Notes: After much delay and waiting, here's chapter 19! Also, I will be taking a small break and togive my Beta Readers, Karen and SebeceanBabe a much needed rest as well.You can expect our return in January. In the upcoming chapters, be prepared for two massive space battles between the Cylons and pretty well everyone else, and there might a wedding or two. Plus, you will be seeing a squad of modified X-302's equipped with Colonial technology, and a wormhole weapon.
I saw the Farscape mini and it did have an impact in what I had plan in my story. Especially concerning the construction and use of a wormhole weapon. My wormhole weapon will be far different and more primitive.
By the way, for anyone who has yet to see the Farscape mini, here is a word of advice… Don't watch it alone!
Now, on with our story…
Chapter Nineteen: The Cavalry
The battered Scarran guards were cornered and almost down to fighting with their sidearms and bare hands against squads of Charrid shock troops who seemed to be sitting on crates of ammo.
The Charrids came at them with heavy weapons to sweep them out of one corridor into the next and from room to room, boxing them into smaller and smaller pockets of resistance.
The Scarrans were retreating again, sealing another room and quickly fortifying for yet another fight, using no more than overturned furniture.
It was then that the power failed, leaving them in darkness save for the poor emergency lighting. For a moment, they thought it was another tactic of the Charrids and Kalish.
With little choice, they waited for the next attack, expecting the locked door to explode inward at any microt.
They waited.
Nothing happened.
Then they heard weapon fire outside, lots of it. It lasted briefly for several microts, and then all was quiet again.
For a while, they thought of investigating, but stopped when they considered that it might be a Charrid trick to draw some of them out for an easier kill.
Behind them a powerful voice erupted, "Report!"
The Scarran guards turned in surprise at the sudden appearance of Emperor Staleek.
"Emperor, you shouldn't be here!" One of his guards exclaimed.
"I refuse to keep hiding from Charrids or the Kalish," the Emperor declared angrily before extending his hand. "Give me a weapon!"
One Scarran immediately surrendered his pistol to his leader before they heard a heavy metal thump at the door. They all turned their weapons towards the sound.
The thump came again, this time much stronger, and the door bulged inward before collapsing after a third hit.
Several Scarrans hissed in disgust as they watched a lone Cylon centurion walk into the room. It held a sword in one hand and a captured pulse rifle in the other. From head to toe, it was nearly drenched in green Charrid blood.
The Scarrans were within a dench of shooting the Cylon and perhaps forfeiting their lives when the Emperor saw the painted marks on its chest, spelling out the name 'Sparky' in Hynerian.
"Hold your fire!" He commanded his weary soldiers before addressing Sparky. "What do you want, Cylon?"
The machine faced the Emperor, droning out, "Where is Dominar Rygel?"
Staleek smiled viciously. So the machine was seeking to find its master.
"Have you checked the prison tiers?" The Emperor asked.
The Cylon stood there for a moment, seemingly processing the new information before turning to leave.
The Scarrans watched in relief as the machine left, but Staleek was not a fool and realized that the Cylon was not interested in them. The machine was trying to rescue that green toad of a Hynerian from the Charrids and Kalish. That Cylon would shoot and hack its way through a thousand Charrids and Kalish to save its master. The Emperor wanted a ring seat to watch it happen and perhaps to speed things along.
"Gather your weapons and follow that Cylon," he ordered his men.
For a moment, the Scarrans thought their Emperor had gone mad but they reluctantly obeyed and moved out after the Cylon.
In the dimly lit corridor they found the aftermath of a bloodbath. Dead Charrids lay everywhere and, standing over them, were even more Cylons with many reprogrammed DRDs in support. None of the machines gave any regard to the Scarran presence.
Sparky returned to the head of his mechanoid army and they were on the move again. Staleek watched them leave before cautiously addressing his men.
"Order our remaining forces to stay out of the Cylons' way. They're looking for the Hynerian, but if our people should find him first, keep him safe. There's no telling what those machines might do if they should find him dead. They could turn on everyone, even us."
"Yes, Emperor."
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"Are you certain?"
