Disclaimer: I do not own Farscape.
Ch 6: A new beginning
While Sikozu and Scorpius were lost in each other's embrace they failed to notice the arrival of three Scarrans - the Old Scarran, Seb, and Pyre.
"Your Highness how can you embrace the one that betrayed you so cruelly?" The Old Scarrans' voice came.
Sikozu looked up surprised to see the three Scarrans there.
"Advisor, Seb, Pyre what are you doing here?" Sikozu asked slightly confused.
"We're here to save you from Scorpius of course," the Old Scarran explained.
"Save me from Scorpius? There must be some sort of a mistake. I don't need to be saved from him - in fact Scorpius saved me."
"That's just what he wants you to think, Highness. Scorpius is an evil one he is and he's managed to cloud your judgment. But don't worry that's why we're here for you - to take you back to the Planet Pyrite where you can start ruling as Queen."
"But I don't want to go back to that planet - not without Scorpius."
"Then we have no choice but to force you to come with us," The Old Scarran said in a sad voice. He then looked from Seb and Pyre and gave them a 'go ahead' nod.
Seb and Pyre both attacked Scorpius who had been on guard from the start.
"I order you to stop this immediately!" Sikozu cried out seeing the two Scarrans fight with Scorpius.
"I'm sorry your Highness but we can't do that - we're just following orders." Pyre hissed.
"You're supposed to be following *my* orders not my Advisor's!" Sikozu spat.
"But didn't you know you're nothing but a figure-head, a pawn that I plan to use to rule the Scarran Imperium!" The Old Scarran revealed coming up to Sikozu.
"No! This can't be!" Sikozu spoke. 'Scorpius was right all along. What have I done? I've put him in danger because of me.'
"Ah but it is." The Old Scarran leered at Sikozu. Sikozu began to get off the bed to attack the Scarran but he waved his hand dismissively. "There's no point in trying to attack us Sikozu because you no longer have the power to defeat us."
"What are you talking about? Of course I have the power to defeat you and defeat you I shall!" Sikozu hopped off the bed and walked towards the Old Scarran.
"Foolish woman!" The Old Scarran hissed before sending his heat projection at Sikozu.
"Sikozu!" Scorpius growled when he saw the ray of heat hit Sikozu and knock her to the floor leaving her in pain. She had tried to use her anti-heat psi wave but to no avail.
"You see, my beautiful figurehead I made sure to have Braca remove your neurochip - it was all part of our little deal." The Old Scarran smiled. "A pity your *consort* killed such a useful man."
"My neurochip has been removed," Sikozu said to herself in disbelief as she tried to get up off the floor. 'But how am I to help Scorpius?!'
Scorpius was still fighting with Seb and Pyre and the two Scarrans guards were turning out to be a formidable team. Separated they were nothing but together they were dangerous.
"Seb, let's both use our heat projection at the same time. He can't last for too long." Pyre suggested.
"Ok, if you think that will work," Seb replied.
The two Scarrans then sent their heat projection at Scorpius just as he was about to attack them once more. Both beams of heat hit Scorpius and he had to use all his willpower not to fall backwards. He knew it wouldn't be long before they managed to overpower him but he wondered what would become of Sikozu.
"No! Please don't hurt him! I'll go with you!" Sikozu shrieked seeing Scorpius in pain.
The Old Scarran motioned for Seb and Pyre to stop their torture of Scorpius, "Very well my dear, that was a regal decision. I can see you are already learning."
Sikozu slowly got to her feet and looked at the defeated Scorpius in sadness.
"Seb, Pyre, help Queen Sikozu to the ship." The Old Scarran ordered.
Seb and Pyre got hold of Sikozu's two arms but she shrugged their hold off of her. "I may be nothing but a figurehead but that doesn't mean that I can be touched by the likes of you. I can make it to the ship on my own, thank you." Sikozu hissed.
"No Sikozu-" Scorpius objected staggering to his feet.
"I'm sorry Scorpius, you were right. You were right about everything - I am nothing but a naïve girl after all." Sikozu said before following the three Scarrans out the door.
Scorpius tried to pursue them but he was far too weakened from the double Scarran attack. He slumped to the floor and began to beat his fist into the titles beneath him. "Sikozu! Sikozu. Sikozu." He said with each punch until his knuckles bled. 'I failed to protect you Sikozu! I failed.'
