
"No such luck," answered Berret as Shenna slipped inside behind him.
"Shenna!" Val'Cirrus said as she saw the old Grandmaster, "So you also have come to punish me."
"No, Marai... I've come to take you home and we don't have much time," Shenna told her.
"My home is with the Syndicate. I have no reason to want to go back with you even if I did trust you."
Berret turned to Shenna. "We don't have time to argue about this," he said.
He raised one arm and pointed a small pistol-like device at the female Shrike. Seeing what she perceived as the ex-assassin about to kill her, Val'Cirrus hissed angrily and charged toward the man.
The device in the Shrike's hand discharged with a crackling blue light that struck Val'Cirrus in the chest. The Master Shrike's rush faltered and she collapsed to the ground unconscious.
"End of problem," said Berret as he moved forward to secure the assassin's deadly clawed hands with a pair of manacles.
"There was no need to electro-stun her. She would have listen eventually to reason," complained Shenna.
"Yeah, by then Scorpius could have joined us in trying to persuade her. How long do you think Malika can pretend to clean the camera before someone gets suspicious?" answered Berret. "Give me a hand getting them switched," he went on as he dragged the knocked out guard out of the cleaning cart and placed him on Val'Cirrus' sleeping pad. He covered the man with a sheet so anyone looking inside the cell couldn't tell it wasn't her. He then helped place Val'Cirrus' limp body into the cart and cover it up.
Shenna wheeled the cart out of the cell and Berret closed the door behind them, feeling the lock shut solidly in place automatically. The old Delvian brought the cart back over to it's former place by the cell block doorway and Berret rejoined Andar by the glass wall, pretending to still be gloating over his imprisoned enemy. Malika glanced one last time over her shoulder to be sure everyone was in their proper places and gave the lens one final swipe of her cleaning clothe before inspecting it again. Seeming to be satisfied with the results of her labor, she smiled into the lens and climbed down from her stool. She gathered her equipment and spent a few more microts picking up a few things before going over to Shenna. Together the pair looked about one last time and pushed the cart out of the door.
Andar and Berret gave them a few microns head start and then the pair left the holding area.
"Almost done," said Andar in sotto voice to the Shrike as they took their time walking through the corridors.
"We still have to met with Scorpius before we depart. Don't forget to keep your visor down and don't speak at all if you can help it. If someone realizes you aren't the trooper assigned to guard me, we are in big trouble," said the Shrike.
The Sebacean man nodded his agreement. "Malika needs about 150 microts to re-wield the hole we cut into the access tunnels. It won't do to have a hull breech when they depressurize the landing bay."
They rounded a corner and found Scorpius and his entourage waiting for them at the appointed place.
Berret started to wobble as they approached, keeping as if he were still slightly drunk.
"Ah, Shrike Berret... right on time," said Scorpius in his sickening sweet voice.
"Where else would I be?" asked Berret.
Scorpius gave him a knowing look; "I thought maybe you might have decided to dally some more with Sergeant Pikes' duty officer."
Berret cringed on the inside as the half-Scarren mentioned the incident in front of Andar. For an unknown number of times he wished he'd remembered to ask Shenna what had happened after the Raslek finally caught up with him and again hoped that Chiana never found out about it.
"No, no dallying. We have business to get on with," he told the PK commander.
Scorpius smiled and waved a hand to indicate that the Shrike should watch the work in progress through an observation port. Warning lights blinked on and a siren sounded. Inside the loading bay they had been in earlier where the food shipment had been stored, an elevator platform began to raise the transport crate up into the open roof and into open space.
"The food stuff you required is now waiting for your ship to pick up after it launches from the landing bay. You are sure you have the proper grapples to attach to the crate?" Scorpius asked.
"My Wraith is equipped with cargo grapples," the Shrike answered.
"Good, then I shall escort you to your craft and we can complete our other business before you leave."
Scorpius led the way, walking along beside Berret. "I would try and talk you into joining me one last time but I can see your mind is made up. However I do ask that you reconsider it. There will still be time after you deliver Crichton for you to change your mind."
