The small red, white, and blue DRD silently cruised the hallways of Moya. It was the middle of the sleep cycle and 1812 was bored. He was not part of Moya's own DRD crew and could not even communicate with the Leviathan or her helpers. With his human asleep, the servo-robot continued his lonely patrol passing through the crew quarters and on to the more secure tiers. Counting the prison cells, he blinked his eye stalks and registered the holding pen of the one called Scorpius.
The little DRD was aware of the fact that John Crichton did not like this creature at all. To the surprise of the little drone, Scorpius was talking to someone. This was strange as the DRD was fairly certain nobody was awake. Hiding in a service duct near the cell, 1812 proceeded to record the conversation, planning on replaying it to the human later.
Mid-Day on Moya
D'Argo met up with Chiana as she strode purposefully down the tier heading upwards towards Pilot's Den. There was something fekkik going on and she was going to get to the bottom of it.
"Chiana!" D'Argo called out, halting the Nebari in her tracks as she tilted her head sideways and upwards, gaining eye contact with the taller Luxan. "Where are you going? I thought I told you that there was an amnexus burst on Tier 3 that needed repairing."
"I was gonna get to it soon, D'Argo. I just-just have something I gotta do first," Chiana responded as she turned again towards her destination. Chiana's arms angled sharply from her body indicating her level of anxiety. "I just want Pilot's opinion on something."
D'Argo sensed Chiana's unease and since he also felt the atmosphere on Moya had taken a turn to the cold and dark side, he couldn't disagree with her decision. "Okay, I'll go with you. I too would like some answers."
Chiana spoke as she pushed on ahead, her thoughts turning to the real reason she felt uneasy and wanted Pilot and Moya's calming presence, "I just don't trust that frellnik, D'Argo. You know what he's like. I just know he is going to hurt Crichton again. We can't allow that, we just can't!" D'Argo sighed. He knew the Nebari girl cared very much for their friend and would do anything to protect him. Truth be told, he did not like the fact that the Scarran half breed was on board either and also feared for John's safety.
"Chiana, you know I don't trust Scorpius anymore than you do, but I don't think there is much we can do about it. Aeryn has vouched for him and John, though not happy about it, has allowed him to stay aboard as well. We placed him in a high security holding cell and Pilot has put a permanent DRD in place to guard him so there is nothing he can do without us knowing about it."
"I don't know, D'Argo. All I know is that I have a feeling that trouble is coming and dren-face will be behind it." D'Argo's words did not mollify Chiana in the least. She was still very worried about Scorpius being so close to John. First thing she would do would be to check with Pilot and Moya about Scorpius' behavior. Next, she would talk to Aeryn about getting the man off of Moya. Chiana sighed, asking herself why Aeryn didn't realize what having that brain-sucker on Moya was doing to John, and how dangerous this was. Sure, Scorpius had saved her life, but why hadn't she considered the fact that Scorpius might have had something to do with that heat-delirium inducing virus in the first place? John had been hurt enough recently, what with her leaving him and even more recently with the encounter with that tralk Grayza.
D'Argo and Chiana arrived at Pilot's Den. "Pilot," D'Argo's voice boomed, "I trust Scorpius is still being watched by a DRD and has not tried to escape or contact anyone?" The gentle symbiote, initially startled by D'Argo's voice, resumed his multitasking motions. Still, he seemed a little nervous as he looked alternately to D'Argo and Chiana.
"Ka D'Argo, Chiana, I had not expected to see you before first meal. As for your question, Ka D'Argo, Scorpius has not done anything beyond what could be expected of him in this situation." Pilot was secretly pleased he was able to answer the question without lying to the crew. It did not diminish his nervousness, however. Neither D'Argo, nor Chiana missed the apparent discomfort of the symbiote. Before either of them could ask Pilot about it they were interrupted by a comms signal.
"Yo, D, Pip, got ya both some nice food cubes for lunch. Come get them while they're hot." D'Argo shook his head at Pilot and shrugged his shoulders at his human friend's confusing call. Discussions with Pilot would have to wait since neither he nor Chiana wished to arouse his friend's suspicions. Waving goodbye to Pilot, D'Argo palmed his comms in response to his friend and pushed Chiana out of the Den and towards the Center Chamber and Second Meal.
In the galley John was preparing everyone's tray. He had awoken early this morning, unable to fall asleep again because his mind kept wondering about several things.
