Desperate Solutions- PART 3
Phi Phi 'Le Trelk'
Moya...
"So...anyone wanna fill me in on this little game of 'Hide and Seek'?" John's eyes roamed the room touching on each occupant.
"Hide and...and Zeek? Is that one of your Earth sayings Crichton? Because you know..." Noranti continued to ramble on.
"Seek...seek not zeek." John sighed heavily, swiping his hand down his face in frustration. "Yeah, grandma. You guys hide and me and big D seek your asses all over the UTs." Shaking his head he stared at the unassuming group. "Let me make it simple for you all. Why the disappearing act?"
D'Argo was not so diplomatic. "Yes. Why did you leave? You were told not to leave unless there was DANGER! WHAT HAPPENED?" D'Argo shouted.
Chiana held her hands up in defense. "Wa...wa...wait! Let us explain!"
D'Argo stepped forward, growling slightly. "Start explaining."
Chiana's brow furrowed. "Uh...we...we left be...be...because Scorpius' Command Carrier showed up!"
John's eyes widened. "Scorpy! What the hell did he want?"
"We...we...we don't know, bu...but there's something else."
"Something ELSE!" John cupped his forehead, shaking his head from side to side. "NO...NO...NO...NO...NO! This can not be happening! The last thing we need is Scorpius sniffing out our trail every place we go!"
D'Argo reached over to placed a compassionate hand on John's shoulder. "John calm down. It's not Chiana's or anyone else's fault that Scorpius happened upon them."
John breathed deeply. "I know D" John smiled weakly in Chiana's direction. "Chi...honey I'm sorry. I just...we all know Scorpius. He doesn't just happened upon anybody...anyplace or anything! He's up to something! I know he is...he's always up to something?" John growled in frustration.
Rygel answered before Chiana had the chance to. "Scorpius is up to something alright! While we were waiting for your return, Scorpius' Command Carrier showed up. About a quarter of an arn later Moya's sensors picked up several different vessels approaching the Carrier."
"Command Carriers are always surrounded by different vessels." D'Argo snarled. He should have known better than to leave these three alone.
"Not this different." Rygel responded sharply.
Rygel's words caught John's attention. "What do you mean different Rygel?"
"Different as in Luxan, Interion, Hynerian, Sebacean, Command One, Ilanic and even a Nebari vessel. Now ask yourself, what were they all doing there?" Rygel answered. That had been the Royal Hynerian vessel and that could only mean one thing...Bishan!
"Yeah especially when half of those races are sworn enemies." John began pacing back and forth. "Whatever it is, it can't be good. Why there? Why that particular sector of Space? I don't like it."
"John, Scorpius has no idea that Aeryn is on Earth. Right now, she's safer than the rest of us! Besides, even if Scorpius did discover she was there, he can't get to her as long as the wormhole is closed."
John answered, distraction tainting his voice. "Not closed D'Argo...destroyed."
D'Argo nodded. "Right...right, create...destroy...create again. Gotcha! But regardless, Aeryn is safe and as suspicious as Scorpius' movements are, we can only handle one problem at a time. The Scarrans...we need to get the DNA they've harvested."
John stopped pacing. "Right, Scarrans...I...it's just that the thought of Aeryn in Scorpius' hands..."
Chiana's mind replayed Aeryn's resulting condition after her last run in with the Scarrans and shuddered. "Cr...Cr...Crichton stop! Scorpius won't get his hands on Aeryn and we'll get the DNA from the Scarrans." She rushed over to John and wrapped an arm around his waste.
Glancing down at the floor, he muttered. "Yeah...Chi, I know. Uh...I...uh need some alone time." Patting her arm he walked out of Command.
D'Argo stopped Chiana when she attempted to follow John. "Let him go Chiana. He needs to be alone. Coming back to Moya without Aeryn was hard for him."
Rygel sighed heavily. "Yes, it's hard on all of us."
Noranti turned sad eyes on the group. "Yes it is, but imagine Rygel, how much harder it is on Crichton. Aeryn is his wife and that is his child. This is very important time in both their lives and Crichton can't be with her."
Rygel simply nodded and floated out of the room.
"Where is Sikozu when you need a multi-lingual Kelish." John muttered to himself trying to translate the Scarran message that Pilot had surreptitiously intercepted. The only problem was, no one currently aboard Moya could speak Scarran and the translator synthesizer they'd purchase upon re-entering Scarran Space was as difficult to use as trying to learn Scarran manually. "Damn!"
"Commander?" Pilot called over the comms.
John's head snapped up, his gaze moving to the clamshell. "What's up Pilot?"
"I maybe able to help you." Pilot answered.
"How?" John moved closer to the clamshell. The quicker they were able to translate the message the quicker they could move on. This particular sector was known for it's secret high-level signal traffic. The crew had decided to start here hoping to discover the dreadnought's location. Once they found the vessel, then the real fun began.
"I have had a chance to study the synthesizer and I believe that I may now be able to translate the message." Pilot offered.
"Pilot, I love ya man! I truly love ya!" John slapped the clamshell and blew a kiss at the hologram. "How long do you think it will take?"
"Not long Commander...now that I know the basic lettering and symbol code." Pilot answered. "It shouldn't take long. Perhaps another solar day, not much more."
John nodded. "Thanks Pilot! You came through."
Captain Braca stormed into the Science lab. "Have you finished running the test?"
"Yes sir! We've run several tests on the energy samples collect and the Electro-magnetic residue is definitely the after affects of wormhole activities." Officer Mailor answered, handing Braca the report.
Braca smiled. "We've got you Crichton!"
"No Captain Braca, we do not." Scorpius approached Braca. "But we will soon." He gestured to Officer Mailor. Who signaled to his team to leave. Scorpius waited until they were alone to continue. "Crichton created this wormhole Braca and I want to know why."
"Created sir? How can you tell?" Braca questioned.
"Yes created." Pointing to the gas swirls visible on the monitor. "The movement of the swirl pattern of the gas residue is too steady and uniform to be a natural occurrence." He watched the faint swirls of gas a second more before turning his heated gaze on Braca. "Crichton created this wormhole and I want to duplicate the process."
"But sir, we don't have complete wormhole technology." Braca frowned.
"We will use the shadowing process in reverse. Solidify the electro- magnetic residue into the larger energy particles that make up the cradle of the wormhole, apply the equations I managed to retrieve from Crichton's journal. Once the cradle is complete we can construct the outer rim of the wormhole and begin testing entry and travel capability."
"But even if we are successful in recreating the wormhole, no prowler pilot has ever been able to successfully traverse a wormhole." Braca insisted.
"Wrong! One pilot has. Officer Sun has flown through more than once successfully." Scorpius' eyes lit for a microt as an idea hit. "But she has not been alone. There have been others in Crichton's group that have managed a rocky journey through the wormhole with the help of a guidance signal." His mind flashed back to Sikozu's hasty trip through the wormhole.
Braca moved closer to Scorpius. "I don't understand. If others can fly through the wormhole, why do all of our test pilots die?"
Scorpius turned his head to look directly into Braca's eyes. His left hand reached over to gently caress Braca's cheek. "You wouldn't. But then I don't expect you to."
Braca basking in the gentle touch smiled at Scorpius words.
Scorpius gave Braca's cheek a gentle tap, before dropping his hand down to his side again. "It is a simple matter of stability and timing."
Feeling slightly bereft, Braca moved to one of the room's data panels and brought a list of names up onto the monitor. "Here's a list of test pilots."
Scorpius read the names as they appeared across the monitor. "Fine, We will use them."
"But will they be able to pilot a prowler through?" Braca asked. "Should we consider other options?"
"Perhaps, we can not believe that Aeryn Sun's luck with wormhole flight will somehow appear in these men. I believe she may have been gifted with her knowledge. It is a theory I intend to work on, when she and I meet again." Scorpius filed the thought away and continued. "However, if the wormhole is stable and a pod is stationed at its mouth a leviathan pod will travel through smoothly enough. Have two docked on the Carrier."
"Yes sir!" Braca left the lab without further comment.
Scorpius stared at the dark space once again. "Now John if I can just remember that hum you felt in your head."EARTH/ IASA...
"Have you found him?" T.R Holt asked the agents as they enter his private office.
"No sir but we are working on a lead." Agent Mackenzie spoke up.
"What lead?" Holt was not in the mood for simple leads but he needed something to give his superiors. Jack Crichton was missing. After taking a leave of absence, he'd simply vanished and now two months later there was still no sign of him or his daughter.
