A Teenager's Guide to Life in the Uncharted Territories
Chapter 4
Transmissions, Training, and Breaking In
Command Carrier:
"Sir, we just received word from the Scarrans. They have John Crichton."
"Excellent, I'll go at once."
~~~~
It's amazing how life-changing events change your life. Okay, so that redundant, but you know what I mean. It's amazing how much it changes everything. One day we're floating along in space, the next, we're searching desperately for a fleet of Scarrans. Go figure. "Mom, what are we going to do when we find the Scarrans?"
"We aren't doing anything, you're staying here."
Okay, now that's not fair. "Why do I have to stay here?"
She turned to look at me. "Because you're too young to go."
"But I'm fourteen."
"Exactly the problem. Fourteen is much too young. I didn't go on my first mission until I was sixteen cycles."
"How are you going to get inn undetected?"
"We'll figure that out once we get there."
"Aren't you always telling me you have to have a well shaped plan of action before acting on it?"
"Yes, but this is much different."
"How? You want to get yourself and everyone else captured along with Dad? I'm sure that'll help get him out."
"Rayne, go to your quarters."
"What?"
"You heard me, now go."
I turned and walked off. I'm too old to be sent to my quarters. Course, if I told her that, she'd say I was too old to be arguing with my superiors. Technically they're not my superiors because they're ranks are still in their various home worlds/ships. That's beside the point though. All this pondering while walking had led me to command. "Hey Pilot, could you do me a favor?"
"Certainly, Rayne."
"Can you monitor transmissions to and from the Scarrans when we get closer?"
"I'll see what I can do."
"Thanks, Pilot." Now off to my quarters. Joy.
~~~~
A half arn later, Mom came to my quarters. "Rayne, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have sent you here. Tension is running high in high in everyone."
"Yeah, I know, Mom. It's all right. I completely understand."
"We found the Scarrans."
"So, when are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow. A few arns after the sleep cycle starts."
"Good luck, not that you'll need it."
"Thank you," she replied before leaving.
"Pilot, got anything interesting from the Scarrans yet?"
"Not yet, Rayne."
"Could you have the transmissions over my comms?"
"I believe I could do that."
"That way I can listen, and you can concentrate on more important things."
"That's very considerate of you, Rayne."
"You're doing a favor for me, least I can do is most of the work."
"Scarran communication in ten microts." The next several arns I spent listening to the Scarrans. I was about to fall asleep when I heard one address Scorpius.
"Do you have Crichton?"
"Of course, do you think us incapable?"
"Not in the least. I know how, resilient, his crew can be. Now, when can I retrieve him?"
"How close are you?"
"I'll be there in two hundred microts."
"Alone?"
"No, I have a small regiment with me."
"They will stay aboard your ship. I will have Crichton brought to you."
"Fine."
Oh frell. This is not good. "Thanks Pilot, I've heard enough."
"Connection closed."
"Can you tell me where my mom is?"
"She's in her quarters."
I sprinted to her quarters and made it in record time. "Mom?"
"Rayne, why aren't you in bed. The sleep cycle started two arns ago."
"I was listening to Scarran transmissions."
"What?"
"I figured I could get some information that way."
She sighed. "And did you?"
"Yes."
"Well, what is it?"
"Scorpius is coming to get Dad from the Scarrans in about one hundred fifty microts."
All color drained from her face. "Frell." She opened up the comms. "D'Argo, Chiana, change in plans. Scorpius is coming to get John, we'll have to follow him and get John wherever Scorpius takes him. Meet me in command in twenty microts, we have to see where the bastard is taking him."
In all my life, I don't think I've ever heard Mom say that.
"Come on, Rayne."
I look at her blankly. "Come where?"
"Command."
~~~~
This is probably the most bizarre sleep cycle of my life. I've been listening to them talk strategy for at least two arns while discreetly following Scorpius. So far the plan they have is that Mom will go in and try to get him out, while everyone else stays on Moya. That's not going over well with anyone but Mom. I have a thought, but Mom would kill me for suggesting it. Oh well, it's better than listening to them bicker for another two arns. "I have an idea." Everyone in command turns to look at me. "What? Should I not have an idea?"
"What's you're idea, Rayne." Mom asks. At least they're going to hear me out.
"Okay, well, obviously only you can get in undetected since you're ex- Peacekeeper. It's going to take more than just you to get him out. We all know that. So what if you took D'Argo or Chiana in, saying you found them on a commerce planet nearby. That gets two of you in and to the confinement center." They all continue starring at me. "What is it now? Do I have something on my face?"
"That's a better idea than any I could have come up with," says Chiana. That's a good sign.