***
Seb escorted Sikozu to Seker's room that was now hers. His orders were to take her there and then lock her inside, but Seb had other plans. He pushed Sikozu inside and locked the door.
"Seb what the frell do you think you're doing?" Sikozu asked bewildered.
"You gave me a taste - a taste wasn't enough," Seb said drooling as he looked Sikozu over. She was still in her hospital gown and it was somewhat revealing.
"You've got to be kidding," Sikozu said, "How dare you assume that I would have anything to do with you! Get out of my room right now! I am still your Queen!"
"No, not Queen - Old Scarran said you're nothing but a figurehead. You're not a real Queen." Seb said as he approached Sikozu.
"I'll scream," Sikozu warned.
"No one will care," The Scarran responded as he cornered Sikozu up against the bed. He then lifted her onto it and began to crawl on top of her.
'Ok Sikozu, think. There has to be someway out of this mess!' Sikozu thought to herself as Seb began to tear her clothes off. She reached both of her hands behind and around her searching, feeling, around for anything that could help her. 'Oh it's no use! There's nothing in this room that can possibly help me!' Sikozu began to give up and was about to resign herself to her fate when she let her hand hang loosely over the side of the bed so that it hit an open metal suitcase.
'The cooling rods! There has to be at least one left!' Sikozu stretched her hand down as far as possible trying to grasp one of the cooling rods. Sikozu could feel Seb's hot drool dripping onto her bare skin. And then finally she managed to grasp one. She pushed Seb away from her causing him to growl in response. Sikozu took this opportunity to ram a cooling rod down Seb's throat. But the procedure was not as easy as it looked and as Sikozu pulled her hand away Seb's razor sharp teeth cut deep into her hand.
Sikozu pulled back her bloodied hand and looked at the choking Scarran in front of her wondering if she should try and ram another cooling rod down his throat. For now it looked like he could barely move so for the moment he didn't present a threat. Sikozu took Seb's keys from him and began searching the room for some proper clothes. She chose a red-leather jump suit and put her hair up into a bun in case she needed to shift her gravity center. She then packed a small bag with some clothes before leaving Seb locked in Seker's old room.
Sikozu decided it would be safest to walk on the ceiling so quickly shifted her gravity center to do so. She didn't know how long it would take Seb to recover so knew she had to move quickly if she was going to manage an escape. But first she had to make a stop to the laboratory.
Sikozu snuck inside the lab and was relieved to find no one else there since it was so late at night. She then searched around for the necessary parts to create something that Sikozu thought would come in handy if any Scarrans tried to stop her from leaving that accursed planet. Having quickly assembled her little surprise she swiftly made her way to the landing pads where she planned to steal a transport pod or ship of some kind.
The only thing Sikozu was unsure of was her destination - would she really be accepted on Moya?
When Sikozu made it to a landing pad she hid behind some large crates and saw that there were two Scarrans she hadn't had the *pleasure* of meeting yet guarding a nice looking ship. She decided it was now or never to try out her latest invention. She pulled out her cooling-rod pistol and stepped out from behind the crates.
"Hello there. Prepare to die." Sikozu said shooting both of the Scarrans in the neck with her new pistol. The pistol shot extra long cooling-rods directly into the flesh of the Scarrans' necks. They both fell to the ground convulsing in pain.
'That worked even better than I thought,' Sikozu smiled to herself as she boarded the now unguarded ship and prepared to take off.
***
"So you're saying you let Sikozu get kidnapped *again*!" John exclaimed.
"Yes, John, I failed to protect her. And that's why I have to go after her and I came here to ask- to ask for your help John." Scorpius told John.
"Man, that's the first time you've ever asked me for help Scorpie. Ah, the power of love!" John smiled. "That Sikozu sure is a popular one with the Scarrans isn't she? Well, all right I'll help you but what are you going to give me in return?"
"I hadn't thought of that," Scorpius admitted.
John smirked, "Well, you could always promise to give up the whole 'getting the key to wormhole technology from John' thing. Now to that I'd help you with anything."
Scorpius was at a standstill - he knew he needed John's help if he was going to rescue Sikozu but to promise such a thing would go against everything Scorpius was after.
Scorpius was about to agree when Pilot's voice was heard over the COMM: "John there seems to be an incoming transmission from a Scarran ship should I open communications?"
"Yeah, sure Pilot, let's see what these bastards want this time - I'm afraid we'll have to tell them we're all out of fresh Sikozu." John said.