First, there was the fact that Aeryn had returned affected by a virus-induced heat delirium with his nemesis in tow. Scorpy being so close was not making John feel very comfortable. He was sure the black-clad specter had something to do with the virus in the first place so as to gain access to Aeryn and subsequently Moya and ultimately himself.
Then there was the situation with Aeryn's pregnancy and her apparent reluctance to tell him about it or even to talk at all about her "summer vacation" away from Moya.
The third thing that kept his brain spinning for hours, as it had for nearly every day since Scorpy's Carrier was destroyed, were the wormhole equations. He was now pretty certain he could locate a wormhole and calculate the time it would open up. He was unsure why new knowledge seem to be coming to him while he was sleeping, but he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. It probably had something to do with the fact that during sleep, his subconscious was in charge of his brain. He shook his head again at how all of these random thoughts seemed to crowd his mind. He bent again to placing red, yellow, and green food cubes on each plate. If he couldn't make them taste good at least he could arrange them in pleasing patterns.
His plan today was to talk to his friends to see if he could pursue his search. He figured that since Rygel was acting captain, his best shot was to get the little slug on his side and food was definitely the way to go if you wanted to persuade the dethroned Dominar.
D'Argo and Chiana entered the galley and Chiana immediately went to Crichton and gave him a small hug. "Hey old man. How's it going?" John chuckled a bit and kissed the top of her head.
"I'm OK, Pip. How are you and the big guy? I couldn't help but notice you were in the same location when I commed you. Something I missed?"
"Nah, we, we were just checking with Pilot if Scorpius was still being watched." John noticed the Nebari girl lost a little of her exuberant behavior. He assumed it was because D'Argo still didn't seem to be able to forgive her for her betrayal with Jothee, although the presence of the Scarran half-breed just few tiers below might have something to do with it as well. John was well aware of her protectiveness towards him.
"According to Pilot, Scorpius has not done anything out of the ordinary during the sleep cycle." D'Argo told his friend. At that moment the whine of Rygel's throne sled preceded his arrival in the galley.
"D'Argo, may I remind you that I'm the captain of Moya for the time being and that I should be the one to check on these matters." Without missing a beat, the little Dominar continued "Ah, food," and proceeded toward the eating table.
"The only thing," D'Argo said to the Hynerian, "you seem to be checking is if there is enough food to fill your three stomachs; you probably hadn't even thought about checking on Scorpius' status at all until it was mentioned."
"Scorpius will not harm any of you and I think it is wrong of all of you to imprison him," Sikozu said as she entered the galley, followed closely by Aeryn and the old woman. "Scorpius has requested someone bring him some food," the Kalish continued.
"Tell him to keep his panties on. He'll get some food when we're ready and if Sparky here hasn't eaten all of our daily rations by the end of lunch," John answered. He noticed the puzzled looks from the crew after his remark about the panties, except for Aeryn, who's mouth was definitely showing signs of becoming a smile. Then there was Rygel, who just kept stuffing his mouth, but he didn't count. Because of Aeryn's twitching mouth, Johns mind started to provide a mental picture of Scorpy in panties and could barely repress both a shudder and a smile. He really hoped Harv wouldn't try that the next time he felt the need to intrude on his private thoughts.
Sikozu's puzzled look was quickly replaced by one of annoyance. "You can not let him starve because you dislike him."
"I don't see why not," John answered. "He's put me through hell on more than one occasion. He messed with my mind, put a chip in me to control me, hunted me all around the galaxy for over two frelling cycles, and on top of that I still have to put up with the neural version of him in my brain on a daily basis! I don't frelling care if he eats or dies!"
"John," Aeryn interrupted him, "you promised me you would not harm him. I owe him my life." 'Great' John thought, 'she finally speaks to me, only to remind me of the promise I made.' John gave up with a sigh. "Fine, go bring him some food cubes."
"Since I for one do not understand this need for daily sustenance when monen feedings are much more efficient, I see no need to remain here with deficients such as yourselves. And, since nobody around here seems to care whether Scorpius lives or dies, I will take him his food cubes. Maybe with him I can have an intelligent conversation." At that Sikozu picked up a tray and left the galley.
"Anyone else think that girl has an unhealthy interest in Scorpy?" John asked. "Never mind, I got something to talk to you about." The rest of the crew took a place at the table and proceeded with Second Meal, listening with half an ear to whatever John wanted to say.
