Title: Sojourn: Part 1 - Breakout
Author: JadeHeart
Located/Archived: If anyone would like it, please ask me first!
Creation Date: 1994
Fandom: Blakes 7
Rating: M
Timeline: A few years after the end of the TV series.
Original Characters: Kitra and Griffen are mine.
Summary: Fate brings the players from the past to gather again.
Author's Notes: This is merely some thoughts about what could have been after the final of Blake's 7.
Disclaimer: I do not own the idea/outline/characters of Blake's 7, this belongs to the original creators, nor am I making any profits from this.
Chapter 3
Two ships rushed through the depths of space. The second fired two bursts of light and the other rocked at the concussion of the blasts. The first ship put on a burst of speed which sent it flashing ahead, as it disappeared into the fringe of an asteroid field. With a few manoeuvres, it was then on the other side and streaking away from pursuit.
"Have we lost them?" Kitra asked.
"Seem to have," was Griffen's reply.
"Okay, scan this sector. Is it safe to go on?"
"There are quite a number of Federation ships in the vicinity."
"Damn!"
"We'll have to hole up somewhere for a while to wait."
"I know. Punch up the star chart." Kitra scanned the screen image of orbiting dots indicating the celestial bodies present. "What about this one?" pointing.
"Poisonous atmosphere."
"What's the data on Guada Prime?"
Griffen keyed in the computer recall. "Guada Prime: Initially colonised as an agricultural world, evolved to a mining colony. Society broke down through internal conflict. Sought readmission to the Federation over five years ago. Bounty hunters were brought in to establish law and order to achieve this. Mining collapsed two years ago, now abandoned. Excess information cleared." the impersonal computer voice over ceased.
"What does it mean 'excess information cleared'?" Griffen asked.
"It means that information was placed in the banks by the Federation, and has been wiped off." Kitra said musingly. "Presumably for security reasons."
"It looks like a good enough place to suit our purposes." Griffen said. "We can land there and wait till the Federation get tired of looking for us. I doubt they're going to check every planet in this sector. And if it's abandoned then at least we reduce the risk of being detected from the surface."
"Let's hope not." Kitra said. "All right, set a course for Guada Prime. Besides, I want to see what's down there that the Federation doesn't want anyone to know about."
"Now, don't go looking for trouble!" Griffen warned her.
She grinned at the console where he rested. "Manual control!" was all she said and strapped herself into her chair as she took the controls.
Slowly they descended through Guada Prime's atmosphere and finally touched down. She punched up the video screen and surveyed the outside area. It was semi-forested, dotted with barren areas, obviously the residue of mining activities.
"Atmosphere is breathable. Gravity a quarter more than standard Earth." Griffen said as the computer put up details. "Can't see any abnormalities. Couple of spots of high radiation factor probably due to the mining. They're further north from here and don't pose any problems. Weather appears to be relatively normal, a little on the humid side. The planet appears capable of supporting most humanoid life-forms. There doesn't seem to be anything out of place except that there's no life-form readings. I don't know what's supposed to be here that was so important to the Federation."
"There must be something."
"Maybe there was but it's not here now?"
"Could be," she agreed, still watching the changing view screen as it panned 360 degrees.
"You going to have a look?"
She glanced across at Griffen. "I may as well while we're here. Just keep an eye on the scanners and let me know if pursuit ships start heading this way. Or you pick up anything unusual out there. I don't fancy any surprises."
"I'll keep watch. You keep your communicator open. And be careful."
"I'm always careful." she replied, picking up her gun. Griffen forgo to answer.
Outside the wind whipped around her. Her communicator crackled. "Seen anything?" Griffen's voice came over.
"Nothing so far," She paused. "There's something bothering me, something wrong with this place, but I don't know what." she said slowly. "I'll have a look around a bit more."
She walked across the rocky, barren area, watching the surrounding forest warily, glancing to either side. "Are we sure this place is deserted?" she asked.
