Universe-7799
Darth Vader flew through space in his customized TIE fighter flanked by two standard TIEs chasing two X-wings. Earlier in the chase, they had managed to destroy a third X-Wing. Vader had enough experience under his belt back when he was… someone else, to know that the X-wing in front was the leader. He had to do whatever it took to protect the Death Star as some of the Stormtroopers have taken to call it. Fortunately for them, it's not punishable by death to give weapons of mass destruction such a nickname. He didn't even get angry when he heard it. A little annoyed, perhaps, but that's about it. Vader waited until his targeting computer swung around into position.
"I have you now," Vader said as his computer locked onto the X-wing.
He fired as he moved in on the lead x-wing. However, as they closed in on the lead X-Wing, one of the TIE fighters at his side exploded into flame. As Vader and the remaining TIE fighter continued the chase, he looked around utterly baffled. He had to see what had destroyed the TIE fighter next to him.
"What?" Vader asked confusedly.
"Look out!" shouted the remaining Imperial Pilot in the TIE next to him. Vader looked to see the Millenium Falcon bearing down on them. Suddenly, the Imperial Pilot panicked at the sight of the oncoming Falcon and veered radically to one side, causing him to collide with Vader's TIE fighter in the process. The Pilot's TIE fighter crashed into the sidewall of the trench and exploded. Vader's damaged ship spun out of the trench uncontrollably due to its now damaged wing. The spin took him into deep space, but he was still close enough to see the Death Star explode.
Suddenly, a blue swirling vortex opened up in his path and swallowed him. If anybody was looking for Darth Vader at that spatial location, they wouldn't be able to find him. They won't be able to find him for a LONG time.
Vader skidded and bounced on some sort of surface as a light blue color whizzed past him until he was suddenly looking at stars again. However, they didn't look familiar. They were in a completely different configuration. Suddenly, the TIE fighter stopped and powered down entirely. He couldn't even see the stars anymore. All he saw was the black of space.
Something is coming, Vader thought to himself as the force gave him a feeling. A not very good feeling either.
*Intro Credits*
Ben Browder
Anthony Simcoe
Claudia Black
Gigi Edgley
Paul Goddard
Wayne Pygram
And James Earl Jones
as the voice of Darth Vader
Based on Farscape by Rockne S. O'bannon and Brian Henson
Based on Star Wars by George Lucas
FARSCAPE:
INVASION
Meanwhile, another location in the galaxy…
An oddly designed ship slowly floated forward surrounded by nothing but space itself. Inside the ship were several passengers. Two looked human, but only one was. A man with tentacles and long auburn hair sat in a chair absentmindedly cutting a table with a dagger, a small toad-like being sat in a hovering chair device as he stared at an expertly done painting, a grey girl lay in her bed with tears streaming down her face, a girl with curly ginger hair moved things around in her room, and a man with a mask covering half his face just sat staring without staring. Elsewhere in the ship, a many-limbed alien sat at what looked like a control station.
"Commander," said the alien.
"Yeah, Pilot?" a male voice replied.
"Moya says that she's willing to take you to the nearest pleasure planet," Pilot said. "That is if you want a few days of shore leave."
"Tell her thanks for the offer, Pilot," the Commander said. "We'll give you a heads up when we decide."
"Of course, Commander," Pilot said as he returned his focus to the controls.
With the Commander…
The Commander was a human male that wore a black t-shirt, black pants, black combat boots, and had a sidearm strapped to his right thigh. Currently, he sat at a table in his quarters as he tinkered with a damaged robot of some kind. It had eyestalks with lightbulbs for the eyes, a yellow body, a claw arm, and a stunning arm.
"How you doing, little fella?" the Commander asked the robot.
The robot chirped for a few seconds, and the Commander frowned.
"That jerkwad got you bad, didn't he?" the Commander asked as he resumed tinkering. "Well, don't you worry. I'll figure out how to fix you in no time."
The robot chirped just as the door to the Commander's room opened.
"Not now, Rygel," the Commander said bluntly. "I'm not in the mood for your antics today."
"You don't have to worry about Rygel for a while," said a feminine voice. "He's currently staring at that spirit painting Zhaan did for him in our first cycle together."
The Commander turned to see a beautiful woman with similar clothing to his but wearing a white tank top instead of a t-shirt. She had long black hair, unlike his brown short hair.
"That's nice to know," the Commander replied. "How are you, Aeryn?"
"I'm angry," Aeryn replied as she sat down on the bed next to him. "I feel like punching something. You?"
"I'm not thinking about it," the Commander replied as he returned to tinkering with the droid. "Staying busy helps me do so."
"That's not healthy, John," Aeryn said worriedly.
"I know," John replied. "I just need time. That's all."
"If you need me," Aeryn said as she got up. "I'll be down in the cargo bay training."
John waved his reply.
Back with Darth Vader…
Darth Vader had been escorted into a ship that looked like it was built with scrap and held together with string. He could've easily taken down these strange… beings. However, he needed information. Specifically, where he was and how far away from the Galactic Empire he had traveled. He now stood in front of the captain of these aliens, and he wasn't impressed. The captain had strange markings on his face and worn ragged clothes.
"My, you're a curious one," said the captain as he stared at Vader. "You dress in the colors of a Peacekeeper, and yet there are no Sebaceans that wear an outfit such as yours."
Vader didn't respond except to stare at him. The captain fidgeted nervously as the black lenses of Vader's helmet appeared to stare right through him. The mechanical breathing wasn't helping things, either.
"So, what brings you this far into the uncharted territories, and where are you from?" the captain asked as he straightened himself. "We've never encountered a starfighter like yours before."
"You will tell me what galaxy I am in," Darth Vader commanded.
"I do not follow orders," the captain said darkly. "I give them."
"Not anymore," Vader declared. In response, the captain pulled out a sidearm and aimed it at Vader.
"Take him d-" the captain began. Suddenly, he began gasping for air and he clutched his throat as if there was a hand there. The other aliens produced their sidearms but didn't fire as they didn't know what was happening.