Berret didn't say anything; instead he gave the black-clad being a knowing grin.
"I see. Well... there is still plenty of time. You may see the light yet," finished Scorpius.
The Peacekeeper excused most of his lieutenants as they arrived outside the doors to the landing bay where the Wraith was being kept. Luckily no one thought of dismissing Andar as he played at being Berret's guard. Scorpius turned to his one remaining personal bodyguard and instructed the man to hand him the bag he had slung over one shoulder. He pulled out a long cylinder shape object and showed it to the ex-assassin.
"Here's the device I promised you. Just place it in or near the Leviathan's neural cluster and activate it with this button. Two arns later it will activate and release a chemical gas that will eat through the walls of the cluster chamber and into the starburst collection chamber... resulting in an massive explosion which will completely destroy the Leviathan and all aboard her. Just make sure you and your Nebari tralk have Crichton well away in that time. Once the device is activated it cannot be turned off again."
Berret took the bag with its deadly cargo and slung it over his shoulder. Scorpius smiled and nodded one last time.
"I guess we are done here. I look forward to seeing you again, Berret... with our friend John with you next time."
"I look forward to concluding out business and hope you hold up your end of the bargain," countered Berret.
Scorpius gave him a wicked smile, "Of course you do." He then turned to the helmeted Andar and instructed, "Be sure our friend gets safely on his way."
Andar came to attention as Scorpius spoke to him and bowed his head as he accepted his orders.
Scorpius turned and began to walk away, followed by his guard. "I shall see you soon," he threw over his shoulder as they rounded a corner and disappeared from view.
Berret watched them go and then turned to Andar who was visibly relieved.
"Frell, he gives me the creeps," said the Sebacean.
"I second that, "admitted Berret. "Lets get the yotz out of here."
Inside the bay they scrambled aboard the Wraith, feeling a little safer as the hatch cycled closed behind them. It was a little crowded with five people on board but they made do. Berret strapped himself into the pilot's seat after having to step over Val'Cirrus' slumbering body.
"Did you remember to reseal the hole we cut in the wall?" Andar asked as he strapped himself in to his seat. Malika frowned and gave him a slightly annoyed look.
"No, I thought I'd let the place air out when we left. Of course I wielded it shut again. Stop trying to micro-manage everything," she said as she checked her instruments.
"I was just checking," Andar replied, then he turned and called up to Berret, "Stealth system online and functioning at 100%."
"Weapon systems hot," reported Malika and then she turned and stuck her tongue out at Andar. The bickering told Berret that they were both as glad as he was to be leaving, so he did his best to ignore it.
"Wraith?" he asked as the engines cycled up to speed.
"Online, Shrike 457," the AI responded.
"Inform the Carrier command that we are ready for departure."
"Acknowledged."
The bay's warning lights flashed and the sirens sounded. Outside the ship, Berret could hear the huge pumps began to evacuate the atmosphere from the bay. As the air thinned to vacuum the sound of the sirens faded. Behind the Wraith, the huge bays doors opened to starlit space.
"Command reports we may leave when ready," reported the AI
"Here we go," said Berret as the craft left the deck of the bay to hover. The landing gear retracted, leaving only the missile pod deployed open. The reverse thrusters fired to gently back the Wraith out of the landing bay. Once outside the carrier the Wraith rose toward the top of the huge ship to pick up the cargo crate.
"We have just been actively scanned," informed Andar from his station. "That was to be expected and the stealth system defeated it. They got nothing."
"Can't blame them for trying," Berret added in.
Their ship made it to the loading bay and settled over the food crate. Andar directed Berret until he was over the cargo. "Okay, we're in position," he announced. He looked over at Malika and gave her a nod.
The Delvian girl stroked several switches and a loud thump sounded from the Wraith's underbelly.
"Missile pod retracted," she reported.
"Transferring control of docking thrusters to your station," Berret told Andar.
Andar looked at his small screen that showed the crate under them against a target that he would use to line up the grapples with the locking rungs built into the crate. Hitting a switch there was a sound of motors whirling.
"Grapples deployed," he said as he took the small joystick in one hand.