"Yes Commander," the Peacekeeper lieutenant answered. "Sensors show that power throughout the Scarran fortress has ceased. There was no warning nor is there an apparent cause."
The Command Carrier first officer stared long at the now dormant Scarran base. "Any word from Commandant Grayza or Captain Braca?"
"No word, sir. Shall I attempt to contact them?"
Before he could reply, a comms officer suddenly reported out loud, "Sirs! I'm receiving a signal from Commandant Grayza with proper identification codes. The Charrids and Kalish have turned on their Scarran masters and a full civil war is under way. She's trapped and requesting an emergency evacuation."
The first officer didn't need to hear anymore. He quickly started barking out orders. "Keep a lock on her location and dispatch a full retrieval team with Prowler escort!"
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For a brief second, Crichton watched as the Cylon looked over to his friends before it settled its electronic gaze upon him. Its "eye" ceased moving, fixating directly on him.
"Uh, guys…? His pong eye has stopped. And he's lookin' at me…"
Starbuck instantly knew what was about to happen. For some reason, this Cylon was singling out Crichton over the rest of them for death. He lifted his weapon to shoot.
"It's locked onto you, Crichton!" The Colonial warned as he took aim.
Before Starbuck could fire, the Cylon moved forward and brushed a still surprised Carter to one side, slamming her to Starbuck. As they both tumbled onto the floor together, Starbuck's weapon discharged, harmlessly blasting a hole in the ceiling.
The Cylon was locked on its Human target as it drew its sword, moving closer. Crichton stood his ground, levelled his colonial blaster on the machine's chest, and fired.
The Cylon's heavy chest plate exploded in a shower of brilliant sparks. The machine wavered in mid-step before continuing doggedly onward. Crichton struck the Cylon in its right shoulder, disabling the arm that held the sword, but the machine's left arm remained.
Before Crichton could fire again, in one blinding motion, the Cylon batted his weapon from his grasp and wrapping its mechanical fingers about his throat. His windpipe suddenly felt like an empty beer can in its grasp as Crichton struggled for his life. The Cylon had only to squeeze to end his life.
Then Scorpius was there, holding a pulse pistol and jamming it into the hole in the Cylon's damaged right shoulder, discharging it. It was a desperate attempt to further damage and destroy the Cylon's internal systems.
Not quite believing that Scorpius was trying to save his life, Crichton fell backwards, gasping for breath, as the machine released him and turned on Scorpius, tossing the Scarran Hybrid like a rag doll across the room.
Desperate, Crichton tried to crawl away as the Cylon closed in on him again. He needed a weapon, a blaster, maybe a cannon, a giant can opener or better yet, Linda Hamilton with her Terminator slaying skills.
Before the Cylon could attempt to stomp him to death with its massive weight, Sikozu stepped up behind the machine. Placing a hand against the Cylon's back, the Kalish concentrated, her hand glowing briefly before the Cylon suddenly went rigid, smoke billowing from its damaged shoulder and joints. It toppled over, just missing Crichton as he rolled out of the way.
Shocked, Crichton's eyes went from the now dead Cylon to Sikozu.
"Thanks!" He gasped in relief.
The female Kalish had all the appearance of the cat that swallowed the canary to Crichton.
"I did nothing," she declared innocently to the Human. "It must have succumbed to all the damage and its inadequate repairs."
Before Crichton could say more, a concerned Jolinar was at his side, offering a helping hand. Just behind her, Starbuck approached the downed machine, weapon ready, to make sure it was truly out of commission.
"Can't say that I'll miss seeing these things," the Colonial warrior commented before giving it a kick.
Looking a little worse for the wear, Scorpius recovered from the hammer blow he had just received from the Cylon and made his way back to the group.
Crichton looked over to the Scarran hybrid. "Nice shot, Scorpy. It did it in."
"I'm rather curious as to where this Cylon came from?" Scorpius asked aloud before turning his attention to Sikozu.
"You think I'm responsible?" The Kalish female said in a defensive tone.
"Well, you do have a research lab littered with nothing but Cylons," Starbuck said, pointing to the now dead machine at their feet, with its mismatched work of gold and silver armor. "From the appearance of this one, it definitely looks like it came from there."
