"Apparitions"
Time: Twenty-five cycles after Dog With Two Bones
Disclaimer: I didn't create Farscape, didn't create the characters and don't make a plug nickel off of it.
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Part Thirteen: Tailspin
Space above the planet Tries'tall parted as Moya slipped out of starburst and assumed orbit.
From where she stood in Command, Vanessa Sun watched the planet fill half the screen. She studied the green-brown world for a microt and took a long drink from the cup of amestos she held. As she watched clouds drift over the surface, a thought wandered through her mind: Why are we doing this? The Peacekeepers haven't used wormhole technology against us or anyone else yet. It'll be some time before they get anywhere with their research. Why am I worrying about it?
Vanessa sighed and set her cup down on the main console. Another thought answered her question: The keyword it yet. Give a trigger-happy military a weapon and they'll want to use it. At any rate, this is the good fight, and someone has to fight the good fight.
She looked up at the screen again then turned. "Have they noticed us yet, Pilot?"
Pilot's image appeared on the clamshell. "Not as yet, Vanessa. However, the outpost appears to be on the opposite side of the planet. It will take a few microts for Moya to reach it."
"All right." Vanessa leaned on the console. "I hope you know what you're doing, Tashina." She brushed dark hair away from her eyes and shook her head slowly. They had needed a source of partanium for the displacement engine. Tashina had revealed that she might know someone who could help them; the head of a small Ilanic outpost was an old friend of hers, someone who owed her a favor or two.
Vanessa had simply shaken her head at the announcement. She had long ago stopped being surprised by Tashina.
Footsteps broke her train of thought. Vanessa looked up and watched Aeryn walk into Command. "I have a question for you, Mom. After all the cycles you and Dad spent on Moya, and all the dren you had to deal with, how the frell did you keep from losing it and going over the edge?"
Aeryn considered. "I wondered about that myself, how we kept from shooting everyone in sight. It was especially difficult after we stopped Scorpius's experiments twenty-five ago. It took almost a cycle, but we got over it. Are you all right? Feeling a little pressure?"
"Maybe a little. I know the wormhole technology is too dangerous for the Peacekeepers or anyone else to have. But they haven't gotten anywhere yet. Why should I be the one to stop them? Why can't someone else worry about it?"
"Because life sometimes doesn't give us a choice." Aeryn leaned against the console next to Vanessa and crossed her arms. "Sometimes it's a matter of being willing to do what's right. Your father once told me something a leader on Earth once said: The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing. Now, the Peacekeepers aren't evil, but their motives aren't as altruistic as some might think. John once described their philosophy as 'shoot first and don't ask questions.' That's why the Peacekeepers shouldn't have wormhole technology. Give a soldier a weapon and he'll find a reason to use it."
Vanessa nodded. "I know, I know. It's better to stop them before they can get too far with their research. It's just that sometimes I wish I could pass this off to someone else. It'll pass. Where's Dad?"
Aeryn smiled. "He said he wanted to talk to Mattis."
"He probably wants to go over the upgrades Mattis made to the module."
Aeryn's smile grew. "No, Vanessa, I really don't think that's it."
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Mattis skimmed through the printouts again and frowned. "So, if I'm reading this correctly, the displacement engine will allow you to do things with wormholes that the phase stabilizer won't do. Like connecting one end of the wormhole to a star, then channeling the plasma stream like a cannon. Or maybe invert the gravity flux and turn the wormhole into a miniature black hole." He sighed and looked at John, who sat across from him. "Jack was right about one thing. No one should have this kind of power. How do you think we should proceed, sir?"
John looked a little uncomfortable as he stood and went to the cabinets along the far wall of the Central Chamber. "Well, you can start by not calling me sir."
"If you say so, Commander."
"No, don't call me Commander. Only Pilot calls me Commander. Just call me John." He opened a cabinet and frowned. "Cupboard's getting a little bare, don't you think?"
"We had planned on stopping at a commerce planet when all this started.John. At any rate, we have plenty of food cubes and dried supplies to last for a quarter cycle at least."
John laughed. "Some things never change. Look, Mattis, before we get back to the Peacekeepers, I want to talk to you about Vanessa."
Mattis glanced over his shoulder and watched John walk back to the table, a tray of food cubes in hand. "What about Vanessa?"
John picked up a food cube and toyed with it for a microt. "Man, how do I say this without sounding like I should be in a bad sitcom?"