"Of course we're not. It's only the Federation computer banks that said that, and that doesn't necessarily mean it's true. There're more lies in there than truth most times. Why, seen something?"
"No, but I just wondered."
She came to a steep rocky slope and began to climb. She reached with one hand to pull herself up and casually glanced down to where her hand was placed and stopped. A frown creased her forehead as she quickly brushed away more of the surface sand and gravel, to stare at what lay just underneath the surface. She caught her breath as she looked at the dully, glinting metal. She spoke sharply into her communicator.
"Griffen, get the computers to do a run down of what is beneath the surface of this planet!"
"What's happened?"
"I think I may have found that secret." she said slowly.
Griffen's excited voice soon came back. "There's some kind of complex, or what's left of one, right where you are!"
"Right, I'm coming back."
Back in the ship, Kitra gathered some explosives and also an oxygen mask. "Do you think it's a good idea going in?" Griffen asked worriedly.
"Well, what ever the Federation is covering up, presumably it is in there. And also, which is of more use to us, is that if it's a large base there might be some technological equipment which we could maybe salvage. Spare parts always come in handy."
"It's not likely to be functional after all this time. The place has been abandoned for at least the past year, if not longer. From the scan readings it looks like there's been numerous cave-ins also. That could have happened at any time." Griffen said dubiously.
"Only one way to find out," Kitra replied. "Analyse the air once I'm inside and keep a scan over the entire area. I want to know if there's anything else around here."
"Okay. Watch yourself." Griffen said.
Once back at the rubble she spoke into her communicator. "Where's the best place to start?"
"Try to the east of where you are." Griffen said. "Keep going, keep going... keep going. Stop."
"Why here?"
"It appears to be one of the most stable areas. If you're going to start blasting holes in things, it's better to start at a position that is least likely to collapse under your feet. There's no telling how badly damaged things are underneath. It seems pretty extensive so let's not take any risks."
"Fine by me," she replied. "I'm planting the fuse now." She set the explosive detonator and took cover behind some rocks for protection. The blast was terrifyingly loud on the quiet planet.
"You all right, Kitra?" Griffen's voice crackled over.
She coughed as some fine dust tickled the back of her throat, "Yes, I'm fine."
She went to the hole that had been made by the explosion, and fixing her oxygen mask on, tossed the rolled ladder she had secured down before stepping inside. Once she had reached the floor, she flashed her torch around and shone it towards the ceiling as a shower of dirt fell in front of her. She drew her gun and strapped the torch to her right arm, so as to have one hand free as she moved further in, stepping over rubble.
"Kit?"
"I'm here."
"Don't remove your mask. The air is heavily tainted with various toxins, probably from all the damage. It's been sealed up so tightly they haven't been able to disperse. What have you found?"
"Not a lot. Dirt, rubbish," she kicked a twisted bit of metal. "Junk. I'll keep looking."
She cautiously moved around, having to change her direction frequently as blockages barred her way. She knelt down to finger some rags at her feet. "There's been Federation troopers here." she said back to the ship. She looked at the dim illumination of the wreckage.
"How do you know?"
"I've found what's left of them. I'm assuming they were dead when this place was blown. I can't go much further here, and there's not much worth salvaging. Maybe a few computer components but I wouldn't count on it. Must have been an old Federation base, probably set up when the planet was trying to be readmitted to the Federation. Well, it's not worth our time."
"Kitra! I've picked up an energy signal issuing from close by!" Griffen's voice said excitedly.
Kitra ran outside and viewed the surrounding land. "Where!"
"Further to your right, about 500 yards," She turned in the direction given, shading her eyes from the sun. "Should be behind that next outcrop you can see." Griffen instructed.
"Right, I'll check it out." She reached the crest and looked around. "Can't see anything."
"It appears to be issuing from underground. Not far though. Might be an extension to the base. You may have triggered something whilst you were down there."
"Didn't think anything was remotely still working in there." She had reached the area Griffen had directed her to. "So, what do you think?"