"During the last couple of days," John started, "I've obtained access to some new equations that should allow me to determine the location of a wormhole. I should also be able to accurately predict when a particular wormhole opens up. I wanna test these new equations. I've been running some calculations and believe several wormholes are relatively close by. If we use two starbursts, Pilot assures me we could get to one of them in about two solar days. So, if you, and particularly Captain Rygel here, agree we could head in that direction."
"Crichton," Rygel began, "I will not lead us into a dangerous situation, and we all know wormholes lead to danger."
"Not this time, Sparky," John replied. "Scorpy Sue is the only one interested enough in wormhole tech, and besides I'm sure even he doesn't know how to locate a wormhole. I've asked Pilot to choose the closest and safest location of the few I gave him. He assured me the area we will travel to poses no threat to us."
"I believe we should vote on this," D'Argo said. "I feel we should give John a chance to check if this new knowledge is accurate and reliable. Perhaps we can one day use it if we are in trouble."
"Yeah, I agree," Chiana said. "Crichton helped us out lots of times! Besides, it's not that we have anything else that we need to do."
"Huh," Rygel huffed, "I would think obtaining fresh food would be prudent considering our low supply."
"Don't worry Buckwheat; we'll take a slight detour to stock up first. That is why we'll need two startbursts: one to get to a system with almost no PK activity and a Commerce Planet with all the food and supplies we would need and then another to get to the system where a wormhole should be."
"In that case I am in agreement. Pilot, please proceed to the system you and Crichton have chosen."
"Yes, Captain Rygel," Moya's navigator replied over the clamshell. "Moya and I have plotted a course. Initiating starburst... now!"
"All right, so Fluffy, Pip, Granny, D, and Sputnik will go planet-side to get us some food and other necessities, while Aeryn and I hold down the fort and keep Scorp in check." John hoped that the time alone with Aeryn might help patch things up between them. "While there shouldn't be any PKs down there, I want you to stay in touch with each other. There's always the possibility some bounty hunter has seen a wanted beacon and we don't want to spend some time getting anyone's asses out of trouble."
"Don't worry, John," D'Argo said to his friend, "I'll keep them out of trouble."
"Humf," grumbled Rygel, "He doesn't even accord me the tiniest iota of respect due my Captaincy. Frelling bossy human." Rygel spun his throne sled away from where John stood with his arms draped over Chiana's shoulders and his eyes following D'Argo's back with its Qualta Blade sheath. Rygel purposely knocked John's shoulder as he passed, spinning rapidly away before the man could react more than to yowl and clutch at himself.
"Damn, that smarts!" John bellowed and then recovered himself and continued as if the Hynerian hadn't left in such a huff. "Now that his flatulence has left the arena, we can continue."
"OK people, be back in five arns. Have fun. And Pip, not the kind of fun you're thinking about right now."
Aeryn and John stepped out of Moya's docking bay shortly after Pilot closed the hanger doors on the departing transport pod.
"I'll check on Scorpius," Aeryn said, "Why don't you go check with Pilot if anything needs fixing."
John didn't know what to do or think. He had hoped to spend some time with Aeryn and try to get her to talk about the pregnancy. Instead she wanted to check on Scorpy, alone no less. Still, not wanting to make matters worse, he decided to just go along with her plan. "OK, lemme know if something's going on."
On his way to Pilot's Den, John let his mind wander again to the topic of Aeryn's pregnancy. He just couldn't understand why she wanted to keep the news from him. He was sure she wouldn't have said a thing about the pregnancy if he hadn't brought it up when she had returned. Was she afraid he would turn her down because the child was from the other him? But she must realize that he would love any child of her as his own, no matter who had actually participated in the act of creating this new life. Then again, how would she know anything about what he would feel? They had never talked about having children, at least he hadn't talked with her. Maybe the other guy, but even his copy would have told her that he would gladly act as a father to any of Aeryn's children, wouldn't he? He seemed to have told her about panties, gauging her reaction earlier to his panties crack.
"Hi, Pilot," John called out to the gentle being while he crossed the narrow walkway leading to Pilot's console.
"Commander Crichton," Pilot acknowledged his arrival, never pausing the intricate dance of his claws over the Leviathan's controls. "Is there something I can do for you?" Pilot asked as he turned his head to address the human astronaut.
"Not really Pilot," John replied. "Actually I'm here to ask if there's something Moya wants fixing, seeing we've got some spare time on our hands while the crew is planet-side."
