Chapter Twenty: An Uneasy Truce
"Why do you want John Crichton?" Aeryn demanded, cutting to the chase as she stared hard at the grey alien named Thor.
"I was told by General Hammond that John Crichton was travelling with the Colonials to a place called Katratzi within Scarranspace.During our journey there, we detected your vessel engaged against the Cylons. Your tactic against them was rather original."
"You know of us?" Cain said. He had never heard of, let alone seen an alien quite like Thor before.
"Yes, we have known of your existence for some time." Thor watched the Sebacean female curiously, noticing her increasingly aggressive behaviour towards him. She seemed to be protective of the Human he was seeking. "Is Crichton here among you?"
"Answer my question first!" She snapped. "Why do you want him?"
"Aeryn." Cain moved next to her, lightly touching her arm. Aeryn grew quiet but continued to glare at the alien through narrowed eyes.
Cain now moved forward to address Thor, saying peacefully, "We have no hostile intent against you, but she is asking a fair question, why are you after John Crichton?"
"Because it has come to my attention that he carries the knowledge of the Ancients."
"Knowledge of the Ancients?"
"Yes," Thor nodded. "He has been given at least one powerful aspect of their vast technology, which is the knowledge and the ability to create and control wormholes. In the wrong hands, this knowledge could be used to lay waste to an entire solar system with a mere thought."
"If this knowledge of wormholes is so dangerous, then why did these Ancients give it to him in the first place?"
"Long ago we were allies with the Ancients and they would not give this power to anyone, much less to a species who had yet to master interstellar travel. This situation has my people puzzled and deeply concerned."
Listening, Aeryn wished she had a weapon. If this being meant Crichton any harm, she would stop him right here, even if it meant her own death.
"What are you planning to do when you find him?" She demanded.
Thor turned his gaze back to her. "Determine if it's true and, if necessary, remove this knowledge."
"And what of Crichton?"
Thor studied Aeryn closely. "This Human means much to you?"
"Just answer the question," Aeryn pressed.
"Idon't mean Crichton or you any harm."
Just then a small console display began flashing on the arm of Thor's chair. The Asgard's dark eyes focused on it before looking to Commander Cain.
"Your crew is dangerously concerned for you both. You ship's weapons are targeting my vessel and your First Officer is demanding your return."
"If you're sincere and mean us no harm, let me speak with him and return us to my ship," Cain said.
"I will return you to your ship or if you wish, I can take you and your ship with me to Katratzi."
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Crais, Athena, Cassiopeia and most certainly Talyn were not happy with what was happening. Katratzi was suddenly without power and about a quarter of an arn later a coded transmission, a Peacekeeper coded signal, no less, was beamed from the Scarran base to the Command Carrier. The problem was they didn't know what was going on or what to do.
Frustrated, Cassiopeia sat cross-legged on the floor of the command chamber.
"We're going in circles," the Colonial doctor said before sitting up straight, running her fingers through her long blonde hair. "I say we take a chance and contact them."
Standing in the centre of the command chamber, Crais shook his head. "If we do, we will give ourselves away to the Scarrans and the Peacekeepers."
Cassiopeia sighed. "How is Talyn doing with that coded signal?"
"Talyn is still working on it, but he has already determined it was set by Commandant Grayza," Athena said from her console station not far from Cassiopeia. "We should know what it said shortly."
Cassiopeia leapt to her feet and started pacing about the chamber, wishing to do something. "I don't like this, we can't just sit here!"
Before Crais could answer, the command chamber rumbled and both Athena and Crais stood at attention. Cassiopeia looked at the two, a little concerned. Talyn was telling them something through their transponders. If Talyn made this much noise, it couldn't be good. "What is it?" she asked.
"Talyn has detected a boarding vessel and several squadrons of Prowlers leaving the Command Carrier on course for Katratzi," Crais replied.
"Are they attacking?" Athena asked.
"Not with a single boarding vessel."
"I think it's time to break radio silence," Cassiopeia insisted again.
This time Crais, Athena nor Talyn argued.
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"How much further?"
Crichton looked to Carter as they moved as fast as they dared through the Scarran base without increasing the risk of running into a patrol. "We're getting close."
They were easily tracking Chiana's opened communicator frequency with his own communicator.
"I suggest we stop." They all halted just long enough to look back at Scorpius who was casually pointing down a different corridor junction. "We might want to head down here for a moment."
Crichton looked more than a little annoyed, as he pointed in the direction they were running. "Except our friends are that way."
"Believe me, John, you and the others don't want to be going that way. Not now, at least."