"But how and why would anyone do that?" Sikozu replied before staring at Crichton. "More importantly, why did it go only after you? The Cylon ignored everyone else, including bypassing two other Humans to reach you."
Crichton could only laugh at his luck at being so "special" saying. "Maybe because it liked my charm and pearly white smile? I don't know, but having Cylons gunning for me on top of everything else just makes my day even more complete."
"Regardless, I suggest we do not remain here." Sikozu gestured to the dead Cylon. "Where there is one, there will be another not far behind."
"She's right on that point," Starbuck agreed. "Let's get moving."
With Carter taking point, they moved to the door again and cautiously into the dark and deserted corridor. They had travelled some distance before they eventually rounded a corner.
They came immediately to a stop. In front of them was nothing short of a massacre.
Crichton went pale, saying softly, "Can one Cylon do all of this?"
"Definitely more than one," Starbuck answered, watching where he was stepping. There were a lot of blood and body parts everywhere.
"Should we continue on?" Carter questioned as she looked over the bodies of at least a dozen Charrids and Kalish.
Some of them had been shot, but many were either hacked or sliced open by an edged weapon or pounded to a pulp. It was the telltale sign of Cylon centurions fighting in close combat. Not even a Scarran could match their strength in hand to hand fighting.
"We have no choice," Scorpius said. "Going back may not be any safer."
The communicator on Crichton's belt unexpectedly squealed to life. "Crichton! Can you hear me? Crichton!"
Hearing Chiana's raised voice, Crichton quickly grabbed the communicator and flipped it open. "I'm here, Pip. What's wrong?"
"They found us!"
"The Cylons?"
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"Head up, Older Man!" Chiana tossed her spare rifle to O'Neill as she spoke into her comms again, answering Crichton. "No! The Charrids!"
O'Neill caught the rifle and turned, firing at several heavily armed Charrid shock troops. Kwenn, Teal'c, and D'Argo quickly joined in, adding their own firepower.
Sheba passed a rifle to Apollo who was trying to question Stark. "Do you know a quick escape route out of here?"
"Way out? Escape?" He looked lost for a moment before a smile flashed across his face. He hurried off, shouting, "Yes! Follow me!"
"Wait!" Apollo yelled after him before turning to O'Neill and the others. "Stark knows a way out! This way!"
Rygel huffed aloud, still piggybacking on Daniel's shoulders. "Stark is going to lead us to safety?! The universe has truly turned against us!!"
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"Pip! Listen to me! Leave your comms on so we can track you," Crichton said as he raced forward. "We're on our way!"
Starbuck and Sam were already racing after him to help save their friends. Scorpius hung behind for a second before looking over to Sikozu, who also seemed to be debating the wisdom of pursuing the three Humans into battle. The Scarran hybrid finally reached a decision and started moving to join them. After another moment and against her better judgement, Sikozu also hurried to tag along.
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Just a few tiers away, Sparky was monitoring all internal base communication frequencies and stopped when he detected two familiar voices: the Nebari, Chiana, and the Human, John Crichton.
"Crichton! Can you hear me? Crichton!"
"I'm here, Pip. What's wrong?"
"They found us!"
"The Cylons?"
"No! The Charrids!"
"Pip! Listen to me! Leave your comms on so we can track you. We're on our way!"
The Nebari did leave her communicator unit active and the Cylon quickly zeroed in on her signal. She was not far from his location and he calculated a strong possibility that Dominar Rygel might be with her. Even if not, she and the others were allies and he was programmed to protect them, with the exception of the traitor, John Crichton. If the Human should show up, he would swiftly deal with him.
He turned to face the dozen or so Cylons behind him, accompanied by a large squad of DRDs, before commanding them to move forward again.
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D'Argo, Kwenn, and Teal'c brought up the rear as Apollo and O'Neill closely followed Stark through a series of corridors.
"This way, this way!" Stark muttered madly as he turned down yet another passageway.
Staying close, O'Neill glanced over to Apollo. "Do you think we should ask where he's leading us?"
"He seems very confident about where he's going," Apollo replied.
Just a few paces behind, Rygel shouted as he hugged tightly to Daniel's back. "He is utterly insane, that's what he is!"