"Well it seems that Dr. Mitchell South was visiting family and spent a few days with the Crichton family two and half months ago. We are going down to question him. Perhaps he can shed some light on Jack Crichton's disappearance." Agent Mackenzie was relieved to impart even the slightest bit of information to Holt.
"Where is down Agent Mackenzie?" T.R Holt asked.
"Maldives, sir." Mackenzie answered. "He has lived there for the past five years."
Holt didn't see this as a strong lead but what else did they have. "Fine go down there and see what you can find. But set up surveillance before you question him. If he does have something to do with Jack's sudden disappearance, you'll learn more if he's not aware of your presence at first."
"Yes sir." The agents left Holt's office.
Holt glanced down at the file holding the data he'd collected on the Crichton family and the alien visitation. "You're up to something Jack and I'm going to find out what it is."
MALDIVES...
Jack kissed his daughter on the cheek. "Good morning sweetheart."
"Good morning." Olivia's voice sounded as unhappy as her expression.
Jack frowned. "Livvie...baby, what's wrong?"
"What else?" Olivia raised her eyes toward the ceiling. "Her? She's unbelievable. There's no compromise with her."
Jack knew exactly whom Olivia was speaking of. The last thing any of them needed was more stress. But he had to do something. "Honey this is all new to her...it takes a lot of getting use to. We did spring it on her rather suddenly."
"Dad's right you did?" Jack's oldest daughter, Susan walked quietly into the large airy kitchen. "How do you think I felt learning that not only had John married one of those aliens, but now she's pregnant with his child?"
"We expected you to take it just as we did, once we found out how happy she makes John." Olivia argued back, slamming her coffee mug onto the table loudly.
"Girls!" Jack held his hands up to hold off the coming battle. "Susan, Aeryn and John love each other and this is his life..."
"Which he has dragged us into, without so much as asking!" Susan snapped. She was still hurt that John hadn't stayed longer and waited for them to arrive. "I dropped everything, grabbed Bobby and rushed down here."
Olivia mumbled. "But no one asked you to."
Susan leaned down into her sister's face. "HE'S MY BROTHER TOO! YOU DON'T OWN HIM! HE'S BEEN GONE FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS! HE COMES BACK MARRIED TO ONE OF THOSE...THOSE ALIENS AND YOU DON'T SEE ANYTHING ABNORMAL OR WRONG WITH THAT?!!!!"
Jack had reached his boiling point. "That's enough! You two have been arguing since Susan arrived. Susan I never raised you to be so closed minded. You've met Aeryn and you know that she's a beautiful girl inside and out!"
Susan shook her head in disbelief. "That's just it dad! She's not a girl is she? She's a...a Sebacean! Whatever the hell that is. We don't know anything about her kind and quite frankly I don't think Bobby should be spending so much time alone with her. How do we know that she won't try to harm any of us. You saw Monroe's piece on them. And this baby..it...it's not normal!"
A soft husky voice answered from behind the arguing trio. "Actually I'm a Sebacean woman. And after the test your government ran it seems that Sebaceans and humans are more alike genetically than you would be comfortable with. There is one thing you and those from my home world have in common." She paused for a moment, covering her stomach protectively. "Both of think my child is an aberration. I would never hurt Bobby. I would protect him with my life. But I doubt you'd say or do the same for my child." Turning, Aeryn left the doorway as quietly as she'd appeared.
"Aeryn!" Jack started after her only to be stopped by his grandson Bobby.
"No. I'll go granddad. You stay here and put out the fire." Bobby glanced over at his mother. "Way to go mom. You wanna throw sticks next? Maybe she'll bleed a little. If her blood is red, will you feel better?"
"Bobby I never meant to..." Susan tried to appeal to her son's departing back.
Answering over his shoulder. "No mom, you never mean to, but somehow you always manage to." Waving her off he sped after Aeryn.
Olivia stood up from the table. "You won't be happy until you've destroyed what little piece of mind she has, will you? Get this through that thick skull of yours, JOHN LOVES HER AND SHE LOVES HIM!"
Jack watched his grandson run after Aeryn. Catching Olivia's words he stopped her. "I'll take care of this, Olivia. Why don't you go up and see about Aeryn. She seemed a bit flushed." Turning to his eldest, his face stormy and his voice full of finality. "That's it Susan. If you are uncomfortable being around Aeryn then leave. But I will not have you upsetting her in her own home..." He held up his finger to stop her interruption. "AND this is her home...I bought it as a haven for her! If you can't keep that tongue of yours civil then leave! John loves that girl more than anyone. It near broke his heart to leave her here...especially while she's carrying their child. He won't be back for another month and Aeryn is trying to deal with that, as well as a pregnancy that is as new to her as it is to us. She's had to hide away from the rest of the world for the past two months, her only solace this family, and here you are spitting nothing but hateful words at her every chance you get. I love having you and Bobby, but I won't let you abuse Aeryn. She doesn't need the stress! Now either learn live with her or live elsewhere."
-------------------
"Aeryn please don't listen to my mom, she's just scared." Bobby didn't bother saying that his mother didn't mean what she'd said...he wasn't so sure she hadn't.
"I'm scared too Bobby, for John, the baby, your dad, your aunt Olivia, you. We're all scared, but we don't have the right to insult one another." Aeryn paced her bedroom. Like the rest of the house the bedroom she and John had shared was quite large, with it's own bath and sitting room.
Bobby watched Aeryn's agitated pace. He'd never seen her so nervous, or so flushed. This was more than anger. "Aeryn are you okay? You don't look so good."
Olivia rushed into the room stopping next to Bobby. "Aeryn?"
"WHAT?" Aeryn shouted jerking her head around in Olivia's direction. "I'm sorry Olivia I'm just a little..." her voice fading as she lost her train of thought.
Olivia moved closer to Aeryn. "Aeryn are you okay?"
"I'm fine!" She wiped the beads of perspiration forming on her forehead. "I'm just...just...a...little hot."
"I asked her the same thing" Bobby whispered.
Looking around the room in confusion, her hands held up as if to check the temperature. "Aeryn you've got to have the temperature on sixty. It's freezing in here."
Bobby rushed over to the thermostat mounted over the headboard. "It's set at fifty-three."
Olivia turned to Bobby. "What?" At his nod, she turned back to Aeryn, rushing over to catch her as she stumbled. "Bobby! Help me get her over to the bed! God Aeryn you're burning up!"
The two helped Aeryn to the bed. Reaching down, Bobby removed her sandals. "Even her feet are hot!"
Olivia bent over Aeryn to push the hair from her wet face. "Either I'm crazy or she's getting hotter. Bobby go get dad!" When he just stood watching. "HURRY!"
Bobby ran out onto the landing. "GRANDDAD!!!" When he received no answer he shouted again. "GRANDDAD!!!
Jack rushed to the foot of the stairs followed by Susan. "Bobby! What on earth are you shouting about?"
"It's Aeryn, she's sick!" Bobby shouted down the stairs.
Jack sprinted up the stairs and into Aeryn's room. He rushed over to the bed. Gently caressing Aeryn's forehead, he whispered. "Aeryn? Baby can you hear me?"
Aeryn open her feverish unfocused eyes. "Uh..hmm..."
"Honey are you hurt?" Jack asked, worry tainting his voice.
"N...n...no, just ho...hot...Arghhh!" Aeryn cried out as her body stiffened and arch up off of the bed. "Heat...Se...Se...Sebacean hea...heat deliriummm."
"She's burning up!" Jack could feel the heat emanating from her body. It felt as though he was sitting next to an open flame. He watched her eyes roll back into her head. "Get me a thermometer! What the hell is Sebacean heat delerium?"
Olivia went into the adjoining bathroom found the digital thermometer and rushed back to her father. Leaning over her father's shoulder, she handed him the thermometer. Watching as he placed the instrument in Aeryn's ear. "Do you think it's the baby?"
Jack shook his head at the reading. "This can't be right! She'd be dead if it were." He laid his hand across Aeryn abdomen. "No. She's not having any contractions. But this fever can't be helping." Glancing around the room his gaze touched on his grandson. "Bobby I want you to go downstairs and get a large bowl. Fill it with ice and bring it up here.
Jack read the thermometer's results again. "This is can't be normal..."
Susan answered from the doorway. "She's not normal!"
"SUSAN!" Jack yelled.
"I don't mean it like that! I mean she's not human, this may happen to her kind all the time." Susan defended.
Olivia nodded reluctantly. As much as it pained her, she had to agree with her sister. "Susan might be right dad."