It was then that Crichton heard the heavy pounding of boots, a whole lot of them and all coming rapidly closer.
Scorpius gave a small smile that didn't reach his eyes before stepping into the next corridor and vanishing from sight. "I also suggest we hide."
As the running footsteps drew nearer, Crichton, Carter, Starbuck and Sikozu hurried to follow Scorpius. Staying in the shadows, they listened and watched as a huge number of Charrids came racing by, seemingly running franticly for their lives.
The good news was that the Charrids were running away from the direction where the rest of their friends were, but, unfortunately, Crichton and the rest were stuck in the middle of their retreat. They waited and held their breath until the last of the Charrids ran by.
In the darkness, Starbuck breathed a sigh of relief. "That was close. They were sure in a hurry, I wonder what for?"
"Maybe they heard there was a Rolling Stones concert coming to town," Crichton muttered before opening his communicator. "Pip? Do you hear me? We ran into a large group of Charrids fleeing from you position, are you okay? Chiana?"
"What's wrong?" A concerned Starbuck asked.
"Don't know," Crichton said, checking his communicator. "I'm still receiving a signal, but she's not answering."
"We'd better get moving," a worried Carter said.
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"How are you feeling?"
D'Argo managed a small smile at Sheba before answering. "Like someone shot me with a pulse rifle."
He tried to stand on his own, leaving the support of the crate against which he was leaning. D'Argo stood unsupported for all of three microts before nearly tipping over. Fortunately, Sheba was there to help catch his enormous bulk.
"I've got you. Just lean on me."
At first, he resisted the Colonial, but finally relented and placed an arm around her supporting shoulders. "You realize whenever we get close, unfortunate events occur."
"I didn't think it was all that bad," she mused.
A whisper of a smile remained on his lips. "Agreed and if I had a choice, I would do it all over again."
Sheba had to smile back before snuggling up closer against him. "So, you still like me?"
The Luxan almost laughed. "Minus the mayhem."
Elsewhere in the cargo chamber, Kwenn was approached by Emperor Staleek and the soldier bowed her head as a show of respect to her supreme leader.
"Emperor, it heartens me to know that you are safe."
Staleek barely acknowledged her before demanding, gesturing to the non-Scarrans with her, "What were you doing with these…. 'beings?'"
Kwenn stared straight ahead, answering, "I was imprisoned with them by the Charrids and Kalish. We worked together to escape."
"Of course," Staleek said, adding ominously, "Just remember where your loyalties lie."
Kwenn didn't so much as blink, replying evenly, "Of course, my Emperor."
Little did Staleek know, Chiana had been making faces behind his back. When the Emperor finally moved on, Kwenn permitted herself to smile when the Nebari winked at her.
Apollo moved cautiously amongst the rows of Cylon centurions before looking up to Rygel who was seated comfortably on the shoulders of Sparky. "You say that Sparky rebuilt these Cylons?"
"Yes."
"That can't be."
"I used Sparky and Fluffy to help repair Talyn when he was damaged and they performed admirably."
"But you oversaw everything those two did," Starbuck protested. "Cylons don't take initiative beyond their primary programming. Someone had to order him to fix these other Cylons."
"Sparky," Rygel commanded to his loyal Cylon guard, "Who ordered you to fix these Cylons?"
"No one," Sparky answered. "I did."
Apollo's jaw dropped. This was not typical Cylon behaviour. "Why?" He asked the machine.
"To save Dominar Rygel," the Cylon replied.
Rygel looked like a proud father. "Satisfied?"
Suddenly, Sparky and several other Cylons turned their attention to the door with weapons raised. There they saw Carter as she entered, carefully stepping around the smoking bodies of several dead Charrids.
"Whoa! That's a lot of Cylons! Are you guys okay?" Carter was glad to see her friends safe, but she refused to let down her guard or forcefield until she knew exactly what was going on.
"We're okay. D'Argo was wounded, but he's up and recovering," Apollo said.
"And them?" Carter pointed to the Cylons.
"Rygel is able to control them. Is everyone with you alright?" Apollo asked, hoping it was true.
Carter stopped and looked back out through the door at someone or something. "Ah, yes but, we have two problems. First, Rygel order your wind up men not to kill Crichton."
Rygel stared at her bemused. "Why? I know Crichton can be an annoyance, but enough for the Cylons to declare war on him?"
Carter's eyes flashed as a rather annoyed Jolinar spoke through her host. Humour us, Rygel, and do it!
"Very well," Rygel sighed. "Attention, Cylons! Do not attack John Crichton."