"He's insane?" O'Neill said back to Rygel. This was information he wished he had known sooner.
Just ahead, Stark made another right turn down an arching corridor, but stopped suddenly and retreated before a hail of pulse fire.
"Charrids!" He cried as the shots flew over his head.
Behind them, O'Neill heard the Charrids still exchanging heavy fire with their Luxan, Scarran, and Jaffa companions. They were cornered.
"How many ahead of us?" O'Neill quickly asked Stark. When he didn't respond fast enough, he grabbed him by the shoulders to get his attention. "Hey! How many did you see?"
"Two," Stark finally answered. "Maybe more."
"We can't stay here," Apollo said.
"I know." O'Neill checked his pulse rifle, setting it to full power. "There are more bad guys behind us, so let's hope there are fewer of them ahead."
When O'Neill started to move forward, Apollo stopped him, holding his arm. "What are you doing?"
"I might get one or two. Follow me in and don't stop for any reason."
Apollo held onto his arm, refusing to let go. "Now, wait a moment."
"I'm not asking your permission. We've got to keep moving!"
"And I agree, but we both go together," Apollo said, positioning himself next to O'Neill. "We stand a better chance of getting through."
O'Neill stared hard at the Colonial captain, realizing he was determined to help. "Okay, welcome aboard."
They stood together, prepared for the charge.
"Listen up, everyone," O'Neill called to the group behind him. "We're about to cut a path, so stay close."
Apollo looked back to Sheba, with Braca, Chiana, Daniel and his passenger Rygel standing close by.
"Ignore whatever might happen to us, just don't stop."
He didn't wait for Sheba to answer before staring straight ahead with O'Neill.
"I've got the right." Apollo held the rifle tight against his shoulder.
O'Neill nodded and mirrored Apollo's action with his own weapon. "I've got the left."
Behind them, Sheba readied her weapon, terrified at what might happen next when Braca stepped next to her. She glanced at him. The man had a badly wounded shoulder, but he still had one good arm left to hold a pulse pistol. Their eyes met.
The Colonial nodded politely to him and Braca returned the gesture before facing forward again. In that little moment, the two knew they could count on each other if O'Neill and Apollo should fall. It wasn't so much based upon trust but on mutual survival. They needed each other.
Daniel stood just behind Sheba, checking his own pulse pistol before turning to stare at Chiana, standing next to him. The Nebari held her pulse rifle confidently and looked ready for a fight, but he couldn't shake the need to protect her and the child she carried.
"Love you," he whispered softly.
Chiana looked up with a start and smiled before leaning up to kiss him.
"Hmmmm," Rygel smirked, still hanging tightly onto Daniel's shoulders as the Nebari and Human shared a deep, passionate kiss. "Got one for me too?" He whispered to Chiana.
Her lips still locked with Daniel's, she playful slapped the Dominar on the back of the head.
To the rear, Kwenn, Teal'c, and D'Argo were still exchanging fire with the ever-growing number of Charrid troops.
D'Argo tried to return fire and almost had his head taken off from the intense volume of hostile fire. When he tried to pop around the corner to shoot, he had to duck back and shout to O'Neill and the others. "If you are going to do something, do it now!"
O'Neill took a couple of deep breaths. "Ready?"
Apollo nodded. "Just say when."
"When."
Running side-by-side, they charged down the curved passageway. They couldn't see the end of it or the first of the Charrids. Suddenly, before them, were two of the alien soldiers. The Charrids appeared to be quite startled by the sight of two Humans charging straight at them.
O'Neill aimed for the one on his left and Apollo targeted the one to his right.
The two Charrids actually took a surprised step back as both sides fired at the same moment.
The Charrids missed but the Humans did not. O'Neill and Apollo pressed onward, encountering two more Charrids who were just as surprised as the first two. They, too, fell to the marksmanship of the two Humans.
Before they knew it, they had reached the end of the corridor, which ended in a heavy steel door. At first, they couldn't believe they had survived and glanced at each to make sure they were indeed okay and in one piece. From the rear, Sheba, Braca, and the others came running to join them.
"Sheba, open the door," O'Neill said to the Colonial behind him.
