Disclaimer: I do not own Farscape. Darn.
Chapter 4: The Secret
"You really shouldn't have let them go Sikozu," Seker was scolding Sikozu as he applied lipstick to her unmoving form, "Look what I was forced to do to you because of it. But this really is for your own good. I can't have anything happening to you especially not at such a pivotal time. Today is the day I make my announcement to the Scarran Imperium of my succession and my choice of Queen. After I've taken care of that nothing is stopping me from declaring war on the Peacekeepers!!!"
Sikozu sat motionless in an upholstered chair Seker had seated her in. After finding out that she was the cause of the prisoners' escape he had drugged her to keep her under control. She was now his doll and he was having fun playing dress-up with her. He had dressed her in a blood-red gown that flowed to the floor with a plunging neckline. He had also spent a fair amount of time straightening her hair. Now he was doing the finishing touches by applying her makeup. That was taking the longest because anytime he finished he thought she looked so sexy he just had to kiss her, and only ended up ruining her lipstick again.
This time he managed to resist the urge to kiss her when he had finished applying her lipstick, "You look beautiful my dear. You will be the envy of every Scarran male."
Although Sikozu couldn't move she could still think and her emotions were revealed through her eyes. Her eyes showed with a mixture of hate, fear, and apprehension. In her current state there was no way she would be able to kill herself before the ceremony. All she could do was feel the hate she felt for Seker welling up inside of her. She hadn't expected him to act so harshly towards her after she had let the others go. Now she couldn't do anything to stop the very thing she had promised to end herself. She was helpless and hated every minute of it.
She was also suddenly feeling quite sick - her body convulsed and fortunately Seker got the idea and helped lean Sikozu over before she would have thrown up upon herself.
"Are you a bit nervous my dear? Don't worry I am too." Seker reassured her.
***
Seker and Sikozu were seated upon a balcony that overlooked a large crowd of Scarrans.
"Fellow Scarrans, I am saddened to have to tell you this but last night the King Obsidian passed away." Seker began his speech.
The Scarrans below reacted in different ways: some were enraged, some saddened, others suspicious.
"As you all know according to the Old Code I Prince Seker am now your King. I have already chosen the Queen who will validate my rule by providing me with an heir for the Scarran Imperium. I present you with Sikozu Shanu!" Seker motioned to the seated Sikozu.
An uproar of enthusiasm and agreement for Seker's choice in a Queen ensued. But the wheels in Sikozu's mind were turning and she thought about what Seker had said about her child validating his rule. Sikozu felt that she probably had just enough energy to stand having thrown-up most of the drugs Seker had given her.
So Sikozu stood up and before Seker could stop her she spoke out, "Scarrans hear me! I cannot be Seker's Queen because I am already carrying another man's child! You may have heard of him - his name is Scorpius." That was all she had the strength to say before she slumped back into her chair.
Seker was outraged along with all of the Scarrans who were there.
"KILL HER! KILL HER! KILL HER!" The Scarrans bellowed.
"I suppose now you'll have to kill me," Sikozu told Seker in a soft voice.
But before Seker could respond an old Scarran spoke out, "HEAR ME FELLOW SCARRANS!!! The Woman does not have to die but her child does if she is to be Seker's Queen - that is what must be done according to the Old Code."
"KILL THE CHILD!" "THE CHILD OF THE HYBRID MUST DIE!" "Kill the half-breed's spawn!" "Kill the child save the Queen!" "Save the Queen!" "Kill the Child!" The Scarrans roared in response to what the old Scarran had told them.
Seker leered at Sikozu, "Looks like you won't have to die after all, but your child will. Pyre, Seb, assist me in taking Sikozu to lab #14. NOW!"
***
"Why do you think Scorpius didn't kill her?" Aeryn asked John.
John shrugged his shoulders. "As crazy as it sounds I think he cares for her."
"He should have killed her," Aeryn began, "But then again war might break out anyways."
"That's what Scorpius said," John informed. "But what are we going to do now? I mean, we have to figure out a way to stop this war don't we? Frell, what if Scorpius is right about how the Peacekeepers should have the knowledge of wormhole technology. I just don't know what to do anymore."