"Your blasters are nothing against the power of the force," Vader said as he raised a hand that had the thumb and index finger almost touching.
Vader turned to the other aliens as he twisted his hand which snapped the neck of the captain. The aliens backed up and shakily aimed their sidearms.
"You all work for me now," Vader said sternly. "Submit, or die."
Knowing they had no alternative, they all holstered their sidearms and looked away.
"Get rid of the body," Vader ordered as he turned around and walked to the viewscreen.
Meanwhile, on Moya…
John Crichton wandered along the hallways as he went over the events of the past few days. Specifically, Zhaan's death. He felt he could've done something to save her life. Maybe pull her onto Moya the second before she disintegrated? Eventually, he found himself in the hangar bay where Aeryn normally trained. Currently, she was hitting the training dummy with her Sebacean brand of hand-to-hand combat. As expected, she had worked up a sweat.
"Yo, Aeryn," John said as he walked up to her.
"I'm in the middle of something, Crichton," Aeryn replied before she spun and elbowed the dummy.
"I see that," John replied as he leaned against a crate. "I just came here to ask you a question."
"I'm made of ears," Aeryn said without stopping.
"What?" John asked, confused.
"Oh, wait, I get what you meant," John realized. "The phrase is actually 'I'm all ears'."
"That's what I said," Aeryn frowned as she punched.
"Well, anyway," John sighed. "Pilot says Moya is willing to take us to the nearest pleasure planet for a little R&R. I honestly think we need it."
"I'm a warrior," Aeryn said, finally stopping. "I don't do R&R."
"I figured you'd say that," John nodded. "Just thought I'd get your opinion. I'll go ask the others now. Have fun with your workout."
As John headed off, Aeryn watched him. Specifically, watched his butt as it moved with each step. Quickly, she shook her head and returned her focus to her training.
In another part of Moya…
The alien with head tentacle things sat in his room sharpening his blades as he remembered the days Zhaan was around. He was used to death, but Zhaan's death… wasn't easy to move on from. The death of family members never is. That's what she had become. Family.
"Not right now, Crichton," the alien said as he smelled the familiar scent of a human.
"I already spoke to Chi, his toad-i-ness, Stark, and Aeryn," John said as he walked in. "Moya and Pilot are willing to take us to a pleasure planet. I think it's a great idea. What about you, D'Argo?"
"I don't know," D'Argo replied. "Maybe. I'll think it over."
"Well, if you don't want to, you won't be alone," John said. "Aeryn is more than likely going to stay on Moya should we go there."
D'Argo just nodded as he resumed sharpening his weapons.
"Talk to you later, D," John said as he left D'Argo to his business.
Later, with Darth Vader…
Darth Vader sat in the captain's cabin meditating as he searched through the force. He felt something, but he wasn't sure what it was. He needed to get closer to it but he had to find a better ship to take command of. This bucket of bolts… won't fare well in battle. Though, the flax will indeed be useful shortly.
"Sir," said one of the aliens he had come to know as Zenetans.
Vader didn't respond immediately, but when he did he only looked at the Zenetan.
"You wanted to know if any powerful ship had gotten stuck in the flax," the Zenetan said nervously.
Vader just kept staring at him.
"A Peacekeeper Command Carrier has gotten stuck twenty metras away," the Zenetan finished.
"Take us to it immediately," Vader commanded. The Zenetan promptly headed to the bridge.
A few microts later, on Moya…
John had just finished fixing his sidearm, which he named Wynona, when he nearly fell out of his chair as Moya jolted.
"What was that, Pilot?" John asked into his comm device.
"I cannot say, commander," Pilot replied. "Moya's sensors don't read anything out there."
I hope we didn't get stuck in the flax… again, John thought as he holstered Wynona and rushed to the bridge which they call command. He arrived at precisely the same time as Aeryn and D'Argo.
D'Argo immediately headed to the navigation panel while Aeryn checked the external sensors just in case Pilot and Moya missed something. John looked at each of them, but they both shook their heads.
"What the yotz is going on?!" demanded a grumpy toad-like being as it floated into the room in his hover-chair.
Instead of answering, John stepped toward the viewscreen.
"There's a transmission coming in," said Pilot as a holographic image of himself appeared in a metallic clamshell-looking device that was mounted on the wall.
"On screen," John said as he stepped back toward the others. Immediately, a face appeared on the viewscreen. It had brown hair, like John. Blue eyes, like John. However, that is where the similarities stopped. Other than the fact its appearance suggested it was a male human-like species. However, they couldn't be certain as that one friendly Zenetan pirate they met two years ago looked male but happened to be the female of the Zenetan species.
"Are you the one known as John Crichton?" the man asked.
"Why do you ask?" John returned. "You a bounty hunter?"
"Hardly," the man snorted. "I'm a smuggler."
"What do you want with this John Crichton?" D'Argo asked, suspiciously.
"I need his help," the man replied. "Rather, the Nebari Resistance needs it."
Everyone blinked their eyes in surprise. At the same time, the grey girl, the man with half a face, and the girl with curly ginger hair walked in.
Thirty Microts later…
Everyone except for the ginger stood in a row in front of the hangar door. They had allowed the strange man to come aboard, but they weren't about to take any chances. Aeryn had her heavy pulse rifle slung on one of her shoulders and aimed at the hangar door. John had his hand on Wynona's handle but kept it holstered. D'Argo had his qualta blade in its rifle configuration and at the ready. Chiana had a pulse rifle, and Stark looked like he was ready to rush the man if he was a threat. The sentient toad just hovered there in his chair. There were also several DRDs with their pulse attachments at the ready.
"So," John asked. "What are the chances he works for Scorpius?"
"I say fifty percent," Aeryn replied.
"As do I," D'Argo concurred.
John couldn't help but agree with them as the hangar doors opened. The strange man halted and held his arms up upon seeing the weapons trained at him.
"You can approach," John said, calmly, and the man headed toward them slowly.
"However," John continued. "If you try anything, I'll feed you to the Luxan."
The man looked between John and D'Argo, but didn't say anything. Especially, because D'Argo was smiling creepily at him.