"Try blasting your way in."
"How much will I need?"
"Just a couple of grams, no more or you're likely to bring the whole lot down." She set things up as Griffen had instructed and watched the charge detonate.
Cautiously approaching the opening, she shone her light inside. The dust was clearing gradually, hanging heavily in the air as there was little air movement to blow it away. She was thankful for the oxygen mask, the last thing she needed was to be breathing in that. There wasn't a great deal to see in this tiny crammed area.
Looking around, she soon spotted the half buried flier, the only large object to be seen. The nose was crumpled from falling debris, and girders had speared the back end. It appeared to have been landed in a storage unit for crushed containers thrust their twisted wreckage between the rubble already lying there. She approached carefully and tried the door, which proved to be either locked or jammed. Aiming her gun at the door's controls, she fired, seeing the flash of metal and sparks. Setting her shoulder to it she managed to push it open, with some effort, far enough to allow her entry. All was dark as she squeezed inside.
"If you come any closer I shall detonate the self destruct of this ship."
The voice issuing out of the darkness startled her completely and she froze. She was superstitious enough for one moment to think it was a lost spirit as she could not believe that someone would be actually alive down here. Gathering her courage once more, she played her light around the crumpled interior. There was nothing to be seen, no ghostly apparition, no flickering spirit lights. The only thing she could make out inside was a square shape with tiny flashing lights wedged in the far corner of the flier.
She leant over to the control panel and brought up the interior lights that gleamed weakly, obviously the power packs were almost out. She made any move to approach the box, but just looked at it closely, wondering if it was some form of bomb left by the owners of the vehicle.
The box did nothing except continue to flash its lights, and now she could discern a faint humming issuing from it. It appeared to be some type of computer, judging from the components that she could see in the dim lights, but it was nothing like any computer she was familiar with.
As it was the only thing to be found in the flier that looked like it was functioning, she could only assume that it was the source of the voice. Therefore, if it was a computer then it could possibly exert enough power to do some damage, such as self destruct. It took only a moment for her to come to this conclusion. Now what to do about it?
"You may be able to blow us both up, I suppose. But what is to stop me from destroying you before you do so?" She sat down next to it, not knowing if she would receive an answer or not. Up close it looked even more impressive. Kitra was no stranger to computer electronics and this was definitely a computer, albeit one that she had never seen the like of before. "You're certainly unusual. I've never seen anything as advanced as you."
"I would be very surprised if you had. I am unique." the voice sounded very superior. It almost made her laugh.
"Modest, too," Kitra added wryly. "So just what are you?"
"I am Orac. I am the most advanced artificial intelligence that is in the known galaxy at this time."
"Orac...Orac...I know that name ..." she mused. "I remember!" she exclaimed, snapping her fingers and pointing to it. "Ensor's first brainchild! Griffen's spoken of you both. I wasn't certain you really existed."
"Well, it should be quite obvious even to someone with as limited mental capabilities as yourself that I do most certainly exist." Orac said testily.
"Aren't you a bundle of laughs," she said, not knowing whether to be insulted or not. After all, it was just a bunch of electronic components. Getting upset and kicking it probably wouldn't accomplish much. "What are you doing here?"
"I met with some misfortune and have been awaiting rescue."
"Obviously." she said sarcastically. "How long have you been here?"
"I have been here three years, eight months, 6 days, 14 hours, ..."
"Enough! I get the idea. So how come no-one's found you till now? This planet has only been abandoned for the last two years."
"I have been very judicious to whom I directed my locater beam."
"Oh, really? Why?"
"I had no desire to be found by the Federation, who would have no idea of how best to use my abilities."
"At least you've got some good taste. Well, come on then. You'd better come with me."
"And who are you?"
"No friend of the Federation. So I guess that makes me a friend of yours - though don't bet on it. You can plug yourself into the ship's computer and pick its memory banks clean if you want to find out more. Deal?"