Berret got up from his seat and took the bag Scorpius had given him toward the rear of the craft. Stopping momentary to watch Andar jockey the Wraith into position on the crate. The thrusters fired above his head as he continued on to the trash disposal unit in the rear of the flight deck.
"What's that?" asked Shenna as he dumped the bag inside the unit and sealed the door.
"The bomb Scorpius gave me to destroy Moya. We're going to dump that at the same time we do the crate before we met your ship," answered the younger Shrike.
The Wraith gently trembled as the grapples make contact with the cargo crate.
"Got it," announced Andar as he secured his station. "We're ready to go," he added as Berret dropped back into his seat.
"I hear that," he muttered as he took back control of his thrusters and ordered the Wraith to gain some altitude from the carrier. He could tell there was extra weight from the crate as the ship handled heavier then normal. He throttled up the engines and the Wraith shot away from the Peacekeeper vessel.
"They're still trying to track us on scans," said Andar. "They can't lock on us."
"Don't bet on it," Berret replied. "Wraith, scan the cargo crate for tracking signals."
"Complying," said the AI, a few moments later it continued, "A passive low-band tracking device has been detected inside the cargo crate."
"So much for trust," quipped Malika.
Andar made a show of appearing put out, "If you can't trust a Peacekeeper, whom can you trust?"
"Never the less," said Berret, "Wraith set a course 93 degrees to port of the rendezvous point and inform me when we are one sector out from our current position."
"Acknowledged."
The Shrike sat back in his seat and then turned to give his shipmates a rare smile.
"We did it," he said, almost as if he didn't believe it.
Andar and Malika grinned back at him, while Shenna sat there and regarded the group with a smug, almost fatherly look of pride. Berret attention turned to Val'Cirrus who was still lying on the floor out cold.
"We have to do something with her. I don't want her waking up in here."
Shenna held up one hand to halt his thought. "Malika and I gave her something to keep her under. We thought you might feel that way about her coming around. She'll be asleep until well after we part ways."
Berret nodded his head. "I hope you know what you're doing with her, old man," he said before turning around in his seat to monitor his controls.
Berret pretended to inspect the packages inside the cargo container. He had no intention of bringing the food cubes back to Moya for use, but he put on the act of examining the cargo for the half-Scarren's benefit. "I believe they will be sufficient to fool the others," he finally said.
"Excellent," replied Scorpius giving him a toothy grin. "Now if you don't mind I'd like to have a discussion with you somewhere more private."
Knowing he had little chance of avoiding the conversation even if he wanted to, the Shrike nodded his head in affirmation. Scorpius led the way back to his private chambers. Once inside he bid Berret to take a seat and for once the man complied without being too annoying. Scorpius studied the Sebacean man before him, for some reason he was unable to read the man like he could other creatures. There was something about his body that prevented him from getting a true reading on whether or not the man was being deceitful.
Of course it went without saying that the Shrike had something to hide, every being had their secrets. It was just annoying that he couldn't tell exactly when Berret was hiding something.
"So what is it you wanted to discuss?" asked the assassin, breaking him out of his thoughts.
Scorpius did his best to give him a disarming smile without showing his pointed teeth.
"I would very much like to try and talk you into reconsidering joining me."
Berret smirked. "There's not much hope of that. I have no reason to trust you," he said.
"You have not even asked as to why I desire the wormhole information in John Crichton's head."
"I don't care why."
"You should," answered Scorpius. "You might find the reason is of interest to you."
"Why's that?" asked the Shrike, beginning to become curious.
"You are aware that tensions between the Scarrens and Peacekeeper forces are growing. War is in inevitable. You realize that Scarrens out number Peacekeepers at over ten to one odds."
"Sounds like you have a problem," Berret said offhandedly.
"We all have the same problem," snapped Scorpius, his voice turning to a Scarren rumble. "Why must the man be so self-centered?" he thought to himself.
"If we don't develop wormhole technology based weapons and do so before the Scarrens do. We will be over-run and destroyed. The Scarrens will take control of the Territories and life as you know it will cease."
