Title: Abaoth Sol
Author: Karolyn Gray <kmgray3@aol.com>
ScifiBB/Chat Handle: Gray3
Rating: PG
Synopsis: Lieutenant Sun hunts for Crichton and the escaped Leviathan.
Part 2 of AU series.
Type: Story
Spoilers: Exodus from Genesis
Archiving: Yes
Disclaimers: All Farscape names, characters and other related indicia are the property of Jim Henson Productions, Hallmark Entertainment, Nine Networks, the Scifi Channel and all associated parties. No copyright infringement is intended.
Abaoth Sol
By Karolyn Gray
Marauder 1151 Coded: Abaoth Sol.
“Report.”
“Unusual debris field detected, Lieutenant.” The blond female Commando replied.
Sergeant Kiona snapped to attention at the same time, noting with some relief that Melkor did the same thing. She wasn't the only one terrified of their new commander, but with good reason. It was well known in the fleet that few survived the legendary wrath of Captain Bialar Crais. Added to this was the fact that no one had ever had one of the Captain's Irreversible Contamination edicts repudiated. Until now.
“Show me.” Lieutenant Aeryn Sun demanded, snapping closed the last clasp to her jacket. Unlike the rest of the commando team, she was dressed in the familiar tan and red uniforms favored by the long-range reconnaissance teams and special ops teams.
While Melkor and the others secretly mocked their new Lieutenant for her preferences as a mark of arrogance, Kiona did not. She had been there when Sun had handily crushed Melkor's challenge back on the Command Carrier. She took the Lieutenant's choice of kit as an clear indication that she intended to do what ever was necessary to recapture the escaped Leviathan, no matter the length of time or the means.
“The scans do not seem to be able to penetrate more than a metra into the field.” Melkor was saying his features highlighted by the glow of the holographic display. The debris field shifted suddenly.
“Unusual.” Sun commented, her voice completely emotionless despite the interest her eyes held.
“Yes, we've been unable to determine what is causing the phenomenon.” Kiona added.
“Noted.” Sun replied coldly. “Standard scanning protocols have been initiated?”
“Yes, ma'am.” Kiona replied. “Completed before I called you here. Shall we proceed with the search for the escaped Leviathan?”
Aeryn Sun remained quiet, staring at the holographic image intently. It had been several weekens since their hunt for the escaped Leviathan had begun, but each passing day only seemed to make the dark haired Peace Keeper all the more determined to retrieve the Leviathan. A faint paddac beacon signal had led them to this region of space. The Leviathan had to be nearby. Aeryn could almost sense it.
Kiona and Melkor shared a concerned look at their commanders calculating gaze. Unlike Melkor, Kiona was genuinely concerned for Aeryn Sun. The Lieutenant was one of the elite Pleisars, something Kiona had once dreamed about becoming. That she now served with one was an opportunity she would not allow to go to waste as Melkor had. All he cared about was regaining his rank and status.
“Ma'am.” Melkor started to speak; cutting short his reply at the look the Lieutenant gave him.
“Continue the scan until I say other wise, Corporal.”
Melkor bristled at the derogatory tone added to his new rank, but remained civil. “Yes, ma'am.”
Kiona was intrigued by the order. Standard procedure was to log in the anomaly for later study by the techs and to continue the patrol. If deemed of some value, a unit from New Tech would be sent in with a full scientific staff to investigate.
“Lieutenant, do you believe the escaped prisoners may be using the debris field to hide?” The Sergeant asked, earning an intrigued look from her superior.
“That is an interesting theory, Sergeant.” Aeryn Sun replied, holding Kiona's gaze for a moment before returning to watch the scan. A small, approving smile curled the Lieutenant lips. “One that I happen to share.”
“It does not seem likely that the fugitives would think of such a thing.” Kiona noted.
“Yes, I doubt the prisoners would think of such a thing.” Aeryn replied.
“Crichton.” Melkor spat with disdain. While he said nothing more than that he did nothing to hide the contempt he held for his commander. All aboard the Marauder knew about Crichton and his presence on the Leviathan.
After several long microts of silent observation, Kiona shifted slightly. “Ma'am, while our briefings did indicate the Human was rather cunning, I doubt he would have the skills necessary to successfully hide the Leviathan behind this debris field.”
Aeryn Sun blinked, snapping off the holo-projection. “I concur, Sergeant. Proceed with our patrol sweep.”
“Yes, ma'am.” Kiona replied, passing along the orders to Hrawn, currently piloting the Marauder.
With that Aeryn Sun left command without further comment. Words were unneeded. Kiona had seen the doubt in the Lieutenant's eyes and knew Aeryn Sun truly believed the fugitives were nearby.
Kiona was not one for fanciful thoughts but her short time under the Lieutenant had taught her to trust Aeryn Sun's instincts. She had an uncanny ability to understand these fugitives. Perhaps it was her contact with them. Perhaps it was because she was irreversibly contaminated by the Human. Regardless of the reasons, Kiona knew it would be these instincts that would lead their team to the Leviathan.
*****
Moya.
“They're passing us by.”
John Crichton simply nodded his head in agreement to the Luxan's pronouncement. He didn't particularly want to get another of D'argo's 'lectures' on how things would be on the ship. He rubbed his sore jaw gently as he flicked his gaze to Zhaan.
The Delvian smiled sympathetically at him, but directed her comments to the Luxan. “Moya should starburst as soon as she as ready.”
“Agreed.” D'Argo replied. Glancing at the human, he growled. “You clean up the maintenance bay while I complete the repair on tier four.” With that the Luxan stalked from the Command, John silently glaring at the larger alien.