"Well, it looks like killing Sikozu is out of the question. Even Scorpius saw the pointlessness in that. As for wormhole technology - that's up to you, John. You're the one who has to decide - it's your responsibility. I can't tell you what to do all the time. But what about Sikozu - if you decided not to kill her why did you leave her there? You could have brought her back with you."
"Sikozu said she would figure out a way to end it - even if it meant killing herself."
"And Scorpius was ok with that?"
"If he feels anything for Sikozu even remotely similar to what I feel for you then I doubt he was pleased."
"I think you're giving Scorpius too much credit. Do you really think he could harbor such feelings for Sikozu? They barely know each other. And besides Scorpius is half Scarran - I don't think they know how to love."
"I know Scorpius is half Scarran but that doesn't necessarily mean that he can't *love*. Don't forget he is half Sebacean and I know Sebaceans can love because you love me."
"John-"
"And maybe he just never found the right person until now with Sikozu. Sure he's evil but what is evil? Evil is really something that is just devoid of good. What if Sikozu manages to bring something good into his life for a change? Personally I think it would take someone as intelligent as Sikozu to spark Scorpius' interest."
"You don't think it was because of her looks?"
"Something like that is so superficial. I think you could look like a hag and I'd still love you Aeryn."
"John I- if it were me back there on the Planet Pyrite would you leave me behind if it meant stopping a Peacekeeper-Scarran War from breaking out?"
"No, humans are selfish creatures Aeryn. I would go back for you."
"And you don't think Scorpius will go back for Sikozu?" Aeryn questioned while nearing John.
"If he loves Sikozu as much as I love you he will," John said looking at Aeryn directly in her eyes.
John and Aeryn leaned in and their lips were almost touching when:
"John! I think Officer Sun is leaving the Moya in her Prowler." Came Pilot's voice over the COMM.
John slapped his forehead, "Uh, that's a negative Pilot Aeryn is here with me."
"John, you don't think-" Aeryn began.
"Yep, so he is going back for her after all." John smirked and turned back to Aeryn. "Now where were we?"
"If he's going back to save Sikozu we should go too. Come on John let's go." Aeryn said walking off.
'Why does she always do that?' John asked himself in despair.
***
In Lab #14:
"So Seker if it turns out I'm not pregnant are you going to kill me?" Sikozu asked.
"Don't be ridiculous there'd be no reason to kill you then," Seker said. "Are you saying you lied?"
Before Sikozu could respond a Scarran doctor entered, "According to these tests she is indeed pregnant."
"What? I am?" Sikozu exclaimed but then saw Seker's confused expression, "I mean of course I am. I could never lie to you Seker." Sikozu began to panic. 'I didn't know I was really pregnant. What am I going to do now? I could have let them kill me but I can't let them kill my unborn child. Now things are totally different. I'm responsible for the child's life so there is no way I'm going to let them kill it. I suppose I have no choice but to fight. That means they'll know the Organization's Kalish Secret but that's only if they survive - so I'll just make sure they don't. But first I have to rid myself of the rest of the drugs Seker put in me.' Sikozu made herself gag by shoving a finger down her throat and began throwing up all over the titled floor.
"Sikozu stop that! What are you doing?" Seker demanded rushing over to her.
After Sikozu finished throwing up she could already feel some of her strength returning. "Get away from me Seker," Sikozu spat.
"Are you threatening me?" Seker questioned in disbelief.
"So what if I am? What are you going to do about it? Use your Scarran Heat Torture on me? I doubt it would even work." Sikozu prodded.
"How dare you! I'll teach you some respect!" Seker declared preparing to use his heat projection on Sikozu to bend her to his will.
But that was just what Sikozu wanted and when Seker tried to use Scarran Heat Torture on her it backfired. Using a special psi wave Sikozu sent Seker's own attack back at him. The attack hit his mind so forcefully that he began to bleed from his ears and nose.
Seker collapsed to the floor in pain, "You Tralk! What have you done to me?!" Seker grasped his head in pain.
'Shit he was supposed to be dead after that attack!' Sikozu thought to herself.
"Guards! Guards!" Seker yelled and about five Scarran guards came at his call.