"Hey there, I was wondering how much the going rate was for room and board on a great Leviathan like that one?" Came Sikozu's voice over the COMM.
"Sikozu?" Scorpius questioned in shock.
"Well, what do ya know she managed to save herself that time - she keeps getting spunkier and spunkier doesn't she grasshopper? Do you think its safe to let her onboard? It's up to you Scorp!"
"Yes, of course it's safe to let her aboard John." Scorpius growled. "She probably managed to escape by good luck or pure chance."
"John...it seems Sikozu was followed by a Scarran Dreadnought." Pilot's voice came over the COMM once more.
"Ok Scorpie, X-nay the good luck part. Pilot let Sikozu come aboard and then we'll Starburst." John commanded.
"Yes commander," Pilot responded.
***
Scorpius greeted Sikozu in the hanger.
"Scorpius! I'm so glad to see you." Sikozu began and then noticed that no one else had come to greet her. "Where are the others?"
"They're preparing Moya to Starburst it seems you were followed."
"Followed? Damn, will we get away in time?"
"We should unless something goes horribly wrong," Scorpius smirked.
Scorpius and Sikozu could feel Moya about to Starburst when suddenly it felt like Moya had run into something. The whole ship jerked forward sending Sikozu and Scorpius sprawling to the floor.
"What the frell was that?" Sikozu questioned rubbing a bump on her forehead.
"Don't know, but whatever it is can't be good." Scorpius replied holding his hand out to help Sikozu up.
"Thanks," Sikozu said smiling as she reached out for Scorpius' hand. He lifted her up like she was made of air.
"Sikozu, something's happened and we don't know what. You're needed on the main bridge immediately." Came John's voice over the COMM.
"Come on," Sikozu told Scorpius as she ran to the bridge.
***
"So what is it?" John asked.
Sikozu looked at the visual image that Pilot had provided of what had *caught* Moya, on screen. Red-hot electric energy now had Moya in its clutches.
"It's a Scarran Heat Net - you were right Scorpius this isn't good." Sikozu said slowly and hung her head in shame. "This is all my fault. There's no way we can escape from a Scarran Heat Net unless..." Sikozu began to think.
"Unless what?" Scorpius asked.
"I think I have an idea," Sikozu smiled. "But I'll need a space suit."
"Done," John said.
"You must tell us what you intend to do first," Scorpius ordered.
"I plan to destabilize the Heat Net using my latest invention - the cooling-rod pistol. If my theory is correct then if I shoot enough cooling rods at a specific point that should cause a break in the net. The break should be big enough for Moya to escape and then Starburst."
"Let me go instead," Scorpius offered.
"There shouldn't be any danger," Sikozu lied. "Besides this is all my fault and I intend to finish this."
"Sikozu-"
"Let her go Scorpie the girl knows what she's doing," John informed.
***
Sikozu put on a space suit and loaded her cooling-rod pistol with the maximum amount of cooling rods - count five. She was about to open the hatch that lead to the top of Moya when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you sure about this Sikozu?" It was Scorpius.
"I'm sure - don't worry Scorpius I'll come back to you - I promise."
"I for one never break my promises and I expect you to do the same," Scorpius said solemnly.
"Good bye Scorpius," Sikozu said exiting the ship. Once outside she could immediately feel the Heat Net's affect on herself. Sikozu concluded that Moya must also be in immense pain. The pain was so intense Sikozu found herself sinking to her knees on the top of the ship.
'Sikozu you have to get up. They're all counting on you.' Sikozu told herself forcing herself to stand and raising her cooling-rod pistol before her. 'Ok, five shots and all in the same direction.' Sikozu fired the first, the second, the third, the forth, the fifth and then she collapsed unconscious on top of the Leviathan. A hole in the Heat Net had been created.
Meanwhile inside Moya...
"Sikozu was successful in creating a break in the net for us to use to escape. As soon as we hear from Sikozu we can Starburst out of here." Pilot revealed.
Everyone aboard Moya waited to hear for Sikozu's go ahead but it didn't come.
"Do you think she's still out there?" John asked.
"We may have a problem it seems the net is closing back up!" Pilot warned.
Scorpius growled, "We won't leave without making sure Sikozu is safe. I'm going to go and get her." Scorpius finished before marching off.
"I only hope he manages to save her in time," John told Aeryn who was by his side.
"Should we really risk our lives for those two?" Aeryn questioned curious to see what John's response would be.