"There are some power conduits on tier 4 that need replacement. It is at the same location as the ones on tier 5 you replaced a weeken ago."
"OK Pilot, I'll get right on it." John paused while he thought of something. "Pilot, could you keep an eye on Aeryn for me? She's gone to see Scorpius and I don't trust him. I wanna know if something's up."
"Of course Commander," Pilot replied. John briefly nodded his head and left Pilot's Den to replace the power conduits.
Aeryn walked towards Scorpius' holding cell. While her Peacekeeper mask was firmly in place, inwardly her emotions were wreaking havoc. She realized that John was angry with her for not telling him about the pregnancy, not even after her return. How the hezmana did he even know about that? With the fetus in stasis it was impossible her pregnancy would be showing in anyway and she hadn't told anyone.
She also knew John was unhappy with Scorpius being here. She certainly understood why. But Scorpius had saved her life when nobody else could. So when he told her about his banishment from the Peacekeepers and that he no longer wished to obtain the wormhole knowledge but rather prevent it from falling into Scarran hands, she had granted him asylum.
Still she knew the situation was only going to get worse so she would convince Scorpius to leave Moya. The planet they were orbiting now had no Peacekeeper presence and Scarrans were not interested in this region either. This would be a good place for Scorpius. She would protect John and prevent the wormhole knowledge from falling into the wrong hands, together with the other crew members. They had done so in the past and Scorpius knew first hand how good they were at it, so surely he would agree to leave.
The market was located ideally if you wanted to keep an eye out for threats and enemies. D'Argo was pleased John and Pilot had picked this commerce planet to stock up on much needed supplies. While he could keep an eye on everyone, the crew was able to obtain everything they needed, even the spare parts Aeryn had requested for her prowler and John for his module.
While standing guard on the abandoned building, D'Argo let his mind wander to Chiana. He had been very happy when he learned of her return. His hearts still beat a little faster whenever she looked or smiled at him. He realized she still had feelings for him as well, but he couldn't forget how she betrayed him with his own son.
This made him think about the friend who he considered his brother. Crichton had endured a lot in the relatively short time he'd known him, but the worst times seemed to be involving unpleasant situations regarding Aeryn. D'Argo found it difficult to believe how quickly John could forgive her for running away and leaving him behind. Even though John had clearly forgiven her, they apparently were dealing with yet another situation because John was showing signs of struggling with his feelings toward her and she seemed to be avoiding him again.
He wondered why the human was able to forgive so easily and why he couldn't. He knew he still loved Chiana, but she hurt him and D'Argo couldn't forget that. He sighed and continued his watch and silently made a vow he would find a way to forgive her and reconcile.
1812 was making his way to the central data stores, making sure to use only the maintenance and ventilation ducts. After recording the conversation the one called Scorpius had in the middle of sleep cycle, he realized he could not simply replay the recording, at least not until he had more information. That information should be obtainable from Moya's data stores but he knew he had to be careful when accessing that information, that much was clear from the first part of the recorded conversation.
"Yes," Scorpius said into the communication device, "I have been able to obtain full control over the Leviathan and it's Pilot; they have been made aware of the... consequences should they decide to inform the crew. I can monitor every DRD and track all comms from my holding cell."
The little drone at that point realized he could not replay the recording in just any place. He would have to devise a way to lure one of the crew members to a location where they would be undetectable before replaying it. That's why he was now heading towards Moya's data stores. He could interface with the data stores directly and even Moya wouldn't be able to detect it. 1812 needed to know exactly what Scorpius had done and how much control he really had before informing anyone. More importantly, he needed to know which parts of Moya were safe from Scorpius' surveillance. Finally, the only surviving drone from Elack reached the data stores and began his search.
"Officer Sun, what a pleasant surprise," Scorpius said smiling as he saw the ex-Peacekeeper approach his cell. He'd already known she was on her way to see him when he had overheard the conversation between her and Crichton.
"Hello Scorpius," Aeryn replied. "I came to discuss your current situation. I am grateful you saved my life when I was infected with the virus," she continued, "but ..." Scorpius interrupted her.
"But you have come to the realization that my presence does not make John feel safe." At her affirmative nod he continued, "I am uncertain how this could be remedied. I can understand John's reluctance to trust me after... our prior encounters, but he must realize that I am no longer any threat to him now that I have been banished by Peacekeeper High Command."
"I think we can solve this situation quite simply," Aeryn responded. "You can leave Moya. She is currently in orbit around a planet with no Peacekeeper or Scarran presence. Their technological level is high and I am sure you can find work in one of their research facilities."