“I understand your anger, John, but choose your battles carefully. If D'argo thought you worthless he would have killed you already.” Zhaan said, soothingly. Her words would have had the desired effect on John Crichton had she not had a somewhat twisted smile on her face.
“Yeah, sure.” John replied non-chalantly, plastering his best charming smile on his face for the Delvian.
Zhaan smiled in return and turned to leave the chamber. “I shall see if Rygel needs any assistance.”
As soon as she turned the corner, John's smile was gone. While Zhaan had actually been kind to him, he didn't trust her. Something about the way she looked at him creeped him out. Maybe it was because she was an alien.
Whatever it was he kept his nervousness hidden from her. He needed to learn how to survive here and of his three 'shipmates' only she had been accepting of her presence. D'Argo was constantly threatening him and on occasion attacking him and Rygel was simply too arrogant to tolerate.
“John Crichton.”
Crichton turned to the soft call, feeling relieved. Of all the beings on Moya, Pilot was the only one he completely trusted. He remembered well the day Pilot had called him to the Den to discuss his situation aboard the Leviathan. Though the navigator never once complained, Crichton knew Pilot distrusted the other escaped prisoners and had enlisted his aid in controlling their reckless behavior.
While he doubted his ability to help control the fugitives Crichton had agreed in exchange for Pilot's help in acclimating to the ship and her systems. In short order they had become friends.
“Yes, Pilot?” John replied with a genuine grin.
“I thought you should know that Moya is capable of starburst now.” The navigator informed him.
John simply nodded in understanding. Pilot didn't want the others to know the Leviathan was ready but was prepared in the need arose. It wasn't the first time Pilot had hindered the fleeing fugitives plans.
While neither the Leviathan nor its Pilot desired to be captured by the Peace Keepers they were not particularly supportive of the others. Neither was John after the past few weeks misadventures. He was still having nightmares about D'argo standing over Fostro and Lynea's butchered bodies.
“Do you have the list of materials?” John asked, shaking off the memories.
“Yes. Moya has also detected a nearby system that may prove suitable for our needs.”
“Good. Maybe we'll luck out and get everything we need.” John replied hopefully. The plan he and Pilot had developed would be simple enough once they had everything they needed. It was a matter of surviving long enough and acquiring the items undetected from the others that was proving to be the problem.
“That too is my wish, John Crichton.” With that the holographic image faded.
John nodded absently to himself as he glanced out the star port. It took him a second to realize the strange debris cloud was shifting over Moya. As Pilot made no mention of this John shrugged. “Huh. Don't see that everyday.”
*****
Two arns later.
"Pilot, what's causing the heat build up?" Crichton asked worriedly, his voice low.
"I am uncertain, Commander." Pilot admitted reluctantly. "However, the thermal increase is already beginning to negatively effect Moya's systems."
"We better let the others in on what's happening. Maybe they'll have an idea as what's happening." John suggested. Noting the look the large symbiont gave him, he sighed. "I know. I know. I don't trust them either but sooner or later they'll realize something is wrong."
Pilot audibly sighed in resignation. "Very well, Commander. I shall inform the others."
*****
Marauder 1151 Coded: Abaoth Sol.
"Lieutenant, you better get up here. We have a positive contact on the Leviathan." Sergeant Kiona called over the comm.
"Understood." Came the brisk reply. Less than ten microts later, Aeryn Sun stepped through the hatchway and approached the holo-imaging table. "Report."
"We're are receiving a weak signal at the extreme range of our sensors, definitely Leviathan in origin." Kiona reported.
"Location."
"Primna 12, Lerd 3."
"That is where the space debris was encountered was it not?"
"Yes, ma'am. I noted the clouds dispersal shortly before we entered Lerd 4. I assumed it was simply a natural occurrence."
"A reasonable assumption." Sun conceded, noting the relief that flickered across Kiona's face at avoiding a reprimand. "The Leviathan's status?"
"Drifting, ma'am." Melkor interrupted. "They appear to be powered down. Scans also seem to indicate that the cargo bay doors have also been opened to space."
"Curious." Sun commented quietly, studying the display carefully.
Melkor frowned. "Ma'am, we should strike now while they are weak and unprepared."
"It could be a trap." Sun noted.
Melkor snorted derisively. "I doubt they even know we are here. We should attack now!"
"I do not share your confidence, Melkor." Sun replied. "But, you are correct. Begin preparation for boarding. Remember, the alien John Crichton and the Leviathan is our objective. The other escaped prisoners are secondary."
"Understood, ma'am." Kiona replied, snapping off a quick salute as Aeryn left.
******
Moya.
"Jesus! They're everywhere!" Crichton panted as he reloaded the chakon cartridge of his pistol. He risked a glance down the corridor he has just come down, noting it was empty other than a half dozen copies of the crew scattered about the hall. "Pilot, how's it going?"
"D'Argo and Zhaan are trapped in Command by the Drakhs and Dominar Rygel has disappeared." Pilot reported. "The DRDs have been able to keep them out of my chamber and the neural cluster, but I am uncertain for how much longer."
Crichton sighed, wincing slightly at the ache in his ribs. "Remind me to kill D'Argo when this is over."
"Gladly, Commander." Pilot replied.
John actually chuckled at that despite the situation. The arrival of the Drakhs had been a surprise but had gone well, Zhaan acting as host for the Monarch. A peaceful resolution had ended the moment his Luxan shipmate decided to end the standoff between the crew and the invaders by killing the Drakh Monarch with a bomb. The surviving Drakh were now trying to hunt them down and kill them. Crichton has lost count of how many replicant and Drakhs he had killed with the weapon in his hand. A couple of arns ago the pulse pistol had been completely unfamiliar and alien to him. Now it was the only thing keeping him alive.
