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Part 9a Part 10 Part
10a Part 11 Part 11a Part 12 Part 12a
Part 5 - 8a Part 1 - 4a Part 9 The slide into darkness stopped abruptly as the three bodies ended up in a heap at the bottom. Sout was sprawled on top of Scorpius. Sareel was underneath both of them. "Anyone hurt?" "I appear to be unharmed Scorpius. Where's Sareel?" A muffled snort came from the bottom of the heap. Scorpius rolled over immediately. "My dear girl. Have I hurt you?" "Thanks. I can breath now." They tentatively stood up. The blackness had given way to a dim greyness and it was obvious that they were in a round cylinder, with smooth walls. The light was coming from a grating set high in the wall. "Well it doesn't look promising." "I agree Sareel it sets us a major problem. But all problems are capable of being solved." Further conjecture was halted by the sound of a door opening. Part of the cylinder wall slid aside and five armed Scarrans of the old type marched in. They were pushed roughly out of their container and down a corridor in to a room lit by lurid red lamps. There in the centre of the floor was a metal table. On either side metal chairs and a variety of unrecognisible equipment. There were benches along the side walls littered with equipment Scorpius did recognise. "Gene splitters", he hissed in Sareel's ear. "That fills me full of confidence" Two forms slid out of the shadows and issued instructions to the guard. "Secure them to the central pillar." The central pillar was a massive block of stone the widthe of four people and there were sets of restraints set into the stone. The hapless three were swiftly a tightly fastened to the pillar. Sareel in between the two men. The two forms came into the light and their Scarran features became apparent. The taller of the two came over and touched Scorpius on the chest. "Daemadar has always taken an interest in you. He will be pleased to see you again." He touched Sareel's cheek with a long nailed finger. She flinched. "The technician with so many sidelines." He came up to her and said sibilantly in her ear, "I'm sure we can find a use for all your little....gifts." Moving to Sout he viewed him from all sides. "Mmm a Morgul. Peacekeeper?" "Oh the other side of Morgul society. What a shame!" The other Scarran moved over to where they were and signalled the first one that someone was at the entrance. It was obvious as they moved away that the second Scarran was a female. Sareel looked at Scorpius. His face was contorted with hate. Seeing her looking at him he managed to gain some control. "Extremely painful memories my dear. Extremely!" Sout suddenly gasped as he caught a glimpse of the figure in the doorway. "It can't be!" Scorpius concentrated on the figure. "I always wondered about him. So inconsistant!" "Frelling spy!. No wonder our every move's been known. I'll chase him through the darmirsk until he's so dispersed he'll never get hinself back together again!" "I beg to point out that we've got to get out of here first Sareel. Can you get into the darmirsk now?" She grimaced. "No. I'm hungry and I've no spare energy." "Then I'd suggest that you save the fighting words until later and slip into the persona I made for you." She looked at him stunned. "Why Scorpius?" "Don't argue Sareel. Just do it." Fear flickered in her eyes and then there was total calm. "I presume Scorpius that the next ahn or so will not be pleasant?" "Well not for us I should think. Can you cope Sout?" "My training enables me to ignore the sensations of the body if I choose. I gather I should so choose?" "Very advisible young man." Sout's eyes flamed gold and then black. "It's done." When the Scarrans turned to come back into the chamber they were accompanied by a taller one. He came and surveyed the three prisoners. "Ah Scorpius. I believe that's what you call yourself now. You've achieved so much since your flight from our facility. It came as a great shock that you wanted to leave us and you took so much of our scientific research data with you. Your talent of taking in information from a data spool was, I fear, overlooked. Interesting to think that my genes probably contributed to that." Scorpius's face remained impassive. He hardly blinked as the Scarran, Daemadar touched the exit to his neural tube. "Such an ingenious solution. A great deal neater than that we gave you. But that was an experiment. Its success was never assured." He moved to Sareel who met his eyes with a confident look. "Ah the Vaud technician with the secrets. Secrets which will give us the answers we need. And all that power! Harnessed it will make such a devastating weapon. I believe you also share my genetic material. Has it proved useful?" "If you can call having a full blown attack of Bloodlust, useful, then yes." "I heard about that." "I'm not surprised, your tame spy told you." "Ah yes. He's been so forthcoming. First in the Gammak base and later on