Part 3: Spec Ops
They traveled a stealth course avoiding peacekeeper patrols. Neither spoke. Crichton could have sworn they had past the same squatty building twice. Motioning for him to stay back Sky'leen Orin eased around the corner; within microts her voice hissed his name. "Crichton."
Cautiously he edged closer, and peeked around the corner he spotted her talking to two others. Dressed similar to her, John hoped they were allies. Motioning for him to join them, she kept listening to the man's report. Lowering his shoulder pouch John took a deep breath as he studied both people. The man glanced briefly his way. Finally Orin looked over at him.
"It would seem my team has broken up looking for us. This is Officer Fan Nil Chou and Officer Sou Vanna. They are to rendezvous with the other team in five hundred microts at the outer ground bunker near the Citadel. " She looked at Chou and said, "Lead the way. Vanna, you bring up the rear."
So John found himself a part of the rebel force. Now this was bizarre.
********************************
Braca walked into the private dinning room Grayza was waiting in. The remnants of a meal littered the table. He noted that the rebel lay in the corner unconscious; a guard standing over him. Grayza gazed out the window. "Captain?"
"Ma'am. High Command acknowledged and orders that the Lieutenant be taken alive. They want to know why Crichton and Sun are interested in the rebels, particularly the Lieutenant," Braca reported.
Grayza turned her gaze to him, in a silken voice she asked. "This from the General himself?"
"Yes, ma'am. The commandos have tracked several more rebels down. They have also reported that they've found a Leviathan transport pod." Braca readily announced.
Grayza strolled over to him. "We know Crichton is here. I want to know where he is hiding. Has the carrier scan this sector for the Human's DNA?"
"They have started, Commandant. With no success as of yet." "Report as soon as they do. I want results, Captain. Have the other rebels brought here." She waved her hand toward the corner. "Remove that one to the carrier. Did you find out anything about this disrupter?"
"The General said he would get back to us."
Braca motioned to the guard to remove the rebel from the room. As he turned to follow, Grayza's words stopped him. He faced her frowning.
"Have you ever heard of Lieutenant Orin, Captain?"
"No, ma'am." his voice trailed off. Grayza could see recognition set in as his expression changed, "The General's name."
"Now you understand why he wants her back alive. Find Crichton- you find her. Has there been any report about Sun?"
"No, I have contacted the citadel. They don't seem interested in the criminals. They said good hunting."
Shaking her head, she walked back to the window. The planet was a haven for the rift raft of the Uncharteds. The government was probably collecting pay from the criminal's actives. "Captain, when the rebel prisoners arrive bring the highest ranking officer to me."
"Ma'am." Braca responded as he left.
***********************************
John noticed, the rendezvous was a good ninety metras away from the Citadel. They came to a large group of abandoned warehouse-type buildings. Some appeared to be bombed out shells which stood among other older but serviceable structures. The point rebel headed for one of the shell buildings.
Chou led the way with Orin and John right behind. Vanna took up the rear. They were attacked before they could reach the building. There was no warning.
A least twenty rebels stood out to surround them. Orin and her group stood still weapons at the ready. Her eye's going to each face. She asked sharply, "What the frell you think you are doing?"
The rebels didn't respond to her question. They were like statues. John didn't think any of them even blinked. A few were staring at him. He raised his chin, and stared back. He heard the sound of footsteps coming from behind.
No one moved until the crunch of rubble underfoot sounded next to the two groups. One of the rebels turned to look then. Five more rebels had appeared. They were wearing different uniforms. John heard Orin let out a low expletive as she turned.
He glanced over at her. She snarled. "Traitors!"
The leader moved closer. John directed his attention to him. There was something vaguely familiar about him, but he couldn't recall why. The leader was tall, broad-shouldered, and had dark blond hair and intense gray eyes.
Orin broke the silence. "You're in league with the disrupter, then."
"You're the traitor." The leader glanced over at Crichton. "You recreated with a known criminal, an alien. A Peacekeeper Command Carrier full of soldiers is hunting us down."
He looked over at John. "They ask about him and Sun. What are you doing with him?"
