by Charra Loon
genisis51@juno.com
Rating: PG-13 for violence and conduct
Part: 1/3
Disclaimer: References have been made by "Everyone's Got A Secret", "Til
The Blood Runs Clear", "Through the Looking Glass", and the following
fanfics: "Lo'lann", "Taking the Chance" and "Warrior's Blood" Any other
similiarities sited are, I assure you, purely coincidental.
Summary: Part 1of the Hunter Trilogy. The crew of Moya encounter a
legend while exploring a vast planet.
Time/Setting: The future
Author's Note: I had received permission from fanfic authors Annette,
Penny and Laura to use the works listed as references, so don't say I'm a
copycat.
Moya was flying into yet another part of the Uncharted Territories with
her crew. Her hull grew heavy; she would give birth any day now as it
seemed. Those aboard her knew this as well and were worried, especially
since they remembered what happened to her last child. Constant sweeps
were done to ensure the safety of both mother and child. Such a sweep
was being done one day as D'Argo and John were running scans on her
primary vital systems. "Oh boy," John said. "Remind me to throw Moya a
baby shower when this is all over." D'Argo looked at him strangely.
"It's a ritual for the coming of a child. Oh, never mind. Forget it,
it's a human tradition."
"The celebration of a new birth is common among the Luxans." D'Argo
said. "We call it a blood extension."
"I'm sure you do." John replied. "I don't know what Leviathans do for
something like this, but we have to hold a celebration when the time
comes."
"Agreed." D'Argo answered as he continued the scans. "So far, systems
normal." he said after a few minutes. "Aeryn," he called on the
communicator. "What's the status on your section?"
"We're fully funtional over here," Aeryn replied. "Continuing scans
now. Aeryn out." Suddenly, the ship began to tip violently in various
directions. "Pilot, what's happening?" Zhaan asked via communicator.
"I'm picking up a large force of Marauders due west." Pilot told them.
"They're in full attack formation."
"An entire pack?" Aeryn asked. "How many are there?"
"It's hard to say," Pilot answered. "There are about seven, eight of
them at best."
Aeryn was already heading into the docking bay. "I'm going to see if I
can stop them." she said. She boarded her Prowler and took off while
the others reunited in the command room. It wasn't long before they
noticed Aeryn was missing. "Pilot!" called John. "Where the hell's
Aeryn?"
"She went to stop the Marauders." he replied. "She left a few minutes
ago."
"Great, just what we need, one Prowler against an entire group of
Marauders." Rygel said coming in, late as usual. "Now I know we're
going to get captured. On the bright side, if we escape with our lives,
we can always salvage what's left and see if we can trade it for certain
accommodations."
"Don't you ever think of something other than yourself?" Chiana snapped.
"Oh, you should talk!" Rygel replied.
"At least I care about what could happen to Aeryn out there, unlike some
beings!"
"All right, let's calm down!" John cried. "Now, how long have we've
been at each other's throats? Three, four cycles?"
"Six, John." Zhaan answered. "It's been six cycles since we escaped the
PeaceKeepers."
"Okay, now listen, Aeryn is fighting those Marauders, alone, and there
has to be something that we can do!"
"Attenion, incoming armada." Pilot said. "They're heading towards the
Marauders and the Prowler at full force." They all went to a window and
watched the strange ships attack the PeaceKeepers and Aeryn. They were
rather small, yet quick as lightning and were a light purple with a
crystal-like design. An insignia which looked like a triangle split in
three equal pieces with a ruby-like jewel in the center where the lines
met was on the wings on each of the ships' tail wings. They attacked the
group fiercely and adequately. A beam shot out of the largest ship of
the force and took what living matter was there, namely the PeaceKeepers
and Aeryn. The rest of the crew looked worried. "Pilot, contact their
flagship!" D'Argo barked as the rest of the ships took the Marauders and
Prowler to the large ship. On the monitors appeared a strange figure all
cloaked in weird black armor. "Identify yourself, intruder!" he said.
"Why don't you identify yourself!?" D'Argo snapped.
"Whoa!" John said. "Let me handle this, big guy." He then turned
towards the screen. "All right, who are you and what have you done with
the people on those ships?"
"We are the crew of the Saviour," the figure said. "flagship of the
space colony Omega Prime. As for the PeaceKeepers, they've been
teleported onto my ship, to be escorted to Omega Prime to pay for their
crimes against the empire."
"Okay, listen, pal, one of those PeaceKeepers you just took aboard your
ship is not who you think she is." John explained. "She's a friend of
ours, and we'd appreciate it if you would just return her to us."
"A PeaceKeeper is no one's friend, creature." the figure lectured. "Do
not attempt to stop us should you and your crew value your lives.