the Leviathan. Where's the wormhole machine? You could save yourself a great del of pain by just telling me." Scorpius felt a frisson of amusement. "Give it to them Sareel," he thought to her, "They won't have anymore success in using it than I did." "Be sensible Scorpius," she thought back, "They've no intention of ever releasing any of us, and if they've got me they can make me work it." "Do you truly believe that Sareel? Because if you do then I agree you must resist." "Oh I will Scorpius as long as I can." The Scarran knew that they were communicating and struck Scorpius hard across the face. "I will know every thought in your minds before the end of the weeken." He indicated to the other two. "Bring the female, I need samples." ********************** Plans were going ahead on board Moya for the attack of the citadel. Harvey was actually enjoying the whole thing. "It has to be due to the fact that I
absorbed a great deal of Crichton's memories. He always enjoyed making the
impossible happen." "Oh I'd second that. Somehow no matter how mad his plans they always worked. Well not always as planned!" She was silent for a microt. "Don't you think that you'd both be better off if you merged? There's so much you could both give each other." "Wouldn't really work. He wants different things to me. I want to work in a scientific community and all he wants is to get back to earth with you." "But he knows that's impossible. There's no life on earth possible for me, with or without John. And he'd never have peace from the questions. He'd be constantly under scrutiny." The clone looked at her shrewdly. "Would you go with him if he found somewhere else to go?" She rubbed the barrel with an oily rag ,before answering. "I've thought about it Harvey. It's something I would give a great deal of consideration to. You see physical attraction occurred in my squad. There were some I found interesting and we did take it to the final outcome, but there was never room for a permanent attachment. Merely a satisfaction of physical urges. I find it difficult to understand this idea of romance that seems to fuel Crichton's desire for me." "But Sebbacians in other colonies have it. The Princess found him irresistible." Aeryn snorted. "And that's another thing. He's always saying I'm his girl and what happens the minute he sees an attractive female? I get conveniently pushed into the background. I'm getting confused about the whole matter. I don't think I could ever trust him to just be mine." Harvey asked very gently, "And is that important?" She thought for a while. "Initially I'd have said not. I still had my Peackeeper training and ideas, but now , the longer I'm with him the more important that becomes." "I shall have to find another body then shan't I?" "Sareel said she'd do that for you." "Ah but will we ever see Sareel again. Or the others?" "I really don't know Harvey. And if we don't we'll all have to accept a life in this time period and I'm not really prepared for it." "I don't think Captain Sun that any of us would exactly thrive under those circumstances." ***************** Rygel and Chiana were in the laboratory making incendary devices from the chemicals Zhaan had left. "I wonder how she's doing?" "Probably meditating and counting her sins!" "Rygel that's a rotten thing to say. I meant has she got cured." "That's the last thing on my mind at the present time. Here stuff some more of the wadding in there." He handed her a small round ball. "That's twenty. Do you think we'll need more?" "Doesn't matter if you do. That's all the foromel." He held the container up. "Completely empty." "Now how do we use them?" He sighed. "You're not very practical are you?" "I'm extremely practical if necessary. I'll bet you couldn't have got out of half the akward situations I've found myself in." "I'd never have got into them in the first place. Now look don't knock these about they're a bit sensitive. Pack them carefully in bags with padding in between them and when you want to use them, just throw 'em and take cover." "That simple?" "That simple. For you it needs to be." Chiana picked up one of the metal balls and held it threateningly. Rygel sped out of the chamber. Chiana laughed and set about packing the balls in the bags. ************** "She just won't do it Ka d'Argo." "What d'you mean she won't do it, Pilot?" "She refuses to let Talyn put himself in any danger." D'Argo stomped up the walkway. "Now look there are more lives than Talyn's at stake. Does Moya realise the problems we'll all have if we don't get back to our time?" "Oh yes and she says that Leviathans were around in this time period so there's no problem for her and Talyn." "We have a chance to retrieve the three prisoners and all that's stopping us is a frelling ship. I really can't take any more of this." He banged his hand down hard on Pilot's console and bellowed out, "Tell Moya if she doesn't release the hatches I'll personally blow out