Mattis blinked. "What's a sitcom and why is it bad?"
"Never mind. I suppose I'm just feeling like a father again, looking out for my daughter."
Mattis leaned forward slightly. "If you're concerned about me and Vanessa, don't be. I've come to realize that before I met her, my life was empty. All I had was my sense of duty and loyalty. Now, after three cycles, I feel like I have something else to live for, something to believe in. My relationship with Vanessa has shown me that I could be more than I had been.
John laughed and leaned back in his chair. "What's so funny?"
"When Aeryn and I first met, I told her that she could be more than just a Peacekeeper. It took a while, but she learned to reach beyond the life she'd known. Looks like you learned the same lesson faster."
"I don't know about that. Vanessa, Chiana and Stark will tell you that I was very much a Peacekeeper for a little while after they found me. Still, coming that close to dying is enough to make you reevaluate your life. I didn't like what I found."
John chewed on the food cube and nodded. "Well, all right then. We'll."
Their comms chirped, cutting him off. "John, Mattis, come up to Command. We're almost ready."
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Vanessa looked around the small, sparsely furnished office and tried to remain calm. "Tashina, are you sure we can trust this guy?" She glanced at Mattis, hoping for some reassurance, but only saw her own uncertainty reflected on his face. Next to him, Lhatan looked relaxed.
From where she stood by the office's only window, Tashina said, "I assure you, Vanessa, that Ci'amon is a man of integrity."
Lhatan nodded in agreement. "While I don't know Ci'amon as well as Tashina, I can tell you that he has no great love for the Peacekeepers. We have nothing to worry about."
The uncertain look on Vanessa's face deepened. "So why do I feel like we've just walked into an ambush?"
A laugh that sounded more like a grunt escaped Mattis. "You've been hanging around Tashina too long. You're getting paranoid."
Tashina turned from the window, a look of indignation on her face. "I am not paranoid, Mattis. I prefer to think of it as being cautious."
"Right. You're so cautious, you suspect everyone of being out for our skins."
"Better to expect the worst and not have it happen than expect the best and be disappointed."
The door opened and a male Ilanic stepped into the office. He regarded them for a microt then went to the desk. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Tashina, Lhatan, it's good to see you again. It has been too long."
"Far too long, Ci'amon." Tashina stepped away from the window and sat next to Lhatan. "These are our associates, Vanessa Sun and Mattis Bohr. How have you been these last few cycles?"
"I've been well. This outpost is quiet, and I needed a posting that was less stressful. But you didn't come here to catch up on old times."
Tashina nodded. "You're right. I need to call in a favor. My associates and I need a small measure of partanium for a project we're working on."
"Partanium? That's a dangerous radioactive, Tashina. What could you possibly need it for?"
Vanessa glanced at Mattis and tried to sound confident. "It's rather sensitive, sir."
"Too sensitive to discuss it with the one who'll supply what you need? What is it? Something to make life difficult for the Peacekeepers?"
"Let's just say that our project will put a dent in the Peacekeeper's weapon research. I'd rather not say more about it."
Ci'amon regarded Vanessa coolly then turned to Tashina. "She's a secretive one. I like that. How much do you need?"
"Only a small amount," Tashina said. "Just one tenth of a mallot."
"Is that all? If I'd known that it was such a small amount, I wouldn't have even questioned it. Let me summon my aide." Ci'amon tapped something on his desk. "He'll see to what you need."
"Thank you, Ci'amon. Vanessa, can you and Mattis take care of the partanium? Lhatan and I would like to spend some time with Ci'amon."
Mattis exchanged a look with Vanessa and shrugged as the door opened. "Sure, not a problem. Enjoy your time."
Ci'amon nodded toward the younger man that stepped into the office. "This is my aide, Scotala. Take them to the radioactives storage facility and get them what they need."
Scotala nodded. "Of course, sir. If you'll come with me, please?"
Vanessa and Mattis followed the aide from the office, Ci'amon turned a smile toward Tashina and Lhatan. "So, tell me, what have you been doing these last few cycles?"
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Scotala had lead Vanessa through so many twists and turns that neither of them were sure they could find their way back to Ci'amon's office. Mattis looked around the dimly lit corridor and wondered at the lack of identifying signage on the doors. "Where, exactly, are you taking us?"
"To our radioactive storage facility. You did say you needed partanium. That's not something you leave unprotected."
Both Vanessa and Mattis stopped and reached for their pulse pistols. "We didn't tell you we needed partanium."
