Part 2: Naked Truth
A deathlike stillness hung over the eerie corridors of the abundant building they had just escape to. A heavy door slammed, a sound of scuffling feet, and an ominous dragging broke the quiet. John raised Winona ready to fire. He didn't know where his new friend had disappeared too. All she said was wait. The shadow in front of him straightened to outline the form of a man. John blinked as he focused on the lone figure standing near his hiding place.
The voice of the woman came from the shadows just right to his back. "It's about time you got here. You weren't followed?" Sky'leen came out into the light. The man moved back, but jumped when John stepped out in front of him.
"Yes.I mean no.I escaped before they took my hostel over. I tried to hurry as soon as I could." R'tcar screeched, his hands shaking violently. "Here is everything you wanted."
"Follow us," she ordered. She motioned with her head for John to precede her. Reluctantly he did. Moving back into a larger chamber, lights came on revealing a command post. Sky'leen motion for R'tcar to put an oversize box on the strategy table; she touched the corner of the box opening it.
" Good everything is here." Taking out a small pouch she pitched it to R'tcar, "As we agreed. Remember if a word about us is said to anyone you will."
"I know, Lieutenant. I have a reputation to maintain." The rodent scurried away losing himself in the dark shadows.
John spoke for the first time. "Do you really trust that guy?"
Taking out objects from the box she didn't look up when answering him. "No, why?"
"Then why are you letting him walk out of here? You are like no peacekeeper I ever known of." He said, as he joined her looking at all the odd bits and pieces.
Stopping she met his eyes. "This is my life, I know what I am doing. As for R'tcar he knows he his a walking dead man the moment he betrays any of the rebels."
"I thought you said the rebels had turned against you for being with me.or some such." he waved a hand in dismissal as his words came to a halt.
Giving him her full attention, she said. "What I am about to tell you can get us both killed. We have a Disrupter amongst the rebel force. My job was to find out who it is. I have been away doing just that. My first twelve arns on this planet and I wake up with a known criminal naked in my bed. The question is why would anyone go to such trouble to get us together?"
Crichton snarled as he moved back from the rebel. "Great! I share a room one night and now I'm your father confessor! Well, the rebels will just have to get in line with everyone else. Why did you feel you had to share that news with me?"
"You betray me. I betray you. I die. You die. Simple." She stated unemotionally.
The woman lifted her hand up from behind the box pointing a pistol at John. "Now, the question I have is what are you doing here?"
"Sightseeing. I heard about this great acid-rain planet. I get really curious about extraordinary events," He remark sarcastically.
"You recognized the peacekeeper Captain below stairs before our escape. I take it they are after you and not the rebels."
"Captain Braca.lap dog to Commandant Mele-On Grayza. If you want I will introduce you two some time. I just don't feel like it now. I have headache."
"Remarkable," she murmured.
John curiously asked. "What?"
"A peacekeeper Captain, Scorpius, and now a Commandant with a peacekeeper force all looking for one inferior being, and they can't even hold onto him. I would wager that High Command is not sleeping well at nights." She chuckled sarcastically. "This is rich, I would love to be there to see how this is effecting them."
"You've got a beef with them?"
Confused. "Beef?"
"Yeah you know- you have it in for them," he explained, enjoying the way he misses with their minds. "Answer me a question now. How is it you know so much about me?"
She ticks off three fingers, "You destroyed a command carrier, a gimmick base, a shadow depository. Information I gathered from the Peacekeepers. Now from Scarran sector it is rumored you destroy a Scarran Dreadnought. I have heard much about you, human. When Aeryn Sun jointed us I needed to know as much about all of you. But tell me how is Aeryn Sun? Did she survive the living death?"
Aeryn would have been proud, John did a prefect impression of the PK mask- showing no emotion. He remembered Aeryn objections towards coming to this planet."You're one of the rebels she was with?"
"Yes. You haven't told me if Aeryn Sun has survived."
"Yes, she's alive." He answered stepping away from Sky'leen. "Look what are you going to do with this erector set? Why are we still here?"
Lowing her weapon she just studied him for a moment. "It's a way to get off of this rock so I can report to the right people."
"What about the rebels on this planet, can't they help us?"
"No, to them I'm a traitor or .the disrupter." Her eyes kindled with a revelation. John looked up at her. Shaking her head she picked up a piece. "I hope you are a good tech I've heard about."
************************************
The Commandant was angry. Braca was angry. It was all Crichton's fault, and hezamana; he would like to have his head on a jinka pole. He waited impatiently as his commandoes checked the hostel out. The last sighting had Crichton in the close company of a known rebel. A groan came from the room behind him accompanied by a soft but direct voice, which asked. "Who is this lieutenant?"
"Sky'leen Orin." The dreamy voice answered back.
Braca looked back into the room as the silence lengthens. This was not a good sign. "Why was Crichton with her?"