"Any suggestions on how to get rid of these Drakhs?" Crichton asked, wiping the sweat from his eyes.
"Opening the cargo doors has had little effect in lowering Moya's temperature. If we can regain control of Moya's thermals I could easily lower temperatures sufficiently enough to force the creatures off Moya." Pilot replied.
"That's assuming they would leave." Crichton noted.
"The only other option would be to vent all of Moya's atmosphere." Pilot noted.
"Right." Crichton muttered. "OK. How do we get control of the thermal regulators?"
"We need to obtain some of the solvent Zhaan discovered for the sludge."
"That's in the maintenance bay, isn't it?"
"Correct, Commander."
"Great. Just great." Crichton muttered, looking down the hall again. "I'm on it."
****
Marauder 1151 Coded: Abaoth Sol. Location: Moya.
"Ma'am. Something is obviously wrong. The thermals are too high and the doors are open to space. The sensors appear to be off line." Sergeant Kiona said, almost making her words into a question as she looked around the maintenance bay, trying to ignore the stifling heat.
Aeryn Sun simply nodded her head once and pointed to the open archway leading into the rest of the ship. "Acknowledged, Sergeant. Our objective is the Command. Move ..." The familiar sound of a pulse weapon discharging could be heard from the hall way followed by the arrival of a sebacean male wearing some strange tan clothing, sliding to a halt just inside the archway and firing off another quick salvo from his pulse pistol.
"Crichton! On the ground. Now!" Aeryn Sun barked, causing him to jerk around and stare at the gathered Peacekeepers dumbly. After a moment, an amused snort escaped from the human.
"Great." Crichton just shook his head, chuckling. "Just what we need. Peacekeepers."
"Drop your weapon. Now, human!" Kiona demanded.
Crichton glanced over his shoulder. "Look, can we discuss this later. We sort of got a problem here."
"I will not...." A scream from Hrawn interrupted Sun's barked reply.
A strange bug like creature was attached to the private's leg, blood pouring from where it had attached itself. Hrawn was beating on the creature's armored carapace but without much effect.
Less than a microt later a half dozen pulse blasts struck the creature, Crichton's own among them. Hrawn shrieked again as the creature finally released its hold on his leg. The Peacekeeper collapsed, grasping his leg and moaning in pain. Another of the Peacekeepers was instantly at his side tending to the wound. Crichton watched all of this with some stunned disbelief
"Drop your weapon, Crichton."
He turned to find Aeryn Sun and a blond female Peacekeeper's weapons directed at him. The absurdity of the situation hit him and he started giggling. The puzzled look on Sun's face just made him laugh all the harder.
"What the frell is so funny, human?" She demanded.
"My life." Crichton wheezed, managing to regain some control.
"Surrender, now."
"Not likely. I've got bigger things to worry about that a bunch of Peacekeepers who got lost."
"And what would that be, human?" Melkor spat.
Crichton nodded his head behind them. "That."
Standing at the entrance of the maintenance bay stood three identical copies of Crichton. Before Aeryn could even ask, Crichton started shooting at them; the peacekeeper's joining in. In short order the Crichton's lay on the floor in a pool of strange bluish fluid.
"What the frell is going on here, Crichton?" Aeryn Sun demanded, toeing the hand of one of the dead copies.
"Got me. Some space roaches came aboard Moya and are trying to kill us." Crichton replied.
"That is none of our concern, human." Melkor interrupted. "We should take him and leave. Our orders...."
"Include the retrieval of the Leviathan and her escaped prisoners." Aeryn Sun snapped. "Not just Crichton."
"Look. I don't care what you guys do with me. Hell I'll gladly go with you but you have to help me get rid of these bugs." Crichton said.
"And why do you care about this ship, these criminals?" Kiona asked with obvious surprise.
"I could care less about the others, but Pilot and Moya have been good friends to me. I won't abandon them." Crichton replied. "So what's it going to be?"
"Very well, Crichton. We shall remove this vermin from the Leviathan and take you, the prisoners, and the ship back into Peacekeeper custody when we are finished. Understood?" Aeryn said, eyeing the human carefully.
Crichton nodded once. "Let's do it."
****
Epilogue
"I will see to it that you die horribly, Luxan!"
Crichton frowned recognizing the voice of Lieutenant Sun. Yanking the pulse pistol he had taken to carrying from its holster, he broke out into a run. He had selected the prison cells on Tier 7 to hold the two surviving Peacekeepers they had captured in hopes that the other prisoners would leave them alone until he and Pilot could figure out what to do with them.
Things hadn't gone so well fighting the Drakh, but eventually he had completed the repairs to the cooling systems and forced the remaining bugs that had survived the Peacekeeper commandos to leave Moya. The Drakh had taken a heavy toll on the Peacekeepers. Only Lieutenant Sun and Sergeant Kiona survived, the latter severely injured and suffering some sort of delirium. D'Argo had subdued Sun with his tongue before Crichton could get them off the ship. It had taken a lot of arguing and threats before he had convinced the others to keep Sun and Kiona alive. Apparently he hadn't been complete successful given the string of unintelligible gibberish he could hear streaming from Sun's mouth.
Rounding the corner, he saw the door to the injured Peacekeeper's cell was open and the furious expression of Aeryn Sun's face as she hurled epithets in her native tongue that the translator microbes were unable to translate. Rushing into the opened cell he stopped, shocked by what he saw.