every one of them." "There's no need to shout." "There's every need to shout. Well are you going to tell her or shall I just do it?" Pilot blinked. "I shall relay you request to her Ka d'Argo and tell her how strongly you feel but she's having a maternal period." "Goddess preserve us from ships with a mind of their own!" ***************** D'Argo decided to get in touch with Crais as Moya was still adamant in her refusal to let them go. Crais appeared on the screen. "We've got a problem. Moya won't relaese the hatches. She doesn't want Talyn to go into danger." "Then we may have a hezmana of an argument brewing because Talyn is overjoyed to have the opportunity to do what he was designed for." "Can he persuade his mother to be sensible?" "Well Ka d'Argo, if he can't, no-one can!" **************** Aeryn was standing by the transport. She'd loaded all the weapons on board aided by Harvey. The clone in Crichton's body seemed somehow less objectionable. She could see that he too was in a situation not of his own choosing. She started as she felt a light touch on her shoulder. Turning round there was Harvey looking bemused, just like John with the little boy lost look. "What's the matter Harvey?" "I've got this feeling that I want to kiss you and I know you won't let me. I can assure this feeling's not mine. It must be something that's managed to escape from John. Don't worry I shall fight it." He turned away. Aeryn looked after him. The temptation to tell him to carry on was great. He still looked like John and she did miss the contact, well sometimes. "Harvey just a microt!" Part 9a
Admiral Tork was gazing gloomily at an inscribe tablet when a knock at the door roused him from his stupor. "Come!" A carrier staff officer came in and saluted. "What is it?" "Sir there's been some news about the Leviathans." "Well?" The officer looked a little dubious of the reception her information would get. "We've had a report from a Ledeveran merchant captain. Seems that he had the two ships on his scanner when he was passing....er...passing." "Oh do get on with it woman. Passing where?" "Pharas!" "What in the name of the Stovan gods were they doing near Pharas? For that matter what was your captain doing there too?" "Well he's a neutral Sir!" He banged his fist on the desk. The officer jumped. "In this conflict there will be no neutrals. You don't really think the Scarrans and the Nebari are going to take any notice of neutrality do you? No don't answer that. I don'r suppose there was any sign of anyone else there at the time?" "It was at extremely long range Sir, but he did say there might have been two other ships, small ones or as he pointed out it might have been debris." Tork sighed. "Thank you. Let me know the microt anything else turns up." The officer saluted and beat a hasty retreat out of the Admiral's office. She met a fellow officer in the corridor. "What's up Qualt? The old man been giving you a hard time?" "He's hardly been approachable since 'you know who' disappeared." "I think they're all beginning to realise just how dependent we've become on him...and the technician of his. I really don't think we've got a chance in a war with the Scarrans without them!" **************** Sout's face was contorted with the strain of his empathic link to Sareel. "Scorpius just what are they doing to her. She's in agony!" Scorpius picked up what thoughts he could from her. She was deep inside the persona he'd created and though she was resisting giving out any sign of it she was still feeling the severe pain. Scorpius leant towards the Morgul and said grimly, "They're stripping layers of skin from her for cell samples. She's able to tell me what they're doing at the moment. as that helps her focus, but for how much longer I can't say." "I can try to help her absorb it." Scorpius was surprised. "I thought only Delvian priests and stykera could do that." "Another facet of my training, Scorpius. It was rather cosmopolitan! Merciful Goddess what are they doing now?" "Inducing extreme pain through her neural tube connections." "What can they hope to achieve by that?" "Disorientation! They hope to trick her into believing one of their little holographic scenarios. Get the information out of her that way." "Why not out of you Scorpius?" The scientist grimaced. "I've a feeling they know as much as I do on wormholes. But they too can't successfully activate one. She can!" "But it wouldn't work for them either!" "It's merely a matter of time. Sareel herself said that. Only a matter of time before she worked out the factor that made the wormholes personally coded. She thinks the Ancients may have integrated it with her own personality. She also thought that though Crichton didn't have the technology, he....Krask why didn't that come to mind before. I wasn't really listening to her." "What's that?" "Crichton may have the key!" "But Crichton's not in control any longer!" "An extremely good reason to get Harvey