None in Orin's group answered.
The rebel motioned to the men to move in. Orin raised her pulse rifle. The rebels waited for their leader's orders.
John laughed. "This looks like a Mexican stand-off."
No one responded to the nonsense comment.
Just then an explosion shook the ground and debris slammed into the rebels closest to it. Everyone dropped to the ground or dove for cover. In the chaos, weapons were discharged in all directions. Orin grabbed John by the arm dragging him with her. Chou and Vanna covered them as they made their way across to one of the ruins.
More explosions followed in rapid succession. Shouts and cries of pain followed as they made their escape.
A soft dragging sound came from the left as Sky'leen rushed forward going down steps. Lights flashed causing John to blink. He watched as rebels moved about. Speaking up he asked. "Won't they know this bunker is here?" "Not directly. Only our team knows about it." She explained pulling out equipment from her shoulder pouch.
"What just happened up there?" John moved over to her.
"Trap. Yes, they will search, but I think we can divert them from here." The other team members stood by a strategy table waiting for orders.
"Secure, and lock down. The peacekeepers will take care of the traitors. " Two officers moved off. Orin looked over at John waiting for the questions to come. She wasn't disappointed.
" What was that all about?"
"The peacekeepers will be investigating now that the explosions have exposed our last known position."
"We 're to just sit here and wait them out?" He asked excitedly.
"Yes. Get comfortable, we will be here awhile."
"They will find this place you know. What about the other team members?"
"If they are near they would have heard the explosions, and know it isn't safe for them at the moment. Now if you are through pointing out the obvious. We have things to do." She walked away.
**********************
Braca waited in the common room in the hostel. Whatever information they had gotten from the rebels had proven futile. One thing Braca had learned, was that Lieutenant Orin was in charge of a top rebel group, code named Spec Op. Their objective was unknown-two groups of rebels were not working in conjunction. The best indeed Braca sneered. Soon more prisoners would arrive for interrogation. He heard a scream followed by a moan. The commandant must have grown exasperated.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs. "Braca!"
"Ma'am?" He came to attention in front of her.
"Report." Stone face she stood looking at him.
"There were explosions outside the town near the citadel. Our commandos had a run in with a rebel force. Ten rebels are reported dead. They have captured six. One is demanding to speak to the officer in charge."
"And?"
"He keeps saying the word Unison."
A slow smile form on her lips, "Escort our disrupter in, Captain. I want the area searched thoroughly. Crichton and Orin may be close by."
"At once." He turned to carry out her orders.
She stopped him. "Have the troops looked out for any of Crichton's shipmates. I don't want any more surprises like the last time."
"Ma'am."
A soft smile settled on her lips as she mummer under her breath. "Soon, John Crichton, soon."
***********************
John had settled down against the bunker wall on a low seat. He watched the others work. Orin stood back up and walked over to him. Their eyes met for a moment as she sat to John's side facing him. Handing him some food cubes she took a bit of hers.
"How do you know they will not find us down here?" He asked in between bits.
"I just do. Why are you really here? Does this have something to do with Aeryn Sun?"
John seemed to take a close interest in his food cube. She tried again. "Do you want to know what Aeryn did while she was with us?"
He raised his eyes, but his face remained blank. "Why would you tell me what Aeryn can't?"
"To many lives are at stake. You helped save my life. I owe you for that. Now do you want to know about Aeryn?"
"Hell, yes. But what is this going to cost me? More death threats?"
"No, I know you will not speak of it because would threaten Aeryn's life."
He leaned back against the wall. "Go for it. I'm all ears."
She turned her head to better see his ears. "Your ears are no larger then any of ours."
"Nooo, it means I am ready to hear what you have to say."
"Oh." Clearing her throat she asked. "Do you have any questions?"
He hesitated for a moment. "Was there anyone else in her life that she was close to?" Shaking his head quickly. "Strike that. I mean what did she do for you.I mean what is your purpose?"
"Question is what do you think we are?"
"Mercenaries.for the top credit."
"In a way yes. But we are more then that." Orin sat back not taking her eyes off of his, she began.