D'Argo leaned over the nearly catatonic blond Peacekeeper, just finishing opening the clasps that held her uniform's tunic closed. Without even thinking about, Crichton raised the pistol.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" His voice low with anger.
D'Argo spun around and started reaching for his qualta blade. Crichton fired, striking the wall mere inches above the Luxan's shoulder in an obvious warning. A chilling silence hung in the air as even Aeryn Sun was stunned into silence.
"I said what are you doing?" Crichton demanded.
"None of your concern, human!" D'Argo spat back, a sneer crossing his face as he rose to his feet, flexing his hands into fists.
"Get the hell out of here, you bastard." Crichton waved to the cell door with the pistol. "If I even think you've been down here again, I'll cut your balls off and feed them to you before I fire your sorry ass into the sun. Got me?"
The Luxan snarled, but slowly went to the door as directed. He paused there, looking over his shoulder at the human. "This isn't over, Crichton."
"It is for now." Crichton replied. "Now get."
Without further word, the Luxan left. After waiting several microts carefully listening to the retreating sound of the Luxan's boots, Crichton blew out his breath and locked his pistol back into its holster and kneeled down next to the Peacekeeper.
"You okay?" He asked, brushing a few strands of blond hair from her eyes, somewhat disturbed by the frighteningly blank look there.
"She won't respond. It's the Living Death." Came a surprisingly soft voice from the other cell. He glanced over to find Aeryn Sun watching him with a slightly puzzled expression on her bruised and battered face. Only a single blue eye could be seen, the other swollen shut and shaded a deep black.
"Living Death?" He asked, resting his palm gently on the young blend's forehead noting she seemed to have a temperature.
Sun remained silent for a moment, obviously mulling over what to say. "Sebaceans lack the gland necessary for thermal regulation. As our cells over heat we begin to lose memory: first the short term, then the long term memory."
"Sounds like a terrible way to go." Crichton commented.
"We don't die. We continue on in this state, the Living Death. It is the only time we kill our own out of mercy." Aeryn replied.
He looked at her at this last statement, a sinking feeling coming to stomach. "How far is she?" He asked.
"She is already in the Living Death." Aeryn replied slowly, carefully as is afraid to say more. "You must deliver the..."
Crichton suddenly realized what she was saying and pulled away from the catatonic Peacekeeper. "No! Hell, no! I'm not going to kill her."
"I was under the impression that you were a merciful being, Crichton. Was I wrong?" Aeryn Sun asked.
"I am not going to kill her." Crichton stated adamantly.
"Sergeant Kiona is already dead, Crichton. There is no recovery. Believe me, my people have tried for thousands of cycles to cure the Living Death." Aeryn replied. "Would you rather that she starved to death before your eyes or worse allow that...Luxan to get to her?"
Crichton shook his head in disbelief, looking down at the blank expression on Kiona's face. "She's so young." He whispered.
Aeryn frowned at that before shaking her head. "It is the merciful thing to do, Crichton. If you will not do it, I ask that you allow me." Aeryn said. "It is my people's way."
"No. I'll...I'll do it." Crichton replied, slowly pulling his pulse rifle from its holster and placed it against Kiona's chest.
****
Crichton slowly trudged down the passageway fighting to keep the nausea he felt at bay. He had just come from spacing Sergeant Kiona's remains, still remembering the look of distaste that had been present on the other's face and the glare from D'Argo. Only Zhaan had been even vaguely reassuring, gently placing her hand on his shoulder as she murmured words of reassurance.
He found himself stopped in front of Aeryn Sun's cell, watching the dark haired Peacekeeper as she went through what appeared to be some sort of fighting kata vaguely reminiscent of karate or kung fu, content merely to watch her.
She stopped suddenly and turned to face him. "What do you want?"
He was mildly surprised at the relief he felt at her neutral tone, somehow so much better than the indifference of his fellow shipmates. For several long minutes he said nothing, just stared at her. When words did come they surprised even him. "I need your help."
Aeryn Sun raised an eyebrow in surprise but went straight to business. "What do you propose?"
"You don't do anything. Don't try to escape. Don't fight back. Don't sabotage the ship." He replied, a plan forming in his mind even as he spoke. A plan that hinged upon her cooperation.
"It's my duty to..."
"You're duty is going to get you killed and they'll still be free." Crichton interrupted tilting his head back towards the passageway he'd come down. "Do you want that?"
"No."
"Then hear me out. Pilot and I had a plan to get rid of the others, but that's been completely shot to hell. Now that you're here, we could use your help."
"I will not reveal Peacekeeper..."
He waved away her concern and stepped closer to the cell door. "I don't give a damned about Peacekeeper anything. We still have your ship, what did the others call it, the Marauder. All I need you to do is be ready to contact your people when the time comes. Can you do that?"
Aeryn watched him closely for several microts before nodding. "Yes."
"Then sit there and don't cause any trouble. I'll make sure the others don't come down here."
"What about the Luxan?" Aeryn asked skeptically.
"I don't think he'll be bothering you any time soon." Crichton replied.
"Very well, Crichton. I will do as you ask for now. If any of the others come here, I promise nothing."
Crichton nodded once as if expecting her answer. "Fair enough."
"Make no mistake, Crichton, you are still the enemy."
"So are they." Crichton turned to leave.
"I will take you back to face tribunal."
Her word made him pause in mid-step. "I know." He replied, before continuing on down the passageway.
Aeryn Sun felt a small smile tug at her face, a strange feeling filling her as she moved to angle herself so she could watch him depart down the hall.