"I don't know. They had been."
"Been what?" The silky voice dropped in tone.
"It appeared they have been recreating. We were told to meet with her. She had valuable information."
"About what?"
"A disrupter amongst the rebels.she knew who it is."
"Do you know of John Crichton or Aeryn Sun?"
"Lieutenant.knows Sun.know no more." the man's voice died away his head falling forward.
Grayza called out, "Braca, report."
He looked back at his officer, who just shook his head. Turning to the Commandant waiting in the doorway. "They have fled the building. There is no trace of them. My people are searching the town."
"John Crichton and Aeryn Sun would seem to have a connection with the rebels. Captain, alert High Command we now have a lead on Lieutenant Sky'leen Orin. What of Moya?"
"There is no sign she had ever been here." Braca stood straight as he reported the bad news.
"When you have the answer back from High Command let me know at once. I want this town taken apart if needed. I want John Crichton," she snapped.
"Yes, ma 'am.
Grayza walked back over to the rebel. Rubbing her fingers on her chest she applied the fragrance. "Now, Officer, what of the rebels? "
***********************
John snapped the last piece together. Holding it up in the light he turned it around, frowning, " What the frell. This is a weapon isn't it?"
"Yes, a Aznak Launch Rifter. It can take down a marauder. It can destroy or disable by neutralizing their power source forcing them to land. I want the ship in one piece and operational." She finished working on a small unit before snapping the housing on. She threw the unit to John. Catching it he just stared at her.
"It fits on the bottom in the slot near where your right hand is."
Without a word he snapped it in and felt the power hum as the rifter sprang to life. "Impressive."
He laid the weapon down gently. "You know with Grayza here she could have caught a rebel and be rooting them out."
Sky'leen finished for him. "Yes, she could be. That's why the rebels haven't appeared. They are to busy trying to stay alive." She gathered a few things placing them into a shoulder pouch. "We take what we need and leave. I need to get in contact with some of my people."
Stopping short John looked at her. "Excuse me? I thought you said the rebels on this planet will think you are a trader or worse."
"Do you think I travel alone? There are others we are to meet. That is where we are going." She picked up the rifter along with a shoulder pouch.
"There are peacekeepers and rebels out there waiting to take us or kill us you know." John almost shouted.
"Your point is?"
Throwing his hands up, he picked up another shoulder pouch along with a pulse rifle. "You go first after all it's your idea."
Nodding, she marched out with John mumbling under his breath about peacekeepers.
A deathlike stillness hung over the eerie corridors of the abundant building they had just escape to. A heavy door slammed, a sound of scuffling feet, and an ominous dragging broke the quiet. John raised Winona ready to fire. He didn't know where his new friend had disappeared too. All she said was wait. The shadow in front of him straightened to outline the form of a man. John blinked as he focused on the lone figure standing near his hiding place.
The voice of the woman came from the shadows just right to his back. "It's about time you got here. You weren't followed?" Sky'leen came out into the light. The man moved back, but jumped when John stepped out in front of him.
"Yes.I mean no.I escaped before they took my hostel over. I tried to hurry as soon as I could." R'tcar screeched, his hands shaking violently. "Here is everything you wanted."
"Follow us," she ordered. She motioned with her head for John to precede her. Reluctantly he did. Moving back into a larger chamber, lights came on revealing a command post. Sky'leen motion for R'tcar to put an oversize box on the strategy table; she touched the corner of the box opening it.
" Good everything is here." Taking out a small pouch she pitched it to R'tcar, "As we agreed. Remember if a word about us is said to anyone you will."
"I know, Lieutenant. I have a reputation to maintain." The rodent scurried away losing himself in the dark shadows.
John spoke for the first time. "Do you really trust that guy?"
Taking out objects from the box she didn't look up when answering him. "No, why?"
"Then why are you letting him walk out of here? You are like no peacekeeper I ever known of." He said, as he joined her looking at all the odd bits and pieces.
Stopping she met his eyes. "This is my life, I know what I am doing. As for R'tcar he knows he his a walking dead man the moment he betrays any of the rebels."
"I thought you said the rebels had turned against you for being with me.or some such." he waved a hand in dismissal as his words came to a halt.
Giving him her full attention, she said. "What I am about to tell you can get us both killed. We have a Disrupter amongst the rebel force. My job was to find out who it is. I have been away doing just that. My first twelve arns on this planet and I wake up with a known criminal naked in my bed. The question is why would anyone go to such trouble to get us together?"
Crichton snarled as he moved back from the rebel. "Great! I share a room one night and now I'm your father confessor! Well, the rebels will just have to get in line with everyone else. Why did you feel you had to share that news with me?"
"You betray me. I betray you. I die. You die. Simple." She stated unemotionally.
The woman lifted her hand up from behind the box pointing a pistol at John. "Now, the question I have is what are you doing here?"