The aide looked back at them. "Yes, you did. You told me what you needed before we left the office."
"No, we didn't." Mattis drew his pistol and took aim for Scotala. "Now, why don't you tell us what the frell you're up to before I lose my self- control?"
The sound of doors opening made Vanessa turn and draw her own pistol. Her eyes went wide. "Aw frell! Mattis."
He turned. Peacekeeper soldiers had gathered behind them, pulse rifles raised and aimed at them. "Twenty of them, two of us. What d'you think?"
"My name's not Tashina. I don't plan on going out in a blaze of glory." Vanessa dropped her pistol and raised her hands. A microt later, Mattis did the same.
"Frell."
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Tashina glanced at Lhatan as her comm buzzed. As she tapped it, she suddenly felt a wave of suspicion sweep over her. "Yes."
Chiana sounded anxious. "Are you going to be much longer? We're on a time limit, you know."
"We're just waiting for Mattis and Vanessa to get back." She frowned and looked at the clock on Ci'amon's desk. "It shouldn't have taken this long. We'll find them and head back up."
"Just don't take too long. You know."
Pilot's voice, sounding angry and anxious, cut Chiana off. "Moya's sensors are detecting a Peacekeeper vessel entering the system! A Pentak class Vigilante!"
"A Vigilante? That would mean a retrieval squad." Lhatan turned to Tashina then looked at Ci'amon, who seemed unsurprised by the announcement. "You betrayed us to the Peacekeepers?"
"I deal with whoever is the greater power. I've dealt with the Scarrans, the Nebari. This time it was the Peacekeepers." He shrugged.
Tashina stood and drew her pistol. "You hated the Peacekeepers as much as I do and now you're dealing with them? What happened to you, Ci'amon?"
Another shrug. "I don't care about politics anymore, Tashina, only profit. Their offer was most generous."
Tashina's face was an unreadable mask. "Too bad you won't be in any condition to enjoy it." She took aim for Ci'amon's forehead.
"Wait, Tashina," Lhatan said. "If you kill him, we'll have the entire outpost after us. As it is, we may be able to get back to the transport pod."
"What about Vanessa and Mattis? We can't abandon them to the Peacekeepers."
"I don't want to leave them either, but we'll be of no use to anyone if we're dead." Lhatan reached under his overcoat and took out a small case. He opened it and took out a hypospray. "He'll just have to sleep through the excitement."
"Do it."
Ci'amon watched Lhatan step around the desk. "You'll live to regret this. No one survives crossing the Peacekeepers."
"Really? I know a few people who have outwitted the Peacekeepers for almost thirty cycles. I'll just ask them for advice on surviving the encounter." Tashina watched Lhatan administer the injection. Microts later, Ci'amon was unconscious.
Lhatan sighed. "I'm getting tired of losing friends, Tashina."
"All the more reason we should be trying to find Vanessa and Mattis, but you're right. It won't help them if we're dead. Now stay close, husband."
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"Tashina and Lhatan have taken off and are enroute to Moya at the pod's best speed," Pilot was saying. "Fortunately, they'll arrive before the Vigilante gets within range of its immobilizer pulse."
John barely heard him. His mind was too focused on the fact that Vanessa and Mattis were now prisoners of the Peacekeepers. Anger was boiling just below the surface, and he felt the overwhelming need to hit something. Even feeling Aeryn's arm around his shoulder didn't make him feel any better.
"There was nothing they could have done, John," she said. "They were separated. If they had tried to find Vanessa, they would have probably ended up dead. It was a sound tactical decision."
"We're not talking about soldiers, Aeryn. That's our daughter down there."
"I know. Don't you think I want to take the Prowler down and level that outpost to find them? But that's not a Marauder coming this way, John, it's a Vigilante, armed with an immobilizer pulse. You know as well as I do what that can do to Moya. As painful as it is, there's only one course of action we can take."
"I know, but god damn it, I don't have to like it." John closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "Pilot, Crais took Talyn back to Bia'thera?"
"Yes, Commander. Moya wants me to tell you that she is very upset by this turn of events."
John nodded again. In a level, almost monotone voice he said, "Once Tashina and Lhatan have landed, have Moya starburst for Bia'thera. We'll come back with Talyn."
He opened his eyes, which now burned with cold fire. "We'll get Vanessa and Mattis back, even if we have to reduce this outpost to a smoking hole in the landscape."