"No living being should have a temperature this high! Susan go make yourself useful and fill the tub with cold water. Olivia I want you to undress Aeryn down to her underwear and put one of John's t-shirts on her. That should cover her completely. I'm going to call Mitchell!" Jack left the room. Praying under his breath. Oh Lord, please help me save her.
After calling Mitchell, Jack ran back into Aeryn's room. "Is the tub full?" he watched everyone nod. Lifting Aeryn's convulsing body into his arms. He noticed that the extra large IASA t-shirt that she was wearing was soaked with sweat. "Jesus!" He carried her into the bathroom. Kicking off his sandals he stepped down into the large sunken tub and eased himself and Aeryn down into the extremely cold water. "Aeryn...honey...AERYN!" He raised his voice as she began to fight the cold water, screaming and thrashing. Holding her as tight and close to his body as he could, without hurting her, he spoke directly into her ear. "I Know honey...I know it hurts, but we've got to get your fever down."
Gesturing over to Bobby. "Come on Bobby add the ice...slowly." Focusing on Aeryn once more, he spoke softly. "Aeryn, Bobby's going to add ice to the water...okay?" He knew she was beyond answering, but he was not prepared for the scream that left her as the ice hit the water.
"JJJOOOOOHHHNNN!!!!!!!"MOYA...
"AERYN!" John jerked up out of his sleep, his body ice cold. Sliding his legs over the side of the bed, he braced his elbows on his thighs, and cupped his head in his hands. "Oh baby, what's going on with you. I'm getting a real bad vibe." Suddenly the memory of Aeryn's attempt at English filtered through his mind. "Vribe...huh...ahh baby, I miss you."
"John?" D'Argo's voice called over the comms.
"Yeah D?" John's mind broke away from his reverie.
"Pilot's finished decoding the message." D'Argo answered.
"Cool D, I'll be there in a microt." John shook off the chill coursing through his body. He had the feeling that something was going on with Aeryn and he didn't like it.
---------------
John listened as Pilot read the decoded Scarran message. "So the DNA is now on this planet...Kroywen?"
Pilot answered calmly informing them of the entire message. "Yes. The DNA was secreted off of the dreadnaught and transported by Scarran Stryker. On the planet Kroywen there is a secret underground Scarran lab. That is where they are running their test."
"Were there any samples left aboard the dreadnaught?" Chiana asked.
No. Apparently with Crichton's reputation, they didn't want to take a chance that the data and samples would be destroyed by a surprise attack." Pilot informed.
"So tell us about Kroywen." D'Argo asked.
Pilot accessed the data stores for information. "Kroywen is a Commerce Planet. Forty percent of the Planets surface is covered with water. The time from sunrise to sunset can last anywhere from twenty-eight to thirty- four standard, with a complete "day" taking approximately sixty-two standard solar days. The planet completes only eight such rotations during one cycle. Each sunset, the inhabitants of Kroywen hold a lengthy festival, complete with feasting, dancing and fireworks. It attracts millions of off- Worlders "
"Ohhh, Mardi Gras." John muttered. He still couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong on Earth.
Pilot continued. "Kroywen lacks any kind of formal legal system, internal bureaucracy, economic regulation, or planetary rule."
"Then we don't have to worry about sneaking onto the Planet. But we will need a heads up regarding the Scarran lab." D'Argo moved over to the clamshell.
John glanced over at D'Argo. "With no local police station, there should be plenty of finger pointers. As long as we offer the right incentive."
Chiana titled her head to the side. "That is?"
Rygel answered for John. "What it's always been, money."
"Ding...ding...ding...ding...ding. You got it Spanky. Cash! We offer them cold hard cash." John danced around Rygel. Stopping suddenly, a smile lit his face. "We need to get some party gear folks...we're goin to a festival."
"So we just join the party and ask questions?" Noranti asked. The idea of a good party was definitely an enticing thought.
"First we locate the best arms dealer on the planet. He's got to have something that will kill a Scarran at close range...long rang...hell any range.! We just need something that will take them out. Once we find out were the DNA samples are, we hit them hard and fast, then get the hell outta there. Before they get a chance to dial home for back up."
"YEAH!" The thought of a new battle making Chiana even more excited then the thought of a party. 'Naahhh she thought, a party always won out!
2 days later...
"Aeryn? How are you feeling?" Jack joined Aeryn on the beach. Sitting on an adjoining sun chaise.
Aeryn watched the aqua blue waves. Her body exhausted from her near two day ordeal. She was tired, depressed and she missed her family...D'Argo's yelling, Rygel's sneaking, Chiana's lying, Noranti's nonsense, Moya's humming, Pilot's interruptions and John...John she missed most of all. Her voice full of emotion, she answered quietly. "I'm feeling much better, thank you."
"You had us all terrified. I've never seen a fever come on so quickly. It was so high. I thought I was about to loose you." Jack moved closer to Aeryn and brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. He was surprised when she let him. Over the past two days she'd been very hard to approach, becoming almost completely closed off.
"Huh, I can think of at least one person who wasn't so terrified." Aeryn smiled slightly.
"Yeah well to her credit, Susan did come through in an emergency." Jack leaned closer to Aeryn. Cupping her chin, he lifted her face so that their eyes met. "Aeryn I'm so sorry for Susan's behavior. I never wanted you to feel out of place. This is your home and you know that we love you. Susan just..."
Aeryn smiled. Reaching out she cupped Jack's forearm. "It's okay. She feels the same way most do. I can deal with it. I just miss John, I want to be with him."
"I know and I'm sorry honey." Jack gathered Aeryn into an embrace. "He'll be back soon."
Aeryn returned the hug.
"Well here you are. I've been all over that house looking for you." Dr. Mitchell South joined them.
Jack stood up to greet his friend. "Hey Mitch! How are you?"
"Fine. How are things here?" He held his hand up to stop Aeryn from rising. "No...no you stay for a moment. I actually wanted to check on you."
"I'm doing much better, thanks to all of you and that very painful ice bath." She smiled up at the doctor.
Mitchell sat down on the chaise next to Jack. "Now I do have a question for you. Please explain to me what happened. Your temperature was well above normal. You're not sick. You weren't bitten by anything poisonous. So what happened?"
"Sebaceans lack the gland necessary to regulate extreme increases in temperature. When our cells begin to overheat the nervous system shuts down. First we loose our short term memory, than our motor functions...skills, the last to go is long term memory. Unfortunately that's all that goes. We don't die. We will remain in that state. It's called the Living Death...like your irreversible comas." Aeryn explained.
Jack's eyes lit with realization "And the temperature has risen from eighty degrees to over a hundred in the last week or so. Today is the first eighty degree day we've had since your fever."
"Yes, but because it was so subtle I wasn't uncomfortable. Also my military training has battle hardened me and it takes an extreme heat to bring on a bought that serious. This wasn't that extreme really, it was subtle not sudden. Had it been a sudden change I could understand the severity of my attack but it wasn't, I believe it's because of the baby. But I don't know enough about Sebacean pregnancies to be sure."
Mitchell stared at the beautiful woman sitting across from him. "Absolutely amazing. Well, young lady, why don't we head upstairs so that I can give you and this wonder baby a physical. We'll all feel better once I'm done." He held his hand out to help her up.
"We sure will." Jack reached for her other hand and the three made their way into the house.
The three never spotted the surveillance cameras aimed in their direction.
Agent Mackenzie lowered the camera. "Well...well...well not only have we found Dr. Scott but we've found Jack Crichton as well. Now what are you doing down here of all places Jack?" Mackenzie muttered to himself.
Agent Kirtz lowered his camera as well. "Who's the woman? She seems familiar but I can't place her face."
"I know, I can't either." Mackenzie handed his camera to Kirtz. "Get these photos downloaded and email then to Holt."
"What will you do next?" Kirtz questioned.
"I'm going to take Jackson, Henderson and Mallory and question the good doctorSCORPIUS' COMMAND CARRIER...
Braca stared in utter disbelief at the wormhole that was now stable and waiting. "Unbelievable! Sir you did it!"
"Was there ever any doubt Captain Braca?" Scorpius answered his mind on travel. "I need a pod at the mouth of the wormhole to transmit a steady guidance signal, We will use the other pod to traverse the wormhole."
"Where does it lead?" Braca asked.
Sikozu turned from the monitor. "Wormholes have several pathways, each leading to a different dimension or location."
"So what are we looking for? Which path do we take?" Braca asked, staring at Sikozu. He didn't particularly care for the Kelish, he simply tolerated her presence because Scorpius wanted her there.