"Very well. It would appear that you are the best option that is likely to present itself in the near future. One must be able to make do with what little we are limited to."
"Orac," Kitra said, as she began to prise him loose. "I think I could really start to dislike you. Very quickly."
Once he was free, she picked Orac up and made her way back to the ship before setting him down on the ramp. Griffen's silver globe met her at the door.
"So what do you think?" she asked him, knowing he had overheard the previous conversation through the open communicator, as she closed the ramp.
"Curious."
"That's an understatement." she said, making her way to the flight deck, still clutching Orac.
"Nothing of any use down there?"
"Not a thing. It's all been too badly damaged and most of it I can't even get to. We don't have time to mount a full scale excavation of this site. Especially not with the Federation around who might decide to get nosy. I would have liked to been able to pick up something at least for our troubles."
"Well, it was well worth the trip since we've got Orac."
"Is that really such a big deal?" she queried, dropping Orac onto a bench seat and making her way over to her flight chair.
Griffen followed her. "Kitra, believe me, the Federation would kill a hundred times over to get their hands on Orac. They have been since first finding out about it, from the rumours I heard."
"If it's so good how come they haven't got it then? They manage to buy everything else. Or steal it. You know, they're worst thieves than we are!" she said with a grim smile.
"Because its creator, Ensor, was reclusive and hid himself for twenty years out of the Federation's sight. No-one knew where. It was rumoured that he had created a "super brain" - Orac. The last I heard officially was that Ensor had died and there wasn't any mention made of Orac after that. I do remember hearing rumours that Orac was linked to some rebel group. How they got their hands on him I don't know. I can't remember the details, it was all quite a while ago." Griffen settled into the console next to her.
"So it'll be useful?"
"Absolutely. We can start to get ahead of the Federation and it'll be the best sort of warning system we could have. It's supposed to be able to access any Federation computer bank, no matter what or where. It can link into any system that uses the tarial cell, which basically covers everything. No-one has bettered that design yet."
"Now that would be useful!" Kitra agreed. "Orac, are there any other bases on this planet that won't be so badly damaged?"
"For what purpose do you wish to know?" Orac's voice sounded irritated to Kitra. Although how a computer could be irritated she didn't understand.
"So we can maybe salvage a few parts - especially computer components. Anything out of the ordinary would come in handy. We like to make as many modifications to our ship as possible. Not to mention maybe sell the rest."
"Very well. If you care to go to the bearing I have given your shipboard computer you will find the wreckage of a freighter that I know has quite a few modifications that may be of use to you. Of course, I cannot guarantee how functional these components are but they may be of some small benefit."
"Great! At least we're not going away empty handed. Griffen, take us over."
A short hop later saw Kitra outside once more.
"What a mess!" Kitra said surveying the wreck. Time had covered most of the damage done to the flora and surrounding land but the rusting remains of the ship still remained. She held Orac in front of her. "You really think there's something worthwhile in there?" she asked dubiously.
"I stated that I could not guarantee if they would be viable but you requested unusual computer components and that I do know exists within."
"Okay," she said, with a resigned sigh. "If you say so."
With much difficulty, she made her way inside and put Orac down in a cleared area. "So where are these parts?" she asked, looking around.
Orac began directing her from section to section of the ship, instructing how to remove components and which ones were of use and which weren't. Some were so badly damaged that she knew they wouldn't be functional just by looking. She did have a fairly extensive knowledge of technology. These she discarded and moved on. Fortunately, Guada Prime tended to be a reasonably dry planet, just enough rainfall to make it a lush growing area, but not enough to turn the surface into a quagmire.
Finally Orac seemed satisfied that they had picked the remains clean of whatever he considered to be useful, mostly it was from the engine room and the flight deck, including a variety of guns. She placed all of it in the haversacks she had brought, picked up Orac and made her way back to the ship. Using a ground cart she returned to collect the bags and loaded everything before returning.
"Got it?" Griffen asked as she arrived on the flight deck.