"This is not a satisfactory solution, Officer Sun," the Scarran half-breed said after a brief consideration. "As I have stated to you before, my primary reason for being here is to safeguard the wormhole technology in John's head. I can not perform that function when I'm separated from him."
"And how exactly are you protecting John from within the confines of your cell?" Aeryn wanted to know. "You can not perform your task from here and I can assure you none of the crew would like you to roam freely aboard Moya. Furthermore, we are more than capable of protecting wormhole tech from falling in the wrong hands."
Scorpius smiled a bit before replying to that. "Are you sure you are capable? I seem to recall a few... incidents where I managed to obtain quite some information from him. I have also learned John was captured and interrogated by a Scarran once. So far it appears you are unable to keep him and the technology safe."
"Frell you, Scorpius!" Aeryn was starting to lose her patience with the Scarran half-breed. "You may have achieved his capture a couple of times but we have always managed to retrieve him again. I want you to leave Moya before we break orbit."
"That is not an option, Officer Sun," Scorpius answered to her retreating back. Aeryn didn't bother to answer and disappeared from his view. Scorpius sighed and sat back on his cot. This was not how he had planned this. Still, he was sure he could find a way to stay aboard. Slowly, a plan started to form in his mind and a smile slowly found its way to his mouth. Oh yes, that would be very satisfactory for him, in more than one way. He reached for his hidden communication device and proceeded to set his plan in motion. He needed to act quickly for his plan to succeed but how enjoyable the outcome would be. It would certainly make his other plans a lot easier.
About two arns later, the crew had found a nice bar to relax a little. Chiana had gone up with the transport pod about half an arn earlier, after Aeryn had commed them to bring the Kalish girl up to Moya to help Scorpius. It appeared his cooling rods were malfunctioning and the orange girl was the only one who knew how to repair them.
This was not unfortunate as the crew had completed most of the procuring and had to make an extra trip if they were to bring both supplies and themselves back to Moya. While Chiana was on the way, the rest of the crew completed their search for much needed supplies and where done when Chiana returned. Because they still had an arn before they would be leaving, Chiana suggested they'd go relax at the local bar.
Just as they were about to get back to Moya, D'Argo spotted impending trouble. "Frell!" he muttered. He wondered how these Peacekeepers were able to get here without Aeryn or Moya detecting them and warn them. Possibly Moya was already boarded. As he was leading the others out the back of the building, his comms crackled to life.
"Yo, D, trouble's heading your way. Better get your asses back up here, fast!"
"They're already here, but I spotted them before they saw us. Why didn't you warn us sooner?"
"Well," John drew the word out in obvious embarrassment, "I might've accidentally taken the comms offline. It took us a while to get 'em back online again."
D'Argo rolled his eyes. "John I thought we discussed this; no more playing with Moya's systems if you don't know what they are for!"
"Hey, it wasn't my fault," John replied, "Pilot asked me to disconnect a few power lines. I even asked him if he was sure those were the ones I needed to disconnect. He said yes, so I yanked them, almost getting fried in the process and all of a sudden no more comms. I can't help it if Pilot fails to tell me the comms power lines where running directly next to it or that the PKs chose that moment to come and crash your little party."
"So it is your fault," D'Argo concluded, "you just admitted the comms power lines were just close to the lines you were supposed to disconnect." It was quiet for a few microns before John admitted his error.
"So, you've recognized the gate crashers?" John asked.
"I saw Braca entering just as I left," the Luxan warrior replied. "I don't understand why they are here. I thought Pilot had come to the conclusion that the Peacekeepers haven't been to this system for cycles."
"Maybe they're just visiting relatives or friends?" John offered.
"Or maybe they have been following us, possibly through Scorpius," D'Argo pointed out to his friend.
"I don't think so. Pilot assured me Scorp hasn't left his cell and Moya hasn't detected any signal that could've been used as a tracking signal. What's your status?" John inquired.
"We have just boarded the transport pod, apparently undetected. We're heading back to Moya now. Tell Pilot to prepare for immediate startburst the microt we dock."
"Excuse me," Rygel interrupted, "I am the captain, so Pilot will not do anything unless I command him to."
"Now would be a good time, your lowness," D'Argo responded.
"Uh, right," Rygel said, "Uh, Pilot, prepare for immediate startburst the microt we dock."