Saviour out!" The monitor went blank. Everyone watched as the ship
headed towards a nearby planet. "What do you know? For the first time
since I got here, I wasn't mistaken for a Sebacean, or a PeaceKeeper."
John said. "We have to free Aeryn somehow."
"Pilot, can you get Moya to follow that ship?" D'Argo asked. "Perhaps
we can learn where they're going."
"Already done." Pilot replied. "We're trailing the Saviour now." They
watched as the Savior landed on a large green planet. Crichton looked on
and thought of his own homeworld. "Crichton!" D'Argo said. "We have to
move."
"Yeah, sure." he said.
On the planet, D'Argo, John and Zhaan exited the transport pod which had
landed in a small forest. They walked a mile into a large village.
"Such a simple village for such a dominating empire." Zhaan said. The
locals looked at the visitors strangely, then terrified. "Well, shall we
ask around?" asked John as he went towards a villager. "Excuse me, you
wouldn't know about a bunch of space fighters that captured an entire
group of PeaceKeepers, would you?" The villager looked at him wide-eyed
and looked around him. They seemed to be trusting, but he wasn't sure.
"Why would you want to know about the PeaceKeepers?" he asked.
"Because a friend of ours got caught by these weird ships."
"Did these ships have this on the tail?" the villager asked showing John
an insignia. He recognized this immediately. "Yeah, that was the
symbol."
"Then your friend is in danger." he replied. "Follow me." He went
towards a hut on the outskirts of the village. John signaled D'Argo and
Zhaan to follow. They were led into the hut where many of the same
beings were in. They looked at them strangely, uncertainly. The
villager that led them assured his friends they were all right. Just
then, a woman who looked about in her late teens wearing a simple top and
short skirt came up to them. She turned towards the villager. "Arron,
what is this?" she asked.
"It's all right, Elysia." he replied. "They seek a friend of theirs
taken in by the empire."
Elysia turned to her visitors. "Is your friend by chance a
PeaceKeeper?" she asked John.
"She was, but not anymore." answered John. "She betrayed them to help
us." He then explained how Zhaan, D'Argo and Rygel freed Moya and Pilot
and escaped. He also told of how he came into this part of the universe
and how Aeryn helped us. "Your story is interesting, John Critchton."
she said. "However, I can not guarantee your friend will leave here
alive."
"Who runs this planet?" asked Zhaan. "Perhaps we can negotiate
something."
"This world is enslaved by Kathra, an intergalatic warlord who seeks to
take the known universe and mold it as she pleases." Elysia explained.
"I, Elysia, and those of us present, are the only ones fighting for our
freedom. Others have either succumbed to her will or were killed."
"I don't suppose she would be wearing black armor, right?" John said.
"Then your friend is in grave danger for certain." Elysia said. "That
black armored figure is not only one of her generals, but her
second-in-command. He's brutal, ruthless and extremely dangerous."
"Oh, really?" said John. "What's his name?"
"I'm not sure of his birth name, but many who know of him call him the
Hunter."
"The Hunter?" D'Argo asked. "The murderer of murderers?"
"That's how most describe him, yes." Elysia answered.
"D'Argo," John said. "Do you know this Hunter guy?"
"He's a legendary warrior who despises PeaceKeepers." D'Argo explained.
"I've heard many PeaceKeepers who speak of him. When a PeaceKeeper
crosses paths with the Hunter, then he's as good as dead."
"He's right." Elysia continued. "For some reason, the Hunter hates the
PeaceKeepers, perhaps more than anyone." John began to worry. "But this
guy's a legend, right? He couldn't be real."
"I've seen him take hold of several PeaceKeeper crafts and some of my
spies tell of his murders of the PeaceKeepers." Elysia responded. "He's
definitely real, and very loyal to Kathra. If he has your friend, then I
am certain she is dead."
"Can't we at least find a way to reach her?" John asked.
"Her fortress is to the east, extremely protected."
"But you had spies in there, right?"
"Yes, but they're lucky to survive a micron in there without getting
caught." Elysia said. "Most of them are caught after an arn or two."
"Then we have to do something!" he cried.
"Can we negociate with her at least?" Zhaan asked.
"When it comes to PeaceKeepers, Kathra hates them just as much as the
Hunter." she replied. "Besides, she is very stubborn, rarely gives in
to compromises."
"If there's a chance, even a slim one that we could free Aeryn, then we
have to take that chance!" John cried.
"I understand your concern, but if you would just follow me." Elysia led
the three visitors out of the hut towards a clearing. To the east, they
could see a large castle-like fortress that reached the sky. "This is
what you'll be up against." Elysia explained. "Are you prepared to take
that chance?"