a body of his own. I need Crichton restored!" Sareel's pain diminished and she was moved to a side bench unconscious. "She's passed out." "No I managed to activate her hibernation mode. She's got a couple of ahns respite." The two Scarran attendants unshackled Scorpius and bundled him over to the table. Daemedar smiled evilly as they fastened him to the table. "I seen to remember that you had such delicate skin. So easily hurt. You're going to pay for the material you took from us." "I think not. That was a long time ago. I've toughened up since then. I'm no longer a callow youth to be exploited for your experiments." Scorpius's calm expostion infuriated the Scarran scientist. "You think you can match us? I'll grant you that you've taught your female well. I was most surprised. But there are degrees of pain that defy the imagination. You will tell me how to activate a succesful wormhole. We've lost five Corpmen trying." Scorpius laughed. A brittle sound. "Well that's two more than the Peacekeepers. I've no more idea than you evidently on how to keep it stable!" The Scarran's face contorted in a vile smile. "Ah but you can tell us about Peacekeeper strategy and information channels. After we have those we can use it to anticipate every move they make. Victory will swiftly be ours." Still chained to the wall Sout closed his eyes and got ready to help Scorpius absorb the inevitable pain. ************************* Crais had a headache. He'd been subjected to a heated exchange between Moya and Talyn. Neither of the ships had given him chance to disconnect. Talyn was feeling his feet and had verged on being rude to his mother. Crais remembered his dead brother at a comparable age. Rebellion of youth they called it. Seemed it was fairly widespread among species. Growing offspring, protective parents equalled an inevitable flare-up. Finally he'd yelled at the pair of them. Talyn had stopped in mid exchange and relayed Crais's fury to his mother. The outcome was that Moya had accepted in very bad grace, that her son was more than able to look after himself. Talyn had also pointed out that he could also protect her adequately if it came to it. The ship had also worked out a way in which Moya could be given a weapon. She'd argued that it was against the Creators' creed and Talyn had pointed out that they weren't exactly round to help them and anyway hadn't her care been given into the crew's hands? Crais could almost hear Pilot trying to calm Moya. His headache was the culmination of all the transfers. He decided to go and see how far they'd got with their side of the planning on the big Leviathan. Slipping into the docking bay he noticed equipment and weapons stacked against a side bulkhead. Someone had been busy. Harvey slipped out of the transport. He was looking rather cheerful. Crais wondered what had changed his normally morose countenance. "Crais! I hear the deadlock's been broken. We can proceed?" "Yes by all means. I appear to be the only casualty." "Oh what happened?" "Frelling ships didn't give me chance to shut down the transponder and circlet. They were going at it without any thought for me. Hence I have one hezmana of a headache." Harvey paused in what he was doing. "I may have something for that. I was gong through Crichton's effects to see if there was anything of use in this operation when I found it." "What is it?" "Argolian brandy. I think Crichton brought it from Pilach when they were there." "Well it won't cure the headache but it will certainly give me a good reason for having one. Lead on!" *************** When Aeryn and d'Argo found Crais and Harvey they were both out of the game completely. Harvey was playing the harmonica. 'Home on the Range' would never be the same again, and Crais was conducting. "They're worse then Sareel was. Scorpius was furious with her." "But don't her personalities split up when she gets drunk?" "I believe so." "Wish that would happen with Harvey!" "You never know it might. We've never had him like this before!" "What's Argolian brandy like? All we were able to get was ras'lak." "Well it's very smooth and mellow. Extremely pleasant, you don't realise its potency until it's too late." "I'll have to try some when all this is over." Crais looked blearily at them. "Better put the plan back twelve ahns d'Argo. Neither of these two are going to be completely sober much before then. And I certainly don't want them carrying weapons behind me unless they are!" D'Argo picked up the empty bottle. "Well they won't get any worse. Let them sleep it off." Harvey waved the harmonica as they left. "Good--bye..ee" ********** Rygel was talking to Chiana again. "I always knew that Stark was up to no good! Had a shifty look at times." Chiana had washed her hair and it was hanging in rat's tails round her head as she tried to get it dry. Pilot had got one of the DRD's which did the housekeeping to blow air at her head. It was perched precariously on the