Personally Berret hoped that neither side developed any sort of new weapon and that they both spent all their time killing each other. In fact, if he were able... he'd see what he could do to push both fractions exactly in that direction. Outwardly, Berret gave Scorpius a look that said he was still bored with the conversation. "So what do you need me for? I'm just one man," he asked.
"Not just a man, a Shrike assassin. With your help I can recruit other Shrikes away from the Syndicates to aid our cause. You can even train special operatives to carry out missions behind enemy lines. Shrike agents would be a powerful weapon to have in our arsenal for the coming war." Scorpius tilted his head to one side to regard the man. "Make no mistake, I have researched the old stories and written history of the Shrike clans. There is more to the assassins then the Syndicate lets on or than I believe they really know about the true nature of the Shrike warriors themselves. I believe they are alive and well even today."
To Scorpius' displeasure, Berret gave the half-Scarren a lopsided grin and chuckled.
"That's a nice story, Scorpius. But I'm sorry... I'm just some poor nurfer your good friend Arckatius trapped into playing mindless killing machine. I don't know anything about your legendary super-warriors. I'm free now, the only thing I want is to get Crichton to you so me and my Nebari girl can get the frell out of this sector... and to maybe drop off a Ion-bomb to that bastard Arckatius on the way out of the system."
He stood up to leave the Peacekeeper commander's private chambers, "I wish you all the luck on digging them up. As far as we go, our deal is set. You get Crichton and let me go my own way with what you promised."
Berret laughed out loud once again as he reached the doorway and looked back over one shoulder at him.
"You better watch out, or you may find your secret clans of assassins might actually be here aboard your Command Carrier. Who knows? Maybe they are all now cooks in the ship's mess."
Scorpius scowled at the Shrike's departing back. He'd been a fool to think that idiot knew more then he was letting on. Once he turned Crichton over to him, he'd see if a session in the Aurora Chair changed his tune.
"You didn't have too hit him so hard," complained Andar as he dragged the unconscious PK grunt into a nearby storage locker.
"He grabbed my eema!" said Malika.
"You dared him too!" replied the Sebacean man.
"He said he was going too and I told him what would happen if he did."
"He thought you were being coy."
"I wasn't, so he got what he deserved."
Andar rolled his eyes at his stubborn friend. "We're suppose to be keeping a low profile," he said.
"We are, he won't tell anyone," she replied with a nodded at the crumbled Peacekeeper.
"Damn it, we are so close to being out of here," Andar said as he padded the lump that was his computer hacking device that they had just finished retrieving when they ran in to the amorous trooper. "We just have to make it back to the ship with these codes and we're almost done. Try and not call anymore attention to us by beating up anymore soldiers," he asked.
"As long as they keep their hands to their selves, everything will be fine," Malika replied.
The Sebacean sighed loudly as he cracked open the locker door and peered out into the corridor.
"The halls clear, let's go before your new friend wakes up," he said as he led he back into the passageway.
Once in the passage they resumed their roles as Peacekeeper officer and pleasure slave. A few Techs openly leered at Malika as they passed.
"Easy, just a little further," cautioned Andar in a low voice to the Delvian at his side. "Try and keep your temper under... ACK!" he cut himself off as a strong hand gave his behind a healthy squeeze.
Beside him, Malika wore a wicked smile as he turned to look at her in surprise. Behind them the Techs snickered as they caught the antics of the Delvian pleasure slave.
"I see it's alright for you to do it," Andar whispered in mock annoyance.
Malika leaned in and kissed him soundly on the cheek.
"Of course," she whispered back to him. "Double standards in my favor," she explained.
Andar raised an eyebrow at the comment.
"Besides, I think the way you squeaked was cute," she added.