"Chi," John said. "Search him."
"With pleasure," Chiana smiled as she partially hopped to the man. As she began patting him down, he raised an eyebrow at her chosen starting point. Ever the perverted woman, she patted his groin first.
"So," the man said. "Is this normally how you greet guys?"
"Yeah, same for the women," Chiana giggled as she grabbed his cheeks and spread them through his pants. "Nobody has yet complained."
Once she was done she returned to her friends who were staring at her weirdly.
"What?" Chiana asked, innocently.
"You are such a tralk," Aeryn shook her head as she returned her attention to the stranger.
"Were you trying to seduce him or check him for weapons?" John asked. "I honestly couldn't tell the difference."
"I checked all the places I would hide things," Chiana said, defensively.
"Right, well next time please try to stay pg-rated," John said.
Chiana just looked at him confusedly before shaking her head. A lot of species do that once they come to know John and his knack for expressions unknown to them.
Nine Arns earlier, on the Peacekeeper Command Carrier…
A man in a black outfit with shoulder flaps and a mask that was reminiscent of bondage gear watched as his scientists worked on a vital project. Everyone on the ship wore black as that was the standard color for the Peacekeeper uniforms. Most of them looked like Aeryn and John, except for three. One light blue woman, a white bald alien with spikes on his forehead, and the bondage guy.
"Sir," said a Peacekeeper tech.
"What is it?" bondage-guy replied.
"Your device here has a fault," the tech replied nervously.
"Then repair it," bondage-guy said bluntly. The tech immediately hurried off.
Bondage-guy returned his attention to the scientists that were hard at work. Suddenly, the entire carrier lurched as the lights went out. That caused everyone on their feet to fall unceremoniously. Bondage-guy got back to his feet and grabbed a nearby tech who rushed by him.
"What the frell happened?!" bondage-guy demanded angrily.
"I don't know, sir," the tech said nervously.
"Then find out, and fix it!" bondage guy barked as he pushed the tech on his way.
Back at Moya, in the present…
The stranger had been escorted to command and seated down across John while D'Argo and Aeryn covered the only exits. Chiana had been assigned the task of investigating the stranger's ship. Stark, on the other hand, had elected to go back to his quarters and resumed his task of sitting pointlessly. Rygel hovered in the corner because he feared that whatever the stranger might reveal would mean he was in danger. Rygel, naturally, wanted to know so he could prepare an escape for himself.
"So, why do the Nebari Resistance need my help?" John asked, regarding the stranger intensely.
"The Nebari government has managed to create a device that'll permanently 'cleanse' all Nebaris in the universe no matter where they are," the stranger replied. "So, they hired me to find you."
"Okay, but why me specifically?" John asked, worriedly. He already wanted to stop this device, but he was uncertain as to the Nebari Resistance's reasoning.
"Even the Nebari Resistance has heard of you, John," the stranger explained. "They heard how you wrecked the shadow depository, destroyed Scorpius's gammak base, and other impossible feats."
"Holy Ethan Hunt," John sighed as he massaged his face.
"All those things…" John said. "They weren't all me. I either had help or got lucky. I may have become a legend, but I'm not the one that should get the praise. Hell, I don't even want it. I just want to be left the frell alone."
"I truly understand," the stranger nodded. "However, I can see from the look in your eyes… you're going to help regardless."
John couldn't argue, because the stranger was right.
"What's your name?" John asked.
"Rorkarn," the stranger replied as he held out a hand. "Orbaniz Rorkarn."
John smirked at how the man introduced himself. Very reminiscent of Earth's top favorite spy. However, he didn't bother joking about it and just shook the man's hand.
Back With Darth Vader…
Darth Vader stood on the bridge as the Zenetan ship slowly came to a stop alongside the Peacekeeper Command Carrier. Darth Vader immediately headed to the docking airlock. As he did so, he could imagine how the Emperor would react to his failure of safeguarding the Death Star. With nobody but him left, he would be the one receiving the Emperor's wrath. So, before he managed to return to the Empire… he had to find something worthy enough to lessen the Emperor's punishment of him. He believed the Flax would be incredibly useful toward that end, but he needed to find something of even more destructive power than the Death Star.
"When we board," Darth Vader said to the Zenetan crewmates that would be joining him. "Stay behind me unless you desire to be cut down as well."
There was no time for a response as the light above the door indicated they were docked, and the Zenetans immediately got to work cutting the door open with a plasma torch.
With Bondage-Guy…
Bondage-Guy stood at the computers trying to see if anything was online, but there was nothing. Well, there was life support. However, that was not what he wanted to remain active. Well, it wasn't the only thing he wanted active. It was second only to the computers that store all of their project data. Angrily, he headed straight for a tech that was frantically working on bringing the power back on.
"Any progress?" Bondage-Guy asked as calmly as he could. However, there was still a slight growl in his voice.
"No sir," the tech gulped. "It's as if an outside source is preventing it."
Bondage-Guy widened his eyes as something clicked. There was only one thing that would make sense, considering their situation. He immediately grabbed a soldier that had been requested to help the techs hurry things along. Specifically, with carrying heavy objects.
"Take a squad and go to the docking port," Bondage-Guy ordered. The soldier opened his mouth to speak, but Bondage-Guy was not having it.
"Go!" Bondage-Guy shouted, much to the soldier's dismay. He immediately picked up his pulse rifle and grabbed as many soldiers as he could.
"What's going on, Scorpius?" asked the light blue lady.
"Zenetans," Bondage-Guy, or Scorpius as he is now known, growled as he walked off. He felt like punching something, but that would be of no use at the moment. So, he was going to punch a wall that was away from the techs' progress or lack thereof.
He had to get some answers. Specifically, on who had taken command of the Zenetans. Whoever it was had no doubt ordered them to use the Flax on a Peacekeeper Command Carrier. Zenetans are smart enough to know what actions would get them killed, so that's why they never attack ships as big or dangerous as this one. At least, until now. Scorpius swore that he would kill the one that had the mivoks to do this.