"Sightseeing. I heard about this great acid-rain planet. I get really curious about extraordinary events," He remark sarcastically.
"You recognized the peacekeeper Captain below stairs before our escape. I take it they are after you and not the rebels."
"Captain Braca.lap dog to Commandant Mele-On Grayza. If you want I will introduce you two some time. I just don't feel like it now. I have headache."
"Remarkable," she murmured.
John curiously asked. "What?"
"A peacekeeper Captain, Scorpius, and now a Commandant with a peacekeeper force all looking for one inferior being, and they can't even hold onto him. I would wager that High Command is not sleeping well at nights." She chuckled sarcastically. "This is rich, I would love to be there to see how this is effecting them."
"You've got a beef with them?"
Confused. "Beef?"
"Yeah you know- you have it in for them," he explained, enjoying the way he misses with their minds. "Answer me a question now. How is it you know so much about me?"
She ticks off three fingers, "You destroyed a command carrier, a gimmick base, a shadow depository. Information I gathered from the Peacekeepers. Now from Scarran sector it is rumored you destroy a Scarran Dreadnought. I have heard much about you, human. When Aeryn Sun jointed us I needed to know as much about all of you. But tell me how is Aeryn Sun? Did she survive the living death?"
Aeryn would have been proud, John did a prefect impression of the PK mask- showing no emotion. He remembered Aeryn objections towards coming to this planet."You're one of the rebels she was with?"
"Yes. You haven't told me if Aeryn Sun has survived."
"Yes, she's alive." He answered stepping away from Sky'leen. "Look what are you going to do with this erector set? Why are we still here?"
Lowing her weapon she just studied him for a moment. "It's a way to get off of this rock so I can report to the right people."
"What about the rebels on this planet, can't they help us?"
"No, to them I'm a traitor or .the disrupter." Her eyes kindled with a revelation. John looked up at her. Shaking her head she picked up a piece. "I hope you are a good tech I've heard about."
************************************
The Commandant was angry. Braca was angry. It was all Crichton's fault, and hezamana; he would like to have his head on a jinka pole. He waited impatiently as his commandoes checked the hostel out. The last sighting had Crichton in the close company of a known rebel. A groan came from the room behind him accompanied by a soft but direct voice, which asked. "Who is this lieutenant?"
"Sky'leen Orin." The dreamy voice answered back.
Braca looked back into the room as the silence lengthens. This was not a good sign. "Why was Crichton with her?"
"I don't know. They had been."
"Been what?" The silky voice dropped in tone.
"It appeared they have been recreating. We were told to meet with her. She had valuable information."
"About what?"
"A disrupter amongst the rebels.she knew who it is."
"Do you know of John Crichton or Aeryn Sun?"
"Lieutenant.knows Sun.know no more." the man's voice died away his head falling forward.
Grayza called out, "Braca, report."
He looked back at his officer, who just shook his head. Turning to the Commandant waiting in the doorway. "They have fled the building. There is no trace of them. My people are searching the town."
"John Crichton and Aeryn Sun would seem to have a connection with the rebels. Captain, alert High Command we now have a lead on Lieutenant Sky'leen Orin. What of Moya?"
"There is no sign she had ever been here." Braca stood straight as he reported the bad news.
"When you have the answer back from High Command let me know at once. I want this town taken apart if needed. I want John Crichton," she snapped.
"Yes, ma 'am.
Grayza walked back over to the rebel. Rubbing her fingers on her chest she applied the fragrance. "Now, Officer, what of the rebels? "
***********************
John snapped the last piece together. Holding it up in the light he turned it around, frowning, " What the frell. This is a weapon isn't it?"
"Yes, a Aznak Launch Rifter. It can take down a marauder. It can destroy or disable by neutralizing their power source forcing them to land. I want the ship in one piece and operational." She finished working on a small unit before snapping the housing on. She threw the unit to John. Catching it he just stared at her.
"It fits on the bottom in the slot near where your right hand is."
Without a word he snapped it in and felt the power hum as the rifter sprang to life. "Impressive."
He laid the weapon down gently. "You know with Grayza here she could have caught a rebel and be rooting them out."
Sky'leen finished for him. "Yes, she could be. That's why the rebels haven't appeared. They are to busy trying to stay alive." She gathered a few things placing them into a shoulder pouch. "We take what we need and leave. I need to get in contact with some of my people."
Stopping short John looked at her. "Excuse me? I thought you said the rebels on this planet will think you are a trader or worse."
"Do you think I travel alone? There are others we are to meet. That is where we are going." She picked up the rifter along with a shoulder pouch.
"There are peacekeepers and rebels out there waiting to take us or kill us you know." John almost shouted.
"Your point is?"
Throwing his hands up, he picked up another shoulder pouch along with a pulse rifle. "You go first after all it's your idea."
Nodding, she marched out with John mumbling under his breath about peacekeepers.