"Yes, they're just like us in a way," John smirked and held Aeryn's hand, "One can't survive without the other."
"Some times you impress even me John with that kind heart of yours," Aeryn told him.
***
Scorpius quickly emerged on top of Moya and found Sikozu unconscious. The Heat Net was also bearing down upon him and he gritted his teeth in pain as he made his way over to Sikozu. He quickly picked her limp form up into his arms and carried her inside.
"John let's get the hell out of here," Came Scorpius' smug voice over the COMM.
"Now we're talking!" John exclaimed. "You heard the grasshopper get us out of here Pilot."
Pilot maneuvered Moya through the break that even then was closing and they barely made it through. But once they did they Starbursted to safely leaving the Scarran Dreadnaught far behind them.
***
"What is your reason for hating Scarrans?" Sikozu asked while looking curiously at Scorpius, who was seated next to her.
"I was raised by Scarrans who lied to me most of my life. They fed me lies about my true origins saying that my mother was a Scarran that had been raped by a Sebacean male. It wasn't until many years later that I found out the truth. It had been my Sebacean mother who had been raped by a Scarran but I had suspected as much from the beginning of my tortured youth. What made finding out the truth worse was learning how much she had suffered because of it - because of me. The Scarrans use whoever they want for their sick breeding experiments but it's the children who suffer the most for it. For they are neither one or the other and have no place to call their own."
"We're a lot alike Scorpius," Sikozu began, "You're no Saint and I'm no Angel. I am part Sebacean, part Kalish, and part Scarran. The Kalish are really genetically engineered Sebacean women, whose DNA was combined with different animals to get special abilities. My mother's DNA was probably combined with an amphibian of some sort so I'm probably part salamander as well. My personality is originated from a mix of those sides of myself. I don't really understand who I am or where I belong. All I know is that I understand your hatred and I want to follow to wherever it leads you, Scorpius."
"You may be of some use to me," Scorpius began, "so I'll allow you to come along."
Scorpius smiled at Sikozu before starting up the ship Sikozu had stolen. Sikozu reached out and held Scorpius' hand in hers and sighed contentedly when he didn't pull his hand away.
***
The End and the start of a new beginning for two tortured souls that managed to find each other in the vastness of space.
Ch 6: A new beginning
While Sikozu and Scorpius were lost in each other's embrace they failed to notice the arrival of three Scarrans - the Old Scarran, Seb, and Pyre.
"Your Highness how can you embrace the one that betrayed you so cruelly?" The Old Scarrans' voice came.
Sikozu looked up surprised to see the three Scarrans there.
"Advisor, Seb, Pyre what are you doing here?" Sikozu asked slightly confused.
"We're here to save you from Scorpius of course," the Old Scarran explained.
"Save me from Scorpius? There must be some sort of a mistake. I don't need to be saved from him - in fact Scorpius saved me."
"That's just what he wants you to think, Highness. Scorpius is an evil one he is and he's managed to cloud your judgment. But don't worry that's why we're here for you - to take you back to the Planet Pyrite where you can start ruling as Queen."
"But I don't want to go back to that planet - not without Scorpius."
"Then we have no choice but to force you to come with us," The Old Scarran said in a sad voice. He then looked from Seb and Pyre and gave them a 'go ahead' nod.
Seb and Pyre both attacked Scorpius who had been on guard from the start.
"I order you to stop this immediately!" Sikozu cried out seeing the two Scarrans fight with Scorpius.
"I'm sorry your Highness but we can't do that - we're just following orders." Pyre hissed.
"You're supposed to be following *my* orders not my Advisor's!" Sikozu spat.
"But didn't you know you're nothing but a figure-head, a pawn that I plan to use to rule the Scarran Imperium!" The Old Scarran revealed coming up to Sikozu.
"No! This can't be!" Sikozu spoke. 'Scorpius was right all along. What have I done? I've put him in danger because of me.'
"Ah but it is." The Old Scarran leered at Sikozu. Sikozu began to get off the bed to attack the Scarran but he waved his hand dismissively. "There's no point in trying to attack us Sikozu because you no longer have the power to defeat us."
"What are you talking about? Of course I have the power to defeat you and defeat you I shall!" Sikozu hopped off the bed and walked towards the Old Scarran.
"Foolish woman!" The Old Scarran hissed before sending his heat projection at Sikozu.