Back on Moya, with Chiana…
Chiana was in the process of going through the rooms of Orbaniz Rorkarn's ship while the DRDs investigated the systems. Chiana was NOT going to be doing this alone, so she had gotten the ginger girl to help her. Currently, they were in the captain's quarters.
"So, what exactly are we looking for, again?" the ginger girl asked as she picked up some underwear before dropping it in disgust.
"Anything that could suggest he works for Scorpius," Chiana replied as she picked up a strange-looking pulse rifle. It looked old and it didn't seem that wieldy either. "So, keep that in mind, Jool."
"I still don't see why you people hate him so much," the ginger girl, now known as Jool, grumbled as she picked up a robotic head thing.
Chiana just rolled her eyes as she left to search another room. As she did so, Jool placed the robotic head back down before she picked up a strange object. Of course, there were a LOT of strange objects in the room. However, this one was the strangest. It had a handle, wide bits, and two things of metal swirling around one another. It also had a blue crystal embedded in it. Though, it looked like it had been shattered. There was enough space for more of the crystal.
"Hang on," Jool said, widening her eyes after she turned it around. "This looks like it's from my people!"
Her hair turned red as she clenched it and stormed out of the ship. She fully intended to demand answers from Orbaniz.
On the Peacekeeper Command Carrier, with the Peacekeeper squad…
The soldier had acquired several others and headed straight for the docking area. When they arrived, they saw that the interior door had almost been cut through. Each soldier waited behind cover with their pulse weapons at the ready. As soon as the door fell forward, they could hear mechanical sounds akin to breathing. They hesitated for a few seconds out of fear. Their fear only intensified when a red beam of energy extended until it was the length of a sword. Whatever it was, the squad's C.O knew they had to fight.
"Leave only one survivor!" shouted the squad leader as he fired his pulse rifle. His soldiers followed suit, and red bolts of light blasted forward. To their shock and horror, the red beam of energy blocked each shot as heavy footsteps headed toward them. While the pulse blasts temporarily lit the room, they could see a figure in all black and a terrifying helmet.
Darth Vader raised his left hand and force grabbed half of the downed door before throwing it into some peacekeeper soldiers. He force grabbed another peacekeeper soldier and pulled him right into the path of his lightsaber. He sent two others headfirst into the right wall. He threw his lightsaber and the blade cut the heads off two peacekeepers before returning to his hand. The second to last peacekeeper retreated but didn't stop firing.
Once the peacekeeper was out of juice for his pulse pistol, he pulled out a grenade and primed it. After waiting for three microts, he threw it. Thinking he was victorious, he grinned. However, to his complete terror, the grenade didn't explode. In fact, it just hovered in the air.
"Nice try," the figure said, insincerely.
The peacekeeper could feel a cold sweat, and he suspected he wouldn't be forgiven. This person wasn't normal. His voice was mechanical, could control things without touching them, and was able to block any pulse blast with ease.
"However, your demise was inevitable," Darth Vader said before sending the grenade back to its owner. Darth Vader watched, unblinkingly as the explosion incinerated the man into nothingness and scorched the walls around him.
Darth Vader had turned to the last peacekeeper and slowly walked toward him. The peacekeeper dropped his pulse rifle and whipped out two pulse pistols. Unfortunately, their pulse blasts were just as ineffective. Eventually, he ended up cornered. Darth Vader extinguished his lightsaber but didn't clip it to his belt.
"Take me to the commander of this vessel at once," Darth Vader ordered. "And I might show mercy."
The squad leader knew he couldn't kill the monster, and knew that Scorpius would kill him if he followed this monster's orders. So, there was only one logical solution. He quickly aimed a pulse pistol at his head with the intent to kill himself. However, before he could pull the trigger, he felt a searing heat pass through his wrist and screamed as his hand fell down still holding a pulse pistol.
"Your loyalty to your commander is commendable," Darth Vader said. "For that, I shall grant you a quick death."
The peacekeeper looked hopeful but realized that the monster didn't mean now. As two Zenetans grabbed him, Vader walked off.
"First, I will show your colleagues what happens when they try to fight or defy me," Darth Vader said coldly. "Your last useful act will be serving as a message to your people."
With John, on Moya's Command…
Orbaniz had been interrogated enough that they found out he wasn't enlisted by Scorpius to track him down, and that he was truly here on behalf of the Nebari resistance. John had a feeling that there was more Orbaniz wasn't telling them, but he also felt that they had found out all they needed to know. For the time being, at least.
"So," John asked. "When do we need to meet your client?"
"We'll know after I update them on my progress," Orbaniz replied.
John didn't say anything, because he was both suspicious and understanding. The Nebari Resistance has good reason to be secretive and only let out info when absolutely necessary. However, that still didn't make John feel better about this.
"Why should we help them?" the sentient toad asked, selfishly. "What's in it for us?"
"Shut it sparky," John said. "Not everything is about money or food."
"You help them," Orbaniz said. "And the Nebari Resistance might help you in the future."
"I could get my throne back!" the toad said, widening his eyes.
"Whether or not they help us in the future," John said. "We have to do this because it's the right thing."
At that moment, one of the doors swung open and Jool walked in.
"Oh, dren," John said, seeing Jool's red hair. The sentient toad also noticed the red hair and floated back as far as he could.
"I like your hair," Orbaniz said, flirtingly. "Red becomes you."
"Shut up," Jool said, angrily.
"You have nothing to say to me except for where you got this!" Jool finished as she brought the object for them all to say. "Which Interion planet did you steal this from?!"
Orbaniz looked genuinely shocked and confused by Jool's statement.
"The frell is that?" Aeryn asked, confusedly.
"Looks like a hilt to a sword," D'Argo guessed.
John didn't speak as he looked between Orbaniz and Jool. He knew that Jool was not going to back off until she got her answers, but Orbaniz didn't look like he was going to give any at the moment.
"Jool," John said calmingly.
Jool turned her steely gaze in his direction, and John realized that this was more than just rage for the death of her kin.
"I will NOT let this go," Jool said, sternly. "Either he answers my question, or I burst his eardrums."
