"War Angel"
Time: Some time during Season 3, after Self-Inflicted Wounds II: Wait For
The Wheel
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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"It's my duty, my breeding since birth, it's what I am." "You can be more."
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Part Four: Quick Steps
"All these things are now before me Endless death of timeless glory On this night of ghosts returning To the light of bridges burning."
"Mephistopheles' Return" from Beethoven's Last Night Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Aeryn stared down the barrel of the man's pulse pistol and tried to remain calm even as her heart began to race. Tactical miscalculation. I should have expected the Southern tribe to have their own assassin. Too distracted by thinking about the past.
She took a deep breath and said, "Let me guess. You were picked by Tem'eal to kill Si'teq'a. Correct?"
The man barely nodded. "And you were picked by Si'teq'a to kill Tem'eal. We appear to be in a standoff."
"It appears so."
Jool stepped up beside them, her eyes wide with fear. "Wait! You didn't say anything about killing anyone! You said you just wanted to keep her from killing Tem'eal!"
The man's eyes darted to Jool then returned to Aeryn. "A little naïve, isn't she."
"It's part of her charm. What's your name?"
The smile on the man's face became colder. "My real name's Adran, but I've grown to like being called Shru'terak'va. She said your name's Aeryn? You're a Peacekeeper?"
"Not really. You?"
"I'm not a Peacekeeper." Adran sounded almost insulted. "No, I'm freelance."
"So, you're a mercenary. What brings you to this rock? Surely this political maneuver can't be known off-world."
Adran hesitated for a microt. "No, it's not. I had a problem with my mark and needed a place to lay low until the heat died down."
"So you just happened to be in the right place at the right time. How fortunate for you."
"Well, when your choices are kill or be killed, it doesn't take much to make the right choice." Adran glanced at Aeryn's pistol. "So, are you going to be reasonable about this?"
Despite the tension she felt, Aeryn laughed. "Reasonable? How would you define reasonable? Should I make it easy for you and get down on my knees so you can put a couple pulse blasts into the back of my head? Why don't you stop trying to play with the adults, turn around and walk away?"
"So you could put two pulse blasts into my back? I don't think so." Adran took a deep breath. "So I guess we're going to stand here and stare at each other. That's all right, though. I'm patient. You'll flinch."
"I'm not flinching." Aeryn looked around at the crowd that had started to form around them and thought, All I need now is a way of ending this. Quickly, Aeryn began to turn over possibilities in her mind.
She wasn't expecting to see two natives detach themselves from the crowd and throw themselves at Adran.
It took a microt for Aeryn to realize the two were the guides assigned to her by Ti'quet'a. She watched them for another microt then shook her head. "All right, that's enough. Let him."
The sound of gunfire cut Aeryn off. She backed away as two pulse blasts slammed into the ground, showering her with bits of fused dirt. Aeryn swept the crowd with her pistol, trying to spot the attacker. Unable to pick them out of the assembled faces, she growled in frustration. Time for a strategic withdrawal, she thought.
"Jool, start back to the transport pod! Go! I'll be right behind you!" Aeryn watched Jool hesitate for another microt before turning and running for the forest.
Turning back to Adran and the two Sheritak, Aeryn called out, "That's enough! Get off him and get back to the transport pod!" As the two Sheritak disengaged with Adran, Aeryn started backing up. "I'll say goodbye for now, Adran. I'm sure we'll run into each other again."
"I'm sure we will." Adran stood and wiped a trace of blood from his mouth. "Don't stop looking over your shoulder, Aeryn."
"I'll keep that in mind." Aeryn watched Adran walk away. She looked around the town square one last time then started for the forest.
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Aeryn shoved Jool back against the landing gear, anger clear in her eyes.
"Just what the frell did you think you were doing," she yelled. "All you had to do was follow those two! What was so difficult about that?"
Jool blinked. "I was following them! He approached me! He said he knew that someone was coming to kill Tem'eal and that he had to stop them!"
"And you never thought to question what he meant by that? You know what's at stake here! We're all going to be killed if I don't do this."