"Your Majesty? King Seker what happened?" One guard questioned right away.
"That Tralk did this to me! I want you to kill her! But make her suffer first!" Seker growled in command.
"Yes sir," the guard replied. "Ok you heard him let's kill her but make her suffer first!"
'Ok Sikozu get ready. They'll be using their Scarran Heat Torture *hopefully* and all you have to do it use their own attack against them. I just hope I have enough strength to do it. Frell, and I still can't get out of these restraints - I'm a sitting duck!' Sikozu was thinking as she struggled against her bonds that held her to a medical chair.
"I bet you Greebols couldn't make me suffer even if you all teamed up against me at once!!!" Sikozu stated with a mischievous gleam in her eye.
The Scarrans snarled at her and one spoke out, "Alright girlie have it your way! All together now!" The Scarran guard commanded.
All five of the Scarran guards sent their heat projection rays towards Sikozu simultaneously and they all hit a sort of energy shield that now surrounded Sikozu. Sikozu took a deep breath before concentrating to send their own attacks right back at them using her psi wave. When she did it was with so much force that their heads exploded. The floor was now covered in blood and gore.
Sikozu had been so intent on managing to kill all the guards at once that she hadn't noticed the unexpected arrival of Scorpius, who had seen the entire bloody occurrence.
Sikozu looked up to see Scorpius standing in the doorway, "Scorpius!"
Scorpius looked at the fragile woman before him not able to believe that she had been the cause of so much carnage. "Sikozu..."
Tears of joy filled Sikozu's eyes as she looked back at Scorpius who had come back for her. Neither of them noticed that Seker had staggered over to one of the medical tables and now had a scalpel in hand.
Seker then lunged for Sikozu aiming at her stomach, "IT WILL DIE!!!" He yelled with a crazed look in his eyes.
Sikozu screamed and it looked like nothing could be done to stop him. But Scorpius acted quickly and raised his pulse pistol at Seker. The blast hit Seker's ear and it killed him instantly because of the already building pressure.
Scorpius was surprised at how Seker had died so easily. Scorpius came over to Sikozu and released her from her bonds. "Sikozu what did you do to him?" Scorpius asked quietly.
"You have to promise not to tell anyone, Scorpius. No one must know about the Kalish Secret. If you promise I'll trust your promise and tell you what I did to them."
"Alright, I promise."
Sikozu smiled, "It was my anti-heat psi wave - a sort of mental attack. It was developed by The Organization, which created the neurochip that once implanted in a Kalish woman's brain gives her the ability to deflect Scarran heat projection *and* send it back at them with such increased force that their heads explode. The Organization implanted one in me before my failed mission. Seker here had been genetically altered so that it didn't kill him right away like it was supposed to. It's a great self-defense mechanism but it can only be used against Scarran Heat Torture and nothing else really."
"I see," Scorpius said before he began thinking to himself. 'An anti-heat, psi wave - how very interesting. That technology would be very useful in the fight against the Scarrans. I'm sure with the proper research team a way could be found so that the wave could be used against the Scarrans even without them having to use their heat projection attack first. That neurochip basically transformed Sikozu into the perfect weapon against Scarrans. That's what she really is - a weapon.'
Sikozu noticed his silence, "Is something wrong Scorpius?"
Scorpius looked at her and smiled eerily, 'Yes, who would have thought that she possessed such power.' "No, nothing is wrong Sikozu. Are you all right? That bastard didn't hurt you did he?"
"Thanks to you I'm fine," Sikozu started to say, "And I was beginning to believe that you wouldn't care if I died. And here you came back to save me. Scorpius I-"
Scorpius was beginning to get uncomfortable with what Sikozu was saying, "I came back to set things right. Now that Seker is dead he can't start a war. The ends justify the means Sikozu - remember that. Now let's get out of here. Are you strong enough to stand?"
Sikozu tried to lift herself out of the chair but to no avail, "I'm sorry, I can't, the psi wave takes so much energy to use."
"Fine," Scorpius said picking Sikozu up into his arms and hating the look of admiration she was giving him.
They were about to leave the room when they saw an Old Scarran was blocking their path.