Edging around, Sheba reached the panel and opened the door, and as one, O'Neill and Apollo swept quickly into the room beyond, covering each other's back. Sheba and the others rushed in, ready for anything, but only finding the giant cargo chamber empty of anything save the thousand or so metal crates stored within it.
"Keep alert, people," O'Neill warned as his eyes strained to see in the dim lighting. "Bad guys might be just around any corner… or crate."
Apollo looked over to Stark. "I hope this place has a way out."
"Yes," Stark agreed enthusiastically before hurrying off. "I know the way."
"Wait!" Apollo watched him disappearing around a pile of crates.
"You have weapons," Rygel grumbled, still holding tight to Daniel's shoulders. "Can't one of you just wound him enough to slow him down?"
"I'll get him," Sheba said before giving chase, but suddenly Chiana was following her.
"Not by yourself, you're not!" the Nebari called after the Colonial warrior.
A split second later, Daniel was hurrying to catch up with her, Rygel holding on for dear life. "Chiana, wait!"
"Oh, for crying out loud!" O'Neill cursed. This wasn't the time for their little group to be breaking off in different directions.
"O'Neill!"
The Colonel turned at the sound of Teal'c's voice and found the Jaffa dragging a wounded D'Argo into the room. Kwenn was covering them both as she backed in behind them, firing at the still approaching Charrids before Apollo shut and sealed the door.
O'Neill reached the wounded Luxan first, asking Teal'c with concern, "Is he alive?"
"He lives, but his blood runs dark," Teal'c gravely informed him.
"Get him and yourselves to some cover," O'Neill said. "We'll have company coming through that door any minute."
"Let them come!" Kwenn growled angrily, her armored flesh sporting several new smouldering wounds from pulse weapon hits.
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"Stark!" Sheba was running full out to catch up with him as she chased him through the maze of cargo containers and crates, shouting at the top of her lungs. "Stop!"
By the time she caught up with him, he had already reached another hatchway on the far side of the chamber and was about to open it.
Who is this guy? Sheba thought. And is he hard of hearing?
"Stark! I said STOP!!!"
Finally he paused to turn and face her as the Colonial caught up with him.
"Don't open that door, you don't know what's on the other side." Sheba warned, gasping between breaths. She heard Chiana and Daniel hurrying up from behind.
"Freedom is on the other side of the door. I know this base and its secrets," Stark said confidently.
"Then let me check first, because I've got a weapon and you haven't." Sheba pushed Stark aside and looked back to Chiana, Daniel, and Rygel, peeking over his shoulder. "Watch yourselves."
Prepared, Sheba cautiously opened the door and found only darkness. There was no light source in the area beyond. With her rifle ready, she stepped forward carefully through the entrance to inspect whatever awaited her on the other side of the door.
She backed up in a hurry, though. Before anyone could react, a Cylon pushed its way in and Sheba did her best to stay out of its way, hoping it was one of Rygel's Cylon guards. She was relieved when she spotted the Hynerian writing across its chest.
Over his shoulder, Daniel heard Rygel cheering happily, "Sparky! You survived!"
Then two more Cylons stepped into view to flank him. Rygel suddenly became a little worried, as did everyone else.
"Ah, I see you've brought some friends… I hope."
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D'Argo came to screaming. Someone or something was striking him in the chest with the force of a sledgehammer.
Grimacing in agony, he saw Kwenn hovering over him, drawing her fist back for another blow.
His first reaction was to try and hit her back, but Teal'c and Braca, even with his wounded shoulder, were restraining him.
Kwenn struck again and D'Argo coughed out violently. The Scarran stopped, and smiled.
"The blood is clear now."
D'Argo scowled, and, through clinched teeth, said with what could be considered gratitude, "I think you broke a couple of ribs while you were at it, but it's a fair trade off."
They were hunched down behind a heavy metal crate with O'Neill keeping a lookout. They were all relieved to see the Luxan conscious and recovering from his poisonous wound.
"Can you stand?" O'Neill asked, his weapon aimed toward the door and the numerous Charrids on the other side of it, trying to get in. "We're about to have company."