"There has to be another way!" Jool shook her head and pushed Aeryn away. "I refuse to accept that the only way out of this is through murder!"
"So you just accepted the word of a total stranger? What did you think he meant when he said he had to stop me?"
"I didn't think he meant."
"That's right, you didn't think!" Aeryn closed her eyes and tried to reign in her anger. "We have no choice in this. I will not let John and the rest die because you can't handle the concept of."
One of the Sheritak approached slowly. "Shru'terak'va, there is much to discuss!"
Aeryn glanced at them then back at Jool. "Unless you have something useful to offer, stay out of my way."
Jool said something under her breath. It sounded vaguely obscene to Aeryn, but she couldn't be bothered asked about it.
As she walked up to the Sheritak, Aeryn grumbled, "What's the problem now?"
Both Sheritak were wringing their hands. "This is unexpected. We did not believe the Southern tribe would be capable of such advanced planning."
"And I foolishly believed you. So the situation is well and truly frelled."
"Yes. We must speak with Ti'quet'a for guidance."
"You do that." Aeryn turned to Jool. "Open a channel for him. I can't wait to find out what Ti'quet'a has to say."
Jool nodded once, her face a hard mask. She climbed the ramp in a slow, measured stride, one of the Sheritak close behind her. Aeryn watched them then ran her hands over her face and took a step toward the forest.
"Your companion does not approve of this course, Shru'terak'va."
"She doesn't approve of a lot of things. Life's hard that way."
The Sheritak nodded slowly. "True. Life is a difficult journey, a series of obstacles to be overcome in order to achieve eternal happiness in the hereafter."
"I'm Sebacean. I don't believe in an afterlife." Aeryn sighed and massaged her eyes. "Look, go back into town and make sure Tem'eal is still there. Also, see if you can find out what Adran is up to."
The Sheritak nodded and started into the forest. Aeryn watched him for a microt then turned and climbed the ramp into the transport pod.
Inside the pod, Aeryn saw the second Sheritak hunched over the forward console. He was talking so fast that her translator microbes could only handle a few words. It's like listening to Pilot's language, Aeryn thought as she crossed to Jool, who sat quietly to one side.
"Are you all right? Did I hurt you?"
Jool looked up at her and Aeryn could see tears in her eyes. "I'll be fine. Where's the other one?"
"I sent him to make sure Tem'eal is still there and to try and find out where Adran is." Aeryn took a deep breath and sat next to Jool. "Look, I don't want to kill anyone. But right now, John and the rest in danger and I will not allow them to come to harm."
Jool looked skeptical. "Even Rygel?"
Aeryn smiled. "Yes, even Rygel. When he's finished, head into town. See if you can track down any information on the title Shru'terak'va and what exactly it entails." She stood and looked around the compartment. Comm me when you have something."
"Where will you be?"
"I'm going to clear my head."
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Chiana sighed loudly as the basement door began to open. "Sorry, guys," she said as she slipped the lock pick back up her sleeve. "I'm sure I can get these unlocked with a little more time."
"Don't worry about it, Pip." John watched two Sheritak walk down the ramp, one carrying a tray and jug, the other carrying a long staff. He glanced at his chains then nudged D'Argo with his shoulder. "They have to unlock us so we can eat."
D'Argo watched the two Sheritak, his face grim. "Do you have a plan?"
"I've got an idea. Just follow my lead."
Rygel moaned. "Follow your lead? You call that a plan?"
"It's not as bad as some we've come up with," Stark said.
The two Sheritak stopped in front of the containment field. "Your time to eat it is," the staff bearer said. He switched off the field and stepped forward, the other one close behind.
"It's about time," Rygel said. "It had better be worth the wait."
"You will enjoy the meal, I am sure," the second Sheritak said. "It is a meal worthy of your high station, Dominar."
"I'm sure it's perfect, Martha Stewart." John watched the staff bearer produced a set of keys and, using his lower arms, began to unlock his manacles. "Why don't you unlock D'Argo first?"
The Sheritak looked confused. "The Luxan?"