D'Argo immediately flicked out his tongue dart which knocked her out as soon as it hit the back of her neck. As she fell, her hair reverted back to the normal ginger state. Everyone except for Orbaniz let out a breath they didn't know they had been holding. There was nothing more terrifying and dangerous about Jool than her metal melting scream.
"I'll deal with her," D'Argo said as he picked her up. "You deal with him."
John turned toward Orbaniz as D'Argo left the room, and Aeryn picked up the hilt.
"You're gonna have to open up about that thing when she comes for you again," John advised. "So, maybe you should start with someone not about to scream at you until you're deaf."
Orbaniz looked away for a few seconds before he sighed and raised his hand. Suddenly, the hilt wrenched itself free of Aeryn's grasp and flew to his open hand.
"What the frell was that?!" Aeryn exclaimed as she aimed her pulse rifle at Orbaniz. However, she reluctantly lowered it when John gestured to her to do so.
"That is a power from my part of the universe," Orbaniz explained as he walked toward the viewscreen to watch the stars as they slowly flew through space. "It's called the force."
"What's the force?" Aeryn asked, confusedly.
"Holy George Lucas," John said, widening his eyes.
"Are you telling me that all those movies are real?!" exclaimed John as he hurried to Orbaniz. Orbaniz just blinked his eyes, confusedly.
"Movies?" Orbaniz asked. "What are movies?"
"Moving pictures," John said, a bit louder than necessary. "Entertainment. Fantasy, documentaries, sci-fi, westerns."
Orbaniz lost him after entertainment, and so he just stared confusedly.
"Wait," Aeryn said, catching on to something. "Are you saying that warrior you told me of in our first year wasn't real?"
"That's what I thought," John admitted. "But mister Jedi, over here, just used the force and even called it that."
Orbaniz looked between John and Aeryn, getting even more confused as the conversation continued.
"Your people have stories about me?" Orbaniz asked, baffled.
"Not you," John snorted. "You're new. We have stories about Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and there was even a crappy Christmas special centering on Chewbacca's homeworld."
As soon as John said Darth Vader, Orbaniz paled as he finally recognized that presence he had felt not too long ago. It had suddenly appeared, and he went into a cold sweat. He wasn't sure what it was until now, but now he was certain. Darth Vader was in this part of the universe.
"What is it?" Aeryn asked, noticing Orbaniz's reaction.
"Nothing," Orbaniz lied.
Aeryn narrowed her eyes, but she didn't press the issue.
"So, what is that object?" John asked, pointing at the hilt.
"This is a lightsaber from the planet Mustafar," Orbaniz explained, relieved to change the topic. "An old one at that, as it doesn't have a switch. I think it activates with willpower. Only those of the bloodline of a specific Jedi from a long time ago can wield it. It appears I'm of that bloodline. I'm a descendant of Lady Corvax and her husband."
"So, why does Jool think its Interion?" John asked, confusedly.
Orbaniz just shrugged, and John figured that would have to wait until Jool was more cooperative and less angry.
With Scorpius…
Scorpius smelled a scent unknown to him and followed it to his throne room. As soon as he stepped inside, he could hear an unnatural sound. It was sort of like mechanical breathing. Just as he turned toward the sound's origin, the power turned back on. A figure all in black stood between his throne and him. He glanced to the figure's right and saw two Zenetans with that soldier from before, and saw that the soldier had lost a hand. The stump was also cauterized.
"So, you're the one behind this," Scorpius stated rather than asked.
"And you are this vessel's commander," the black figure said.
"Why did you attack us?" Scorpius asked.
"I have need of your ship," the figure replied, bluntly. "The Zenetan vessels are pathetic."
"Do you really think I'd give you MY ship?" Scorpius narrowed his eyes.
"No," the figure replied as he held a clenched fist. "I will TAKE it by force"
"I'd like to see you try," Scorpius growled as he stepped forward.
Suddenly, Scorpius felt his neck begin to close off its airways. It was as if something had wrapped around his throat. As Scorpius collapsed to his knees, he looked up to see the figure with his raised hand nearly pinching two of his fingers together.
"All too easy," the figure declared.
As Scorpius began to reach the point of unconsciousness, his Scarran half rose up which allowed him to get to his feet.
"Nothing you do can harm me," Scorpius snarled as he slowly walked toward the figure. Each step was heavy and so it took all his willpower to make any progress. Fortunately for Scorpius, his willpower is the best there is.
"Interesting," Darth Vader said as he unclipped a handle thing and pressed a button. A red beam of energy grew out of it just as the sound of rapid footsteps came to a stop somewhere behind Scorpius.
"Out of the way, Scorpius," said a commanding feminine voice. Scorpius slightly looked behind him and saw a woman in a revealing outfit in front of several Peacekeeper commandos.
"Commandant Grayza," Scorpius choked, slightly shocked at her appearance as he shakily turned toward her. "What are you doing here?"
"Command had lost your ship's signal not too long ago," the woman named Grayza replied as she stepped forward. "I was sent to investigate. I assume that stranger is the reason."
Darth Vader regarded Commandant Grayza and felt something akin to Grand Moff Tarkin, but without the same level of arrogance. Unlike Scorpius, he felt he could use her to his advantage. However, he fully intended to kill the creature before him and then have its corpse examined.
"Why did you attack one of our vessels?" Commandant Grayza demanded.
"I intended to commandeer it," Darth Vader replied, bluntly.
"You are a fascinating individual," Commandant Grayza said. "As you were able to successfully invade this ship, I think you'd make a wonderful ally."
"And a dangerous enemy," Darth Vader added for her.
"Indeed," Grayza replied. "So, why don't you turn off your device there and come with me?"
Darth Vader didn't reply immediately as he regarded Grayza. He sensed her deceptive nature, but he also sensed she wouldn't show it unless she was ordered to. He also sensed that if he killed Scorpius, that would give her a reason to declare him an enemy.
"Fine," Darth Vader replied as he extinguished his lightsaber and ceased force choking Scorpius. "After you, Commandant Grayza."