table. Chiana was on her knees in front of it. "See you've taken to religion! What do they call it ?" "Nothing to what I'm going to call you in a minute Rygel. Be useful and turn the DRD round a bit." "Can't you do it yourself?" "Can't see afrellingthing. Hair's in my eyes." He slid down and poked the robot round. "There is that any better?" "A bit. Suppose I'll have to make the best of a bad job." "Never seen you wash it before." "Never had to. It sort of keeps itself clean. Something to do with the bacteria. But I got that much ash in it going through the lava field I didn't have any choice. It was just getting duller and duller." "Glad I don't have hair." She shook her head. The hair fell back into more or less its normal shape. "That's better!" "Watch out you're casting hair all over me. Now I know why I'm glad I don't have any. It's always moulting." She put the DRD down on the floor and it began picking up the shed hair. "Well Sareel was glad to get her's back.. She didn't feel it to be a problem." "Wonder where they are now?" "Wonder how they are now?" ******************************* Scorpius had managed to resist the hallucinatory generator of Daemedar. The Scarran had taken his revenge by stripping a piece of skin fron Scorpius' chest. He'd just ripped the bodysuit open. "Such delicate white skin. So like the female's. But then no doubt her colouration's due to those genes you gave her." Scorpius mentally gritted his teeth. He was starting to feel distinctly ill and he knew why. "If you want to continue your investigation of me then I suggest you change my coolant rod." At the moment the core spiralled out revealing the dull red spent rod. "You don't have any replacements." "In the compartment in the front of the codpiece. Emergency unit. Press centre button." The Scarran did so. The front sprang open to reveal two glowing blue rods. Daemadar took one out and placed it in the core and pressed the button. It slid back in. He put the spent rod back in the empty space and closed the compartment. "So important to keep you functioning properly." He unclipped the codpiece. "It was unclear when you were young exactly how you would turn out. Which parts would resemble us which the Sebbacians. I'm pleased to see your reproductive system is Scarran." He replaced the codpiece. "I'm told the female was pregnant by you. Yet no offspring? " Scorpius said nothing and was rewarded for his silence by having the Scarran's claws rake his cheeks. "I'll take some samples. I wonder which blood system you have. Or is it a meld of the two?" He scraped some of the blood into a flat container and gave it to the female Scarran. "I have my own technician too. Now to business. I need to know the deployment of the regiments of the outer ring. Just how thinly are they spread? I advise you to co-operate. I am renowned for my prowess at inflicting pain. Not fatal you understand, but sufficient to make you lose your mind." He took an instrument like a set of caliphers with pads on the end. He stripped off the Peacekeeper's helmet exposing the white skull with its Scarran protuberances and soft grey down and clamped the instrument on either side of Scorpius's skull. A severe pain ran through his brain. His eyes narrowed and he just uttered one word. Rapist!" Part 10 (Part 10a) Sout was having difficulty in absorbing Scorpius's pain. The trouble was that the half Scarran had such a natural high tolerance in the first place. When it got to the stage where the Morgul master needed to help him, the pain was at an excruciating level. At last Daemadar had to admit failure and that did not sit well on the Scarran Grand Inquisitor's shoulders. He shook his head. Just what had he created? His offspring was not only on a par in intellegence, but had pain resistance superior to that of the pure bred Scarran. Scorpius's eyes were closed. Daemadar bent over him. "I wonder how you'd manage without your genital system." He chuckled maliciously. "No offspring at all then." Scorpius's eyes opened. "There's alway DNA splitting and replication." "Jeth na kot, pa sorth!" "Language!" The Scarran was completely taken aback by the fact that Scorpius had just resisted the most severe interrogation method he had, and was resistant to hallucinatory recall and on top of that was still completely in control of himself. He grunted in disgust. "Chain him up again!" Scorpius was released from the table and was roughly dragged back to the pillar and shackled once again next to Sout. When the two Scarran assistants had returned to Daemadar, Sout whispered, "Thank the Goddess they gave up I couln't have carried on much longer." Scorpius grimaced. "Neither could I. I was seriously thinking of giving him some old material when he gave up." "Is he really your parent?" "That young man is something I do not wish to be reminded of. He effictively killed my mother and I can never forgive him for that." "I can see why you hate Scarrans so much." "There