Berret sat at the lounge bar in front of several empty Raslek bottles, waiting for the signal from his crewmates that would tell him that they had completed their retrieval mission. Forcing himself to drink several bottles of the vile beverage, he could see his PK chaperone speaking discreetly into his comm badge, probably keeping Scorpius up to date on the damage he was doing to his tab. The Shrike smiled to himself as he thought about how annoyed the half-Scarren had to be. Berret finished his current bottle and suppressed a shiver as the liquid slid down his throat. "I never want to see another bottle of Raslek for as long as I live," he thought to himself. Pretending to be very intoxicated, he waved the barkeep to bring him another. He was saved from having to drink the fresh one when the comm badge that Andar altered to a secured comm-link vibrated against his skin inside his armored breastplate. Berret sighed lightly in relief as the signal told him that Malika and Andar had gotten the device safely back to the Wraith and were beginning phase two of their new plan and were on their way to met with Shenna. Having kept his guard and Scorpius busy while the secret lab was invaded, it was now time to rid himself of the watchdog.
Berret wobbled to his feet and made a show of checking his chron. Turning to his guard he announced,
"It'll be time for me to leave in just over an arn." He leaned in closer to the man as if confiding a secret.
"Whadda' ya say we pay that scaly bitch one last visit fore' I go... just to say 'goodbye and hope ya rot in hezmana'?" He lifted an eyebrow and grinned at the trooper as if he just said something extremely witty.
"We can do whatever you wish, sir," replied the guard, not even attempting to hide a look of disgust for the drunken man. Berret pretended he didn't notice the look and draped one arm over the man's shoulder as if they were the best of friends.
"That's a good man. I'll but in a good word with Scorpy for ya fore' I leave," he slurred.
The pair made it to the lounge doorway and Berret turned to walk in the wrong direction from the holding cells.
"Excuse me, sir. The brig is this way," indicated the guard with a scowl.
Berret spun about and almost slammed into a bulkhead, his eyes going wide in surprise.
"Right you are, lead the way my good man. Did I tell you, you were a good man?" asked Berret as they walked on down the corridor.
They dropped down one level and headed into the special secured area below the actual brig where the door to Val'Cirrus' cell was actually located. They had just crossed a corridor intersection where an old Delvian servant was pushing a cleaning cart along. They passed the old man and heading toward them was a tall Flight Commander and a very young and pretty Delvian pleasure slave. The guard took his attention off the drunken fool of a Shrike to give the girl an appraising glance. She saw his attention and gave him a sly smile and a provocative shake of her hips as she passed by him. He couldn't help but turn his head to follow her just a few microts more. When he turned back to his charge, he found himself almost nose to nose with the assassin, who didn't appear drunk any longer.
"Tell me," asked the Shrike with a wicked grin, "What size are you?"
Before he could ask the man what the frell he was talking about, he became aware that the Flight Commander and the slave where standing close right behind him. He turned to glance at the girl and found that she was no longer smiling at him anymore.
"What the frell is going on here?" he asked momentarily confused.
Instead of answering the Shrike rammed one armored fist into his solar plexus driving the air out of him and making it impossible for him to raise his pulse rifle. As he staggered back into the pair behind him, they caught his arms and held him upright. Berret sent an uppercut into the nerve center under his chin that knocked him out cold on his feet.
"Your new uniform, Commander," Berret said to Andar with a mock bow.
"Couldn't you have gotten one with a bit more flash?" asked Andar offhandedly as he and Malika began to strip the man.
Shenna joined them and gave the trooper an injection. "That should keep him out for the better part of a solar day," he explained as they finished undressing the man and dumped him into the cleaning cart. Before covering him with linens and cleaning clothes, Malika pulled out a bag containing her new change of clothes. She withdrew a green tech coverall and donned it over her pleasure slave garb. After wrapping her long blue hair in a scarf, she secured a utility belt with cleaning implements round her thin waist. Andar quickly changed into the guard's uniform and tightened the battle helmet over his head and dropped the dark visor down, further obscuring his features. Gripping the guard's Pulse-rifle across his chest, he gave Berret a nod to signify he was ready to go.
Shenna approached Berret. "I want to thank you for helping me break Val'Cirrus out, my boy."
Berret shook his head and frowned, "I still can't believe I let you talk me into this. I'm still for letting her stay here and rot."
"What's done is done, Berret," said Malika. "If it wasn't for Master Shenna we never would have gotten as far as we have. We need each other's help still if we're all going to get away."