"Everything Orac told me to get. Haven't any idea what most of it is but it looks pretty sophisticated, even through the grime. Don't know how long it's been sitting down there. How's things up top?"
"Clear as a bell and has been for a time. I think we could probably make a run for it."
"Sure? I don't want to clear the atmosphere and have three pursuit ships waiting for us."
"Trust me."
"Do I have a choice?"
"Always! You can say no!"
"Ha! Let's go," She settled herself in and began to monitor the controls.
As they lifted up she called across to Orac, where a strap held him in place. "Orac, can you check if there are any Federation ships in the vicinity, and give me their distances?"
"Of course. The only vessels present are a Federation flotilla currently located at a distance of 100 spacials and withdrawing."
"Perfect!" Kitra said with a smile. "Let's go home!"
"Orac!" Vila cried, staring at the box.
Kitra looked at him in surprise. " Ah, you two know each other?"
"Yes! Orac?" Vila peered into the box at the flashing lights. "Orac? Are you in there?"
"And just where else, precisely, would I be?" Orac replied testily.
"Glad to see some things haven't changed." Vila muttered.
"I find this entire situation most intolerable. I need to have some minor repairs and calibration conducted and I find myself brought to you of all people!"
"Hold on now!" Vila said indignantly. "If it wasn't for me you wouldn't be here."
"Actually, it's if it wasn't for me." Kitra put in.
"Same thing," Vila replied off handedly, glancing at her.
Kitra rolled her eyes as she poured a drink for herself, and sat down with a sigh.
"So. You going to tell me about this?" she asked Vila, nodding her head in Orac's direction.
"Not much to tell really," Vila replied with a small shrug. "Guada Prime was where I was captured. Orac was obviously left there." Vila turned back to Orac. "I'm surprised the Federation didn't take you. Servalan had been trying for long enough to get her claws on you. I think there were only two things Servalan always wanted and couldn't get; you and Avon."
"Fortuitous events prevented such an occurrence."
"Hold on!" Kitra said sitting up straight and staring at Vila. "You were captured on Guada Prime?"
"Yes. I told you that."
"No, you didn't!"
"I'm sure I did." Vila said with a puzzled expression.
Kitra let out a snort of disgust. "That means that Orac was with you. With Blake! You're the rebel group that Griffen had heard rumours about, concerning Orac!" She shook her head. "Vila, you sometimes leave out the most important information in your stories!"
"I didn't think it was that important really. I guessed that the Federation must have got him or he had been blown up, or something."
"It's that "or something" which could get you killed one day!" Kitra said in exasperation. "And me! For goodness sakes, Vila, from now on tell me everything you remember. Even if you don't think it's important. If I had known that it was Guada Prime where you were captured, I would never have gone there."
"But if you hadn't you'd never have found Orac and the Federation might have, eventually. You'd be in worse trouble then." Vila pointed out reasonably.
"Okay!" she said, agreeing. "Point taken, but at least forewarn people. All right?"
"I'll try."
"Thanks!" she said wryly, taking a drink.
"So how did you survive, Orac?" Vila asked.
"A series of explosions were triggered shortly after you had all entered the complex. The charges were laid at various points throughout the area and connected to a delay-relay, thereby detonating at different intervals. I managed to make some minor variations in the signal that prevented the charges in the nearest vicinity from exploding at full capacity. The landing silo was mostly buried instead of being completely destroyed."
"That's where I found him." Kitra put in. "I had to blast my way in. It was pure chance that I bothered."
"Ah, did you look through anywhere else?" Vila asked, coming to perch on the lounge opposite here.
She shook here head. "Griffen said it was all pretty badly damaged structurally, especially around that silo area. There wouldn't have been much left to salvage even if it had been safe for me to go further. The rest of the complex didn't seem in much better shape." She narrowed her eyes as Vila's seeming innocence. "Why?"
"Oh, no reason." he replied quickly.
"Why?" she asked more firmly.
"Oh, I was just wondering if you may have found any of the others. You know."