"As you wish Captain Rygel," Pilot responded over the comms.
A few microts later, the transport pod set down on the floor of the large docking bay. "Initiating startburst... now!" Pilot said over the comms as Moya was engulfed in the white and blue energy that opened the slipstream into hyper space. At the same time a pulse blast was fired at her from one of the Marauders, hitting Moya just as she disappeared.
Just a system away from their previous location, Moya hung in space. The pulse blast had caused internal damage in Moya's startburst energy generator, causing the big biomechanical ship to drop out of hyper space much sooner than anticipated.
"Pilot, you and Moya all right," Crichton asked the symbiote.
"Moya's starburst energy generator has been damaged. We can not perform startburst until it is repaired. The hetch drive has been damaged slightly as well. I suggest we repair the hetch drive first; the repairs to the starburst chamber will take several arns before they are usable but the hetch drive can be repaired in half an arn."
"Right, we'll start there," Crichton replied. "Anything else that needs repairing?"
"Various systems have been damaged slightly. Most importantly, Moya's sensor array is barely functioning. There are also power fluctuations on various tiers as some of the power conduits were damaged," Pilot informed the Commander about the damage inflicted on Moya.
"Great, more power conduits to repair," John muttered under his breath. Apparently not quiet enough for the symbiote to miss.
"Yes, Commander, but these conduits needed repairing soon anyway," Pilot told him. "They are in the same location as the one you repaired earlier but one tier up."
"Right, I'll handle those," John answered, "as I seem to have the most experience with them. I'll ask Pip and D if they can take care of the hetch drive and the sensors. Aeryn can take a nap because she has last watch tonight and she had it last night as well. She needs the rest, regardless of what she says."
"Very well, Commander," Pilot agreed. John turned and left the Den, informing his friends of the current plans on his way to the power conduits.
1812 was making his way to the starburst generator room. His scans of Moya's data stores indicated the room had no sensors and comms signals could not penetrate the shielded room. He was aware of the damage done to that section and realized one of the crew members would certainly be going that way soon to make repairs.
The little mechanical drone knew he had to inform the crew of what was happening onboard of the Leviathan. His scan of the data stores had revealed how the prisoner called Scorpius had gained control.
"Ah, Pilot, so nice to see you."
Pilot looked directly at the black-clad specter, never stopping his multitasking motions, and stated crisply, "Scorpius, you are not welcome on board Moya. I must ask you to leave."
"You may ask Pilot, but I will not comply. Officer Sun personally invited me to stay on Moya and granted my request for asylum."
Pilot was startled that he had missed the arrival of his friend as she staggered from behind the Scarren half-breed's back. "It's true, Pilot," Aeryn stated weakly. "Scorpius has saved my life and in return I granted him asylum."
Pilot looked at Aeryn. "Officer Sun, Moya and I are pleased you have returned to us but can not believe you brought Scorpius with you willingly. Did he force you to bring him with you?"
"No, Pilot, he did not. He found me in my prowler and succeeded in reviving me from a severe case of heat delirium. Without Scorpius' help, I would have been worse than dead. Even know I am sick with the disease and must be cooled continuously. I am in his debt. In return for his help of the cooling suit and rods, he asked me to take him with me and be granted asylum here."
Pilot looked from Aeryn to Scorpius and back again. "Very well, Officer Sun. If that is what you wish."
"It is," Aeryn replied before nearly collapsing.
"Officer Sun, I think it is best we get you to the cooling chamber to aid the cooling suit," Scorpius said. Aeryn simply nodded and let herself be guided out of the Den.
When Scorpius next returned to the Den after securing Aeryn, he stepped up to Pilot's console and reached nonchalantly over the rim and pushed the rod that decreased the fuel levels used by Moya to keep her navigator healthy. With his other hand, he stabbed fiercely down on to Pilot's neck under the crustacean's helmet, directly targeting his neural nexus. Pilot's mouth hung slackly as Scorpius connected his lighted head gear and aimed the connected rod towards Pilot's forehead.
"Ah, my large friend, now I will learn how to control this ship and we can begin the game."
Pilot shook his head a few minutes later and looked up to see the arrival of Scorpius in his den for the second time in the past arn.