"We've survived worse." D'Argo said. "This shouldn't be a problem."
"Don't underestimate Kathra." she warned. "She's wiped out whole
armies for less."
"We understand." Zhaan said. "But let us try to negociate with her
first before we take any drastic action."
"As you wish." Elysia said. "We'll do our best to help you. Remember,
Kathra is our enemy as well as yours."
"We will need to contact others aboard our ship." Zhaan said.
"We'll go back to the base." As they left the clearing, John kept
staring at the large fortress behind them. "Hang on Aeryn." he said to
himself. "We'll get you out somehow."
Inside the fortress, a tall woman sat in the center of a simple yet
elaborate throne room. She had on an armor of advanced design and she
watched as four others surrounded her. "Come forth, my generals." the
woman said. "Zathros!" An elegantly dressed male approached closer to
her as others would when called. He bowed to her deeply to show
obedience. "Present." he said.
The woman nodded. "Ta'Cara!" she then said as a young female, just as
elegant as the male approached and bowed in the same manner. "I await
your commands, my leige." she said.
"Ma'Rone!" Another male approached and bowed at her presence. He was
dressed more simply and looked more aggresive. "Ready to do carnage to
those who defy you!" he shouted.
"Yorita!" Another female who was as simple as the male but was more
seductive than the rest approached and bowed. "Willing to die for you,
my queen!" she said.
"Hunter!" the woman said. No response. "Hunter!" she called again.
"General Hunter, approach me this instant!" A black armored figure
entered the throne room, approached the woman and bowed deeper than the
rest. "I live only to serve you, Mistress Kathra."
Kathra looked at him sternly as he rose to face her. "Where in the
hellmanza have you been?!" she asked harshly. "Your tardiness is highly
unlikely."
"I had intercepted a pack of PeaceKeeper vehicles entering orbit." he
explained. "I had managed to capture them all."
"How many were there?"
"Ten PeaceKeeper vehicles."
"Only ten?"
"Nine Marauders, one Prowler. The prisoners are secured in the holding
cells as we speak."
"Did you scan them all?"
"Yes, Mistress." the Hunter said. "The highest rank among them is an
officer." He couldn't help but notice her slight disappointment. "Bring
the officer to me at once, Hunter." she then said. "Do what you will to
the others."
"As you command, Mistress." he said as he bowed and left. Kathra sat in
her throne, awaiting the prisoner and staring at the other generals.
"The rest of you are dismissed!" she said. They all left. In the
corridors not far to the throne room, they all mumbled, some of them
envied the Hunter's recent success at pleasing their mistress. "It's not
fair he should get all the fun!" Ma'Rone cried. "I want to cream these
PeaceKeepers, too!"
"I'm certain he'll let you take care of them in the Labyrinth." Zathros
said.
"Too easy!" was all Ma'Rone said.
"Look, we've been through this each time." Ta'Cara said. "The Hunter is
a greater warrior than each of us combined, thus his rank in the empire's
army."
"Of course he is," Yorita said. "Kathra trained him herself."
"Still," Zathros said. "We should keep an eye on him. A traitor's
usually the one you least expect."
"Don't start, Zathros." Ta'Cara snapped. "I'll admit the Hunter is a
lot of things, but traitor is not one of them. Kathra has made sure of
it."
"Come on, we have work to do." Zathros said as they all followed.
In the deepest of the dungeons, Aeryn found herself chained to a wall
along with many other PeaceKeepers. "How ironic," one of them said.
"We come into a part of the Uncharted Territories to die by the hands of
the Hunter."
"What the frell are you talking about?" Aeryn asked. "The Hunter is no
more than a story told to us by our elders to make us better warriors."
"Oh, he's real." another one said. "He is real. Many PeaceKeepers
disappeared in this sector. We were sent to investigate when we found
you. The next thing we know, we're here."
"Pathetic," thought Aeryn. "A bunch of rookies scared of a myth." She
shook her head. Just then, the Hunter enters the dungeon. One of the
PeaceKeepers stared in terror. "It's him!" he screamed. "It's the
Hunter! He's going to kill us! We're all dead!!! AHHHH!!!!!"
"Silence, dren-sucker!" the Hunter said. "You'll get your chance.
Right now, I seek the officer." He stared at Aeryn and ordered the
nearby guards to remove her restraints from the wall. The Hunter then
grabbed her and escorted her out of the dungeons. In the corridors,
Aeryn tried to fight back, but it was no use. As much as she struggled,
it was as though she never moved. This went on as they went into the
throne room where Kathra was waiting. The Hunter bowed and forced Aeryn
to do the same. "Here is the officer you requested, Kathra." Kathra
went up to them, her eyes looking coldly at the prisoner. "You have done
well, Hunter." she said. "This one has fire still in her. I assume she
was quite a challenge."