"Yeah. He's a growing boy."
The Sheritak looked uncertain for a microt and looked back at his companion, who was setting down the tray and jug. They stared at each other for a moment before exchanging four armed shrugs. The Sheritak quickly unlocked D'Argo's chains.
D'Argo rubbed his wrists and nodded. "Thank you." He smiled at the Sheritak and threw one punch that sent the native tumbling away. The second Sheritak squealed in shock and began to back away. He dropped to the floor as the tip of D'Argo's tongue snapped against his neck.
After releasing the others, D'Argo opened the cabinet and nodded in satisfaction when he saw their equipment. "Now, let's see if anyone saw this in a dream." He grabbed his Qualta blade and comm. "Pilot?"
Pilot sounded anxious. "D'Argo! Are you all right? Is everyone alive?"
"We're all right, Pilot. Have you heard anything from Aeryn and Jool?"
"Nothing since they returned to the surface. Moya's sensors say we're still targeted."
"Okay, sit tight, Pilot. We'll come up with something." John holstered his pulse pistol and tapped his own comm. "Aeryn?"
A microt past before she answered. "John? Are you all right?"
"We're cool. We've gotten out of our chains and we're getting ready to go over the wall. What's your situation?"
"Everything's under control right now. There's a little complication; it appears the Southern tribe has recruited their own assassin to kill the Northern leader."
"Well, that'll throw a monkey wrench into the plans."
"And he also has to get rid of me."
John winced. "Okay, a very big monkey wrench. Any ideas?"
"I'm working on something now. I'll be in touch." The comm chirped and went silent.
"Aeryn, wait! Aeryn?" John shook his head slowly. "Damn."
Chiana jogged across the basement to the door. She waited a microt then pulled the door open and checked the corridor. "It's clear out here."
"Then why are we standing here staring at the walls?" Rygel climbed into his thronesled and started for the door.
"Just waiting on you, Sparky. Let's get out of here." As he started out, John said, "Anyone remember where we parked?"
TO BE CONTINUED
Disclaimer: I didn't create Farscape, didn't create the characters and don't make a plug nickel off of it.
---------------------------------------
"It's my duty, my breeding since birth, it's what I am." "You can be more."
---------------------------------------
Part Four: Quick Steps
"All these things are now before me Endless death of timeless glory On this night of ghosts returning To the light of bridges burning."
"Mephistopheles' Return" from Beethoven's Last Night Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Aeryn stared down the barrel of the man's pulse pistol and tried to remain calm even as her heart began to race. Tactical miscalculation. I should have expected the Southern tribe to have their own assassin. Too distracted by thinking about the past.
She took a deep breath and said, "Let me guess. You were picked by Tem'eal to kill Si'teq'a. Correct?"
The man barely nodded. "And you were picked by Si'teq'a to kill Tem'eal. We appear to be in a standoff."
"It appears so."
Jool stepped up beside them, her eyes wide with fear. "Wait! You didn't say anything about killing anyone! You said you just wanted to keep her from killing Tem'eal!"
The man's eyes darted to Jool then returned to Aeryn. "A little naïve, isn't she."
"It's part of her charm. What's your name?"
The smile on the man's face became colder. "My real name's Adran, but I've grown to like being called Shru'terak'va. She said your name's Aeryn? You're a Peacekeeper?"
"Not really. You?"
"I'm not a Peacekeeper." Adran sounded almost insulted. "No, I'm freelance."
"So, you're a mercenary. What brings you to this rock? Surely this political maneuver can't be known off-world."
Adran hesitated for a microt. "No, it's not. I had a problem with my mark and needed a place to lay low until the heat died down."
"So you just happened to be in the right place at the right time. How fortunate for you."
"Well, when your choices are kill or be killed, it doesn't take much to make the right choice." Adran glanced at Aeryn's pistol. "So, are you going to be reasonable about this?"
Despite the tension she felt, Aeryn laughed. "Reasonable? How would you define reasonable? Should I make it easy for you and get down on my knees so you can put a couple pulse blasts into the back of my head? Why don't you stop trying to play with the adults, turn around and walk away?"