"She truly is John's daughter," D'Argo replies.
"What do you mean by that?"
"You're father always comes up with the plans that no one else would have. The ones that sounds crazy, but usually work out in the end," he explains.
Okay, so it was a compliment. Mom still hasn't said anything.
"It would have to be D'Argo, he's stronger and will give us a better advantage. But it would be nearly impossible for one Peacekeeper to capture a Luxan alone," she says, sending a pointed look to all of us.
"There'd have to be at least two to catch an off-guard Luxan," Chiana says.
I think I know where Mom's going with this and I don't like it at all.
"You up for it, Ryane?"
I look blankly at her. "This is a joke, right? You just said a few arns ago I couldn't go."
"That was when I thought we'd be up against Scarrans. This will be a much simpler mission."
She's not kidding. Oh frell.
"Yeah, I'm up for it. What do I have to do?"
That's not me talking. Wait a minute. Since when does my mouth not obey? Since now apparently.
"We'll leave tomorrow. Right now we all need to go rest." Everyone nods and heads various directions to their quarters except for Mom and myself. "Are you sure you want to do this?" she asks me.
"Is there another option that will work?"
"Not that I can think of."
"Then I don't really have a choice do I?"
She looks at me, studies me. "You're much more mature than I ever was at fourteen cycles."
"Growing up out here kinda does that to you."
"I know I don't say it enough, like your father does, but I love you. You know that right?"
"Of course I know that, Mom. I love you too."
She turns to leave, but she pauses when she reaches the door. "Meet me in the training room tomorrow and arn before breakfast. We have some serious training to do to get you ready for this." Then she continues out the door. I stand there for a few microts longer before retreating to my quarters to try to sleep.
~~~~
I'm in the training room exactly one arns before breakfast. Mom's already there. "We're going to start with how to hold a pulse rifle. I'm going to teach you how to shoot, then do everything in my power to keep you from having to."
I nod. I can see why it would be important for me to know the proper mechanics of a pulse rifle. For that arn we work solely on pulse rifles. We break for breakfast. Chiana made pancakes. I didn't know you could make pancakes out here. I remember them from earth, and how much I love them. She says she made them since we all liked them and would need something other than food cubes to fill our stomachs. After we've eaten our fill, Mom and I go back to the training room and work on pulse rifles for another half arn. Then we spar for two arns. After that, we all meet in command.
"We'll leave in three arns," Mom says. I think I have rattlers in my stomach. When I get back to my quarters, (I took the long way) Mom is there, laying out a uniform on my bed. When I clear my throat, she turns around. "Now we discuss proper disposition." For the next arn, I learn how to act to be a believable Peacekeeper.
"How are you going to explain what a fourteen cycle old was doing off base?"
"I'll figure that out when the question is asked."
"What if they ask me?"
"Rayne, they won't. You look much older than fourteen cycles, as much as I hate to admit it. Whatever happens, whatever is said, let me do the talking."
"I think I can manage."
"I'll meet you by the Prowler in and arn."
I walk over to the bed and examine the uniform. It looks well used. I wonder momentarily where she got it. Then I shove all thoughts out of my head. I shower and put on the uniform, again wondering about its origins. My arn is almost up when I leave my quarters and head towards the Prowler.
~~~~
"Good luck, all of you." Says Pilot right before we cut off communications. The base is now visible on a seemingly deserted planet. The only sign of life is the Prowlers and various other PK ships going to and from. Soon we've landed. As Dad would say, "Let the games begin."
Mom gets out first followed by D'Argo and myself. D'Argo has on PK issue handcuffs and is led by Mom and followed by me. We make it down three corridors before we are stopped. It's a young soldier who demands to know where we are going with a Luxan. Mom explains how we captured him on a commerce planet during a mission and how we're taking him to a cell. He buys the story and leaves us to continue. So far so good. We make it to the prison area with no further complication. Once there, we remove the handcuffs and start looking for Dad. After searching all the cells on our floor, Mom declares that method a waste of time. She tells D'Argo to stay with me before leaving in search of someone named Gillina. Once she's gone and D'Argo and I are hidden, I ask D'Argo how she knows Gillina will help us.
"Gillina knows your father," he explained vaguely.
"Did she help the last time Scorpius had Dad?"