Slowly, ever so slowly from behind Carter, Crichton peeked through the shattered door. Carter was prepared to defend him if the Cylons should attack, but none of the machines made a hostile move.
"I think it's safe," Carter assured him.
He stepped into the cargo chamber and stood next to the Tok'ra. "Maybe so, but why do I feel like a tiny fish being eyed by a pack of starving Piranhas?"
"Maybe because they are Piranhas, in a sense. They can gang up on an enemy as one, but the little guy is controlling them, so count your blessings."
Crichton took a few more steps inside, cautiously watching the Cylons and the DRDs positioned on the floor. They all seemed to be watching him rather intently. He wasn't sure how much sway Rygel had over them now, so he kept his hand away from his weapon, just in case.
From around the towering bodies of Cylons and Scarrans, he saw Stark racing towards him, chattering excitedly.
"Crichton! Crichton! She spoke to me! She gave me a message!"
"Whoa, Stark! Settle down and what did I tell you about staying off the sugar?" Crichton caught the Stykera by the shoulders, slowing him down. "Let's try this again. Who spoke to you and what did she say?"
"Zhaan! She spoke to me and asked me to give you a message."
Crichton knew Stark was able to sense the dead, but he was also not the most stable person. For now, he decided to humour him. "She did? What was the message?"
"Zhaan said to me, you will be reunited with her soon," Stark proclaimed and extended his hand before opening it. "And to return this to you."
A chain dangled from his fingertips and on the end of it was his father's lucky ring. The puzzle ring Jack Crichton had given to John just before the launch of the Farscape One. It had been lost when he and D'Argo had blown up Scorpius' Gammak base.
Suddenly, Stark's credibility went through the roof. Crichton carefully took it from him. "How?"
"Zhaan!" Stark answered enthusiastically, as if her name was the answer for everything.
Behind him, Starbuck and Sikozu eyed the number of Cylons standing before them. They watched the machines so closely that they failed to notice Emperor Staleek glaring at the Kalish scientist.
Carter was about to introduce Scorpius, hoping that O'Neill and the others would resist the temptation of shooting him, when Staleek lunged forward. With his right arm extended, he trapped Sikozu in a heat projection attack.
"I will see your traitorous species become extinct alongside the Charrids!" Staleek threatened.
Sikozu cried helplessly as she collapsed to her knees from the assault, begging. "No… I'm loyal to the Empire."
"You lie!" Staleek hissed.
Enraged, Starbuck drew his blaster and aimed it at Staleek's head in an attempt to protect her.
"Let her go!!!"
The Emperor's guards started to converge on the Colonial, but Starbuck's companions jumped to his protection.
"That's far enough!" Apollo aimed his weapon at a Scarran that was closing in on Starbuck.
Unimpressed by the mere pulse rifle he held, the Scarran raised his large fist to crush the Human's skull. Out of nowhere, a Cylon blocked his path and slammed the Scarran to the floor with a single blow.
Elsewhere, another Scarran turned his attention to D'Argo and Sheba. He caught them unprepared with the Colonial helping to support the Luxan. Seeing the charging Scarran, D'Argo tried to push Sheba away, even as she attempted to draw her weapon. Nearby, Teal'c, Chiana and Daniel saw what was happening and tried to hurry to their aid.
"No!" Kwenn appeared, trying to stop the attacking Scarran. "They are not our enemies!"
The Scarran soldier snarled and turned on her. He swung a fist, but the female Scarran was faster and she ducked under the blow. Then, with lightning speed, Kwenn grabbed the soldier and spun him about, pulling him back into a chokehold.
"That will be enough!" Kwenn hissed as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. It was then that she realized she had just turned against her own people to defend her new friends and that the penalty was death. Looking around, Kwenn saw that the other Scarrans were completely distracted by the Cylons. Making a quick decision, Kwenn quickly snapped his neck.
D'Argo, Sheba, Teal'c, Chiana and Daniel were stunned by Kwenn's actions. The female Scarren suddenly demanded of them, "Aim your weapons at me."
Sheba hesitated before realizing what was being asked of her. The Colonial nodded and pointed her weapon and the others followed suit, as Kwenn held up her hands in a fake surrender.
All around, the Cylons and Scarrans were now fighting. The Scarrans were trying to defend their Emperor against the Colonial threatening him, while the Cylons automatically came to the defence of their Dominar's 'close associates'.
It was a one-sided fight as the Scarrans were no match for the even deadlier machines. Fortunately, the Cylons were only trying to restrain the Scarrans. The biggest problem was for all the non-Scarrans to stay out of the way.