"Sikozu!" Scorpius growled when he saw the ray of heat hit Sikozu and knock her to the floor leaving her in pain. She had tried to use her anti-heat psi wave but to no avail.
"You see, my beautiful figurehead I made sure to have Braca remove your neurochip - it was all part of our little deal." The Old Scarran smiled. "A pity your *consort* killed such a useful man."
"My neurochip has been removed," Sikozu said to herself in disbelief as she tried to get up off the floor. 'But how am I to help Scorpius?!'
Scorpius was still fighting with Seb and Pyre and the two Scarrans guards were turning out to be a formidable team. Separated they were nothing but together they were dangerous.
"Seb, let's both use our heat projection at the same time. He can't last for too long." Pyre suggested.
"Ok, if you think that will work," Seb replied.
The two Scarrans then sent their heat projection at Scorpius just as he was about to attack them once more. Both beams of heat hit Scorpius and he had to use all his willpower not to fall backwards. He knew it wouldn't be long before they managed to overpower him but he wondered what would become of Sikozu.
"No! Please don't hurt him! I'll go with you!" Sikozu shrieked seeing Scorpius in pain.
The Old Scarran motioned for Seb and Pyre to stop their torture of Scorpius, "Very well my dear, that was a regal decision. I can see you are already learning."
Sikozu slowly got to her feet and looked at the defeated Scorpius in sadness.
"Seb, Pyre, help Queen Sikozu to the ship." The Old Scarran ordered.
Seb and Pyre got hold of Sikozu's two arms but she shrugged their hold off of her. "I may be nothing but a figurehead but that doesn't mean that I can be touched by the likes of you. I can make it to the ship on my own, thank you." Sikozu hissed.
"No Sikozu-" Scorpius objected staggering to his feet.
"I'm sorry Scorpius, you were right. You were right about everything - I am nothing but a naïve girl after all." Sikozu said before following the three Scarrans out the door.
Scorpius tried to pursue them but he was far too weakened from the double Scarran attack. He slumped to the floor and began to beat his fist into the titles beneath him. "Sikozu! Sikozu. Sikozu." He said with each punch until his knuckles bled. 'I failed to protect you Sikozu! I failed.'
***
Seb escorted Sikozu to Seker's room that was now hers. His orders were to take her there and then lock her inside, but Seb had other plans. He pushed Sikozu inside and locked the door.
"Seb what the frell do you think you're doing?" Sikozu asked bewildered.
"You gave me a taste - a taste wasn't enough," Seb said drooling as he looked Sikozu over. She was still in her hospital gown and it was somewhat revealing.
"You've got to be kidding," Sikozu said, "How dare you assume that I would have anything to do with you! Get out of my room right now! I am still your Queen!"
"No, not Queen - Old Scarran said you're nothing but a figurehead. You're not a real Queen." Seb said as he approached Sikozu.
"I'll scream," Sikozu warned.
"No one will care," The Scarran responded as he cornered Sikozu up against the bed. He then lifted her onto it and began to crawl on top of her.
'Ok Sikozu, think. There has to be someway out of this mess!' Sikozu thought to herself as Seb began to tear her clothes off. She reached both of her hands behind and around her searching, feeling, around for anything that could help her. 'Oh it's no use! There's nothing in this room that can possibly help me!' Sikozu began to give up and was about to resign herself to her fate when she let her hand hang loosely over the side of the bed so that it hit an open metal suitcase.
'The cooling rods! There has to be at least one left!' Sikozu stretched her hand down as far as possible trying to grasp one of the cooling rods. Sikozu could feel Seb's hot drool dripping onto her bare skin. And then finally she managed to grasp one. She pushed Seb away from her causing him to growl in response. Sikozu took this opportunity to ram a cooling rod down Seb's throat. But the procedure was not as easy as it looked and as Sikozu pulled her hand away Seb's razor sharp teeth cut deep into her hand.
Sikozu pulled back her bloodied hand and looked at the choking Scarran in front of her wondering if she should try and ram another cooling rod down his throat. For now it looked like he could barely move so for the moment he didn't present a threat. Sikozu took Seb's keys from him and began searching the room for some proper clothes. She chose a red-leather jump suit and put her hair up into a bun in case she needed to shift her gravity center. She then packed a small bag with some clothes before leaving Seb locked in Seker's old room.
Sikozu decided it would be safest to walk on the ceiling so quickly shifted her gravity center to do so. She didn't know how long it would take Seb to recover so knew she had to move quickly if she was going to manage an escape. But first she had to make a stop to the laboratory.