"So you could put two pulse blasts into my back? I don't think so." Adran took a deep breath. "So I guess we're going to stand here and stare at each other. That's all right, though. I'm patient. You'll flinch."
"I'm not flinching." Aeryn looked around at the crowd that had started to form around them and thought, All I need now is a way of ending this. Quickly, Aeryn began to turn over possibilities in her mind.
She wasn't expecting to see two natives detach themselves from the crowd and throw themselves at Adran.
It took a microt for Aeryn to realize the two were the guides assigned to her by Ti'quet'a. She watched them for another microt then shook her head. "All right, that's enough. Let him."
The sound of gunfire cut Aeryn off. She backed away as two pulse blasts slammed into the ground, showering her with bits of fused dirt. Aeryn swept the crowd with her pistol, trying to spot the attacker. Unable to pick them out of the assembled faces, she growled in frustration. Time for a strategic withdrawal, she thought.
"Jool, start back to the transport pod! Go! I'll be right behind you!" Aeryn watched Jool hesitate for another microt before turning and running for the forest.
Turning back to Adran and the two Sheritak, Aeryn called out, "That's enough! Get off him and get back to the transport pod!" As the two Sheritak disengaged with Adran, Aeryn started backing up. "I'll say goodbye for now, Adran. I'm sure we'll run into each other again."
"I'm sure we will." Adran stood and wiped a trace of blood from his mouth. "Don't stop looking over your shoulder, Aeryn."
"I'll keep that in mind." Aeryn watched Adran walk away. She looked around the town square one last time then started for the forest.
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Aeryn shoved Jool back against the landing gear, anger clear in her eyes.
"Just what the frell did you think you were doing," she yelled. "All you had to do was follow those two! What was so difficult about that?"
Jool blinked. "I was following them! He approached me! He said he knew that someone was coming to kill Tem'eal and that he had to stop them!"
"And you never thought to question what he meant by that? You know what's at stake here! We're all going to be killed if I don't do this."
"There has to be another way!" Jool shook her head and pushed Aeryn away. "I refuse to accept that the only way out of this is through murder!"
"So you just accepted the word of a total stranger? What did you think he meant when he said he had to stop me?"
"I didn't think he meant."
"That's right, you didn't think!" Aeryn closed her eyes and tried to reign in her anger. "We have no choice in this. I will not let John and the rest die because you can't handle the concept of."
One of the Sheritak approached slowly. "Shru'terak'va, there is much to discuss!"
Aeryn glanced at them then back at Jool. "Unless you have something useful to offer, stay out of my way."
Jool said something under her breath. It sounded vaguely obscene to Aeryn, but she couldn't be bothered asked about it.
As she walked up to the Sheritak, Aeryn grumbled, "What's the problem now?"
Both Sheritak were wringing their hands. "This is unexpected. We did not believe the Southern tribe would be capable of such advanced planning."
"And I foolishly believed you. So the situation is well and truly frelled."
"Yes. We must speak with Ti'quet'a for guidance."
"You do that." Aeryn turned to Jool. "Open a channel for him. I can't wait to find out what Ti'quet'a has to say."
Jool nodded once, her face a hard mask. She climbed the ramp in a slow, measured stride, one of the Sheritak close behind her. Aeryn watched them then ran her hands over her face and took a step toward the forest.
"Your companion does not approve of this course, Shru'terak'va."
"She doesn't approve of a lot of things. Life's hard that way."
The Sheritak nodded slowly. "True. Life is a difficult journey, a series of obstacles to be overcome in order to achieve eternal happiness in the hereafter."
"I'm Sebacean. I don't believe in an afterlife." Aeryn sighed and massaged her eyes. "Look, go back into town and make sure Tem'eal is still there. Also, see if you can find out what Adran is up to."
The Sheritak nodded and started into the forest. Aeryn watched him for a microt then turned and climbed the ramp into the transport pod.