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TO BE CONTINUED
Disclaimer: I didn't create Farscape, didn't create the characters and don't make a plug nickel off of it.
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Part Thirteen: Tailspin
Space above the planet Tries'tall parted as Moya slipped out of starburst and assumed orbit.
From where she stood in Command, Vanessa Sun watched the planet fill half the screen. She studied the green-brown world for a microt and took a long drink from the cup of amestos she held. As she watched clouds drift over the surface, a thought wandered through her mind: Why are we doing this? The Peacekeepers haven't used wormhole technology against us or anyone else yet. It'll be some time before they get anywhere with their research. Why am I worrying about it?
Vanessa sighed and set her cup down on the main console. Another thought answered her question: The keyword it yet. Give a trigger-happy military a weapon and they'll want to use it. At any rate, this is the good fight, and someone has to fight the good fight.
She looked up at the screen again then turned. "Have they noticed us yet, Pilot?"
Pilot's image appeared on the clamshell. "Not as yet, Vanessa. However, the outpost appears to be on the opposite side of the planet. It will take a few microts for Moya to reach it."
"All right." Vanessa leaned on the console. "I hope you know what you're doing, Tashina." She brushed dark hair away from her eyes and shook her head slowly. They had needed a source of partanium for the displacement engine. Tashina had revealed that she might know someone who could help them; the head of a small Ilanic outpost was an old friend of hers, someone who owed her a favor or two.
Vanessa had simply shaken her head at the announcement. She had long ago stopped being surprised by Tashina.
Footsteps broke her train of thought. Vanessa looked up and watched Aeryn walk into Command. "I have a question for you, Mom. After all the cycles you and Dad spent on Moya, and all the dren you had to deal with, how the frell did you keep from losing it and going over the edge?"
Aeryn considered. "I wondered about that myself, how we kept from shooting everyone in sight. It was especially difficult after we stopped Scorpius's experiments twenty-five ago. It took almost a cycle, but we got over it. Are you all right? Feeling a little pressure?"
"Maybe a little. I know the wormhole technology is too dangerous for the Peacekeepers or anyone else to have. But they haven't gotten anywhere yet. Why should I be the one to stop them? Why can't someone else worry about it?"
"Because life sometimes doesn't give us a choice." Aeryn leaned against the console next to Vanessa and crossed her arms. "Sometimes it's a matter of being willing to do what's right. Your father once told me something a leader on Earth once said: The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing. Now, the Peacekeepers aren't evil, but their motives aren't as altruistic as some might think. John once described their philosophy as 'shoot first and don't ask questions.' That's why the Peacekeepers shouldn't have wormhole technology. Give a soldier a weapon and he'll find a reason to use it."
Vanessa nodded. "I know, I know. It's better to stop them before they can get too far with their research. It's just that sometimes I wish I could pass this off to someone else. It'll pass. Where's Dad?"
Aeryn smiled. "He said he wanted to talk to Mattis."
"He probably wants to go over the upgrades Mattis made to the module."
Aeryn's smile grew. "No, Vanessa, I really don't think that's it."
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Mattis skimmed through the printouts again and frowned. "So, if I'm reading this correctly, the displacement engine will allow you to do things with wormholes that the phase stabilizer won't do. Like connecting one end of the wormhole to a star, then channeling the plasma stream like a cannon. Or maybe invert the gravity flux and turn the wormhole into a miniature black hole." He sighed and looked at John, who sat across from him. "Jack was right about one thing. No one should have this kind of power. How do you think we should proceed, sir?"
John looked a little uncomfortable as he stood and went to the cabinets along the far wall of the Central Chamber. "Well, you can start by not calling me sir."
"If you say so, Commander."
"No, don't call me Commander. Only Pilot calls me Commander. Just call me John." He opened a cabinet and frowned. "Cupboard's getting a little bare, don't you think?"
"We had planned on stopping at a commerce planet when all this started.John. At any rate, we have plenty of food cubes and dried supplies to last for a quarter cycle at least."
John laughed. "Some things never change. Look, Mattis, before we get back to the Peacekeepers, I want to talk to you about Vanessa."
Mattis glanced over his shoulder and watched John walk back to the table, a tray of food cubes in hand. "What about Vanessa?"
John picked up a food cube and toyed with it for a microt. "Man, how do I say this without sounding like I should be in a bad sitcom?"
Mattis blinked. "What's a sitcom and why is it bad?"