was more. But now is now the time nor here the place to recount it" He blinked and managed to wipe the corner of his eye. "Dust! I have to admit I've run out of ideas on how to escape." "I have to admit I was rather hoping Sareel could slip into the darmirsk. But she's been prevented from doing that." "She should be coming to any time now. I wonder just what they propose to do next." "Strip the gold out of my skin?" "Never tempt fate by glib statements." "I wasn't. The gold veining contains a poison. We used to be able at one time to spit it at our enemies. But I fear that ability has long since gone." "I don't suppose there's any chance that with your training you could possibly..." "Not a chance I'm afraid." Sout and Scorpius were released and hustled through the dimly lit corridors. Sout made a mental map of the route. It was something he was good at. They were literally thrown into a cell at the end of a side corridor. The sound of footsteps receeded down the main corridor. "At least there's some light in here Scorpius." "I'm more worried what they're doing to Sareel." He needn't have worried because at that microt the footsteps returned and a very groggy Sareel was being frog-marched between the two Scarran attendants. The door was opened and she was pushed roughly inside. Scorpius grabbed her as she stumbled. "My dear girl, sit." The only place to sit was the hard ferrocrete floor. They slid down, Sareel between the two men. "Thanks for putting me out." "I was uncertain of whether I could get it to work with you under duress." He unfastened her tunic. The raw patches where Daemadar had peeled the skin away were still visible on her belly. Sout was surprised that they seemed to be healing. Scorpius noticed his surprise. "Something I don't think the Scarrans have and fortunately haven't yet discovered in us. Nanomoles. They aid the body in repair and replace damaged systems." He lightly fingered the livid spots. "Painful Sareel?" "Not bad. I think in eight ahn or so they'll be gone." Sout sighed. "What's the matter Sout?" "Sareel, I really don't want to be here for another eight ahns. Can we have the latest ideas on how to get out?" "Patience I think is the order of the day. We must wait for our chance. As things are time is on our side. They will make a mistake, however small." "Can't we rush them?" "Sareel's in no state to rush anyone, and strong though I am I cannot fight off one Scarran let alone two. And even a Master such as yourself would be hard pressed. I don't think you realise how strong they are!" "I do. They almost broke my arms manhandling me along the corridors." "I know how to put them down, Scorpius but it needs the element of surprise." "You do?" "A trick taught me by a kwipil. He had fought Scarrans in the Fringe Wars. Said it was far more effective than weapons!" "That could easily be. As I said before Sout, patience!" ******************** Crais and Harvey were extremely ill. "I don't know why I let you talk me into last night." "As far as I remember you didn't take much persuasion. What's all that drumming?" "That's just Moya's usual systems noise." "I do wish she'd make her systems quieter." Aeryn and d'Argo came in with two glasses of blue liquid. Crais eyed them suspiciously. "What's that d'Argo?" "A remedy of Zhaan's we happened to remember." "Instant cure for a hangover. Unless you've forgotten the Scarrans have Sout, Scorpius and Sareel. So no arguing. Get it down you." Harvey took one glass off the Luxan who stood impassively with his arms folded. Crais took the one Aeryn handed him. The two sufferers looked at one another. Harvey raised the glass. "Oh well I can't feel worse." "Me neither." Down went the blue fluid. They both started to smile.That was wiped of their faces as they appeared to convulse and fall about on the floor. Aeryn watched unemotionally. "It always has that effect." "I reckon five microts and they'll be a bit weak but serviceable." "Ten!" "Care to bet on that?" "Five credits!" "You're on!" They stood there waiting. The two were flat out on the floor a glassy stare on their faces. After a while Aeryn looked at her timekeeper. "You've lost d'Argo. Five microts have passed." "They must have had a lot." "I think that bottle in Crichton's quarters was full and they drank that between them." ****************** In the dim recesses of his mind Harvey could hear the drone of voices. He was in a quiet place and didn't really want to leave it. "Say Harvey, when you cut loose you really do it in style!" "John. I thought you were totally lost." "When someone locks your dumpster it's not easy to get out." "You're out?" "Well look pal. Look where I am!" Harvey focussed his inner eye. He could see Crichton wedged in the gap which was there when you really forced the lid against the chain. "I could do with your advice John," "You were quite sure you could do things on your own. Why the change of heart?" "I could put it down to lack of