Sikozu snuck inside the lab and was relieved to find no one else there since it was so late at night. She then searched around for the necessary parts to create something that Sikozu thought would come in handy if any Scarrans tried to stop her from leaving that accursed planet. Having quickly assembled her little surprise she swiftly made her way to the landing pads where she planned to steal a transport pod or ship of some kind.
The only thing Sikozu was unsure of was her destination - would she really be accepted on Moya?
When Sikozu made it to a landing pad she hid behind some large crates and saw that there were two Scarrans she hadn't had the *pleasure* of meeting yet guarding a nice looking ship. She decided it was now or never to try out her latest invention. She pulled out her cooling-rod pistol and stepped out from behind the crates.
"Hello there. Prepare to die." Sikozu said shooting both of the Scarrans in the neck with her new pistol. The pistol shot extra long cooling-rods directly into the flesh of the Scarrans' necks. They both fell to the ground convulsing in pain.
'That worked even better than I thought,' Sikozu smiled to herself as she boarded the now unguarded ship and prepared to take off.
***
"So you're saying you let Sikozu get kidnapped *again*!" John exclaimed.
"Yes, John, I failed to protect her. And that's why I have to go after her and I came here to ask- to ask for your help John." Scorpius told John.
"Man, that's the first time you've ever asked me for help Scorpie. Ah, the power of love!" John smiled. "That Sikozu sure is a popular one with the Scarrans isn't she? Well, all right I'll help you but what are you going to give me in return?"
"I hadn't thought of that," Scorpius admitted.
John smirked, "Well, you could always promise to give up the whole 'getting the key to wormhole technology from John' thing. Now to that I'd help you with anything."
Scorpius was at a standstill - he knew he needed John's help if he was going to rescue Sikozu but to promise such a thing would go against everything Scorpius was after.
Scorpius was about to agree when Pilot's voice was heard over the COMM: "John there seems to be an incoming transmission from a Scarran ship should I open communications?"
"Yeah, sure Pilot, let's see what these bastards want this time - I'm afraid we'll have to tell them we're all out of fresh Sikozu." John said.
"Hey there, I was wondering how much the going rate was for room and board on a great Leviathan like that one?" Came Sikozu's voice over the COMM.
"Sikozu?" Scorpius questioned in shock.
"Well, what do ya know she managed to save herself that time - she keeps getting spunkier and spunkier doesn't she grasshopper? Do you think its safe to let her onboard? It's up to you Scorp!"
"Yes, of course it's safe to let her aboard John." Scorpius growled. "She probably managed to escape by good luck or pure chance."
"John...it seems Sikozu was followed by a Scarran Dreadnought." Pilot's voice came over the COMM once more.
"Ok Scorpie, X-nay the good luck part. Pilot let Sikozu come aboard and then we'll Starburst." John commanded.
"Yes commander," Pilot responded.
***
Scorpius greeted Sikozu in the hanger.
"Scorpius! I'm so glad to see you." Sikozu began and then noticed that no one else had come to greet her. "Where are the others?"
"They're preparing Moya to Starburst it seems you were followed."
"Followed? Damn, will we get away in time?"
"We should unless something goes horribly wrong," Scorpius smirked.
Scorpius and Sikozu could feel Moya about to Starburst when suddenly it felt like Moya had run into something. The whole ship jerked forward sending Sikozu and Scorpius sprawling to the floor.
"What the frell was that?" Sikozu questioned rubbing a bump on her forehead.
"Don't know, but whatever it is can't be good." Scorpius replied holding his hand out to help Sikozu up.
"Thanks," Sikozu said smiling as she reached out for Scorpius' hand. He lifted her up like she was made of air.
"Sikozu, something's happened and we don't know what. You're needed on the main bridge immediately." Came John's voice over the COMM.
"Come on," Sikozu told Scorpius as she ran to the bridge.
***
"So what is it?" John asked.
Sikozu looked at the visual image that Pilot had provided of what had *caught* Moya, on screen. Red-hot electric energy now had Moya in its clutches.
"It's a Scarran Heat Net - you were right Scorpius this isn't good." Sikozu said slowly and hung her head in shame. "This is all my fault. There's no way we can escape from a Scarran Heat Net unless..." Sikozu began to think.
"Unless what?" Scorpius asked.
"I think I have an idea," Sikozu smiled. "But I'll need a space suit."