As Darth Vader followed her, Scorpius fell to the ground and rolled on his back. As he sucked in much-needed air he clenched his fists. He was furious and he strongly desired to mount that monster's head on his wall. However, he'd have to wait until a later date. Scorpius slowly pushed himself to a sitting position and glared after the retreating back of Darth Vader.
"Boss," the Zenetans said. "What do we do with our prisoner?"
"Hand him over to his people," Darth Vader replied. "It would not be ideal to antagonize this woman."
Reluctantly, the Zenetans allowed the soldier to fall.
"Bring him," Grayza ordered her commandos, and they immediately grabbed the weakened soldier. They weren't gentle about it either.
The soldier failed and lost a hand, so he would probably be executed for that. However, he might have information about their guest. If he was a major threat to them, she would keep him under surveillance and then have him killed once his usefulness had passed.
Meanwhile, in a galaxy far far away…
A figure cloaked in black sat at his desk with a huge window behind him. There were buildings that towered high into the sky and hovercars flew about. This figure had a face that was mutated by his own force lightning which was reflected back at him by a certain enemy.
On either side of the entrance were two guards dressed completely in red and wielding spears. These guards were trained in methods that most would be unable to beat. The figure didn't look up but knew someone had arrived just before the door opened. The figure also knew the person had some very bad news.
"Enter," the figure said without stopping his paperwork. The person took some cautious steps forward until he was about a foot away from the figure's desk.
"I have some troubling news, Emperor," the figure said nervously.
"Out with it," the Emperor said. "I don't have all day."
"We have just received word about the superweapon," the man continued. The Emperor looked up, his attention fully on the Lieutenant.
"It's been destroyed above Yavin-4," the Lieutenant gulped. "According to reports, a squad of Rebel fighters took it down."
"How unfortunate," the Emperor said, unhappily. "Were there any survivors?"
"A few that were off on assignment," the Lieutenant replied. "And some fighter pilots that had survived their TIE's destruction."
"And Lord Vader?" the Emperor asked.
"Missing," the Lieutenant said, nervously.
"What do you mean he's MISSING?!" demanded the Emperor.
The Emperor was shocked and terrified he hadn't sensed this. He had always sensed Vader before, but now he doesn't. In fact, he realized he hadn't sensed Vader for quite a while. He just dismissed it as it seemed unimportant at the time. Now, he needed to know the cause of Vader's disappearance. He feared that whatever had done it would target him next.
"One of the TIE fighters that flew with him reported that Vader was sent veering off into space by a Corellian cargo ship," the Lieutenant said quickly. "Soon after, the superweapon was destroyed and Vader's modified TIE had vanished."
"Get my shuttle ready for departure," the Emperor said coldly as he stood up. "We're heading for the Yavin system immediately."
Lieutenant let out a sigh of relief after the Emperor rushed past the Lieutenant with speed surprising for a man his age. He wiped the sweat from his brow before he turned around and headed for the hanger.
Back in the uncharted territories, on Moya…
Orbaniz had sent the message to his Nebari Resistance contact and they had sent him a time and place. So, they were now en route. Which was good, because Jool had just woken up and was trying to get past D'Argo to get at Orbaniz. Now, they could focus on reassuring her that he didn't steal the artifact and ask her why she thinks its Interion.
"Jool," John said as he and Orbaniz walked up to her room. "I got the answers you want, but now we want an answer from you."
"What did he lie with?" Jool asked, angrily as she sat down on her bed.
"I didn't steal it," Orbaniz replied. "I was given to it by the spirit of one of my ancestors."
Jool's hair turned red again, which indicated she didn't believe him one bit.
"He's telling the truth, Jool," John said.
"Dren," Jool spat. "I'm a scientist and I don't believe in ghosts."
John gave Orbaniz a look, and the smuggler sighed. However, he raised his hand and one of Jool's pillows hovered in the air until he let it drop in her lap. Jool's red hair returned to normal as her mood switched from rage to disbelief and shock. D'Argo widened his eyes with shock as well, but he wasn't as ready to disregard it. Luxans do believe in the supernatural, after all. I mean, they wouldn't regard the Oricons with such high esteem if they didn't.
"Now," John said, progressing the conversation. "Why did you think his object was Interion in origin?"
Jool looked at John as if she was going to tell him to go frell himself, but in the end, she sighed.
"There's a symbol on one of the flat parts," Jool replied as she laid down. "It's one of my people's religious symbols. I don't care much for Interion religion, but I do care about the history."
Confused, Orbaniz and John searched for the symbol on the device. D'Argo also joined them in the search. Eventually, they found it. It happened to be the symbol of The Old Republic.
Back on the Carrier, with Scorpius…
Scorpius was less than happy. Not only was his carrier attacked by that monster, but all the scientific progress had been reduced to the previous day's percentage and Grayza had taken away his chance at killing the monster. Currently, Scorpius was in his quarters while a man stood at the side going over the security footage taken in their attacker's appearance for the first time.
"Braca," Scorpius said, thoughtfully. "Send a discreet message to Crais about our attacker. Naturally, he will warn Aeryn Sun and by extension, John Crichton."
"Do you really think that that thing will go after Crichton," the man now known as Braca asked.
"I will not take that chance," Scorpius growled. "I will take into consideration every possible future where that monster is concerned."
"Is he more of a threat than the Scarrans?" Braca asked.
"He definitely is," Scorpius smiled wickedly. "And I will use that to my advantage."
"Why do you think he spared you earlier?" Braca asked, curiously.
"He no doubt seeks to use the Peacekeepers for his personal gain," Scorpius logically guessed. "But he will end up being the patsy instead. Even Command isn't stupid enough to believe that monster won't turn against us once he gets what he wants."
At that, Scorpius gestured for Braca to do as requested. While his most trusted officer left, Scorpius reviewed the security footage involving their attacker. Unfortunately, they didn't have much concerning his offensive capabilities. All they had was his appearance, but that was enough to cement Scorpius's resolve in destroying their attacker.
