Chapter 7
Four guards headed towards Crichton and Aeryn
"You know the non-violence idea…"
"Just went out the window"
The guards really didn't stand a chance; the pair struck while they were still readying their weapons. A pantak jab, side kick and well-aimed knee and Aeryn had dealt with hers. John downed one with a right hook and the other with a couple of moves Aeryn had taught him. They made it out of the command centre and started heading for the landing bay. They hadn't got far before more guards blocked their way, this time armed with pulse rifles at the ready
"Oh crap, where is Winona when you need her?"
"Quick, John, through here" Aeryn grabbed him and dragged him through a side door, then another. They made it to another corridor, only to see more troops coming towards them. Diving into the next room they found themselves in what looked like the main computer control room; it was filled with banks of equipment, wires spewing everywhere and lights winking.
"Wait a minute, Aeryn, I got an idea. Block the door so they can't get in"
"With what?"
"I dunno, use your imagination," she looked sceptical "come on, hon, work with me here. This could be a good plan." She just rolled her eyes and started to drag a console in front of the door while John headed for what he guessed was the main computer control bank.
"Ahh, this is gonna hurt!" He took a deep breath and kicked the casing as hard as he could. The casing crumpled under the impact and his foot sank into the highly charged back of wires; sparks flew out in all directions. Thankful that the boots he was wearing seemed to have rubber soles, he kicked it again and again. Aeryn came and joined him, wielding a metal bar she had used to smash the door controls. She readied herself the start to help with smashing the machine
"No, babe, I'll use that," he said, taking the bar from her "don't want you getting any electrical shocks in your condition."
After a few more microts there was an almighty bang and all the lights went out and the klaxons stopped. They could hear shouting from outside, the sound of many running feet and people stumbling and cursing as they ran into objects, walls and each other. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, John jumped onto one of the consoles and removed a grill he had spotted in the ceiling before the lights went out.
"Thank God for air conditioning vents!" he said as he pulled Aeryn through
"Alright, John, what now? We're in a narrow tunnel, it's pitch black and we have no idea where we are or what direction to go in"
"I love it when a plan comes together, don't you? Let's take a leaf out of D'Argo's book," he said as he sniffed loudly "I'd say that was either the sewers or the mess hall; definitely smells like that uneatable dren they served up for dinner yesterday." Another sniff "the other direction is definitely a better prospect." They headed off in the direction he indicated, crawling along on hands and knees, although this was hampered by the slimy surface of the tunnel.
"I do not want to see what we are crawling through"
"Shut up and move your eema, Crichton"
After a while Crichton's mood brightened
"Is it just me or can you smell cesium fuel?"
"Yes, down to the right"
They found another vent and peered through; not much was visible except the shadowy movements of people running to and fro, shouting orders and instructions to each other
"I can't believe they don't have an automatic back up system for the power"
"Probably not expecting any attack from within"
One poor unfortunate guard happened to stop for a microt under their vent. Crichton dropped down on him, instantly knocking him unconscious. He grabbed the guard's pulse rifle and turned to help Aeryn, but she had already jumped through beside him. They had successfully made it to the landing bay. Rows of black ships were lined up on the other side of the building to them. The only problem was the myriad of troops between them and the ships.
"I'm going to make a run for it, cover me," Aeryn whispered to him and before he could stop her, she had started off in the direction of the nearest ship. Unfortunately, at that moment the lights came back on. There was a moment when everyone stopped to assess where they were and adjust to the bright light, including Aeryn, but the soldiers quickly recovered. The nearest one to her raised the alarm
"There is one of the prisoners, seize her!" Aeryn threw herself over and behind a nearby pile of metal containers. John, cursing under his breath, opened fire and ran after her, pulse rifle blazing
"Will you quit throwing yourself about like that, remember the baby"
"What was I supposed to do? Let them shoot me or re-capture me?" she replied furiously
John ignored this comment and stood up, returning the fire of their attackers. They moved in unison towards their goal, Crichton in front firing the rifle and Aeryn matching him stride for stride. They made it to one of the black ships and quickly climbed in. Aeryn jumped into the pilot's seat while John stayed by the door and shot at anyone who tried to approach.
"You know how to fly this guppy, honey?"
"No frelling idea!" she started looking at the switches
"We haven't go all day here, Aeryn"
"Just a microt. Let's try this and then this one" she flicked a couple of switches and the machine came to life
"I never doubted you for a minute, babe"
"We're not out of this yet" She grasped the controls and manoeuvred the ship off it's moorings. It was obviously still tethered to them, but Aeryn just increased the power and pulled away. Soldiers were firing at them uselessly; they had obviously fitted a good defence shield to their ships. Aeryn found the controls to the guns and started to fire back. Turning the ship carefully in the landing bay she shot their attackers and the other ships to try and prevent any pursuit. She then sped the ship away through what she assumed was the launch tube. In a few microts they shot out of the tube into the bright light of the planet's surface.
"Yeee haa! Can I get a hell yeah!"