Scorpius answered, handing Braca a tablet. "We will test each path until we find John's signature. As we travel we will catalogue."
"What of the delegation Scorpius?" Grayza entered the lab just as Scorpius finished speaking.
"Well Commandant, I'm sure they are just as interested in the proof of wormholes as you yourself are. They will have first hand view of our trial and error process." He moved past her, whispering in her ear. "Just think Grayza, your first up close view of a wormhole. It's a shame you couldn't have succeeded in acquiring the technology first eh?"
"You still need to travel through and back successfully Scorpius." Grayza sneered.
Scorpius simply smiled. "And so I shall. It's all about the hum."
Grayza stared at Scorpius as though he'd lost his mind.EARTH/MALDIVES...
2 days later...
"So you have no idea were Jack Crichton might have gone?" Agent Mackenzie question Dr. South.
Mitchell kept his features blank while he spoke. "No. I met with him a few times for lunch but he never informed me of his plans to leave Florida. Has he done something wrong?" Mitchell kept cool. His mind was in turmoil. What did IASA want with Jack now? And what had led them to him?
"I'm afraid that is privileged information." Mackenzie answered, eyeing South. He was lying, why?
Mitchell had no idea what was going on but he was not about to lead these men to Jack's doorstep and Aeryn. She must be protected at all cost. Lord knew what IASA would do to her if they found out about the baby. "Fine...well, I have no idea what Jack is up to or where he is." Mitchell stood and walked the men to the door.
Mackenzie handed Mitchell a card. "If you think of anything else, please don't hesitate to call me." They both knew he wouldn't. "We'll be here for two more days before heading back to Florida."
"Sure...no problem. If I think of anything, I'll call." Mitchell watched the agents leave before finding his hidden cell and calling Jack.
He dialed the encrypted number and spoke tersely. "Hey Jack, we've got a problem."MOYA / KROYWEN...
Crichton held his drink up in the air, protecting it from the gyrating bodies of the festival goers. He located the others at an outdoor table. "Wasssuupppp! You know this is pretty cool! Nuttin' like a party to get ya goin!"
"It's about time! Where have you been!" D'Argo shouted over the den of noise.
"Granny and I were a huntin' Scarrans. It seems four were seen a solar day ago." John answered.
"Where's Noranti?"
"She's trying to locate the Stryker. It's a little larger than Lo'La but still small enough to make orbit and land. Can Lo'La take it out?" John asked D'Argo, eyeing the food in front of him. "What the hell is that?"
"Food! One of the locals brought it. If the Stryker is dormant, Lo'La should have no problem destroying it." D'Argo watched Rygel glide over to their table. "Well?"
"I found an arms dealer. His name is KoGsell and he's willing to sell us the weapons we need." Rygel grinned, reaching for a morsel of food, he laughed. "KoGsell specializes in Scarran Killers. It would seem that we are not the only ones who hate the Scarrans."
"Good work Sparky. Hope you got us a good deal." John picked up a morsel and sniffed it before shoving it into Rygel's open mouth.
"Good indeed." Rygel gobbled down the morsel of food. "He'll meet us with a dozen Tzreask hand cannons, a half dozen Myntrah'l blasters, and a case of high grade grenades and enough ammunition to start, finish and supply a war." Rygel finished the dish.
"Way to go Ryg!" John turned his head in D'Argo's direction. "See, I told you it was a good idea to send the mighty slug shopping."
D'Argo grunted into his cup. Sitting it down, he spoke. "Very good Rygel. How much?"
"Seventy-five thousand for the whole lot" Rygel shrugged.
D'Argo nodded. "Pilot was right, there is no established law enforcement, so four dead Scarrans won't draw much attention."
"How about a real big bang?" Crichton finished his drink. Spotting Chiana, he threw an arm up in the air. "Here comes Chi."
Chiana joined them., flopping down into a vacant chair. "Hey! Where's the food?" she laughed when both D'Argo and John pointed in Rygel's direction.
"So what's doin Trix?" John asked.
"What?" Chiana frowned in confusion.
"What did you find out?" John translated.
"Well I located the lab. It's beneath the abandoned Medical Center. I found two secret doors at either end of the building. The doors a rigged with some sort of code bar." Chiana waved to a passing waitress, giving her order.
D'Argo shook his head. "If it has a code bar, we'll never be able to sneak in. The Scarrans would know the minute we forced our way past the door."
Chiana reached into her top and pulled out two small chips. "Not if we have the alarm and entry codes." She removed a larger chip and put it on the table. "We also have a map of the underground lab."
"Do I ask how you got those?" D'Argo held his hand out for the chips.
"The nice way, I asked and then haggled. We paid twenty-thousand." She reached over to caress one of D'Argo's tentacles. "I told you, it was just you now."
D'Argo grunted slightly, but he didn't pull away. "Yeah, you did." Clearing his throat he returned to the subject at hand. "So we'll need to enter through both doors."
Chiana nodded. "Ye...yeah we do...on...only, we...uh..."
John leaned forward. "Come on Chi, spit it out." When she began to stutter once more, he prompted her a bit more. "You can do it, thatta girl."
Chiana pulled a face at John. "We...we have to access both doors simultan...taneously.
"Access both...wait. Why?" John frowned. Man some days you just wanted to stay in bed.
"Because these are...are old codes. The Scarran system is design to update the...the codes ever two solar days. Only the system doesn't purge the old codes they simply store and reform them. These two codes are from two separate upgrades...several days a...a...apart. In order to use them they must be accessed simultaneously."
John sat back. "They're not trying to make this easy are they? Fine then..." A familiar form caught his attention. "D...tell me that isn't who I think it is."
D'Argo followed John's gaze and immediately dropped his head, shaking it slowly. "Oh yeah...it's her." D'Argo stood slowly. Following John who'd already walked away from the table. "Oookay...here we go!"
John glanced at D'Argo. "Man, on earth when the old folks start dancin' on tables it's time to think about cageing em', but when they start dancing and stripping on tables. No more thinkin, you know you gotta cage em!"
"Then we most definitely need a cage!" D'Argo answered. They reached Noranti's dancing form just as she was removing the last piece of clothing. D'Argo lunged for her and the article. "WHOAAAAA! CLOTHS ON PLEASE!!!!" he snatched her down from the table and shoved her at John.
An alien stepped forward, waving three arms. "HEY! LET HER GO! IF SHE WANTS TO DANCE...SHE CAN..." A loud hiccup interrupted the reveler's words. "SHE CAN..." he finished with a loud belch. The fumes seeping from his gapped tooth mouth caused D'Argo's eyes to water.
"Well she's got a prior engagement!" D'Argo responded.
John tried to keep hold of her wiggling body while D'Argo gathered the rest of her cloths. "OLD WOMAN WOULD YOU PLEASE STOP DANCING AND PUT THESE BACK ON!" John shuddered. "Please!" He breathed a sigh of relief when she pulled her dress back on.
Each grabbing an arm, D'Argo and John guided Noranti back to the table. "No more Raslak for you!" John shouted at Noranti as they sat down.
D'Argo stared at her for a moment. "What were you doing?" Holding up his hand he waved the answer away. "Never mind, we know what you were doing. You were suppose to meet us right after you found the Stryker!"
Noranti straightened her cloths and smoothed her hair back. "Well I was on my way to meet you when the music caught my soul."
"Well release it and tell us what you found." John swiped his hands down his face and shook his head wildly.
Chiana turned to John. "What's the matter with you?"
John held his hands to his eyes. "My corneas are burning."
"Did you get something in them?" Rygel snapped.
"No...I can't get something out of them." John continued to scrub at his eyes.
"What?" Chiana asked, pulling at John's hands.
"The picture of gray wrinkles...uhhh!" John shuddered again.
"Alright...alright...alright already. Lets try to forget the wrinkles...gray or otherwise." D'Argo insisted, with a few tiny shudders of his own. "Now did you find the Stryker?"
"Ohh...well yes I did the Stryker is stationed in one of the vacant farming plots just about sixty motras away. I watched for a couple of arns. There is one sentry on guard at all times."
John stared at D'Argo a bit bleary eyed. "Good, one is easy and according to the intercepted message, that leaves three Scarrans in the lab." John began counting on one hand. "So we have the location, the codes, the target and the get away car." Nodding he glanced at Rygel. "Tomorrow after the weapons and explosives are delivered, I want you and grandma to head for the Stryker. Set the explosives then sit back and wait! Don't do anything else! Do Not detonate them...just set them and wait!"
Noranti nodded. Rygel sniffed.