O'Neill was doing his best to keep out of the battle of the titans and to make sure everyone else did, too. His eyes scanned the scene, which looked like an outlandish Japanese movie – huge lizard men fighting and losing badly against gigantic robots.
He kept turning when Sam came into view and spotted a dark figure stepping up behind her. It looked like…
Son of a bitch! O'Neill thought they had killed him. He shouted, lifting his weapon. "Sam! Behind you!"
Just when he thought he couldn't be any more surprised, Sam stepped out in front, blocking his shot at Scorpius.
He couldn't believe it as he glared at the sight of Scorpius smiling behind the Tok'ra. "Sam, what are you doing?!"
"It's a long story, but I'm keeping a promise."
"Run that by me again?"
The Emperor heard the fighting behind him as he held the struggling Sikozu in his heat projection. Out of the corner of his left eye, the huge muzzle of Starbuck's blaster never wavered.
"I said, LET HER GO!"
"Do you believe that I fear you, Human?" Staleek hissed to Starbuck.
From the right, the point of a sword was raised just under the Emperor's chin.
"Perhaps you will have some respect for this!" Rygel said from the shoulders of Sparky as the Cylon held his sword close to Staleek's throat. "You have three choices. One, release the Kalish then call off your men and I will call off mine. Two, you can all die fast. Three, die very slowly."
Staleek fumed silently at the Dominar and his loyal Cylon, but he knew he could not win this confrontation. He reluctantly released Sikozu and Starbuck re-holstered his weapon, quickly running to check on her before she collapsed into his arms.
Still standing next to Stark, Crichton watched as Cylons simply overpowered Staleek's men by brutal strength alone. One Cylon actually had two Scarrans on their knees by applying a crushing grip to both of their throats.
Enjoying this moment, Crichton moved up close to the Emperor before saying coldly, "Humbling, ain't it? To be on the other side of the fence and have a superior opponent bearing down on you?"
Staleek hissed at him before turning to face Rygel. "Now, release my men!"
Rygel was planning to play this out. When was the last time anyone had the Emperor of the Scarran Empire at a disadvantage? It was veryfittingfor it to be a Dominar. Sadly, the moment was ruined when Starbuck's communicator unit hummed to life and Crais voice filtered through it, loud enough for all to hear.
"Team one, this is Captain Crais. Are you receiving me?"
Starbuck activated his comm. unit to answer. It had to be serious for Crais to risk breaking radio silence. "We're receiving you, Captain. What's your situation?"
"Normal. However, we're currently scrambling our transmission to avoid having it traced back to us and can't keep it up for long. What is your situation?"
"Ah," Starbuck looked about and saw Cylons grappling with Scarrans, Sparky holding a sword on their Emperor and Carter trying to prevent O'Neill from shooting a resurrected Scorpius. "Could be improved, but we're in one piece."
"We detected the Scarran installation is without power and the Command Carrier is sending a boarding vessel, possibly to pickup Commandant Grayza."
SG-1 knew the possible ramification of what Crais just told him.
"O'Neill, if Grayza has become a Goa'uld…?" Teal'c started.
O'Neill was still glaring hatefully at Scorpius and the only thing stopping him from pulling the trigger was Carter. He wished he had time to figure out what was going on and why she was protecting him. Unfortunately, another crisis had arisen that needs to be attended to immediately.
"Then we can't let her return to that ship," O'Neill answered, his eyes never leaving Scorpius. He then said aloud for Staleek to hear. "You heard that, Emperor? The ones who tried to dethrone you are making their escape. Do you want that to happen? We can stop them, but not without your cooperation."
Staleek frowned darkly, looking at O'Neill, then over to Starbuck who was helping Sikozu to her feet. Finally, he turned his eyes to Rygel seated on the shoulders of his Cylon guardian.
"Very well, but I want the Goa'uld after we're done," Staleek boomed.
O'Neill nodded in agreement. "I don't think any of us would object to that. If you want them, you can have them."
"Release them," Rygel commanded and Sparky slowly lowered his sword from the Emperor's throat and the surrounding Cylons freed all the Scarrans from their grasp. Several of them collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath or shaking their limbs to get the circulation going after having them almost twisted off. Needless to say, all of the Scarrans looked very pissed.
Suddenly, Starbuck realized that someone was missing from the group and a sense of dread filled him.
"Uh, Apollo, where's Commander Adama?"
TBC…
Next Chapter: To everyone who has been wondering for so long… Aeryn will finally be reunited with Crichton!!! And right behind her will be an Asgard battlecruiser and the battlestar Pegasus but will all that firepower will be enough to save him?