They traveled a stealth course avoiding peacekeeper patrols. Neither spoke. Crichton could have sworn they had past the same squatty building twice. Motioning for him to stay back Sky'leen Orin eased around the corner; within microts her voice hissed his name. "Crichton."
Cautiously he edged closer, and peeked around the corner he spotted her talking to two others. Dressed similar to her, John hoped they were allies. Motioning for him to join them, she kept listening to the man's report. Lowering his shoulder pouch John took a deep breath as he studied both people. The man glanced briefly his way. Finally Orin looked over at him.
"It would seem my team has broken up looking for us. This is Officer Fan Nil Chou and Officer Sou Vanna. They are to rendezvous with the other team in five hundred microts at the outer ground bunker near the Citadel. " She looked at Chou and said, "Lead the way. Vanna, you bring up the rear."
So John found himself a part of the rebel force. Now this was bizarre.
********************************
Braca walked into the private dinning room Grayza was waiting in. The remnants of a meal littered the table. He noted that the rebel lay in the corner unconscious; a guard standing over him. Grayza gazed out the window. "Captain?"
"Ma'am. High Command acknowledged and orders that the Lieutenant be taken alive. They want to know why Crichton and Sun are interested in the rebels, particularly the Lieutenant," Braca reported.
Grayza turned her gaze to him, in a silken voice she asked. "This from the General himself?"
"Yes, ma'am. The commandos have tracked several more rebels down. They have also reported that they've found a Leviathan transport pod." Braca readily announced.
Grayza strolled over to him. "We know Crichton is here. I want to know where he is hiding. Has the carrier scan this sector for the Human's DNA?"
"They have started, Commandant. With no success as of yet." "Report as soon as they do. I want results, Captain. Have the other rebels brought here." She waved her hand toward the corner. "Remove that one to the carrier. Did you find out anything about this disrupter?"
"The General said he would get back to us."
Braca motioned to the guard to remove the rebel from the room. As he turned to follow, Grayza's words stopped him. He faced her frowning.
"Have you ever heard of Lieutenant Orin, Captain?"
"No, ma'am." his voice trailed off. Grayza could see recognition set in as his expression changed, "The General's name."
"Now you understand why he wants her back alive. Find Crichton- you find her. Has there been any report about Sun?"
"No, I have contacted the citadel. They don't seem interested in the criminals. They said good hunting."
Shaking her head, she walked back to the window. The planet was a haven for the rift raft of the Uncharteds. The government was probably collecting pay from the criminal's actives. "Captain, when the rebel prisoners arrive bring the highest ranking officer to me."
"Ma'am." Braca responded as he left.
***********************************
John noticed, the rendezvous was a good ninety metras away from the Citadel. They came to a large group of abandoned warehouse-type buildings. Some appeared to be bombed out shells which stood among other older but serviceable structures. The point rebel headed for one of the shell buildings.
Chou led the way with Orin and John right behind. Vanna took up the rear. They were attacked before they could reach the building. There was no warning.
A least twenty rebels stood out to surround them. Orin and her group stood still weapons at the ready. Her eye's going to each face. She asked sharply, "What the frell you think you are doing?"
The rebels didn't respond to her question. They were like statues. John didn't think any of them even blinked. A few were staring at him. He raised his chin, and stared back. He heard the sound of footsteps coming from behind.
No one moved until the crunch of rubble underfoot sounded next to the two groups. One of the rebels turned to look then. Five more rebels had appeared. They were wearing different uniforms. John heard Orin let out a low expletive as she turned.
He glanced over at her. She snarled. "Traitors!"
The leader moved closer. John directed his attention to him. There was something vaguely familiar about him, but he couldn't recall why. The leader was tall, broad-shouldered, and had dark blond hair and intense gray eyes.
Orin broke the silence. "You're in league with the disrupter, then."
"You're the traitor." The leader glanced over at Crichton. "You recreated with a known criminal, an alien. A Peacekeeper Command Carrier full of soldiers is hunting us down."
He looked over at John. "They ask about him and Sun. What are you doing with him?"