"Chiana we'll need you to keep an eye on the lab. Let us know if any of the Scarrans leave the scene. We need to get them all. The last thing we need is one of them escaping and dialing home for family." Pointing at D'Argo then himself he finished. "D'Argo and I will meet you at the lab. D, you feel like dropping in through the front door?" At D'Argo's nod, he continued. "I'll take the back way in. We get in, take out the Scarrans and destroy the lab." Pointing at Rygel and Noranti again. "You two wait for the word, then you take the Stryker out, Couldn't be simpler."
D'Argo snorted. "It is never simple with you. Your plans only work after part of them has failed."
John nodded. "Yeah, but first rule of piss poor planning. We've definitely got our exit ready. When the deeds are done everyone makes their way back to Lo'La. Granny and Spanky should get there first. D and I will pick up Chi on the way. Anything goes wrong...comm. Us and head straight for Lo'La."
Rygel nodded. "It's a decent enough plan. You've had worse."
"Yeah but if we're lucky we'll get to blow something up!" John murmured.
"Another big explosion?" Chiana asked.
"Un...huh...a Stryker...a lab...oh yeah...big...big explosion." John nodded.
"Drad!!!!" Chiana bounced up and down.
Rygel's face scrunched quickly before smoothing out. "What is it with you and explosions?"
D'Argo rolled his eyes heavenward. "Here we go again."EARTH/IASA...
T.R stared unbelievingly at the individuals captured on the photographs he'd downloaded from Agent Mackenzie's report before passing the photos around the conference table. "After closer examination and more surveillance the three in photograph one are without a doubt Jack Crichton, Mitchell Scott and Olivia Crichton. In photograph two, we have Jack and both daughters, Olivia and Susan. Photograph three, Jack, his grandson Bobby and an unknown female. In photograph four there are both daughters, Jack, Mitchell, Bobby and the female who we now see is pregnant. It wasn't until photograph five that I realized who the female was."
Special Agent Broderick spoke up the minute he recognized the woman in the photo. "Aeryn Sun?"
Holt nodded. "Yes, Aeryn Sun."
"What is she doing here?" Broderick asked. "Did anyone know about this?" His eyes roamed the table, watching the negative responses. "Was she sent back to pave the way for an invasion?"
General Matheriss scowled. "How did she get here, without detection? And where is John Crichton?" Staring down at the photo he saw one thing, alien duplicity.
Holt reached for his glass of water, sipping the liquid. Setting the glass down he asked the one question left. "Who's the father of her child? John Crichton?"
"There are at least five people down there who know." General Matheriss addressed Holt. I want you to bring them all in. Take extra men and be careful. We know next to nothing about Aeryn Sun or her agenda for Earth. Approach with caution, she could be dangerous and we have no way of knowing if she's alone."
"And if she proves to be a danger?" Holt asked.
Matheriss tossed the photographs down. "Then you bring her in dead or alive. Preferably alive, I'm sure the extra terrestrial studies program would love to get their hands on Aeryn Sun and her child."SCORPIUS' COMMAND CARRIER...
Scorpius stared through the pod's window at the planet that John Crichton had spent the last four and a half cycles protecting. Smiling, he turned to Braca. "John Crichton is a brilliant man. He not only created another wormhole, but he managed to position it out of the detection range of Earth's satellites."
Braca responded with a question. "Do you think he's still here? Moya starburst before we could get near enough to track her."
"We..." his voice trail away as one of the Command techs spoke.
"Sir, our sensors are picking up an isolated energy signal."
Scorpius answered quietly. "Well...trace it."
After a moment the tech answered. "The signal belongs to a communications beacon. The beacon is Leviathan in origin sir." He frowned slightly at the readings. "Because of the wormhole's electromagnetic interference that is all the information I could gather. The signal is here sir but the beacon is not."
"That is because the beacon is in another pathway. We can follow the signal right to the beacon."MOYA/ KROYWEN...
"It was certainly a privilege doing business with you Dominar. Of course if your grunt and Luxan are not enough manpower. I can also offer you the necessary men to help with your...uh...mission." KoGsell offered slyly, counting his currency.
With a raised eyebrow, John mouthed the word 'grunt' at D'Argo who snorted. If being in Rygel's service helped facilitate their deal, than Rygel's grunt and Luxan they would be. Shrugging D'Argo replied a bit sheepishly. "It helps the deal." After all, he wasn't the grunt
"And just how much more will this extra manpower cost?" Rygel asked. Ignoring D'Argo's glare and John's extremely readable lips.
"Well, I can offer you five to twenty extra men." KoGsell almost rubbed his hands in anticipation. "Fooor...let's say...hmmm...twenty to eighty thousand?"
Rygel shook his head. "No. We'll take six men...nine thousand no more. Take it or leave it!"
John interrupted the haggle. "Please excuse the Dominar a moment. We need to have a word with our fearless leader here!" John almost shouted. Grabbing Rygel's sled, John shoved the Hynerian out of the Maintenance Bay. D'Argo followed the two.
John closed the door to the Bay. "Pilot keep an eye on our guest please?" John commed.
"Yes Commander." Pilot answered.
"Rygel! What are you doing? I don't remember us" John pointed his index finger between himself, D'Argo and Rygel. "Discussing the need for extra men." John barked.
Rygel reared back, his expression showing both John and D'Argo just how offended he was at being questioned. His words brought home the point. "You would dare question your Dominar? I..."
D'Argo jerked Rygel up to nose level. "Cut the dren! We don't need the extra men, especially men we don't trust! Now go back in there and tell KoGsell we need weapons and nothing more!" Rygel swallowed the lump of fear forming in his throat. "Listen well Luxan. We may be able to take the Scarrans out and the medical lab alone without problem but do you really think we need to take that chance. We will be split into three separate groups. Why not have a few extra men that know the lay of land. As far as trust is concerned, these men are mercenaries...they work for one cause and one cause only! Money! They trust in money and we have plenty!" Rygel jerked away and entered the Bay again.EARTH/IASA/MALDIVES...
Holt pushed the dark sunglasses onto his face as he stepped into the bright tropical sun from the dim glow of the plane's interior. "Well?"
Mackenzie handed Holt a manila folder before answering. "We have men in place. The house is complete surrounded. No one has left the house yet."
"Good! I've brought the extra men necessary." Holt nodded toward the plane.
"Why do we need extra men? We already have ten surrounding the house. How dangerous can two older men, three young women...one of which happens to be very pregnant and a young boy be?"
"It's not the two women and boy that bother me. It's two ex-soldiers and an alien that worries me." Holt frowned. "We'll move in tomorrow after I receive the go ahead from IASA command."
"Yes sir!"EARTH/MALDIVES...
Aeryn grabbed the suitcase from her bed, moving as quickly as her pregnant body would allow. As wonderful as the whole child-bearing experience was, she couldn't wait until it was over.
Bobby met Aeryn at the top of the stairs. "Hey Aeryn, let me get that!"
"No that's okay Bobby I've got it." Aeryn tried to move around the boy, but he reached over and grabbed the straps.
"Granddad told me to help with the bags."
"It's okay, I can do it myself." Aeryn insisted.
Olivia came out of her bedroom pulling her own suitcase. She caught Aeryn's words. Realizing that Aeryn's past as a soldier wouldn't allow her to remain in a position she considered to be weak, she chose her words carefully. "Aeryn we know you can do it. Hell you're probably the strongest person in the house in the house. Point is you're pregnant and you've been ill. Just because you can doesn't mean you should honey. You have to think of yourself and the baby now."
Aeryn paused for a moment. Handing Bobby her bag she nodded. "You're right, thank you."
Olivia released her case and reached over to hug Aeryn. "I can only imagine how hard this has all been for you. John said you were the strongest woman he'd ever known. Hanging with you these past few months, I can see what he means." She moved an inch so that bobby could grab her case and watched as he struggled down the stairs with it and Aeryn's.
"Sometimes I don't feel like it. Olivia, I'm so sorry about all of this." Aeryn apologized.
Olivia frowned. "For what?"
"This...us...moving here...moving again to Hezmanna knows where." Aeryn gestured, her hands waving back and forth.
"Aeryn IASA wants dad. I mean as far as we know they're not even aware of your presence. Dad just doesn't want to take any chances with our safety."
"But we moved to hide me. It won't be long before they figure out that Jack is hiding something...or rather someone."
Jack joined the girls on the landing as Aeryn finished speaking. "Well you just let me worry about that. Once Mitch and I get you and Olivia settled at the safe house, I can find out what IASA wants. But whatever it is, it's my worry." He gathered a girl under each arm.