To be continued...
Chapter 4: The Secret
"You really shouldn't have let them go Sikozu," Seker was scolding Sikozu as he applied lipstick to her unmoving form, "Look what I was forced to do to you because of it. But this really is for your own good. I can't have anything happening to you especially not at such a pivotal time. Today is the day I make my announcement to the Scarran Imperium of my succession and my choice of Queen. After I've taken care of that nothing is stopping me from declaring war on the Peacekeepers!!!"
Sikozu sat motionless in an upholstered chair Seker had seated her in. After finding out that she was the cause of the prisoners' escape he had drugged her to keep her under control. She was now his doll and he was having fun playing dress-up with her. He had dressed her in a blood-red gown that flowed to the floor with a plunging neckline. He had also spent a fair amount of time straightening her hair. Now he was doing the finishing touches by applying her makeup. That was taking the longest because anytime he finished he thought she looked so sexy he just had to kiss her, and only ended up ruining her lipstick again.
This time he managed to resist the urge to kiss her when he had finished applying her lipstick, "You look beautiful my dear. You will be the envy of every Scarran male."
Although Sikozu couldn't move she could still think and her emotions were revealed through her eyes. Her eyes showed with a mixture of hate, fear, and apprehension. In her current state there was no way she would be able to kill herself before the ceremony. All she could do was feel the hate she felt for Seker welling up inside of her. She hadn't expected him to act so harshly towards her after she had let the others go. Now she couldn't do anything to stop the very thing she had promised to end herself. She was helpless and hated every minute of it.
She was also suddenly feeling quite sick - her body convulsed and fortunately Seker got the idea and helped lean Sikozu over before she would have thrown up upon herself.
"Are you a bit nervous my dear? Don't worry I am too." Seker reassured her.
***
Seker and Sikozu were seated upon a balcony that overlooked a large crowd of Scarrans.
"Fellow Scarrans, I am saddened to have to tell you this but last night the King Obsidian passed away." Seker began his speech.
The Scarrans below reacted in different ways: some were enraged, some saddened, others suspicious.
"As you all know according to the Old Code I Prince Seker am now your King. I have already chosen the Queen who will validate my rule by providing me with an heir for the Scarran Imperium. I present you with Sikozu Shanu!" Seker motioned to the seated Sikozu.
An uproar of enthusiasm and agreement for Seker's choice in a Queen ensued. But the wheels in Sikozu's mind were turning and she thought about what Seker had said about her child validating his rule. Sikozu felt that she probably had just enough energy to stand having thrown-up most of the drugs Seker had given her.
So Sikozu stood up and before Seker could stop her she spoke out, "Scarrans hear me! I cannot be Seker's Queen because I am already carrying another man's child! You may have heard of him - his name is Scorpius." That was all she had the strength to say before she slumped back into her chair.
Seker was outraged along with all of the Scarrans who were there.
"KILL HER! KILL HER! KILL HER!" The Scarrans bellowed.
"I suppose now you'll have to kill me," Sikozu told Seker in a soft voice.
But before Seker could respond an old Scarran spoke out, "HEAR ME FELLOW SCARRANS!!! The Woman does not have to die but her child does if she is to be Seker's Queen - that is what must be done according to the Old Code."
"KILL THE CHILD!" "THE CHILD OF THE HYBRID MUST DIE!" "Kill the half-breed's spawn!" "Kill the child save the Queen!" "Save the Queen!" "Kill the Child!" The Scarrans roared in response to what the old Scarran had told them.
Seker leered at Sikozu, "Looks like you won't have to die after all, but your child will. Pyre, Seb, assist me in taking Sikozu to lab #14. NOW!"
***
"Why do you think Scorpius didn't kill her?" Aeryn asked John.
John shrugged his shoulders. "As crazy as it sounds I think he cares for her."
"He should have killed her," Aeryn began, "But then again war might break out anyways."
"That's what Scorpius said," John informed. "But what are we going to do now? I mean, we have to figure out a way to stop this war don't we? Frell, what if Scorpius is right about how the Peacekeepers should have the knowledge of wormhole technology. I just don't know what to do anymore."