He looked surprised that I knew of Dad's previous capture. "Yes. He would not have gotten out if not for her." This seems to be all the explanation I'm going to receive so I stop asking questions. Soon, we hear footsteps coming our way. Soon I hear Mom's voice calling softly for us. D'Argo determines it's safe to leave and goes out first. When I come out, I see Mom standing with a blonde woman. She's shorter than Mom by a little, and is dressed in a tech's clothes. She's telling Mom where Dad most likely is, and what she can do to create a diversion. Mom thanks her and soon she's gone. "Come on, he's being held three levels down." We head off, with Mom leading the way and D'Argo bringing up the rear. When we reach the correct level, we start running into problems in the form of soldiers, guards. Mom and D'Argo take them out while I stand behind them, watching their backs. Now we have to hurry. The shooting probably caught someone's attention and we can't afford any more confrontations. We've checked half the cells without success when six more soldiers appear. Mom tells me to keep checking for Dad while they take care of them. I run, glancing in cells as quickly as I can. Finally I see him. The door is locked not surprisingly. I use the pulse rifle to fix that slight problem. Dad is already by the door, ready to go when I open it. The look of shock on his face would have been much more enjoyable had it come at a more opportune time.
"Rayne? What are you doing here? Where's your mother?" I point down the hall where the shots are coming from. "Give me the gun," he says before taking off down the hall. Oh great, more running. I follow and soon we're all running back to the Prowler. How we're all going to fit I'm not sure.
~~~~
The trip back to Moya was rather uneventful with the exception of Mom telling me to drive. Dad and I looked at her like she'd grown a second head. But she was serious. When she moved to the back with Dad, I decided to let them have their time together.
Back on Moya, I could hear Dad yelling at Mom about letting me go down. Of all the things I've heard them do (insert banging head on wall here) yelling is not one of them. I snuck to the door and sat, listening. I felt incredibly guilty, if not for my plan, Mom wouldn't be getting yelled at. I stood up and walked to the doorway. Dad had his back to me, but Mom saw me. She had tears glistening in her eyes, threatening to fall at any time. Dad turned to see what she was looking at. He stopped yelling and just looked at me. "It's not her fault I went. I came up with a plan, and it required someone else that could pass for a Peacekeeper. Don't yell at her. If you want to yell at someone, yell at me."
He kept looking at me, trying to decide what to do. He decided on hugging me. Where that came from, I'm still not sure. He apologized to Mom and hugged her. The tears came rolling down her checks. He started kissing her hair and whispering to her. I left quietly and returned to my quarters. Dad was miraculously safe. The entire operation went much more smoothly than I had expected. When I sat down on the edge of my bed, I realized I hadn't slept in far too long. I lay down and almost immediately I was asleep.
Command Carrier:
"Sir, we just received word from the Scarrans. They have John Crichton."
"Excellent, I'll go at once."
~~~~
It's amazing how life-changing events change your life. Okay, so that redundant, but you know what I mean. It's amazing how much it changes everything. One day we're floating along in space, the next, we're searching desperately for a fleet of Scarrans. Go figure. "Mom, what are we going to do when we find the Scarrans?"
"We aren't doing anything, you're staying here."
Okay, now that's not fair. "Why do I have to stay here?"
She turned to look at me. "Because you're too young to go."
"But I'm fourteen."
"Exactly the problem. Fourteen is much too young. I didn't go on my first mission until I was sixteen cycles."
"How are you going to get inn undetected?"
"We'll figure that out once we get there."
"Aren't you always telling me you have to have a well shaped plan of action before acting on it?"
"Yes, but this is much different."
"How? You want to get yourself and everyone else captured along with Dad? I'm sure that'll help get him out."
"Rayne, go to your quarters."
"What?"
"You heard me, now go."
I turned and walked off. I'm too old to be sent to my quarters. Course, if I told her that, she'd say I was too old to be arguing with my superiors. Technically they're not my superiors because they're ranks are still in their various home worlds/ships. That's beside the point though. All this pondering while walking had led me to command. "Hey Pilot, could you do me a favor?"
"Certainly, Rayne."
"Can you monitor transmissions to and from the Scarrans when we get closer?"
"I'll see what I can do."
"Thanks, Pilot." Now off to my quarters. Joy.
~~~~
A half arn later, Mom came to my quarters. "Rayne, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have sent you here. Tension is running high in high in everyone."
"Yeah, I know, Mom. It's all right. I completely understand."
"We found the Scarrans."
"So, when are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow. A few arns after the sleep cycle starts."
"Good luck, not that you'll need it."
"Thank you," she replied before leaving.
"Pilot, got anything interesting from the Scarrans yet?"
"Not yet, Rayne."
"Could you have the transmissions over my comms?"
"I believe I could do that."
"That way I can listen, and you can concentrate on more important things."
"That's very considerate of you, Rayne."
"You're doing a favor for me, least I can do is most of the work."