Aeryn gasped sharply. "Ohh!" Bending over slightly she laid a flattened hand across her stomach. "Someone wants to join the discussion."
"Kicking?" Jack asked.
Nodding, Aeryn reached for his hand placing it over the insistent thumping of the tiny foot. "Oh yeah! She's a bit active...moves constantly. I'm lucky if I can get an arn...hour of sleep."
"That's always a good sign. John just about kicked his way out. Livvie did cartwheels and Susan just balled up on one side and never budged, unless we prodded her." He watched Aeryn's stomach for a moment. "May I?"
Aeryn nodded, happy to share the moment with someone. "Uh huh." She guided his hand to the thumping foot and watched the look of pure wonder spread across his face.
"A miracle...a beautiful miracle." Two years ago he would never have believed it possible.
"Yes it is." Aeryn answered, touched by the love she saw in Jack's eyes. She laid her hand over his.
Jack shook his head. "No Aeryn I meant you. You've given our family a new lease on life."
"Hey! Do I get to feel my niece or nephew kick a field goal? I hope I said that right. It sounded good." Olivia smiled as Aeryn placed her hand over the kicking foot. "Whoa! What a kick!"
Bobby ran up the stairs. "Can I feel?"
Aeryn laughed. "Sure."
Susan stood at the foot of the stairs, wondering if she would be welcomed into the cozy group. She decided to break in instead. "Dinner's ready, Doctor Scott says that we should eat now, so that we can get to bed early. We need to be at the airport by seven am."SCORPIUS' COMMAND CARRIER...
Scorpius stared at the blue and green planet, the exact same planet he'd seen several times before. But his instincts told him that this was Crichton's true dimension. "Earth."
"Yes but what year?" Bracca asked.
Scorpius smiled. "Have we been able to lift any broadcast information yet?" He asked the techs.
"Yes sir!" Officer Delion switched the incoming signal to overhead comms. The news caster's voice came in loud in clear.
"Today in the Headlines: Former congressional aid accused of spying for Iraq. South Korea begins impeachment process on President Roh. Bush unveils first negative ads in his bid for re-election. ET Weekly names Cris Rock as funniest man in America. That and other news today on BBC World."
The technician lowered the sound. "According to the other transmissions, it's Monday, April 26, 2004."
Scorpius' smiled slyly. "Ahh! Crichton's time." Turning to Bracca he nodded. "This is it, the pathway that we've been searching for."
"How can you tell?" Bracca asked.
Scorpius' features never changed. "Because I've been here before Captain Bracca."
"Readings verify that this is the beacon we were searching for. It is definitely Leviathan. "Bracca handed Scorpius the report. "Do you want us to retrieve it?"
Scorpius read through the report. "No. Leave it but trace the signal. I want to know who is using it."
Bracca initiated the energy trace and downloaded the beacon's signaling program. "The trace is completed. The signal is a communication code." The Pilot's fingers moved smoothly over the steering panel. "The energy signal that we followed is also sending a cloaked signal directly to Earth."
"Who initiated it and who received it?"
"According to the creator the signal was initiated by John Crichton." Bracca answered.
Scorpius frowned slightly. "And who is on the receiving end? John's father or IASA...I believe he called it?"
"No...neither." Bracca chuckled. "The signal is transmitted and received by Officer Aeryn Sun."
Scorpius regarded Bracca with an almost euphoric expression. "So, Crichton has left Aeryn on Earth. Well...well...well, it would seem that John has made our mission an easy one. Bracca inform the Command Carrier that I want two marauder squadrons ready to deploy upon our return, stealth is necessary, we do not want any of the planet's inhabitants aware of our presence yet. Also have both pods remain at the mouth of the wormhole to transmit the guidance signals. This wormhole has retained its stability thus far but there are only a few solar days left before it closes."
"Are we going to contact IASA?"
"No! We are going to retrieve Officer Sun."
"Chiana are you in position?" D'Argo asked over the calms.
"Yeah, so far so good...everything is still quiet. No one has left or entered the building since I've been here."
"Good! We should be there in a matter of microts. Don't move until we get there."
Chiana crouched low surveying the area around the medical lab. "No problem." She shut off the comms and continued her job.
"What are you eating?" Noranti asked Rygel. She watched the diminutive little slug stuff something unknown to even her in his mouth.
"Atgenzarl...it is really very good. I saved some from the festival." Rygel finished the rest quickly. "I get hungry when I'm executing one of Crichton's farbot plans."
Noranti shook her head. "Don't blame it on Crichton. You're always hungry!"
John's voice came over the comms loud and clear. "Hey grandma! What are you and the 'Mighty Slug' up to?"
"We're in position Crichton. As expected there is only one sentry."
"Can you get close enough to plant the charges without being detected?" John asked.
"No but I'm sure I can get close enough to try some of my tuilthuin powder."
"Tuilthuin...I don't wanna know. Just be careful. Comm us when you've planted the charges. Anyone gets spooked head for Lo'La. Got it?" Crichton instructed.
Noranti and Rygel both answered in unison. "Got it!"
Rygel stared at Noranti as she began mixing the powder with a little spit. "Does everything you created require your spit?" he frowned.
"Hmm...only to mix it. Thankfully I mixed most of this while still on Moya." She ground the gray beads into a fine purplish powder. Then secreting a handful, she turned to Rygel. "You should probably stay out of sight. I'm sure every Scarran alive knows who you are by now."
"And they don't know you?" Rygel countered.
"Not as well as The Dominar Rygel the sixteenth. Stay directly behind me incase he's monitoring, then hide beneath the tail end of the Stryker. I'll call you when he's down."
"Fine" Rygel complied.
The two moved cautiously to the Stryker, Noranti pretending to be a somewhat drunken reveler. As she passed the back end of the Stryker Rygel moved to stand beneath tail of the ship. It wasn't long before the Scarran Sentinel confronted Noranti. "What are you doing here?"
Noranti weaved her way around the Scarran, swirling her arms skyward. "Praise be the blessed Goddess of Spanky. May she broaden your path with food, happy gas and merriment?" Noranti stopped in front of the Scarran. "Brother Scarran have you praised the Goddess of Spanky today? Have you enjoyed food and merriment in the name of the Great Guido. Have you indulged in the letting of your happy gas?" She reached behind the Scarran to grasp his hard scaly behind. "You are very tight...you...you should loosen up and allow your gases to seep slowly."
Rygel was able to sneak into the Stryker while the Scarran was trying to remove his body parts from Noranti's grasp. Spotting the steering consol Rygel glided over and began planting the explosives.
Noranti dancing around the now very annoyed Scarran managed to transfer the Tuilthuin powder to her free hand. "Brother Scarran, enlightenment is near."
"You will leave this area at once!" The Scarran bent over to remove Noranti's hands from his private area, but before he could straighten up, Noranti surprised him with a face full of bitter powder.
Noranti watched the Scarran's face change from a sickly gray to an alarming green, before he passed out. She joined Rygel in the Stryker. "It's done."
"The Scarran is unconscious, I take it?" Rygel asked, planting the last explosive.
"Hmm...in a manner of speaking." Noranti answered.
"What does that mean?" Rygel frowned.
"He's dead."
"Hmmm...well the last explosive has been set. We need to let Crichton know." Rygel glided out of the Stryker followed by Noranti.
Noranti commed Crichton. "Crichton we've taken the Scarran and planted the explosives."
"Good grandma now you and the Mighty Slug hotfoot it out of there and find safe spot close enough to detonate the bombs." Crichton instructed. "Crichton out." "Good luck." Noranti grabbed Rygel and headed for safety.
-------------
"Rygel and grandma are hiding out. The Stryker is ready to go boom at our word." Crichton offered."Good." D'Argo pointed out Chiana's position. "There she is."
Crichton followed D'Argo's line of vision to where the Nebari crouched hidden. They moved quickly and quietly to her position. "Hey little girl, does your mama know where you are?" Crichton whispered in Chiana's ear.
Chiana swung around smiling. "No but I'll tell her later." She pointed a gloved finger toward a windowless building. "There's the building that sits right above the lab. The three Scarrans are still in there. But I was wondering..."
"Uh...oh here we go." D'Argo growled.
Chiana poked her tongue in D'Argo's direction. "No really. I mean Scarrans aren't exactly the smartest beings in the universe."
Crichton tilted his head in contemplation. "You know Chi's right. You remember Khatrazi. The scientists were all Kelish. Even at the station they were all Kelish. So it only stands to reason that there are few of the little buggers hanging out in the dungeon."