"Well, it looks like killing Sikozu is out of the question. Even Scorpius saw the pointlessness in that. As for wormhole technology - that's up to you, John. You're the one who has to decide - it's your responsibility. I can't tell you what to do all the time. But what about Sikozu - if you decided not to kill her why did you leave her there? You could have brought her back with you."
"Sikozu said she would figure out a way to end it - even if it meant killing herself."
"And Scorpius was ok with that?"
"If he feels anything for Sikozu even remotely similar to what I feel for you then I doubt he was pleased."
"I think you're giving Scorpius too much credit. Do you really think he could harbor such feelings for Sikozu? They barely know each other. And besides Scorpius is half Scarran - I don't think they know how to love."
"I know Scorpius is half Scarran but that doesn't necessarily mean that he can't *love*. Don't forget he is half Sebacean and I know Sebaceans can love because you love me."
"John-"
"And maybe he just never found the right person until now with Sikozu. Sure he's evil but what is evil? Evil is really something that is just devoid of good. What if Sikozu manages to bring something good into his life for a change? Personally I think it would take someone as intelligent as Sikozu to spark Scorpius' interest."
"You don't think it was because of her looks?"
"Something like that is so superficial. I think you could look like a hag and I'd still love you Aeryn."
"John I- if it were me back there on the Planet Pyrite would you leave me behind if it meant stopping a Peacekeeper-Scarran War from breaking out?"
"No, humans are selfish creatures Aeryn. I would go back for you."
"And you don't think Scorpius will go back for Sikozu?" Aeryn questioned while nearing John.
"If he loves Sikozu as much as I love you he will," John said looking at Aeryn directly in her eyes.
John and Aeryn leaned in and their lips were almost touching when:
"John! I think Officer Sun is leaving the Moya in her Prowler." Came Pilot's voice over the COMM.
John slapped his forehead, "Uh, that's a negative Pilot Aeryn is here with me."
"John, you don't think-" Aeryn began.
"Yep, so he is going back for her after all." John smirked and turned back to Aeryn. "Now where were we?"
"If he's going back to save Sikozu we should go too. Come on John let's go." Aeryn said walking off.
'Why does she always do that?' John asked himself in despair.
***
In Lab #14:
"So Seker if it turns out I'm not pregnant are you going to kill me?" Sikozu asked.
"Don't be ridiculous there'd be no reason to kill you then," Seker said. "Are you saying you lied?"
Before Sikozu could respond a Scarran doctor entered, "According to these tests she is indeed pregnant."
"What? I am?" Sikozu exclaimed but then saw Seker's confused expression, "I mean of course I am. I could never lie to you Seker." Sikozu began to panic. 'I didn't know I was really pregnant. What am I going to do now? I could have let them kill me but I can't let them kill my unborn child. Now things are totally different. I'm responsible for the child's life so there is no way I'm going to let them kill it. I suppose I have no choice but to fight. That means they'll know the Organization's Kalish Secret but that's only if they survive - so I'll just make sure they don't. But first I have to rid myself of the rest of the drugs Seker put in me.' Sikozu made herself gag by shoving a finger down her throat and began throwing up all over the titled floor.
"Sikozu stop that! What are you doing?" Seker demanded rushing over to her.
After Sikozu finished throwing up she could already feel some of her strength returning. "Get away from me Seker," Sikozu spat.
"Are you threatening me?" Seker questioned in disbelief.
"So what if I am? What are you going to do about it? Use your Scarran Heat Torture on me? I doubt it would even work." Sikozu prodded.
"How dare you! I'll teach you some respect!" Seker declared preparing to use his heat projection on Sikozu to bend her to his will.
But that was just what Sikozu wanted and when Seker tried to use Scarran Heat Torture on her it backfired. Using a special psi wave Sikozu sent Seker's own attack back at him. The attack hit his mind so forcefully that he began to bleed from his ears and nose.
Seker collapsed to the floor in pain, "You Tralk! What have you done to me?!" Seker grasped his head in pain.
'Shit he was supposed to be dead after that attack!' Sikozu thought to herself.
"Guards! Guards!" Seker yelled and about five Scarran guards came at his call.