"Scarran communication in ten microts." The next several arns I spent listening to the Scarrans. I was about to fall asleep when I heard one address Scorpius.
"Do you have Crichton?"
"Of course, do you think us incapable?"
"Not in the least. I know how, resilient, his crew can be. Now, when can I retrieve him?"
"How close are you?"
"I'll be there in two hundred microts."
"Alone?"
"No, I have a small regiment with me."
"They will stay aboard your ship. I will have Crichton brought to you."
"Fine."
Oh frell. This is not good. "Thanks Pilot, I've heard enough."
"Connection closed."
"Can you tell me where my mom is?"
"She's in her quarters."
I sprinted to her quarters and made it in record time. "Mom?"
"Rayne, why aren't you in bed. The sleep cycle started two arns ago."
"I was listening to Scarran transmissions."
"What?"
"I figured I could get some information that way."
She sighed. "And did you?"
"Yes."
"Well, what is it?"
"Scorpius is coming to get Dad from the Scarrans in about one hundred fifty microts."
All color drained from her face. "Frell." She opened up the comms. "D'Argo, Chiana, change in plans. Scorpius is coming to get John, we'll have to follow him and get John wherever Scorpius takes him. Meet me in command in twenty microts, we have to see where the bastard is taking him."
In all my life, I don't think I've ever heard Mom say that.
"Come on, Rayne."
I look at her blankly. "Come where?"
"Command."
~~~~
This is probably the most bizarre sleep cycle of my life. I've been listening to them talk strategy for at least two arns while discreetly following Scorpius. So far the plan they have is that Mom will go in and try to get him out, while everyone else stays on Moya. That's not going over well with anyone but Mom. I have a thought, but Mom would kill me for suggesting it. Oh well, it's better than listening to them bicker for another two arns. "I have an idea." Everyone in command turns to look at me. "What? Should I not have an idea?"
"What's you're idea, Rayne." Mom asks. At least they're going to hear me out.
"Okay, well, obviously only you can get in undetected since you're ex- Peacekeeper. It's going to take more than just you to get him out. We all know that. So what if you took D'Argo or Chiana in, saying you found them on a commerce planet nearby. That gets two of you in and to the confinement center." They all continue starring at me. "What is it now? Do I have something on my face?"
"That's a better idea than any I could have come up with," says Chiana. That's a good sign.
"She truly is John's daughter," D'Argo replies.
"What do you mean by that?"
"You're father always comes up with the plans that no one else would have. The ones that sounds crazy, but usually work out in the end," he explains.
Okay, so it was a compliment. Mom still hasn't said anything.
"It would have to be D'Argo, he's stronger and will give us a better advantage. But it would be nearly impossible for one Peacekeeper to capture a Luxan alone," she says, sending a pointed look to all of us.
"There'd have to be at least two to catch an off-guard Luxan," Chiana says.
I think I know where Mom's going with this and I don't like it at all.
"You up for it, Ryane?"
I look blankly at her. "This is a joke, right? You just said a few arns ago I couldn't go."
"That was when I thought we'd be up against Scarrans. This will be a much simpler mission."
She's not kidding. Oh frell.
"Yeah, I'm up for it. What do I have to do?"
That's not me talking. Wait a minute. Since when does my mouth not obey? Since now apparently.
"We'll leave tomorrow. Right now we all need to go rest." Everyone nods and heads various directions to their quarters except for Mom and myself. "Are you sure you want to do this?" she asks me.
"Is there another option that will work?"
"Not that I can think of."
"Then I don't really have a choice do I?"
She looks at me, studies me. "You're much more mature than I ever was at fourteen cycles."
"Growing up out here kinda does that to you."
"I know I don't say it enough, like your father does, but I love you. You know that right?"
"Of course I know that, Mom. I love you too."
She turns to leave, but she pauses when she reaches the door. "Meet me in the training room tomorrow and arn before breakfast. We have some serious training to do to get you ready for this." Then she continues out the door. I stand there for a few microts longer before retreating to my quarters to try to sleep.
~~~~
I'm in the training room exactly one arns before breakfast. Mom's already there. "We're going to start with how to hold a pulse rifle. I'm going to teach you how to shoot, then do everything in my power to keep you from having to."
I nod. I can see why it would be important for me to know the proper mechanics of a pulse rifle. For that arn we work solely on pulse rifles. We break for breakfast. Chiana made pancakes. I didn't know you could make pancakes out here. I remember them from earth, and how much I love them. She says she made them since we all liked them and would need something other than food cubes to fill our stomachs. After we've eaten our fill, Mom and I go back to the training room and work on pulse rifles for another half arn. Then we spar for two arns. After that, we all meet in command.