With Moya, at the rendezvous…
John Crichton sat cleaning Wynona as he waited for Orbaniz's contact to arrive. He didn't have anything else to do, after all. Suddenly, a figure in all black and what looked like a bondage mask sat down across from him.
"Hello, John," the figure said.
John jolted, thinking Scorpius had somehow made it into Moya before he remembered the neural clone.
"What do you want, Harvey?" John asked, irritatedly. "You're not here to get me to kill myself or something else stupid, are you?"
"Of course not," Harvey smiled with amusement. "Quite the opposite, actually."
"Well, spit it out," John said, impatiently.
"You must not go into business with the Nebari Resistance, John," Harvey implored. "If you do, we may both die."
"To save the universe," John said, bluntly, as he put Wynona back together. "I'll do whatever it takes."
"It's suicide, John!" Harvey tried, futilely. "The Nebari Government is unbeatable! Otherwise, the Peacekeepers would've dominated them long ago!"
"I have to try, Harvey," John said, standing up. "If I don't then the Nebari Resistance will fall and all Nebari life would be 'cleansed'…"
"Like that," John finished as he snapped his fingers.
Harvey sighed disappointedly, but he could see that John was not going to waver from this course of action.
"Then I guess I'll just have to help you succeed," Harvey said, relenting. "In any way I can."
At that, Harvey vanished from the chair. Just in time too, because Aeryn took that moment to appear at his room's door.
"They're here," Aeryn said.
John could tell from her expression that she knew he was talking to Harvey. Fortunately, she didn't say anything about it as John walked up to her.
At the bridge…
Orbaniz Rorkarn stood facing the viewscreen as he watched a small ship float into view. He didn't recognize the ship, but he figured that was the point. Orbaniz didn't bother looking behind him as John, Aeryn, D'Argo, and Chiana walked into the room.
"Any transmissions, pilot?" Chiana asked, eagerly.
"Not yet," Pilot replied as his holographic image appeared in the clamshell. "Moya isn't reading any life signs either."
"That can't be good," John remarked to himself before he said. "Can you open a channel?"
"Of course, commander," Pilot replied, slowly. "But don't you think they'd send a transmission first if they wanted to talk?"
"Can't hurt to try," John reasoned.
"I suppose not," Pilot reluctantly agreed. "Opening a channel now."
"This is Orbaniz Rorkarn," Orbaniz spoke up. "I'm here with John Crichton as requested."
There was no response from the ship. Not even weapons priming.
"Okay," D'Argo decided. "Either that's an automated ship or everyone died just before arriving. Whichever it is, we need to turn around and starburst out of here."
"D'Argo's right," Aeryn said. "We need to get out of here."
"You can go," John said slowly. "I'll hitch a ride with Orbaniz to that ship."
"It's too much of a risk," Aeryn shook her head. "It might be a trap."
"Well, if it is then D'Argo can go ahead and shoot us down with his fighter," John countered. "We came here for a reason, and I'm not about to stick my tail between my legs and run just because something funky is going on."
Without waiting for another word, Crichton exited the bridge with Orbaniz following closely. Orbaniz didn't really want to go over to that ship, but he had a reputation to maintain. Also, he didn't feel great outright abandoning the ship's occupants. For all they knew, the crew was in trouble.
On the unidentified ship…
As soon as John and Orbaniz landed in the ship's hangar bay, they exited Orbaniz's vessel with their weapons drawn. John with Wynona and Orbaniz with his DL-44 blaster pistol.
"Crichton," D'Argo's voice said before it fitzed out. "What is the zzzztztztz ere ztztztzt help?"
"D'Argo, can you repeat that?" John asked into his communicator. "I didn't hear most of that."
When D'Argo didn't respond, he frowned and took a step forward. As soon as he did so, something metallic clanged to his left. He and Orbaniz quickly turned toward the noise intending to fire. However, they hesitated in case it was nothing.
They slowly progressed forward until they came upon a horrendous smell.
"What the hazmana is that?!" John exclaimed as he quickly covered his nose and mouth.
Orbaniz didn't reply immediately as he followed the ungodly stench into a room. He widened his eyes and stumbled backward. John frowned and headed to see what Orbaniz saw. When he did, he tightened his grip on Wynona.
There were half-eaten corpses everywhere along with blood on the floor and walls.
"Whatever did this may still be here," John said grimly.
"Yeah," Orbaniz nodded slowly. "And it should die here."
"Agreed," John said. "Let's have D'Argo blast the ship into smithereens."
"No," Orbaniz shook his head. "Not yet. We need to get the info my contact was going to give us. It should be in the ship's records."
John was about to object when Harvey appeared in his peripheral vision and pointed down a hallway. With a sigh, he headed straight for the hallway with Orbaniz right on his rear… metaphorically.
Back with Aeryn, on Moya…
Aeryn was getting restless. She was both worried for John and wanted to get out of here. None of them, except for Rygel, wanted to abandon John on the ship. However, none of them wanted to stay either.
"I'm heading over there," Aeryn decided as she headed for the exit.
"So am I," Chiana said quickly following her.
Aeryn looked like she was going to object, but upon seeing Chiana's expression… she knew there was going to be no way to keep her on Moya. Chiana would find her way over one way or another.
With John and Orbaniz…
John and Orbaniz entered a room full of consoles that were either damaged from pulse blasts or had damaged screens.
"Well, this isn't good," Harvey said from a nearby console. "Looks like you'll get no info from these. You may as well leave this derelict ship."
"Let me see what I can do," Orbaniz said as he pulled out a handheld device. "The machines may be useless, but the storage looks to be intact. I might be able to transfer data to this."
"I'll stand guard," John offered as he turned back toward the doorway.
With Chiana and Aeryn…
Chiana and Aeryn had just arrived on the ship and looked around the hangar bay. Like with John and Orbaniz, they found the bloodbath room. Chiana was pissed, because all of the corpses were Nebari. Unlike John and Orbaniz, they headed down a corridor straight ahead of them.
"John, do you read me?" Aeryn asked into her communicator.
However, there was no response. It was almost as if their communicators were being jammed.