Author: Karolyn Gray <kmgray3@aol.com>
ScifiBB/Chat Handle: Gray3
Rating: PG
Synopsis: Lieutenant Sun hunts for Crichton and the escaped Leviathan.
Part 2 of AU series.
Type: Story
Spoilers: Exodus from Genesis
Archiving: Yes
Disclaimers: All Farscape names, characters and other related indicia are the property of Jim Henson Productions, Hallmark Entertainment, Nine Networks, the Scifi Channel and all associated parties. No copyright infringement is intended.
Abaoth Sol
By Karolyn Gray
Marauder 1151 Coded: Abaoth Sol.
“Report.”
“Unusual debris field detected, Lieutenant.” The blond female Commando replied.
Sergeant Kiona snapped to attention at the same time, noting with some relief that Melkor did the same thing. She wasn't the only one terrified of their new commander, but with good reason. It was well known in the fleet that few survived the legendary wrath of Captain Bialar Crais. Added to this was the fact that no one had ever had one of the Captain's Irreversible Contamination edicts repudiated. Until now.
“Show me.” Lieutenant Aeryn Sun demanded, snapping closed the last clasp to her jacket. Unlike the rest of the commando team, she was dressed in the familiar tan and red uniforms favored by the long-range reconnaissance teams and special ops teams.
While Melkor and the others secretly mocked their new Lieutenant for her preferences as a mark of arrogance, Kiona did not. She had been there when Sun had handily crushed Melkor's challenge back on the Command Carrier. She took the Lieutenant's choice of kit as an clear indication that she intended to do what ever was necessary to recapture the escaped Leviathan, no matter the length of time or the means.
“The scans do not seem to be able to penetrate more than a metra into the field.” Melkor was saying his features highlighted by the glow of the holographic display. The debris field shifted suddenly.
“Unusual.” Sun commented, her voice completely emotionless despite the interest her eyes held.
“Yes, we've been unable to determine what is causing the phenomenon.” Kiona added.
“Noted.” Sun replied coldly. “Standard scanning protocols have been initiated?”
“Yes, ma'am.” Kiona replied. “Completed before I called you here. Shall we proceed with the search for the escaped Leviathan?”
Aeryn Sun remained quiet, staring at the holographic image intently. It had been several weekens since their hunt for the escaped Leviathan had begun, but each passing day only seemed to make the dark haired Peace Keeper all the more determined to retrieve the Leviathan. A faint paddac beacon signal had led them to this region of space. The Leviathan had to be nearby. Aeryn could almost sense it.
Kiona and Melkor shared a concerned look at their commanders calculating gaze. Unlike Melkor, Kiona was genuinely concerned for Aeryn Sun. The Lieutenant was one of the elite Pleisars, something Kiona had once dreamed about becoming. That she now served with one was an opportunity she would not allow to go to waste as Melkor had. All he cared about was regaining his rank and status.
“Ma'am.” Melkor started to speak; cutting short his reply at the look the Lieutenant gave him.
“Continue the scan until I say other wise, Corporal.”
Melkor bristled at the derogatory tone added to his new rank, but remained civil. “Yes, ma'am.”
Kiona was intrigued by the order. Standard procedure was to log in the anomaly for later study by the techs and to continue the patrol. If deemed of some value, a unit from New Tech would be sent in with a full scientific staff to investigate.
“Lieutenant, do you believe the escaped prisoners may be using the debris field to hide?” The Sergeant asked, earning an intrigued look from her superior.
“That is an interesting theory, Sergeant.” Aeryn Sun replied, holding Kiona's gaze for a moment before returning to watch the scan. A small, approving smile curled the Lieutenant lips. “One that I happen to share.”
“It does not seem likely that the fugitives would think of such a thing.” Kiona noted.
“Yes, I doubt the prisoners would think of such a thing.” Aeryn replied.
“Crichton.” Melkor spat with disdain. While he said nothing more than that he did nothing to hide the contempt he held for his commander. All aboard the Marauder knew about Crichton and his presence on the Leviathan.
After several long microts of silent observation, Kiona shifted slightly. “Ma'am, while our briefings did indicate the Human was rather cunning, I doubt he would have the skills necessary to successfully hide the Leviathan behind this debris field.”
Aeryn Sun blinked, snapping off the holo-projection. “I concur, Sergeant. Proceed with our patrol sweep.”
“Yes, ma'am.” Kiona replied, passing along the orders to Hrawn, currently piloting the Marauder.
With that Aeryn Sun left command without further comment. Words were unneeded. Kiona had seen the doubt in the Lieutenant's eyes and knew Aeryn Sun truly believed the fugitives were nearby.
Kiona was not one for fanciful thoughts but her short time under the Lieutenant had taught her to trust Aeryn Sun's instincts. She had an uncanny ability to understand these fugitives. Perhaps it was her contact with them. Perhaps it was because she was irreversibly contaminated by the Human. Regardless of the reasons, Kiona knew it would be these instincts that would lead their team to the Leviathan.
*****
Moya.
“They're passing us by.”
John Crichton simply nodded his head in agreement to the Luxan's pronouncement. He didn't particularly want to get another of D'argo's 'lectures' on how things would be on the ship. He rubbed his sore jaw gently as he flicked his gaze to Zhaan.
The Delvian smiled sympathetically at him, but directed her comments to the Luxan. “Moya should starburst as soon as she as ready.”
“Agreed.” D'Argo replied. Glancing at the human, he growled. “You clean up the maintenance bay while I complete the repair on tier four.” With that the Luxan stalked from the Command, John silently glaring at the larger alien.