"Done," John said.
"You must tell us what you intend to do first," Scorpius ordered.
"I plan to destabilize the Heat Net using my latest invention - the cooling-rod pistol. If my theory is correct then if I shoot enough cooling rods at a specific point that should cause a break in the net. The break should be big enough for Moya to escape and then Starburst."
"Let me go instead," Scorpius offered.
"There shouldn't be any danger," Sikozu lied. "Besides this is all my fault and I intend to finish this."
"Sikozu-"
"Let her go Scorpie the girl knows what she's doing," John informed.
***
Sikozu put on a space suit and loaded her cooling-rod pistol with the maximum amount of cooling rods - count five. She was about to open the hatch that lead to the top of Moya when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you sure about this Sikozu?" It was Scorpius.
"I'm sure - don't worry Scorpius I'll come back to you - I promise."
"I for one never break my promises and I expect you to do the same," Scorpius said solemnly.
"Good bye Scorpius," Sikozu said exiting the ship. Once outside she could immediately feel the Heat Net's affect on herself. Sikozu concluded that Moya must also be in immense pain. The pain was so intense Sikozu found herself sinking to her knees on the top of the ship.
'Sikozu you have to get up. They're all counting on you.' Sikozu told herself forcing herself to stand and raising her cooling-rod pistol before her. 'Ok, five shots and all in the same direction.' Sikozu fired the first, the second, the third, the forth, the fifth and then she collapsed unconscious on top of the Leviathan. A hole in the Heat Net had been created.
Meanwhile inside Moya...
"Sikozu was successful in creating a break in the net for us to use to escape. As soon as we hear from Sikozu we can Starburst out of here." Pilot revealed.
Everyone aboard Moya waited to hear for Sikozu's go ahead but it didn't come.
"Do you think she's still out there?" John asked.
"We may have a problem it seems the net is closing back up!" Pilot warned.
Scorpius growled, "We won't leave without making sure Sikozu is safe. I'm going to go and get her." Scorpius finished before marching off.
"I only hope he manages to save her in time," John told Aeryn who was by his side.
"Should we really risk our lives for those two?" Aeryn questioned curious to see what John's response would be.
"Yes, they're just like us in a way," John smirked and held Aeryn's hand, "One can't survive without the other."
"Some times you impress even me John with that kind heart of yours," Aeryn told him.
***
Scorpius quickly emerged on top of Moya and found Sikozu unconscious. The Heat Net was also bearing down upon him and he gritted his teeth in pain as he made his way over to Sikozu. He quickly picked her limp form up into his arms and carried her inside.
"John let's get the hell out of here," Came Scorpius' smug voice over the COMM.
"Now we're talking!" John exclaimed. "You heard the grasshopper get us out of here Pilot."
Pilot maneuvered Moya through the break that even then was closing and they barely made it through. But once they did they Starbursted to safely leaving the Scarran Dreadnaught far behind them.
***
"What is your reason for hating Scarrans?" Sikozu asked while looking curiously at Scorpius, who was seated next to her.
"I was raised by Scarrans who lied to me most of my life. They fed me lies about my true origins saying that my mother was a Scarran that had been raped by a Sebacean male. It wasn't until many years later that I found out the truth. It had been my Sebacean mother who had been raped by a Scarran but I had suspected as much from the beginning of my tortured youth. What made finding out the truth worse was learning how much she had suffered because of it - because of me. The Scarrans use whoever they want for their sick breeding experiments but it's the children who suffer the most for it. For they are neither one or the other and have no place to call their own."
"We're a lot alike Scorpius," Sikozu began, "You're no Saint and I'm no Angel. I am part Sebacean, part Kalish, and part Scarran. The Kalish are really genetically engineered Sebacean women, whose DNA was combined with different animals to get special abilities. My mother's DNA was probably combined with an amphibian of some sort so I'm probably part salamander as well. My personality is originated from a mix of those sides of myself. I don't really understand who I am or where I belong. All I know is that I understand your hatred and I want to follow to wherever it leads you, Scorpius."
"You may be of some use to me," Scorpius began, "so I'll allow you to come along."
Scorpius smiled at Sikozu before starting up the ship Sikozu had stolen. Sikozu reached out and held Scorpius' hand in hers and sighed contentedly when he didn't pull his hand away.
***
The End and the start of a new beginning for two tortured souls that managed to find each other in the vastness of space.