Inside the pod, Aeryn saw the second Sheritak hunched over the forward console. He was talking so fast that her translator microbes could only handle a few words. It's like listening to Pilot's language, Aeryn thought as she crossed to Jool, who sat quietly to one side.
"Are you all right? Did I hurt you?"
Jool looked up at her and Aeryn could see tears in her eyes. "I'll be fine. Where's the other one?"
"I sent him to make sure Tem'eal is still there and to try and find out where Adran is." Aeryn took a deep breath and sat next to Jool. "Look, I don't want to kill anyone. But right now, John and the rest in danger and I will not allow them to come to harm."
Jool looked skeptical. "Even Rygel?"
Aeryn smiled. "Yes, even Rygel. When he's finished, head into town. See if you can track down any information on the title Shru'terak'va and what exactly it entails." She stood and looked around the compartment. Comm me when you have something."
"Where will you be?"
"I'm going to clear my head."
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Chiana sighed loudly as the basement door began to open. "Sorry, guys," she said as she slipped the lock pick back up her sleeve. "I'm sure I can get these unlocked with a little more time."
"Don't worry about it, Pip." John watched two Sheritak walk down the ramp, one carrying a tray and jug, the other carrying a long staff. He glanced at his chains then nudged D'Argo with his shoulder. "They have to unlock us so we can eat."
D'Argo watched the two Sheritak, his face grim. "Do you have a plan?"
"I've got an idea. Just follow my lead."
Rygel moaned. "Follow your lead? You call that a plan?"
"It's not as bad as some we've come up with," Stark said.
The two Sheritak stopped in front of the containment field. "Your time to eat it is," the staff bearer said. He switched off the field and stepped forward, the other one close behind.
"It's about time," Rygel said. "It had better be worth the wait."
"You will enjoy the meal, I am sure," the second Sheritak said. "It is a meal worthy of your high station, Dominar."
"I'm sure it's perfect, Martha Stewart." John watched the staff bearer produced a set of keys and, using his lower arms, began to unlock his manacles. "Why don't you unlock D'Argo first?"
The Sheritak looked confused. "The Luxan?"
"Yeah. He's a growing boy."
The Sheritak looked uncertain for a microt and looked back at his companion, who was setting down the tray and jug. They stared at each other for a moment before exchanging four armed shrugs. The Sheritak quickly unlocked D'Argo's chains.
D'Argo rubbed his wrists and nodded. "Thank you." He smiled at the Sheritak and threw one punch that sent the native tumbling away. The second Sheritak squealed in shock and began to back away. He dropped to the floor as the tip of D'Argo's tongue snapped against his neck.
After releasing the others, D'Argo opened the cabinet and nodded in satisfaction when he saw their equipment. "Now, let's see if anyone saw this in a dream." He grabbed his Qualta blade and comm. "Pilot?"
Pilot sounded anxious. "D'Argo! Are you all right? Is everyone alive?"
"We're all right, Pilot. Have you heard anything from Aeryn and Jool?"
"Nothing since they returned to the surface. Moya's sensors say we're still targeted."
"Okay, sit tight, Pilot. We'll come up with something." John holstered his pulse pistol and tapped his own comm. "Aeryn?"
A microt past before she answered. "John? Are you all right?"
"We're cool. We've gotten out of our chains and we're getting ready to go over the wall. What's your situation?"
"Everything's under control right now. There's a little complication; it appears the Southern tribe has recruited their own assassin to kill the Northern leader."
"Well, that'll throw a monkey wrench into the plans."
"And he also has to get rid of me."
John winced. "Okay, a very big monkey wrench. Any ideas?"
"I'm working on something now. I'll be in touch." The comm chirped and went silent.
"Aeryn, wait! Aeryn?" John shook his head slowly. "Damn."
Chiana jogged across the basement to the door. She waited a microt then pulled the door open and checked the corridor. "It's clear out here."
"Then why are we standing here staring at the walls?" Rygel climbed into his thronesled and started for the door.
"Just waiting on you, Sparky. Let's get out of here." As he started out, John said, "Anyone remember where we parked?"
TO BE CONTINUED