"So what do we do with them?" D'Argo asked.
"We give them a chance to decide. They can either leave and make a new life or they can stay and die for their scientific beliefs." Crichton answered, checking Winona and the Tzreask hand cannon. Memories of Aeryn pinned to a table with a Kelish doctor standing over her, flashed through his mind. He had no intentions of feeling sorry for the Kelish.
"Fine, they stay or go. I suggest we go now." D'Argo nodded to the mercenaries that Rygel hired. "They're here."
Crichton glanced at the men. "All hail the gangs all here. Let's drop in and invite ourselves to tea shall we?"
D'Argo grunted checking his Qualta blade. "Fine lets go!"
At D'Argo's gesture the mercenaries made their way to the building undetected, three covering the outside of the building and the other three accompanied the group.
"Here are the code chips. Remember, they have to be entered simultaneously." Chiana handed one chip to John and the other to D'Argo.
"Right." John took the chip. "When I make it to the backdoor, I'll comm." John took off with two of the mercenaries.
"Be careful Crichton." Chiana called after his departing figure. She turned to follow D'Argo and the remaining mercenary, checking the Myntrah'l blaster she held.
They all arrived at the hidden door and waited for John to comm. "Hey guys I'm at the back door. Ready?"
"Yeah."D'Argo answered. "Once we're in, follow the path we charted and we'll meet you near the center lab."
"Cool, see you there. Crichton out." The comm line went dead.
--------------------------------
"What is taking them so long?" Rygel grumbled.
Noranti shook her head. "Who knows, perhaps they were captured by the Scarrans?"
"Well they need to escape quickly. I'm hungry!" Rygel's three stomachs growled as if in agreement.
"I'm sure that they will if that is the case." Noranti answered.
"Hmph!"
---------------------------------
"D where are you guys?" John spoke softly.
D'Argo's equally soft voice answered. "We are coming around the corner, directly to your right." D'Argo finished just as they met up with John.
"Hey, fancy meeting you here. Shall we go and introduce ourselves to our hosts?" John smiled, though it never reached his eyes.
D'Argo bowed his head. "After you."
John preceded D'Argo and the others into the center lab guns ready. His greeting taking the labs occupants by surprise. "Howdy folks! We're your new neighbors from down aways." He pointed Winona to his group, still training the hand cannon on Scarrans and Kelish. The Scarrans recognized the hand cannons and blasters and remained still trying to figure their next move. "My name's Bubba, this here's Hauss and that little filly over there is Bessy Mae and the boys in the back are Jr., Bo, Jethro, Lil' Jeb, Danny Lee, and Vinny...he's from New York." John moved over to the testing table and began to systematically destroy the DNA samples as well as everything else on the table. "Sorry about that we're just all thumbs, ain't we boys and gal?"
Nodding in agreement the mercenaries began to follow John's lead. A Scarran took a step forward only to find a hand cannon shoved against his chest. "What do you want?"
"Well now here's thing. You guys snatched my gal again..." Holding his hand up to stop the Scarran's next words. "Oh we got her back...in pretty bad condition. I'll need to talk to you about that sometime...or maybe not. Anyway, you guys seemed to have appropriated something that belongs to not only her but me as well...and...well I want it back. Of course I'll settle for death and destruction." John aimed Winona and shot out the monitors gracing each table.
"John Crichton, you will not leave here alive." The second Scarran spoke up.
John glanced sideways at the second Scarran. "Wanna bet?" He turned to the Kelish. "You guys interest in taking a leave of absence?" When they hesitated, he continued. "Look, I don't like you guys and if it were up to me and not my conscience you'd all be candidates for the afterlife."
D'Argo reached out and grabbed one of the Kelish scientists. "So do you want to live?"
The scientist shook his head nervously. "Yee...ye...yes."
"And the rest of you Kelish?" D'Argo pointed his Qualta blade at the rest of the Kelish. When they nodded D'Argo continued. "Fine, then tell us where the rest of the samples are.
One of the scientists offered the information quickly. "There are five more tubes in the second lab...along with one Scarran and two more Kelish."
John pointed to three of the mercenaries. "Destroy the lab, take out the Scarran before he gets you and then head for the door. We'll meet you up top." The mercenaries left and a second later weapons fire was heard. The remaining mercenaries surrounded the Scarrans. Without warning a shot was fired from behind the group.
D'Argo, John and Chiana turned in unison to see three more Scarrans. John shouted. "I thought that there were only three Scarrans in the lab and one in the Stryker."
D'Argo returned fire. "Well there are more! Chiana behind you!"
John aimed his hand cannon, fired and watched the Scarrans head disappear. "Wow! This here's a true gun! Winona baby I'll always love ya but my eye has definitely wandered!" John aimed again and took fire. "Move to the door!"
Chiana gathered the Kelish and shoved them toward the door over the fallen Scarran. "Lets go!"
John swung his aim toward the far side of the lab. "If you are not Scarran run...RUN NOW!" John threw a grenade. "D! Lets go!"
Running down the dark hallway, John and D'Argo glanced right to left making sure there were no surprises. They followed quickly on Chiana's heels. "How many Scarrans did we get?"
D'Argo answered loudly. "We hit two, there are still two more."
John frowned. "DAMNIT! Here little Scarrans... Scarrans." John rounded the last corner and ran dead into a Scarran barricade. Glancing at D'Argo John asked. "That's more than two! Where the hell are they coming from? Your weapon still full of ammo?"
"Yeah. Let's blast our way out!" D'Argo answered. He began shooting as soon as the words were out of his mouth.
John followed up with his own round of fire. "Lets make a loud bang!" as they fought their way through the Scarran line, John realized that the Scarrans were clones. He began dropping charges along the passageway, coming Noranti as he went. "Grandma!"
"Yes Crichton?" Noranti answered.
Detonate the Stryker and get the hell outta there! This place was crawling with clones...don't know if there are some outside the lab or no. detonate the explosives and head for Lo'La!" John and D'Argo decided to change directions and head for the back entrance. Two of the mercenaries were taken out by Scarran fire.
"Yes Crichton!"
They made it to the back entrance. Turning around the group faced the remaining Scarrans. John motioned for Chiana and the Kelish to leave as he and D'Argo fired back at the Scarrans. "Well it was really nice meetin you boys, but we gotta go. Ma's got supper waitin!" Setting of the charges in the lab John dived through the door.
The lab and the Stryker exploded. The festival once again in full swing masked enough of the noise leaving the revelers to believe that it was part of the entertainment.
Once they made it back to Lo'La John took a head count. "Everybody okay?" At their nods John turned to the Kelish. "Beat it your alive."
"We have no way off the planet." One of the scientist pleaded.
"Sure you do, go flag a ride from some off worlders. We're not going your way." John offered, waving from Lo'La.
"All teams are in position sir. Dr. Scott is on his way over to Crichton's house." Agent Mackenzie informed.
"Let him go. I don't want anyone tipping our hand until they are all together. I don't want to take the chance on any of them getting away, especially the alien." Holt ordered. He watched the house for activity.
They didn't have long to wait. He watched as the group moved from the house and walked cautiously toward one of the SUVs parked in the driveway. "There they are!" Holt reached for his two-way. "All teams this is Holt. Move in."EARTH/ MALDIVES...
Jack helped Aeryn and Olivia put away the breakfast dishes. "Bobby I want you to take one last look around the house and make sure every thing is turned off. Mitch will be here in a minute."
"Okay granddad." Bobby rushed off, passing his mother in the doorway.
Olivia turned to her father. "What's the matter you seemed worried?"
Jack shook his head. "Nothing, it's just..."
Aeryn answered. "It's just too quiet. If IASA is close enough to question Dr. Scott, then they should have found us by now."
"I'm not so sure they haven't. I get the feeling they are closer then we think. I'm just glad we're leaving now." Jack sighed.
Mitchell entered through the kitchen's patio doors. "I couldn't agree more. The plane will be waiting for us. If we stick to the tourist path, we shouldn't run into any interference."
"How long will it take us to get to the airstrip?" Susan asked. "Without interference, that is."
"We should be there in about forty-five minutes." Scott walked over to Aeryn. "How are you feeling?"
Susan answered before Aeryn had a chance. "She's fine, the baby's fine, Jesus! Is that all anyone cares about?"
"No Susan. I care about all of you, which is why I'm moving everyone." Jack answered unlocking his safe box and loading two guns. Holstering one on his hip and the second in his ankle holster he handed the.
At the sight of Jack's guns, Aeryn snapped to attention. "I need to grab my own weapon."