"Vila, it's been years! Even if I could have got in, there wouldn't have been much left of them after this long! You're talking about nearly four years!"
He shrugged. "I suppose. I was just wondering if they were all dead."
"All those that were still alive were removed by the Federation before the explosions had completely destroyed the complex." Orac interjected. "As you were."
Vila leapt to his feet to cross to Orac's side. "You mean they could still be alive?"
"If they survived the Federation attack, they would have been alive and therefore removed before the final destruction. By conclusion, they could possibly still be alive if they have survived the subsequent years as did you."
"That's right." Vila said, gazing off into space. "I'm still alive. Which means they could be. Do you really think it's possible?" he queried Orac intensely.
"As you, of all people, are still alive, I believe it is highly probable that some of the other members of the group most definitely would also be. Considering their intelligence rating is somewhat higher than yours, and their importance factor would be greater."
"That's not very nice!"
"I am not programmed to be nice." was Orac's testy reply.
"Alright, alright," Vila brushed that remark aside. "So you think it's likely?"
"That is what I just said, did I not!"
"Can you do some checking? Something like that, following a path through infinity, that you did before? To find Blake, I mean."
"It will take some time to access the appropriate Federation data banks before compiling the relevant information."
"Vila, what are you up to?" Kitra asked, concerned.
"Just asking," Vila said with wounded innocence.
Kitra shook her head at him, pursing her lips. "No!" she said firmly.
"No, what?" he asked all wide eyed.
"You want to go look for them!"
"I hadn't thought of that, but now you mention it, it would be kind of nice, don't you think? You know, a sort of family reunion." Vila said in a reasonable voice.
"Vila, are you insane! You show you're face anywhere and you'll get it shot off! And mine as well! You've got to be out of your mind!"
"Oh, it's not that bad. Everyone thinks I'm dead so they won't think it's me, even though it is me, which they wouldn't believe, so they'd think it couldn't be me but it really is me. I think." he finished confused.
Kitra got to her feet. "Vila, think about it for a moment, will you? You were in a maximum security prison. You're lucky to be alive, let alone have escaped from the place. If any of the others are alive that's exactly where they'll be. If they weren't executed straight out of hand. We are not mounting a prison break!"
"It might not be that bad."
"It's not my business!"
"But together we're pretty good at breaking into things we're not supposed to break into. And get out things we're not supposed to get out."
"I'm a smuggler, not a rescue operation!"
"They may not be in prison. They could have escaped. Like me. Then we would just be meeting up for a chat."
"No!"
"A few drinks?"
"No!"
"A coffee?"
"NO!"
"Well, I didn't really say I was going to do it. It was just a thought." Vila went over to the bar and poured himself a drink. "After all, if any of the others are free they haven't tried to find me. They didn't try to get me out. I had to do it myself. And if they're in prison I don't want to get that close to another after spending three years breaking out of that one. That was a well built prison, you know." He took a long swallow of wine.
"Leave them there, is what I say. Let them rot. I've got better things to do with my time than try and find them." Vila took another swallow and topped up his glass. "Besides, what's five years of leading a rebellion together? It's not like I miss any of them. Avon would probably kill me. Accidentally, mind you - I'm sure he'd say he was sorry afterwards. Though then again, maybe he wouldn't." Vila glanced over at Kitra. "You never can tell with Avon. He's kind of a complex type of person. You'd probably like him." He swirled the wine around in his glass. "Yes, I'm better off without them."
Kitra stood for a moment more then threw her hands up in the air. "Alright!" she said resignedly.
"Alright what?" Vila asked having another swallow.
"You win! We'll try and find them. But if you get us killed I'll come back and haunt you!" she stabbed a finger at him to emphasise her point. A smile spread over Vila's face. She sighed and sank down onto the lounge.
"I've got to be mad!" she said under her breath. Vila handed her a full glass of wine with an enchanting smile and she merely shook her head in resignation and closed her eyes. "I've got to be completely mad!"