Eventually, they turned a corner and found a figure next to a wall facing away from them.
"It's a survivor!" Chiana said, excitedly.
"Chiana, wait," Aeryn said, uncertainly, because her instincts were telling her that they were in danger.
"Hey," Chiana said as she grabbed the figure's shoulder. "It's a rescue. Come on."
The figure slowly turned toward her, and Chiana screamed out of fear and surprise. The Nebari's face was half-eaten and the bones could be seen. It also had a glassy gaze.
Suddenly, it snapped at Chiana. Fortunately, Aeryn was quicker and blasted it in its head. Chiana stared frozen as she processed what she saw. Only one thing came to mind. Immortuos. That was the name of a story that was told to Nebari children to prevent them from ever seeking the mythical planet of longevity. Essentially, the fountain of youth in this region of the universe but on a much grander scale.
"Chiana," Aeryn said as she heard shambling footsteps, growls, and moans getting closer. "We need to find John. I doubt he came this way, so he wouldn't know of these… things."
Eventually, Aeryn had to grab her am and yank them back the way they had come. Unfortunately, the undead Nebari were hot on their trail. Aeryn fired as much as she could, but barely any of her pulse blasts killed them. She was confused because that first undead Nebari died immediately.
Back with John and Orbaniz…
Orbaniz had just finished downloading data when they heard the sounds of pulse blasts along with inhuman noises.
"Chiana, move!" shouted Aeryn's voice.
Upon hearing Aeryn, John bolted down the corridor with Orbaniz not far behind. They eventually came to the blood-stained room just as Aeryn and Chiana appeared.
"The hell are you doing here?!" exclaimed John before he saw the undead horde behind them. "Nevermind, tell us later! Aim for the heads!"
John immediately fired pulse blasts and each undead Nebari he hit fell down. Aeryn and Orbaniz followed suit while Chiana stayed still unable to do anything due to the intense fear and grief she felt.
Eventually, enough of the undead Nebari had fallen in a way that the rest had a tough time progressing. John took advantage of that and ran down toward the hangar bay with the others close behind. John and Orbaniz took his ship while Aeryn and Chiana took her prowler to escape this vessel of zombies.
As soon as they were out of the ship of horror, Aeryn and John ordered D'Argo to get on his fighter and destroy the vessel immediately.
Later, on the bridge…
D'Argo slammed Orbaniz onto a table while John aimed a pulse pistol at the smuggler's face.
"Why the frell were zombies on that ship?!" John demanded. "And why didn't you warn us?!"
"The hell is a zombie?!" exclaimed Orbaniz.
"A walking, groaning, partially eaten corpse that still moves around," John answered angrily. "With only one goal. Eat everything that still has a heartbeat!"
"I had no idea about the 'zombies'," Orbaniz explained, quickly. "All I know is what I was told. Find you, enlist you, and bring you to this location."
"That isn't going to save you," D'Argo growled.
D'Argo was about to squeeze the smuggler's neck until Chiana finally spoke up.
"Do you know if that ship had ever been to Lifeworld?" Chiana asked, quietly.
"Lifeworld?" John asked confusedly.
"Lifeworld's a myth," Aeryn scoffed. "Trust me. If there was such a planet that could maintain one's life and youth, the Peacekeepers would've found it already."
"Answer the question!" D'Argo barked at Orbaniz.
"If they had, the info would be on my datapad," Orbaniz said, hoping this would prompt them to spare his life.
"Find out," John said sternly. "Aeryn, take Chiana to Zhaan's medical room. Check to see if she's been infected."
"Huh?" Aeryn asked, confusedly.
"One bite or scratch can turn someone into an unwilling member of Club Zombie," John said sternly.
"I doubt that's how, whatever those 'zombies' actually are, multiply," Aeryn said skeptically.
"We have to check," Chiana said, frightfully. "And if he's right about this and I am infected… just promise me one thing. Kill me, because I don't want to be an Immortuos."
John raised an eyebrow upon hearing that but figuring out what "Immortuos" means wasn't the priority. The priority was making sure Chiana was fine and interrogating Orbaniz.
Back with Vader…
Darth Vader sat in Grayza's small starship and kept his gaze on her at all times. The more he was in her presence… the more interest he had in her. That just made him want to kill her more.
"We'll arrive at Peacekeeper Command shortly," Commandant Grayza said to him. "So, you better prepare yourself. My bosses are xenophobic and would want to kill you on the spot unless you give them a convincing enough reason to spare your life."
Darth Vader didn't reply, because he didn't feel he had to. Also, he had nothing to say. Nothing that wouldn't antagonize her on the spot, at least. He couldn't afford that right now.
Back on Moya, with Aeryn and Chiana…
Chiana lay completely still as Aeryn brought up a holographic image of Chiana's insides. However, she couldn't understand any of it. So, it was fortunate they ran into Jool on the way there.
"What exactly are we looking for?" Jool asked confusedly.
"Any signs of me being infected by the Immortuos," Chiana replied.
Jool widened her eyes upon hearing that, because unlike everyone else… her people had found proof of their existence. That is why she was able to find what she was looking for immediately. Fortunately, Chiana was clean of any Immortuos infections.
"You're in perfect health," Jool announced. "I want to see everyone else here so I can check their insides as well."
"Only Chiana was close enough," Aeryn said, raising an eyebrow. "So why do we-"
"An Immortuos is an airborne contagion," Jool said, bluntly. "We might all be infected, so I have to determine the health of everyone who boarded the other ship."
So, John was wrong, Aeryn thought dryly as she took Chiana's place on the medical bed. Why am I not surprised?
At the Death Star's remains…
The Imperial shuttle came out of hyperspace and slowly progressed through the rubble. Inside the shuttle, the Emperor thrust out his senses searching for any hint of Darth Vader. He eventually found a trail in the force and directed the pilots to the trail's end. Unfortunately, they found nothing but blackness. However, the Emperor could sense that Vader had indeed been in this location. It was almost as if he had been swallowed up by something. The only thing the Emperor could be certain of is that Vader was alive, and no doubt doing everything in his power to return to his side.