Berret grudgingly admitted the woman was right and turned back to the old Delvian.
"Are you sure your escape plan is all set? I'm not going to hang around this system any longer then I have too once we are away."
Shenna nodded. "I have a ship waiting two sectors away from here. We approach it under stealth and we transfer aboard and then each of us go our separate ways. The Peacekeepers will be none the wiser. By the time they discover Val'Cirrus missing we'll be beyond their reach."
"I still don't like the idea of her aboard the Wraith with us," commented the Shrike.
"I will be able to control her," promised Shenna.
Berret's frowned deepened as if he somehow doubted that. "Let's go get this done," he finally said.
Berret entered the lower holding area for Val'Cirrus' cell followed by his armed guard. He drunkenly approached the viewing glass and appeared to gaze malevolently at the female Shrike behind the barrier. Behind the two, a pair of Delvian slaves on cleaning duty entered and began to clean the area. Val'Cirrus glared at Berret but elected to remain seated where she was in her cell and not give the man the pleasure of her responding to his drunken taunts. Malika worked her way over to the camera system and gave the lens a critical inspection before apparently deciding that they were in need of a cleaning. She brought over a folding step stool and climbed up in front of the camera so that her body blocked the view of the room. Taking a bottle of soap she sprayed the lens until they were covered with thick foam and then began to take her time slowly wiping them clean while humming loudly to herself in case there was audio.
As soon as the girl blocked the camera, Berret hissed, "Go!" to Andar.
In a flash the Sebacean man was beside the locked cell door, another of his picking devices in his hand.
"We also got the cell door codes from Scorpius' computer while we were at it," he explained as Berret and Shenna joined him.
The device sounded a tone and the door's locked cycled open. Andar yanked his machine off the lock and Berret and Shenna slipped into the cell. Berret entered first and Val'Cirrus jumped to her feet in surprise, her clawed hands coming up into a defensive position.
"So you've come to try and kill me while I'm relatively defenseless," she accused in a hiss.
"No such luck," answered Berret as Shenna slipped inside behind him.
"Shenna!" Val'Cirrus said as she saw the old Grandmaster, "So you also have come to punish me."
"No, Marai... I've come to take you home and we don't have much time," Shenna told her.
"My home is with the Syndicate. I have no reason to want to go back with you even if I did trust you."
Berret turned to Shenna. "We don't have time to argue about this," he said.
He raised one arm and pointed a small pistol-like device at the female Shrike. Seeing what she perceived as the ex-assassin about to kill her, Val'Cirrus hissed angrily and charged toward the man.
The device in the Shrike's hand discharged with a crackling blue light that struck Val'Cirrus in the chest. The Master Shrike's rush faltered and she collapsed to the ground unconscious.
"End of problem," said Berret as he moved forward to secure the assassin's deadly clawed hands with a pair of manacles.
"There was no need to electro-stun her. She would have listen eventually to reason," complained Shenna.
"Yeah, by then Scorpius could have joined us in trying to persuade her. How long do you think Malika can pretend to clean the camera before someone gets suspicious?" answered Berret. "Give me a hand getting them switched," he went on as he dragged the knocked out guard out of the cleaning cart and placed him on Val'Cirrus' sleeping pad. He covered the man with a sheet so anyone looking inside the cell couldn't tell it wasn't her. He then helped place Val'Cirrus' limp body into the cart and cover it up.
Shenna wheeled the cart out of the cell and Berret closed the door behind them, feeling the lock shut solidly in place automatically. The old Delvian brought the cart back over to it's former place by the cell block doorway and Berret rejoined Andar by the glass wall, pretending to still be gloating over his imprisoned enemy. Malika glanced one last time over her shoulder to be sure everyone was in their proper places and gave the lens one final swipe of her cleaning clothe before inspecting it again. Seeming to be satisfied with the results of her labor, she smiled into the lens and climbed down from her stool. She gathered her equipment and spent a few more microts picking up a few things before going over to Shenna. Together the pair looked about one last time and pushed the cart out of the door.
Andar and Berret gave them a few microns head start and then the pair left the holding area.