None in Orin's group answered.
The rebel motioned to the men to move in. Orin raised her pulse rifle. The rebels waited for their leader's orders.
John laughed. "This looks like a Mexican stand-off."
No one responded to the nonsense comment.
Just then an explosion shook the ground and debris slammed into the rebels closest to it. Everyone dropped to the ground or dove for cover. In the chaos, weapons were discharged in all directions. Orin grabbed John by the arm dragging him with her. Chou and Vanna covered them as they made their way across to one of the ruins.
More explosions followed in rapid succession. Shouts and cries of pain followed as they made their escape.
A soft dragging sound came from the left as Sky'leen rushed forward going down steps. Lights flashed causing John to blink. He watched as rebels moved about. Speaking up he asked. "Won't they know this bunker is here?" "Not directly. Only our team knows about it." She explained pulling out equipment from her shoulder pouch.
"What just happened up there?" John moved over to her.
"Trap. Yes, they will search, but I think we can divert them from here." The other team members stood by a strategy table waiting for orders.
"Secure, and lock down. The peacekeepers will take care of the traitors. " Two officers moved off. Orin looked over at John waiting for the questions to come. She wasn't disappointed.
" What was that all about?"
"The peacekeepers will be investigating now that the explosions have exposed our last known position."
"We 're to just sit here and wait them out?" He asked excitedly.
"Yes. Get comfortable, we will be here awhile."
"They will find this place you know. What about the other team members?"
"If they are near they would have heard the explosions, and know it isn't safe for them at the moment. Now if you are through pointing out the obvious. We have things to do." She walked away.
**********************
Braca waited in the common room in the hostel. Whatever information they had gotten from the rebels had proven futile. One thing Braca had learned, was that Lieutenant Orin was in charge of a top rebel group, code named Spec Op. Their objective was unknown-two groups of rebels were not working in conjunction. The best indeed Braca sneered. Soon more prisoners would arrive for interrogation. He heard a scream followed by a moan. The commandant must have grown exasperated.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs. "Braca!"
"Ma'am?" He came to attention in front of her.
"Report." Stone face she stood looking at him.
"There were explosions outside the town near the citadel. Our commandos had a run in with a rebel force. Ten rebels are reported dead. They have captured six. One is demanding to speak to the officer in charge."
"And?"
"He keeps saying the word Unison."
A slow smile form on her lips, "Escort our disrupter in, Captain. I want the area searched thoroughly. Crichton and Orin may be close by."
"At once." He turned to carry out her orders.
She stopped him. "Have the troops looked out for any of Crichton's shipmates. I don't want any more surprises like the last time."
"Ma'am."
A soft smile settled on her lips as she mummer under her breath. "Soon, John Crichton, soon."
***********************
John had settled down against the bunker wall on a low seat. He watched the others work. Orin stood back up and walked over to him. Their eyes met for a moment as she sat to John's side facing him. Handing him some food cubes she took a bit of hers.
"How do you know they will not find us down here?" He asked in between bits.
"I just do. Why are you really here? Does this have something to do with Aeryn Sun?"
John seemed to take a close interest in his food cube. She tried again. "Do you want to know what Aeryn did while she was with us?"
He raised his eyes, but his face remained blank. "Why would you tell me what Aeryn can't?"
"To many lives are at stake. You helped save my life. I owe you for that. Now do you want to know about Aeryn?"
"Hell, yes. But what is this going to cost me? More death threats?"
"No, I know you will not speak of it because would threaten Aeryn's life."
He leaned back against the wall. "Go for it. I'm all ears."
She turned her head to better see his ears. "Your ears are no larger then any of ours."
"Nooo, it means I am ready to hear what you have to say."
"Oh." Clearing her throat she asked. "Do you have any questions?"
He hesitated for a moment. "Was there anyone else in her life that she was close to?" Shaking his head quickly. "Strike that. I mean what did she do for you.I mean what is your purpose?"
"Question is what do you think we are?"
"Mercenaries.for the top credit."
"In a way yes. But we are more then that." Orin sat back not taking her eyes off of his, she began.