experience. I confess I under estimated your use." "So you admit I do have a use then?" "Yes, yes now are you going to come out and help me?" "Wish I could. I'm totally frelling stuck!" "Well sounds like you got yourselves a good plan." "But what would you do John. I mean when you get inside." "Say my prayers and keep my powder dry!" "I don't understand." "Do what we always do. Play it by ear. Improvise. Plans are made to go wrong. Just muddle on like we always do!" "That doesn't give me a lot of confidence." "I'm always shit scared. Just never tell anyone about it." "I'm apprehensive to say the least." "Join the club. And say Harvey, you couldn't get a hacksaw in here could you?" The image faded swiftly as Aeryn shook him. "Are you all right?" "Crichton's re-appeared." "Good now will you let him back in." "Can't. He's stuck in the dumpster." She threw her hands in the air. "I don't frelling believe it. You have to get drunk to bring Crichton to the surface and now you tell me he's still lost!" "Not exactly lost. I know where he is. He knows where he is. It's just that he's well.. stuck there until someone can help us." "But you can talk to him." "It appears so." "So he can give you advice?" "He just did." "What did he say?" Harvey looked at her rather lugubriously. "You won't like it!" Exasperated she said, "We haven't got time for this. Just tell me." "Well what he said was to muddle on as always!" Aeryn looked at d'Argo, who was getting Crais to his feet. "Well plans never do seem to go right, so I suppose in a way he's right. You know what you have to do both of you so get on with it." Crais looked murderous, but thought better of saying anything and made his way down to the docking bay to return to Talyn. Harvey however looked somewhat relieved and collected the bullets he'd made for the rifles and slipped them one by one into the two bandoliers. He handed one to Aeryn. "You're all right with the rifle?" "I'll manage. I've got a pulse rifle as well." D'Argo meanwhile had gone to collect Chiana and the blast bombs. The Nebaris was checking that the packing in the bags was thick enough to protect the metal spheres from accidental shock. "Are you sure that they're safe? If I remember rightly that concoction of Zhaan's was lethal." She tossed her head. "They're as safe as they're every likely to be. Here take one." The Luxan took a bag off her rather delicately and gently slung it over his shoulder. "Will they kill Scarrans?" "Kill anything and demolish large chunks of masonry. Get behind something substantial before you lob one!" D'Argo made his way to the door. Chiana was still at the bench. "What are you doing now?" "I've just remembered Crichton left that gauntlet thing here. I wonder if it's charged?" "There's no time. Pity you didn't think of it earlier." She sighed. "I do hope this is going to work!" "Any reason why it shouldn't?" "Well I remember the Gammak base, being boarded by a Nebari patrol, the repository and last but not least the ice planet. Not exactly confidence boosting!" "Come on. They'll be wondering where we are." They made their way down to the docking bay. Harvey was just loading the last of the weapons on board with Aeryn. She looked up when she saw them coming. "What's that you've got?" "From what Chiana says, demolition charges." She looked puzzled. "I found some of Zhaan's explode on impact explosive. We've put it into exercise balls." "Didn't know we had any." "It's surprising what the Peacekeepers left behind. Wonder what they wanted with a gross of meditation balls?" Just then Crais came through on the intercom. "Are you ready?" Aeryn looked round and everyone nodded. Rygel had the radio receiver. He been picking up messages from the planet surface. Scarrans were leaving from all parts and Talyn had already confirmed that the time fold had been activated several times.He coughed. "Well the goddess be with you and I hope you get them back in one piece." "It won't be any good if we don't!", replied Aeryn tartly. "We're ready Crais." "Then activate the signal when you reach the citadel and leave the diversion to Talyn and me. He's looking forward to creating a little mayhem. Says he's not had chance since I took over again from Sareel!" Harvey had made a small unit which would sent a micro burst signal when activated. They looked at one another. Harvey broke the silence. "Can't put it off any longer. Time to party boys and girls!" Part 10a In the bowels of the citadel Sareel was drowsing. They'd been given some food which Sccorpius said was what he'd had most of his childhood. "And I still can hardly stomach it!" Her head was on Sout's chest and his arm was round her She felt comfortable with the Morgul. After all they'd flown the light threads of space together and he'd given her comfort when she'd most needed it. Scorpius was asleep on her other side, his left arm wrapped round her waist. Her wounds were indeed healing and she felt considerably better. She