Bobby came rushing in, holding the weapon. "Here it is Aeryn and you I've brought your comm too."
"Bobby! Put that down this instant!" Susan screamed.
Bobby dropped the pulse pistol on the table next to Jack's safe box. "Mom, [i]what[/i] is the big deal? It's locked!"
Turning on Aeryn, Susan shouted. "Keep your weapons out of [i]my[/i] child's reach!"
"MOM! I'm not a kid!" Bobby shouted in returned.
"Susan I'm sorry, but I didn't know that Bobby would retrieve my gun. It's locked and he can't fire it...he doesn't have the faintest idea how." Grabbing her weapon and her comm, Aeryn left the kitchen.
Olivia brushed past her sister. "Please...please tell me she's going home from here and NOT to the safe house."
Jack decided to let the altercation go. "If everyone's ready, I think we should leave now." Jack turned to leave. He found Aeryn, Bobby and Olivia waiting at the door. All seemed more than a bit tense. Mitchell and Susan followed Jack. They moved quietly toward the truck. All eyes glancing around at their surroundings. Halfway to the truck a familiar voice stopped them.
"This is IASA, we have you surrounded, do not moved!" A shot followed.
Aeryn turned to Jack. "Are they going to kill us?"
Jack frowned. "I would say no...but at this moment I really don't now. I want you, Bobby and the girls to back up slowly. Try to get back to the house. If you can't make it, find cover."
More shots rang out as the group began to scatter.SCORPIUS/EARTH...
"Sir we have the Earth coordinates for the beacon's signal. We should be landing within five motras of the receiver." Braca informed Scorpius.
Scorpius nodded. "Good, it should be a nice surprise for Aeryn."
"Sir!" Officer Delion moved quickly from one consul to another. "There seems to be weapons fire."
"Where?" Braca barked.
"Near the coordinates, we've chosen."
"Then prepare the men for battle. I want Officer Sun at all costs!" Scorpius paused with a glance at the Officer before growling "ALIVE!"MOYA...
"Pilot have you been able to raise Aeryn on her comm yet? John paced back and forth in front of the clam shell.
"Not yet Commander!" Pilot answered.
D'Argo watched John pace for a few microts before reaching out and stopping him. "Is her comm open?"
"Yes, her line seems to be...wait..." Pilot's voice drifted off and sounds of shouts and gunfire were heard over the comms.
John stared at D'Argo. "What the hell is going on down there?"
Chiana came skidding into command with Noranti and Rygel close behind. "Pilot what the FRELL is going on?"
"I don't know but Moya's sensors are detecting interfering comm Traffic."
"What kind of interfering traffic?" D'Argo growled. Why couldn't things ever go right?
After a moment, Pilot answered quietly. "The interference is originating from Scorpius' Command Carrier."
"So is the fi...fire fight on the Carrier?" Chiana breathed, dreading the answer to come.
"I'm afraid the fighting is on Earth and so is Scorpius."
"Scorius...Scorpius! What the hell...how the hell did he get to Earth?" John yelled.
"According to the readings the wormhole is open."
"Not possible! I collapsed the damn thing. You would have to recreate..." John paused as the answer came to light. "That son of a bitch knows how to create wormholes."
"But how? He didn't have the knowledge before." D'Argo asked.
"No...maybe he doesn't. In fact I'm almost certain he doesn't Captain D'Argo. "Pilot offered. "The closer we come to the wormhole, the more distinct the readings." Pilot analyzed a bit more of the data he received before continuing. "According to Moya's readings this wormhole is not an original wormhole."
"How can you tell?" Chiana asked.
"All wormholes have distinct trace patterns....the rhythm of the swirl if you will. No two wormholes have the same swirl. This wormhole is the exact replica of the one Crichton used to take Aeryn to Earth."
"Are you saying that Scorpius now knows how to replicate original wormholes?" John couldn't believe his ears.
"What's to stop him from just replicating wormholes all over the frelling universe?" Rygel demanded.
"The process is called reverse shadowing and can only be done in the presence of residue left behind by the destruction of or natural deterioration of an authentic wormhole. Scorpius may not have the knowledge, but couple the reverse shadowing technique with Crichton's equations and..." Pilot never finished.
"You have yourself a clone. But like most clones, it wont stay stable for long." John finished. "Damnit! I knew that son of a bitch gave up the chase to easily."
Rygel glided to the Command consol. "How soon before we reach the wormhole coordinates?"
"We should arrive in less then a quarter arn."
Staring the clamshell, John decided to try. "Aeryn? Aeryn can you hear me?" Silence his only answer, John ran his fingers through his hair, he let out a shaky sigh. "Aeryn...baby please answer me."
The crew waited in silence, listening helplessly to the battle.EARTH/ MALDIVES...
"Jo...John is that you?" Aeryn couldn't believe her ears. John! "John?"
"Aeryn? Honey what's going on down there?"
"They're everywhere John! We were leaving for the safe house and IASA..." Aeryn stopped, catching sight of an IASA agent moving in on her left. Swinging her pulse pistol under her left arm she took perfect aim and released a single shot dead center into the agent's chest. Her gaze traveled quickly around the area, until she found Jack and the rest. Squatting low she moved as quickly as she could over to the group. "Jack I have John on comms."
"Aeryn!" John yelled over the comms.
"John, I'm okay. We're all okay." Aeryn answered.
"Aeryn listen to me, Scorpius is headed to Earth and I'm more than sure he's picked up on your signal. It won't take him long to track you..."
Aeryn allowed John's voice to drift off as she watched a new battle unfold. Peacekeepers! "FRELL! JOHN! JOHN...PEACEKEEPERS! SCORPIUS IS NOT ON HIS WAY...HE'S HERE...NOW!" Aeryn yelled. Trading shots between the Peacekeepers and IASA's men. She noticed that the agents were beginning to fall. Was Scorpius actually helping them?
"AERYN!!!!" John screamed Aeryn's name.
Jack spoke directly into Aeryn's ear. "We need to make it to the truck! I'm going to send the girls and Bobby ahead. We can follow!"
Nodding at Jack's words Aeryn began to speak into her comms. "John...we're..."
Jack turned to make his way over to his daughters. His pathway was immediately blocked. "What the hell?"
Aeryn glanced over her shoulder with gasp she stood and pointed her gun over Jack's head. "Scorpius! What are.....AAAHHHHH!" Aeryn felt the burning metal pierce her chest. The pistol left her hand as her arm went numb. She dropped to her knees and simply fell over trying weakly to protect her baby in the fall.
"AERYN? AERYN ANSWER ME!!!!!" John yelled. "DAD!!!!"
Forgetting Scorpius and IASA's men, Jack turned back. "Aeryn!" he rushed over to Aeryn. Kneeling over her unconscious body, he found the large chest wound and began to immediately apply pressure. "Don't you die on me girl!" Leaning down he yelled into Aeryn's comms. "John, Aeryn's been hit!"
"Dad!" The frustration in John's voice was heard clearly.
Scorpius moved over to Jack and Aeryn. Stooping he gathered Aeryn's inert body into his arms. Standing he stared down at Jack.
Jack aimed his gun at Scorpius' head. "I don't know who or [i]what[/i] you are, but you need to put her down, or so help me I will put a hole in your head the size of a golf ball!"
Scorpius nodded behind Jack's head. "Try it Jack Crichton and your daughters will be dead long before the bullet leaves your gun."
Jack turned to find his family surrounded by Peacekeepers. His gaze swung back to Scorpius "What do you want?"
Scorpius glanced down at the unconscious woman in his arms. "Her."
Jack insisted. "John won't let you keep her, he'll come after you. Besides which she's hurt and needs medical attention fast or she'll die.""
"Aeryn will receive the medical attention needed. As far as John Crichton coming after me...I'm counting on it." He watched Jack lower his gun. "Now Jack Crichton, I would suggest you come with me if you want to live."
Jack did the only thing that he could...the only thing that would save the lives of his family. He acquiesced.MOYA...
John stared at the monitor, hearing his father's last words Aeryn's been hit! "AERYN!!!!!"
The voice that answered was the last one John expected. "Ahh Crichton, the call of the love. Aeryn is here with me. If you want her you'll have to come and get her and don't forget that wonderful mind of yours."
"Scorpius..." John growled.
"Oh yes I almost forgot, your father, sisters, and nephew send their...love Crichton. Dr. Scott is here as well, couldn't leave him behind. See you soon." Scorpius ended the transmission.
"SCORPIUS!!!!" John's yell was heard throughout Moya.
TO BE CONTINUED...