"Almost done," said Andar in sotto voice to the Shrike as they took their time walking through the corridors.
"We still have to met with Scorpius before we depart. Don't forget to keep your visor down and don't speak at all if you can help it. If someone realizes you aren't the trooper assigned to guard me, we are in big trouble," said the Shrike.
The Sebacean man nodded his agreement. "Malika needs about 150 microts to re-wield the hole we cut into the access tunnels. It won't do to have a hull breech when they depressurize the landing bay."
They rounded a corner and found Scorpius and his entourage waiting for them at the appointed place.
Berret started to wobble as they approached, keeping as if he were still slightly drunk.
"Ah, Shrike Berret... right on time," said Scorpius in his sickening sweet voice.
"Where else would I be?" asked Berret.
Scorpius gave him a knowing look; "I thought maybe you might have decided to dally some more with Sergeant Pikes' duty officer."
Berret cringed on the inside as the half-Scarren mentioned the incident in front of Andar. For an unknown number of times he wished he'd remembered to ask Shenna what had happened after the Raslek finally caught up with him and again hoped that Chiana never found out about it.
"No, no dallying. We have business to get on with," he told the PK commander.
Scorpius smiled and waved a hand to indicate that the Shrike should watch the work in progress through an observation port. Warning lights blinked on and a siren sounded. Inside the loading bay they had been in earlier where the food shipment had been stored, an elevator platform began to raise the transport crate up into the open roof and into open space.
"The food stuff you required is now waiting for your ship to pick up after it launches from the landing bay. You are sure you have the proper grapples to attach to the crate?" Scorpius asked.
"My Wraith is equipped with cargo grapples," the Shrike answered.
"Good, then I shall escort you to your craft and we can complete our other business before you leave."
Scorpius led the way, walking along beside Berret. "I would try and talk you into joining me one last time but I can see your mind is made up. However I do ask that you reconsider it. There will still be time after you deliver Crichton for you to change your mind."
Berret didn't say anything; instead he gave the black-clad being a knowing grin.
"I see. Well... there is still plenty of time. You may see the light yet," finished Scorpius.
The Peacekeeper excused most of his lieutenants as they arrived outside the doors to the landing bay where the Wraith was being kept. Luckily no one thought of dismissing Andar as he played at being Berret's guard. Scorpius turned to his one remaining personal bodyguard and instructed the man to hand him the bag he had slung over one shoulder. He pulled out a long cylinder shape object and showed it to the ex-assassin.
"Here's the device I promised you. Just place it in or near the Leviathan's neural cluster and activate it with this button. Two arns later it will activate and release a chemical gas that will eat through the walls of the cluster chamber and into the starburst collection chamber... resulting in an massive explosion which will completely destroy the Leviathan and all aboard her. Just make sure you and your Nebari tralk have Crichton well away in that time. Once the device is activated it cannot be turned off again."
Berret took the bag with its deadly cargo and slung it over his shoulder. Scorpius smiled and nodded one last time.
"I guess we are done here. I look forward to seeing you again, Berret... with our friend John with you next time."
"I look forward to concluding out business and hope you hold up your end of the bargain," countered Berret.
Scorpius gave him a wicked smile, "Of course you do." He then turned to the helmeted Andar and instructed, "Be sure our friend gets safely on his way."
Andar came to attention as Scorpius spoke to him and bowed his head as he accepted his orders.
Scorpius turned and began to walk away, followed by his guard. "I shall see you soon," he threw over his shoulder as they rounded a corner and disappeared from view.
Berret watched them go and then turned to Andar who was visibly relieved.
"Frell, he gives me the creeps," said the Sebacean.
"I second that, "admitted Berret. "Lets get the yotz out of here."
Inside the bay they scrambled aboard the Wraith, feeling a little safer as the hatch cycled closed behind them. It was a little crowded with five people on board but they made do. Berret strapped himself into the pilot's seat after having to step over Val'Cirrus' slumbering body.
"Did you remember to reseal the hole we cut in the wall?" Andar asked as he strapped himself in to his seat. Malika frowned and gave him a slightly annoyed look.