"We'll leave in three arns," Mom says. I think I have rattlers in my stomach. When I get back to my quarters, (I took the long way) Mom is there, laying out a uniform on my bed. When I clear my throat, she turns around. "Now we discuss proper disposition." For the next arn, I learn how to act to be a believable Peacekeeper.
"How are you going to explain what a fourteen cycle old was doing off base?"
"I'll figure that out when the question is asked."
"What if they ask me?"
"Rayne, they won't. You look much older than fourteen cycles, as much as I hate to admit it. Whatever happens, whatever is said, let me do the talking."
"I think I can manage."
"I'll meet you by the Prowler in and arn."
I walk over to the bed and examine the uniform. It looks well used. I wonder momentarily where she got it. Then I shove all thoughts out of my head. I shower and put on the uniform, again wondering about its origins. My arn is almost up when I leave my quarters and head towards the Prowler.
~~~~
"Good luck, all of you." Says Pilot right before we cut off communications. The base is now visible on a seemingly deserted planet. The only sign of life is the Prowlers and various other PK ships going to and from. Soon we've landed. As Dad would say, "Let the games begin."
Mom gets out first followed by D'Argo and myself. D'Argo has on PK issue handcuffs and is led by Mom and followed by me. We make it down three corridors before we are stopped. It's a young soldier who demands to know where we are going with a Luxan. Mom explains how we captured him on a commerce planet during a mission and how we're taking him to a cell. He buys the story and leaves us to continue. So far so good. We make it to the prison area with no further complication. Once there, we remove the handcuffs and start looking for Dad. After searching all the cells on our floor, Mom declares that method a waste of time. She tells D'Argo to stay with me before leaving in search of someone named Gillina. Once she's gone and D'Argo and I are hidden, I ask D'Argo how she knows Gillina will help us.
"Gillina knows your father," he explained vaguely.
"Did she help the last time Scorpius had Dad?"
He looked surprised that I knew of Dad's previous capture. "Yes. He would not have gotten out if not for her." This seems to be all the explanation I'm going to receive so I stop asking questions. Soon, we hear footsteps coming our way. Soon I hear Mom's voice calling softly for us. D'Argo determines it's safe to leave and goes out first. When I come out, I see Mom standing with a blonde woman. She's shorter than Mom by a little, and is dressed in a tech's clothes. She's telling Mom where Dad most likely is, and what she can do to create a diversion. Mom thanks her and soon she's gone. "Come on, he's being held three levels down." We head off, with Mom leading the way and D'Argo bringing up the rear. When we reach the correct level, we start running into problems in the form of soldiers, guards. Mom and D'Argo take them out while I stand behind them, watching their backs. Now we have to hurry. The shooting probably caught someone's attention and we can't afford any more confrontations. We've checked half the cells without success when six more soldiers appear. Mom tells me to keep checking for Dad while they take care of them. I run, glancing in cells as quickly as I can. Finally I see him. The door is locked not surprisingly. I use the pulse rifle to fix that slight problem. Dad is already by the door, ready to go when I open it. The look of shock on his face would have been much more enjoyable had it come at a more opportune time.
"Rayne? What are you doing here? Where's your mother?" I point down the hall where the shots are coming from. "Give me the gun," he says before taking off down the hall. Oh great, more running. I follow and soon we're all running back to the Prowler. How we're all going to fit I'm not sure.
~~~~
The trip back to Moya was rather uneventful with the exception of Mom telling me to drive. Dad and I looked at her like she'd grown a second head. But she was serious. When she moved to the back with Dad, I decided to let them have their time together.
Back on Moya, I could hear Dad yelling at Mom about letting me go down. Of all the things I've heard them do (insert banging head on wall here) yelling is not one of them. I snuck to the door and sat, listening. I felt incredibly guilty, if not for my plan, Mom wouldn't be getting yelled at. I stood up and walked to the doorway. Dad had his back to me, but Mom saw me. She had tears glistening in her eyes, threatening to fall at any time. Dad turned to see what she was looking at. He stopped yelling and just looked at me. "It's not her fault I went. I came up with a plan, and it required someone else that could pass for a Peacekeeper. Don't yell at her. If you want to yell at someone, yell at me."
He kept looking at me, trying to decide what to do. He decided on hugging me. Where that came from, I'm still not sure. He apologized to Mom and hugged her. The tears came rolling down her checks. He started kissing her hair and whispering to her. I left quietly and returned to my quarters. Dad was miraculously safe. The entire operation went much more smoothly than I had expected. When I sat down on the edge of my bed, I realized I hadn't slept in far too long. I lay down and almost immediately I was asleep.