"Your Majesty? King Seker what happened?" One guard questioned right away.
"That Tralk did this to me! I want you to kill her! But make her suffer first!" Seker growled in command.
"Yes sir," the guard replied. "Ok you heard him let's kill her but make her suffer first!"
'Ok Sikozu get ready. They'll be using their Scarran Heat Torture *hopefully* and all you have to do it use their own attack against them. I just hope I have enough strength to do it. Frell, and I still can't get out of these restraints - I'm a sitting duck!' Sikozu was thinking as she struggled against her bonds that held her to a medical chair.
"I bet you Greebols couldn't make me suffer even if you all teamed up against me at once!!!" Sikozu stated with a mischievous gleam in her eye.
The Scarrans snarled at her and one spoke out, "Alright girlie have it your way! All together now!" The Scarran guard commanded.
All five of the Scarran guards sent their heat projection rays towards Sikozu simultaneously and they all hit a sort of energy shield that now surrounded Sikozu. Sikozu took a deep breath before concentrating to send their own attacks right back at them using her psi wave. When she did it was with so much force that their heads exploded. The floor was now covered in blood and gore.
Sikozu had been so intent on managing to kill all the guards at once that she hadn't noticed the unexpected arrival of Scorpius, who had seen the entire bloody occurrence.
Sikozu looked up to see Scorpius standing in the doorway, "Scorpius!"
Scorpius looked at the fragile woman before him not able to believe that she had been the cause of so much carnage. "Sikozu..."
Tears of joy filled Sikozu's eyes as she looked back at Scorpius who had come back for her. Neither of them noticed that Seker had staggered over to one of the medical tables and now had a scalpel in hand.
Seker then lunged for Sikozu aiming at her stomach, "IT WILL DIE!!!" He yelled with a crazed look in his eyes.
Sikozu screamed and it looked like nothing could be done to stop him. But Scorpius acted quickly and raised his pulse pistol at Seker. The blast hit Seker's ear and it killed him instantly because of the already building pressure.
Scorpius was surprised at how Seker had died so easily. Scorpius came over to Sikozu and released her from her bonds. "Sikozu what did you do to him?" Scorpius asked quietly.
"You have to promise not to tell anyone, Scorpius. No one must know about the Kalish Secret. If you promise I'll trust your promise and tell you what I did to them."
"Alright, I promise."
Sikozu smiled, "It was my anti-heat psi wave - a sort of mental attack. It was developed by The Organization, which created the neurochip that once implanted in a Kalish woman's brain gives her the ability to deflect Scarran heat projection *and* send it back at them with such increased force that their heads explode. The Organization implanted one in me before my failed mission. Seker here had been genetically altered so that it didn't kill him right away like it was supposed to. It's a great self-defense mechanism but it can only be used against Scarran Heat Torture and nothing else really."
"I see," Scorpius said before he began thinking to himself. 'An anti-heat, psi wave - how very interesting. That technology would be very useful in the fight against the Scarrans. I'm sure with the proper research team a way could be found so that the wave could be used against the Scarrans even without them having to use their heat projection attack first. That neurochip basically transformed Sikozu into the perfect weapon against Scarrans. That's what she really is - a weapon.'
Sikozu noticed his silence, "Is something wrong Scorpius?"
Scorpius looked at her and smiled eerily, 'Yes, who would have thought that she possessed such power.' "No, nothing is wrong Sikozu. Are you all right? That bastard didn't hurt you did he?"
"Thanks to you I'm fine," Sikozu started to say, "And I was beginning to believe that you wouldn't care if I died. And here you came back to save me. Scorpius I-"
Scorpius was beginning to get uncomfortable with what Sikozu was saying, "I came back to set things right. Now that Seker is dead he can't start a war. The ends justify the means Sikozu - remember that. Now let's get out of here. Are you strong enough to stand?"
Sikozu tried to lift herself out of the chair but to no avail, "I'm sorry, I can't, the psi wave takes so much energy to use."
"Fine," Scorpius said picking Sikozu up into his arms and hating the look of admiration she was giving him.
They were about to leave the room when they saw an Old Scarran was blocking their path.
To be continued...