"No, I thought I'd let the place air out when we left. Of course I wielded it shut again. Stop trying to micro-manage everything," she said as she checked her instruments.
"I was just checking," Andar replied, then he turned and called up to Berret, "Stealth system online and functioning at 100%."
"Weapon systems hot," reported Malika and then she turned and stuck her tongue out at Andar. The bickering told Berret that they were both as glad as he was to be leaving, so he did his best to ignore it.
"Wraith?" he asked as the engines cycled up to speed.
"Online, Shrike 457," the AI responded.
"Inform the Carrier command that we are ready for departure."
"Acknowledged."
The bay's warning lights flashed and the sirens sounded. Outside the ship, Berret could hear the huge pumps began to evacuate the atmosphere from the bay. As the air thinned to vacuum the sound of the sirens faded. Behind the Wraith, the huge bays doors opened to starlit space.
"Command reports we may leave when ready," reported the AI
"Here we go," said Berret as the craft left the deck of the bay to hover. The landing gear retracted, leaving only the missile pod deployed open. The reverse thrusters fired to gently back the Wraith out of the landing bay. Once outside the carrier the Wraith rose toward the top of the huge ship to pick up the cargo crate.
"We have just been actively scanned," informed Andar from his station. "That was to be expected and the stealth system defeated it. They got nothing."
"Can't blame them for trying," Berret added in.
Their ship made it to the loading bay and settled over the food crate. Andar directed Berret until he was over the cargo. "Okay, we're in position," he announced. He looked over at Malika and gave her a nod.
The Delvian girl stroked several switches and a loud thump sounded from the Wraith's underbelly.
"Missile pod retracted," she reported.
"Transferring control of docking thrusters to your station," Berret told Andar.
Andar looked at his small screen that showed the crate under them against a target that he would use to line up the grapples with the locking rungs built into the crate. Hitting a switch there was a sound of motors whirling.
"Grapples deployed," he said as he took the small joystick in one hand.
Berret got up from his seat and took the bag Scorpius had given him toward the rear of the craft. Stopping momentary to watch Andar jockey the Wraith into position on the crate. The thrusters fired above his head as he continued on to the trash disposal unit in the rear of the flight deck.
"What's that?" asked Shenna as he dumped the bag inside the unit and sealed the door.
"The bomb Scorpius gave me to destroy Moya. We're going to dump that at the same time we do the crate before we met your ship," answered the younger Shrike.
The Wraith gently trembled as the grapples make contact with the cargo crate.
"Got it," announced Andar as he secured his station. "We're ready to go," he added as Berret dropped back into his seat.
"I hear that," he muttered as he took back control of his thrusters and ordered the Wraith to gain some altitude from the carrier. He could tell there was extra weight from the crate as the ship handled heavier then normal. He throttled up the engines and the Wraith shot away from the Peacekeeper vessel.
"They're still trying to track us on scans," said Andar. "They can't lock on us."
"Don't bet on it," Berret replied. "Wraith, scan the cargo crate for tracking signals."
"Complying," said the AI, a few moments later it continued, "A passive low-band tracking device has been detected inside the cargo crate."
"So much for trust," quipped Malika.
Andar made a show of appearing put out, "If you can't trust a Peacekeeper, whom can you trust?"
"Never the less," said Berret, "Wraith set a course 93 degrees to port of the rendezvous point and inform me when we are one sector out from our current position."
"Acknowledged."
The Shrike sat back in his seat and then turned to give his shipmates a rare smile.
"We did it," he said, almost as if he didn't believe it.
Andar and Malika grinned back at him, while Shenna sat there and regarded the group with a smug, almost fatherly look of pride. Berret attention turned to Val'Cirrus who was still lying on the floor out cold.
"We have to do something with her. I don't want her waking up in here."
Shenna held up one hand to halt his thought. "Malika and I gave her something to keep her under. We thought you might feel that way about her coming around. She'll be asleep until well after we part ways."
Berret nodded his head. "I hope you know what you're doing with her, old man," he said before turning around in his seat to monitor his controls.