"Just help me up and give me a weapon," D'Argo demanded, ready for a fight.
The Luxan was pulled to his feet, but struggled for balance before leaning against the crate for support. Teal'c handed him a rifle.
"There have to be at least three full squads out there. We won't survive this," Braca said.
"Do not let fear take you," Teal'c responded.
"The only thing I'm afraid of is being taken alive by Charrids. They tend to eat their prisoners," Braca replied grimly before staring at Teal'c. "Never thought I would be fighting next to a Jaffa, of all beings."
"Does that trouble you?"
"No," Braca admitted to Teal'c. "During our war against the system lords, we learnt the hard way that the Jaffa were excellent fighters, especially in hand-to-hand combat. Their only downfall was in their leadership. Their 'gods' showed bad judgement on many occasions."
"Indeed." Teal'c wasn't about to argue against the truth.
Apollo appeared next to O'Neill after a quick search of the cargo hold and took up spot next to him, his own rifle ready. "This place is enormous. I don't know where they went."
"If they're smart, they'll keep on running," O'Neill answered grimly. "Let's keep the bad guys busy as long as we can and buy the others some time."
There was an explosion and the door buckled inward, but it still held. The Charrids outside had failed to use enough explosives. The next one would cave in the heavy metal door for certain.
"I intend to take a hundred of them before I fall," Kwenn snarled.
O'Neill couldn't suppress his smile. "You go, girl."
Suddenly, Daniel, Chiana, Sheba and Stark came hurrying back, much to the shock of their friends.
"Hey, guys, miss us?" Daniel asked O'Neill, holding hands with Chiana as if this was all some sort of romantic dating scene, rather than a war zone.
"Not really, because we're about to be up to our armpits in Charrids to keep us company," O'Neill couldn't believe they had come back. He wished they'd stayed away. "Wait a sec! Where's the little green guy you were wearing on your back?"
"You won't believe this, but we found the cavalry." Daniel smiled and Chiana giggled next to him.
"Daniel, this is no time for games. What cavalry?"
From behind Daniel and Chiana, a Cylon walked out from behind a tall stack of crates, followed by another, then another. Surprised, O'Neill and the others looked around as more Cylons stepped out into view. Along the floor, dozens upon dozens of DRDs moved to position themselves just thirty feet from the damaged door in a neat line. Following them, a row of Cylons formed up before dropping to one knee. Another row of Cylons stood just behind them. In a single motion, the machines aimed their weapons on the weakened door, waiting for the Charrids to burst through.
Kwenn growled at the sight of the Cylons, demanding, "Where did they come from?"
"Sparky built them!"
They turned to see a beaming Rygel riding in on the shoulders of Sparky, the Cylon Centurion. From his new perch, the Dominar looked like the conquering hero and, with this new army, he just might be.
But Rygel had one more surprise and gestured behind him. "By the way, look who else we found."
A rather humble-looking Emperor Staleek and several Scarrans stepped up alongside Rygel.
"Well," O'Neill beamed. "The gang's all here."
Staleek scowled at the Human. He wasn't in the mood for their humour.
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Outside in the corridor, the small army of Charrids planted and detonated another charge of explosives, causing the heavy door to finally give in.
With a fierce battle cry, the shock troops poured into the room. They were expecting to meet a small band of sparsely armed aliens. Imagine their surprise when they charged in to find twenty Cylons positioned into two defensive lines with several dozen DRDs out in front, waiting for them.
"Drop your weapons," one Cylon commanded.
The Charrids hesitated like a herd of deer caught in the headlights of a convoy of eighteen-wheelers. That changed rather quickly when one Charrid, apparently wishing to be the defiant hero, raised his weapon, firing and screaming, "Never!"
The pulse round struck one Cylon and ricocheted up into the ceiling, doing no damage to the machine. But that was enough to cause the Cylons and DRDs to retaliate.
Every Cylon and DRD returned fire for a solid ten Earth seconds. Then all was silent, because the Cylons simply ran out of targets to kill.
From behind the Cylons, several heads cautiously peeked up from the shelter of the cargo containers.
Daniel was the first to break the eerie quiet. "Ah, I think our side won, guys."
TBC...