“I understand your anger, John, but choose your battles carefully. If D'argo thought you worthless he would have killed you already.” Zhaan said, soothingly. Her words would have had the desired effect on John Crichton had she not had a somewhat twisted smile on her face.
“Yeah, sure.” John replied non-chalantly, plastering his best charming smile on his face for the Delvian.
Zhaan smiled in return and turned to leave the chamber. “I shall see if Rygel needs any assistance.”
As soon as she turned the corner, John's smile was gone. While Zhaan had actually been kind to him, he didn't trust her. Something about the way she looked at him creeped him out. Maybe it was because she was an alien.
Whatever it was he kept his nervousness hidden from her. He needed to learn how to survive here and of his three 'shipmates' only she had been accepting of her presence. D'Argo was constantly threatening him and on occasion attacking him and Rygel was simply too arrogant to tolerate.
“John Crichton.”
Crichton turned to the soft call, feeling relieved. Of all the beings on Moya, Pilot was the only one he completely trusted. He remembered well the day Pilot had called him to the Den to discuss his situation aboard the Leviathan. Though the navigator never once complained, Crichton knew Pilot distrusted the other escaped prisoners and had enlisted his aid in controlling their reckless behavior.
While he doubted his ability to help control the fugitives Crichton had agreed in exchange for Pilot's help in acclimating to the ship and her systems. In short order they had become friends.
“Yes, Pilot?” John replied with a genuine grin.
“I thought you should know that Moya is capable of starburst now.” The navigator informed him.
John simply nodded in understanding. Pilot didn't want the others to know the Leviathan was ready but was prepared in the need arose. It wasn't the first time Pilot had hindered the fleeing fugitives plans.
While neither the Leviathan nor its Pilot desired to be captured by the Peace Keepers they were not particularly supportive of the others. Neither was John after the past few weeks misadventures. He was still having nightmares about D'argo standing over Fostro and Lynea's butchered bodies.
“Do you have the list of materials?” John asked, shaking off the memories.
“Yes. Moya has also detected a nearby system that may prove suitable for our needs.”
“Good. Maybe we'll luck out and get everything we need.” John replied hopefully. The plan he and Pilot had developed would be simple enough once they had everything they needed. It was a matter of surviving long enough and acquiring the items undetected from the others that was proving to be the problem.
“That too is my wish, John Crichton.” With that the holographic image faded.
John nodded absently to himself as he glanced out the star port. It took him a second to realize the strange debris cloud was shifting over Moya. As Pilot made no mention of this John shrugged. “Huh. Don't see that everyday.”
*****
Two arns later.
"Pilot, what's causing the heat build up?" Crichton asked worriedly, his voice low.
"I am uncertain, Commander." Pilot admitted reluctantly. "However, the thermal increase is already beginning to negatively effect Moya's systems."
"We better let the others in on what's happening. Maybe they'll have an idea as what's happening." John suggested. Noting the look the large symbiont gave him, he sighed. "I know. I know. I don't trust them either but sooner or later they'll realize something is wrong."
Pilot audibly sighed in resignation. "Very well, Commander. I shall inform the others."
*****
Marauder 1151 Coded: Abaoth Sol.
"Lieutenant, you better get up here. We have a positive contact on the Leviathan." Sergeant Kiona called over the comm.
"Understood." Came the brisk reply. Less than ten microts later, Aeryn Sun stepped through the hatchway and approached the holo-imaging table. "Report."
"We're are receiving a weak signal at the extreme range of our sensors, definitely Leviathan in origin." Kiona reported.
"Location."
"Primna 12, Lerd 3."
"That is where the space debris was encountered was it not?"
"Yes, ma'am. I noted the clouds dispersal shortly before we entered Lerd 4. I assumed it was simply a natural occurrence."
"A reasonable assumption." Sun conceded, noting the relief that flickered across Kiona's face at avoiding a reprimand. "The Leviathan's status?"
"Drifting, ma'am." Melkor interrupted. "They appear to be powered down. Scans also seem to indicate that the cargo bay doors have also been opened to space."
"Curious." Sun commented quietly, studying the display carefully.
Melkor frowned. "Ma'am, we should strike now while they are weak and unprepared."
"It could be a trap." Sun noted.
Melkor snorted derisively. "I doubt they even know we are here. We should attack now!"
"I do not share your confidence, Melkor." Sun replied. "But, you are correct. Begin preparation for boarding. Remember, the alien John Crichton and the Leviathan is our objective. The other escaped prisoners are secondary."
"Understood, ma'am." Kiona replied, snapping off a quick salute as Aeryn left.
******
Moya.
"Jesus! They're everywhere!" Crichton panted as he reloaded the chakon cartridge of his pistol. He risked a glance down the corridor he has just come down, noting it was empty other than a half dozen copies of the crew scattered about the hall. "Pilot, how's it going?"
"D'Argo and Zhaan are trapped in Command by the Drakhs and Dominar Rygel has disappeared." Pilot reported. "The DRDs have been able to keep them out of my chamber and the neural cluster, but I am uncertain for how much longer."
Crichton sighed, wincing slightly at the ache in his ribs. "Remind me to kill D'Argo when this is over."
"Gladly, Commander." Pilot replied.
John actually chuckled at that despite the situation. The arrival of the Drakhs had been a surprise but had gone well, Zhaan acting as host for the Monarch. A peaceful resolution had ended the moment his Luxan shipmate decided to end the standoff between the crew and the invaders by killing the Drakh Monarch with a bomb. The surviving Drakh were now trying to hunt them down and kill them. Crichton has lost count of how many replicant and Drakhs he had killed with the weapon in his hand. A couple of arns ago the pulse pistol had been completely unfamiliar and alien to him. Now it was the only thing keeping him alive.