"Never mind. I suppose I'm just feeling like a father again, looking out for my daughter."
Mattis leaned forward slightly. "If you're concerned about me and Vanessa, don't be. I've come to realize that before I met her, my life was empty. All I had was my sense of duty and loyalty. Now, after three cycles, I feel like I have something else to live for, something to believe in. My relationship with Vanessa has shown me that I could be more than I had been.
John laughed and leaned back in his chair. "What's so funny?"
"When Aeryn and I first met, I told her that she could be more than just a Peacekeeper. It took a while, but she learned to reach beyond the life she'd known. Looks like you learned the same lesson faster."
"I don't know about that. Vanessa, Chiana and Stark will tell you that I was very much a Peacekeeper for a little while after they found me. Still, coming that close to dying is enough to make you reevaluate your life. I didn't like what I found."
John chewed on the food cube and nodded. "Well, all right then. We'll."
Their comms chirped, cutting him off. "John, Mattis, come up to Command. We're almost ready."
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Vanessa looked around the small, sparsely furnished office and tried to remain calm. "Tashina, are you sure we can trust this guy?" She glanced at Mattis, hoping for some reassurance, but only saw her own uncertainty reflected on his face. Next to him, Lhatan looked relaxed.
From where she stood by the office's only window, Tashina said, "I assure you, Vanessa, that Ci'amon is a man of integrity."
Lhatan nodded in agreement. "While I don't know Ci'amon as well as Tashina, I can tell you that he has no great love for the Peacekeepers. We have nothing to worry about."
The uncertain look on Vanessa's face deepened. "So why do I feel like we've just walked into an ambush?"
A laugh that sounded more like a grunt escaped Mattis. "You've been hanging around Tashina too long. You're getting paranoid."
Tashina turned from the window, a look of indignation on her face. "I am not paranoid, Mattis. I prefer to think of it as being cautious."
"Right. You're so cautious, you suspect everyone of being out for our skins."
"Better to expect the worst and not have it happen than expect the best and be disappointed."
The door opened and a male Ilanic stepped into the office. He regarded them for a microt then went to the desk. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Tashina, Lhatan, it's good to see you again. It has been too long."
"Far too long, Ci'amon." Tashina stepped away from the window and sat next to Lhatan. "These are our associates, Vanessa Sun and Mattis Bohr. How have you been these last few cycles?"
"I've been well. This outpost is quiet, and I needed a posting that was less stressful. But you didn't come here to catch up on old times."
Tashina nodded. "You're right. I need to call in a favor. My associates and I need a small measure of partanium for a project we're working on."
"Partanium? That's a dangerous radioactive, Tashina. What could you possibly need it for?"
Vanessa glanced at Mattis and tried to sound confident. "It's rather sensitive, sir."
"Too sensitive to discuss it with the one who'll supply what you need? What is it? Something to make life difficult for the Peacekeepers?"
"Let's just say that our project will put a dent in the Peacekeeper's weapon research. I'd rather not say more about it."
Ci'amon regarded Vanessa coolly then turned to Tashina. "She's a secretive one. I like that. How much do you need?"
"Only a small amount," Tashina said. "Just one tenth of a mallot."
"Is that all? If I'd known that it was such a small amount, I wouldn't have even questioned it. Let me summon my aide." Ci'amon tapped something on his desk. "He'll see to what you need."
"Thank you, Ci'amon. Vanessa, can you and Mattis take care of the partanium? Lhatan and I would like to spend some time with Ci'amon."
Mattis exchanged a look with Vanessa and shrugged as the door opened. "Sure, not a problem. Enjoy your time."
Ci'amon nodded toward the younger man that stepped into the office. "This is my aide, Scotala. Take them to the radioactives storage facility and get them what they need."
Scotala nodded. "Of course, sir. If you'll come with me, please?"
Vanessa and Mattis followed the aide from the office, Ci'amon turned a smile toward Tashina and Lhatan. "So, tell me, what have you been doing these last few cycles?"
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Scotala had lead Vanessa through so many twists and turns that neither of them were sure they could find their way back to Ci'amon's office. Mattis looked around the dimly lit corridor and wondered at the lack of identifying signage on the doors. "Where, exactly, are you taking us?"
"To our radioactive storage facility. You did say you needed partanium. That's not something you leave unprotected."
Both Vanessa and Mattis stopped and reached for their pulse pistols. "We didn't tell you we needed partanium."