"No more than any others that have fallen." he replied.
"All right, who the frell are you?!" Aeryn cried. "Why have you brought
me here?!?!" The Hunter slapped her in the face. "Don't ever speak to
Kathra in that tone!" he shouted. "You're lucky to be alive,
PeaceKeeper!"
"I admire your strength and courage, Officer Aeryn Sun." Kathra said.
"Normally, many PeaceKeepers would quiver at the sight of the Hunter, but
not you."
"Who are you?"
"I am Kathra the Supreme, conquerer-ruler of this planet and many
others."
"How do you my name?"
"I know many things about you, Aeryn Sun." Kathra explained. "In
command of Captain Blainar Crais, you turned against your own people.
For what reason, I can not comprehend. You were currently in the company
of an escaped Leviathan prison transport along with three fugitives and a
strange being from across the universe."
"Maybe you're right." Aeryn replied.
"Tell me, Aeryn." Kathra said. "Why would you betray your own kind?"
"I have my reasons." Aeryn answered. "Why do you work with this excuse
for a myth?"
"The Hunter is who he is, Aeryn." Kathra said. "He is no myth. Also,
he works for me." She gave a nod at the Hunter, who held a heated iron
that was pressed at Aeryn's neck. A shock went through her skull and
into her brain. "What is this?" she said.
"What does it look like?" Kathra said. "Observe as your body slowly
takes in the low radiation heat and slowly succumbs to the Living Death.
I can stop this right now, if you cooperate."
"What is it you want?" Aeryn asked reluctantly.
"Information on your departure from the PeaceKeeper society and on the
creature."
"I told you, I have my reasons." Another shock went through her brain.
"Ahh!" she screamed.
"I know, and what are those reasons?"
"Crais had declared me irreversibly contaminated." she said. "The
creature is called a human whose ship accidently collided with a Prowler
hile the fugitives were making their escape."
"Why does Crais care about a measely Prowler?" Kathra asked. When Aeryn
was silent, the Hunter gave another shock into her brain. "The pilot was
Crais's brother."
"I see, so all of this trouble was because of family value." Kathra
said. "Interesting, considering the PeaceKeepers would slaughter a
colony of Sebaceans at a moment's notice!"
"You don't know what the frell you're talking about." Aeryn whispered.
"PeaceKeepers are Sebaceans, in case you didn't know."
"I know exactly what I'm talking about." Kathra snapped. "I also know
the difference between a species and a military group of murderers, and
that's exactly what the PeaceKeepers are; murderous barbarians who can't
think for themselves and when they do, it's usually the ones at High
Command who are old-fashioned, arrogant, conceited dren-suckers who would
make an entire race suffer for their pleasure." Aeryn stared at her
icily. "You know I'm right, Aeryn." Katha continued. "How many species
have either become scavangers or nearly extinct when they could've been
the greatest race the universe has ever known? I guess we'll never know,
all because of the PeaceKeepers. Take Delvia, for example. They were
conquered, enslaved, their traditions almost lost to us forever! What
could've happened if the PeaceKeepers hadn't interefered with their
lives? Tell me that, Aeryn Sun." Aeryn was silent. What Kathra said
was true; the PeaceKeepers were responsible for destroying countless
civilizations, all because of difference. "I'm not sure," she said at
last. "But it had to be better than what you were planning."
"I seek to destroy the PeaceKeepers, and you can help me, Aeryn." Kathra
said. "Join me, and I will see you as a Sebacean, a species who seeks to
learn from others despite their differences. Together, we can topple the
PeaceKeepers and save these galaxies from their wrath. All I require is
your unconditional loyalty, sworn to me, and any information you have on
High Command."
"What makes you think I want to help you?" Aeryn said. "You're
obviously no better than them, creating these dreaded beings you call
soldiers."
"You will aid me, Aeryn." Kathra replied. "Many of my soldiers had
suffered by the hands of the PeaceKeepers before joining me, especially
the Hunter himself. If anyone is responsible for his existance, it's the
PeaceKeepers."
"When I first left, I spent over half a cycle regreting it." Aeryn said.
"Then I realized that I could be more, more than a soldier, than what
was no better than a drone. Since then, I vowed to be dependent on
myself, and not let anyone control me again."
"So you refuse to join me?"
"Yes."
"You had your chance to live, PeaceKeeper!" Kathra said. "Place her in
the Labyrinth!"
"As you command, Mistress." the Hunter said as he dragged Aeryn away.
Kathra stared as they went, coldly and disappointed. "One day," she
thought. "Victory on the PeaceKeepers will be mine."
..............to be continued in "Secret of the Hunter"