"Any suggestions on how to get rid of these Drakhs?" Crichton asked, wiping the sweat from his eyes.
"Opening the cargo doors has had little effect in lowering Moya's temperature. If we can regain control of Moya's thermals I could easily lower temperatures sufficiently enough to force the creatures off Moya." Pilot replied.
"That's assuming they would leave." Crichton noted.
"The only other option would be to vent all of Moya's atmosphere." Pilot noted.
"Right." Crichton muttered. "OK. How do we get control of the thermal regulators?"
"We need to obtain some of the solvent Zhaan discovered for the sludge."
"That's in the maintenance bay, isn't it?"
"Correct, Commander."
"Great. Just great." Crichton muttered, looking down the hall again. "I'm on it."
****
Marauder 1151 Coded: Abaoth Sol. Location: Moya.
"Ma'am. Something is obviously wrong. The thermals are too high and the doors are open to space. The sensors appear to be off line." Sergeant Kiona said, almost making her words into a question as she looked around the maintenance bay, trying to ignore the stifling heat.
Aeryn Sun simply nodded her head once and pointed to the open archway leading into the rest of the ship. "Acknowledged, Sergeant. Our objective is the Command. Move ..." The familiar sound of a pulse weapon discharging could be heard from the hall way followed by the arrival of a sebacean male wearing some strange tan clothing, sliding to a halt just inside the archway and firing off another quick salvo from his pulse pistol.
"Crichton! On the ground. Now!" Aeryn Sun barked, causing him to jerk around and stare at the gathered Peacekeepers dumbly. After a moment, an amused snort escaped from the human.
"Great." Crichton just shook his head, chuckling. "Just what we need. Peacekeepers."
"Drop your weapon. Now, human!" Kiona demanded.
Crichton glanced over his shoulder. "Look, can we discuss this later. We sort of got a problem here."
"I will not...." A scream from Hrawn interrupted Sun's barked reply.
A strange bug like creature was attached to the private's leg, blood pouring from where it had attached itself. Hrawn was beating on the creature's armored carapace but without much effect.
Less than a microt later a half dozen pulse blasts struck the creature, Crichton's own among them. Hrawn shrieked again as the creature finally released its hold on his leg. The Peacekeeper collapsed, grasping his leg and moaning in pain. Another of the Peacekeepers was instantly at his side tending to the wound. Crichton watched all of this with some stunned disbelief
"Drop your weapon, Crichton."
He turned to find Aeryn Sun and a blond female Peacekeeper's weapons directed at him. The absurdity of the situation hit him and he started giggling. The puzzled look on Sun's face just made him laugh all the harder.
"What the frell is so funny, human?" She demanded.
"My life." Crichton wheezed, managing to regain some control.
"Surrender, now."
"Not likely. I've got bigger things to worry about that a bunch of Peacekeepers who got lost."
"And what would that be, human?" Melkor spat.
Crichton nodded his head behind them. "That."
Standing at the entrance of the maintenance bay stood three identical copies of Crichton. Before Aeryn could even ask, Crichton started shooting at them; the peacekeeper's joining in. In short order the Crichton's lay on the floor in a pool of strange bluish fluid.
"What the frell is going on here, Crichton?" Aeryn Sun demanded, toeing the hand of one of the dead copies.
"Got me. Some space roaches came aboard Moya and are trying to kill us." Crichton replied.
"That is none of our concern, human." Melkor interrupted. "We should take him and leave. Our orders...."
"Include the retrieval of the Leviathan and her escaped prisoners." Aeryn Sun snapped. "Not just Crichton."
"Look. I don't care what you guys do with me. Hell I'll gladly go with you but you have to help me get rid of these bugs." Crichton said.
"And why do you care about this ship, these criminals?" Kiona asked with obvious surprise.
"I could care less about the others, but Pilot and Moya have been good friends to me. I won't abandon them." Crichton replied. "So what's it going to be?"
"Very well, Crichton. We shall remove this vermin from the Leviathan and take you, the prisoners, and the ship back into Peacekeeper custody when we are finished. Understood?" Aeryn said, eyeing the human carefully.
Crichton nodded once. "Let's do it."
****
Epilogue
"I will see to it that you die horribly, Luxan!"
Crichton frowned recognizing the voice of Lieutenant Sun. Yanking the pulse pistol he had taken to carrying from its holster, he broke out into a run. He had selected the prison cells on Tier 7 to hold the two surviving Peacekeepers they had captured in hopes that the other prisoners would leave them alone until he and Pilot could figure out what to do with them.
Things hadn't gone so well fighting the Drakh, but eventually he had completed the repairs to the cooling systems and forced the remaining bugs that had survived the Peacekeeper commandos to leave Moya. The Drakh had taken a heavy toll on the Peacekeepers. Only Lieutenant Sun and Sergeant Kiona survived, the latter severely injured and suffering some sort of delirium. D'Argo had subdued Sun with his tongue before Crichton could get them off the ship. It had taken a lot of arguing and threats before he had convinced the others to keep Sun and Kiona alive. Apparently he hadn't been complete successful given the string of unintelligible gibberish he could hear streaming from Sun's mouth.
Rounding the corner, he saw the door to the injured Peacekeeper's cell was open and the furious expression of Aeryn Sun's face as she hurled epithets in her native tongue that the translator microbes were unable to translate. Rushing into the opened cell he stopped, shocked by what he saw.