"Pilot, I wish to speak to you about a matter of great importance... to you and Moya." Scorpius stood in front of Pilot's console and looked him straight in the eyes. "I have established a full link to all of Moya's functions. I'm not Scorpius. I'm a bioloid copied from the real Scorpius who also made a bioloid copy of John Crichton. That copy will soon be arriving on Moya as well. Let me warn you that I am also tapped in to the comms system and will be able to not only hear any conversation but also can keep track of every crew member's location. If I hear anyone speak about this or go anywhere near the location of the link I have set up, I will have to take action. Am I clear, Pilot?"
Pilot was shocked. "Moya and I will not tell the others, but we can not prevent them finding out on their own."
"I am aware of that Pilot and if they do find out on their own, no actions towards Moya will be forthcoming. But do be aware that I can also monitor DRD interactions with the crew." At that Scorpius turned around and started walking out of the Den.
"Scorpius," Pilot called after him, "What exactly would you be planning to do should Moya or I not cooperate?"
Scorpius stopped but did not turn toward Pilot. "I hear it's very unfortunate if a Leviathan would initiate a starburst when certain compartments are closed. It appears that in such a case the starburst energy will not go out of the ship but will be forced inward. Something like that could happen to Moya and you, if you... choose to be brave." At that Scorpius left the den, leaving a scared Pilot behind.
Now that the small robot had learned that the human was merely a copy he knew he had to let someone else know about this. This was unfortunate as he was able to communicate with the human relatively easily, but he wasn't sure he would be able to do that with the other crew members. Still, he had to try and so decided to hide out in the generator chamber and wait for one of the crew members to arrive, hoping it would be someone else than the fake human.
Aeryn had last watch of the sleep cycle. She didn't really mind as it gave her time to think about her situation without being disturbed. Pilot had informed her Moya had found a gas giant nearby. A gas giant was close to heaven for a Leviathan and its properties also served to hide one from scans. With the captain asleep, Aeryn made the decision to hide out in the gas giant's atmosphere so they could work on the starburst generator without being easily spotted by potential enemies.
Once the Leviathan was safely hidden, she told Pilot she would start working on the generator itself.
"Officer Sun, I must inform you that there is no opportunity for any of us to comm you while you are in the starburst chamber."
"Very well, Pilot," Aeryn replied, "if something is wrong, comm Captain Rygel. It's only one more arn before the crew awakens." Aeryn left command and headed for the starburst room.
When Aeryn arrived at the starburst room she noticed a lot of damage. She decided to start with the power conduits that transported the energy from the generator to the starburst arms. She shoved her tools through the small opening that lead to the maintenance duct between the large room and the generator, intending to follow behind it. Unfortunately her pulse pistol got in the way and prevented her from entering the duct. She removed her pistol and left it near the opening and proceeded into the maintenance duct.
She turned to her left and noticed the oddly colored DRD she had seen around John a lot. "Hello there," Aeryn greeted the servo-robot, "what are you doing here?"
The DRD turned his eyestalks to her and chirped a bit and started to replay the recording he had made the night before. Aeryn stilled when she saw a recording of Scorpius in his cell, talking into some communication device. She listened and watched closely. She really should have kicked his eema off the ship when they were orbiting that planet!
Aeryn turned pale when 1812 showed her the recording of how Scorpius had gained control over the entire ship. The recording also told her that the John currently aboard Moya was a bioloid. Aeryn realized that the real John apparently was captured and held by the real Scorpius.
The DRD showed her one last recording.
John walked to Scorpius' cell. "You awake?" he asked.
Scorpius opened his eyes. "Yes, I just finished talking to Scorpius. It appears the original John has finally regained consciousness. He is not very happy with his current situation."
John snorted, "I bet he isn't. I take it the ship and Pilot have been informed of our new and complicated relationship?"
Scorpius smiled, seemingly remembering back to his subversion of the symbiote and ship. "Yes, they are aware neither of us is real. I may have failed to tell him you are unaware of this during your waking arns, but I am sure he understands that now that he can listen in on our conversations as well."
Both John and Scorpius laughed at that.
"So, you got some new wormhole equations I need to learn?" John asked the half breed.
"Yes. I suggest you take a seat, there's quite a lot to tell you."
"Ah, look at that," a familiar voice sounded from the entrance of the duct, "my buddy is making new friends by spilling all my secrets."
Aeryn's hand moved to her leg to find she didn't have her pulse pistol with her. She silently cursed herself.
"Is this yours?" John asked, pointing her pulse pistol toward her. "From the beginning you've told me to always keep my pulse pistol within easy reach. I have mine with me, see?" John held his pistol next to hers. "You should've listened to your own advice babe."