The aide looked back at them. "Yes, you did. You told me what you needed before we left the office."
"No, we didn't." Mattis drew his pistol and took aim for Scotala. "Now, why don't you tell us what the frell you're up to before I lose my self- control?"
The sound of doors opening made Vanessa turn and draw her own pistol. Her eyes went wide. "Aw frell! Mattis."
He turned. Peacekeeper soldiers had gathered behind them, pulse rifles raised and aimed at them. "Twenty of them, two of us. What d'you think?"
"My name's not Tashina. I don't plan on going out in a blaze of glory." Vanessa dropped her pistol and raised her hands. A microt later, Mattis did the same.
"Frell."
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Tashina glanced at Lhatan as her comm buzzed. As she tapped it, she suddenly felt a wave of suspicion sweep over her. "Yes."
Chiana sounded anxious. "Are you going to be much longer? We're on a time limit, you know."
"We're just waiting for Mattis and Vanessa to get back." She frowned and looked at the clock on Ci'amon's desk. "It shouldn't have taken this long. We'll find them and head back up."
"Just don't take too long. You know."
Pilot's voice, sounding angry and anxious, cut Chiana off. "Moya's sensors are detecting a Peacekeeper vessel entering the system! A Pentak class Vigilante!"
"A Vigilante? That would mean a retrieval squad." Lhatan turned to Tashina then looked at Ci'amon, who seemed unsurprised by the announcement. "You betrayed us to the Peacekeepers?"
"I deal with whoever is the greater power. I've dealt with the Scarrans, the Nebari. This time it was the Peacekeepers." He shrugged.
Tashina stood and drew her pistol. "You hated the Peacekeepers as much as I do and now you're dealing with them? What happened to you, Ci'amon?"
Another shrug. "I don't care about politics anymore, Tashina, only profit. Their offer was most generous."
Tashina's face was an unreadable mask. "Too bad you won't be in any condition to enjoy it." She took aim for Ci'amon's forehead.
"Wait, Tashina," Lhatan said. "If you kill him, we'll have the entire outpost after us. As it is, we may be able to get back to the transport pod."
"What about Vanessa and Mattis? We can't abandon them to the Peacekeepers."
"I don't want to leave them either, but we'll be of no use to anyone if we're dead." Lhatan reached under his overcoat and took out a small case. He opened it and took out a hypospray. "He'll just have to sleep through the excitement."
"Do it."
Ci'amon watched Lhatan step around the desk. "You'll live to regret this. No one survives crossing the Peacekeepers."
"Really? I know a few people who have outwitted the Peacekeepers for almost thirty cycles. I'll just ask them for advice on surviving the encounter." Tashina watched Lhatan administer the injection. Microts later, Ci'amon was unconscious.
Lhatan sighed. "I'm getting tired of losing friends, Tashina."
"All the more reason we should be trying to find Vanessa and Mattis, but you're right. It won't help them if we're dead. Now stay close, husband."
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"Tashina and Lhatan have taken off and are enroute to Moya at the pod's best speed," Pilot was saying. "Fortunately, they'll arrive before the Vigilante gets within range of its immobilizer pulse."
John barely heard him. His mind was too focused on the fact that Vanessa and Mattis were now prisoners of the Peacekeepers. Anger was boiling just below the surface, and he felt the overwhelming need to hit something. Even feeling Aeryn's arm around his shoulder didn't make him feel any better.
"There was nothing they could have done, John," she said. "They were separated. If they had tried to find Vanessa, they would have probably ended up dead. It was a sound tactical decision."
"We're not talking about soldiers, Aeryn. That's our daughter down there."
"I know. Don't you think I want to take the Prowler down and level that outpost to find them? But that's not a Marauder coming this way, John, it's a Vigilante, armed with an immobilizer pulse. You know as well as I do what that can do to Moya. As painful as it is, there's only one course of action we can take."
"I know, but god damn it, I don't have to like it." John closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "Pilot, Crais took Talyn back to Bia'thera?"
"Yes, Commander. Moya wants me to tell you that she is very upset by this turn of events."
John nodded again. In a level, almost monotone voice he said, "Once Tashina and Lhatan have landed, have Moya starburst for Bia'thera. We'll come back with Talyn."
He opened his eyes, which now burned with cold fire. "We'll get Vanessa and Mattis back, even if we have to reduce this outpost to a smoking hole in the landscape."
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TO BE CONTINUED