D'Argo leaned over the nearly catatonic blond Peacekeeper, just finishing opening the clasps that held her uniform's tunic closed. Without even thinking about, Crichton raised the pistol.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" His voice low with anger.
D'Argo spun around and started reaching for his qualta blade. Crichton fired, striking the wall mere inches above the Luxan's shoulder in an obvious warning. A chilling silence hung in the air as even Aeryn Sun was stunned into silence.
"I said what are you doing?" Crichton demanded.
"None of your concern, human!" D'Argo spat back, a sneer crossing his face as he rose to his feet, flexing his hands into fists.
"Get the hell out of here, you bastard." Crichton waved to the cell door with the pistol. "If I even think you've been down here again, I'll cut your balls off and feed them to you before I fire your sorry ass into the sun. Got me?"
The Luxan snarled, but slowly went to the door as directed. He paused there, looking over his shoulder at the human. "This isn't over, Crichton."
"It is for now." Crichton replied. "Now get."
Without further word, the Luxan left. After waiting several microts carefully listening to the retreating sound of the Luxan's boots, Crichton blew out his breath and locked his pistol back into its holster and kneeled down next to the Peacekeeper.
"You okay?" He asked, brushing a few strands of blond hair from her eyes, somewhat disturbed by the frighteningly blank look there.
"She won't respond. It's the Living Death." Came a surprisingly soft voice from the other cell. He glanced over to find Aeryn Sun watching him with a slightly puzzled expression on her bruised and battered face. Only a single blue eye could be seen, the other swollen shut and shaded a deep black.
"Living Death?" He asked, resting his palm gently on the young blend's forehead noting she seemed to have a temperature.
Sun remained silent for a moment, obviously mulling over what to say. "Sebaceans lack the gland necessary for thermal regulation. As our cells over heat we begin to lose memory: first the short term, then the long term memory."
"Sounds like a terrible way to go." Crichton commented.
"We don't die. We continue on in this state, the Living Death. It is the only time we kill our own out of mercy." Aeryn replied.
He looked at her at this last statement, a sinking feeling coming to stomach. "How far is she?" He asked.
"She is already in the Living Death." Aeryn replied slowly, carefully as is afraid to say more. "You must deliver the..."
Crichton suddenly realized what she was saying and pulled away from the catatonic Peacekeeper. "No! Hell, no! I'm not going to kill her."
"I was under the impression that you were a merciful being, Crichton. Was I wrong?" Aeryn Sun asked.
"I am not going to kill her." Crichton stated adamantly.
"Sergeant Kiona is already dead, Crichton. There is no recovery. Believe me, my people have tried for thousands of cycles to cure the Living Death." Aeryn replied. "Would you rather that she starved to death before your eyes or worse allow that...Luxan to get to her?"
Crichton shook his head in disbelief, looking down at the blank expression on Kiona's face. "She's so young." He whispered.
Aeryn frowned at that before shaking her head. "It is the merciful thing to do, Crichton. If you will not do it, I ask that you allow me." Aeryn said. "It is my people's way."
"No. I'll...I'll do it." Crichton replied, slowly pulling his pulse rifle from its holster and placed it against Kiona's chest.
****
Crichton slowly trudged down the passageway fighting to keep the nausea he felt at bay. He had just come from spacing Sergeant Kiona's remains, still remembering the look of distaste that had been present on the other's face and the glare from D'Argo. Only Zhaan had been even vaguely reassuring, gently placing her hand on his shoulder as she murmured words of reassurance.
He found himself stopped in front of Aeryn Sun's cell, watching the dark haired Peacekeeper as she went through what appeared to be some sort of fighting kata vaguely reminiscent of karate or kung fu, content merely to watch her.
She stopped suddenly and turned to face him. "What do you want?"
He was mildly surprised at the relief he felt at her neutral tone, somehow so much better than the indifference of his fellow shipmates. For several long minutes he said nothing, just stared at her. When words did come they surprised even him. "I need your help."
Aeryn Sun raised an eyebrow in surprise but went straight to business. "What do you propose?"
"You don't do anything. Don't try to escape. Don't fight back. Don't sabotage the ship." He replied, a plan forming in his mind even as he spoke. A plan that hinged upon her cooperation.
"It's my duty to..."
"You're duty is going to get you killed and they'll still be free." Crichton interrupted tilting his head back towards the passageway he'd come down. "Do you want that?"
"No."
"Then hear me out. Pilot and I had a plan to get rid of the others, but that's been completely shot to hell. Now that you're here, we could use your help."
"I will not reveal Peacekeeper..."
He waved away her concern and stepped closer to the cell door. "I don't give a damned about Peacekeeper anything. We still have your ship, what did the others call it, the Marauder. All I need you to do is be ready to contact your people when the time comes. Can you do that?"
Aeryn watched him closely for several microts before nodding. "Yes."
"Then sit there and don't cause any trouble. I'll make sure the others don't come down here."
"What about the Luxan?" Aeryn asked skeptically.
"I don't think he'll be bothering you any time soon." Crichton replied.
"Very well, Crichton. I will do as you ask for now. If any of the others come here, I promise nothing."
Crichton nodded once as if expecting her answer. "Fair enough."
"Make no mistake, Crichton, you are still the enemy."
"So are they." Crichton turned to leave.
"I will take you back to face tribunal."
Her word made him pause in mid-step. "I know." He replied, before continuing on down the passageway.
Aeryn Sun felt a small smile tug at her face, a strange feeling filling her as she moved to angle herself so she could watch him depart down the hall.