wondered if she could access the darmirsk now that things had stabilised. Tentatively she stretched out her senses into that part of her brain. She could feel that beginning of the familiar itch. Perhaps in an ahn or so she could trap enough energy to get them out of the frelling place. Gathering herself she began the laborious task of trapping and attracting energy into the darmirsk , that tiny bit at the back of her brain that could become a massive energy store. Scorpius stirred. She looked round at him and smiled. "Good news." "I'm glad to hear that we have some my girl!" "I'm charging the darmirsk ." "Now that is good news. I gather you're feeling much better." "Much! And you?" "Repairing at the same speed. How long do you think it will take?" "About an ahn. I'm totally depleted." Sout sat up "Did I hear the magic word darmirsk ?" "Indeed you did Sout. Sareel's able to charge it now. I think we can look forward to getting out of here shortly!" They chatted quietly about the best way out without getting recaptured. "Stealth is best." "Oh I agree Sout, but once Sareel's firing on all engines, stealth's out of the question." "Are you insinuating that I'm ostentatious?" "In a word, my dear, yes! You couldn't be any other way. Plasma bolts aren't exactly invisible." "Nor are balls of pure energy." "I suppose not ." Morale was definitely on the up and up. Small smiles started to appear on their faces but it was to be short lived. About half an ahn later, the door opened and the male attendent grabbed Sareel and dragged her protesting out of the cell. Scorpius and Sout looked on aghast. Their salvation was disappearing swiftly down the corridor. "What do they want her for now? Can you guess?" "I can speculate Sout, but none of it's good. If she get's too stressed she'd going to lose the charge." "Lets hope that she doesn't get stressed!" ************* The rescue mission had got under way. Ak Ba was leading them through the lava field. Aeryn wasn't finding it any where near as difficult this time. Because they had some idea of the route, their speed was greater. They still had to watch their footing on the scoria but their confidence was greater having already traversed it twice before. The volcano was having a quiet period, the ground beneath their feet never trembled once and all was quiet except for the plop, plop of the molten rock running beneath the outer crust . Eventually they came to the lava ditch. Ak Ba was acting as catcher as he had done previously. Aeryn and Harvey jumped over. Chiana got herself ready for the leap. "You'd better be careful not to land too heavily or we'll all end up as soup. "Thanks d'Argo. Those are just the words I want to hear right now." She gulped and closed her eyes and cleared the molten stream. Ak Ba caught her confidently. "Safe now Chiana Nebari." "Thanks Ak Ba." She moved over to where Aeryn and Harvey were having a breather. They'd removed the respirators. The fumes weren't anywhere near as bad that evening as they had been previously. D'Argo was standing there. "What's the matter?" "I'm just collecting myself for the jump." "If you believe that you'll believe anything", muttered Harvey. Aeryn glanced at him. "You saying he's scared?" "Well not exactly, but that stuff he's carrying is a little unstable. I think I'd be, shall we say apprehensive!" "But Chiana's done it." "She's a lot lighter than the Luxan. Lands a lot more gently." Finally d'Argo made his jump. And landed safely on the other side. There was a general sigh of relief. They had ten microts rest before carrying on towards the dark bulk of the citadel. Reaching the outcrop of rocks just in front of the huge building, they stopped. "Well do we assume that the microwave transmitters still there." "The radar, well yes I think it would be prudent to do so." "That's going to be difficult with the bags." "That's a good point." There was silence for a while then Aeryn spoke out. "Send the frelling signal to Crais, Harvey. Then there'll be so much disruption we won't have to bother crawling." She looked at him, he seemed to be counting. "Well what are you waiting for?" "It seems to me that the nearer we are to the entrance, the less time it's going to take us to get inside and work our way down to the subterranean area." "Well....yes." "So just watch the sweep of the dishes. Once every fifth pass they are in line and pointing in the same direction." "Which will give us time to run to the walls before they return." "Exactly Ka d'Argo." Aeryn shrugged her shoulders. "Let's do it then." They timed the dash for when the dishes were facing away from them and made it safely to the hard rock of the wall. "Now send the signal to Crais." Chiana pressed the button on the unit she was wearing on her wrist. A light briefly flickered. "It's gone." "How long before Crais and Talyn get here?" "About eight microts. And then we can move inside." Harvey picked up his rifle. "A good idea if we move upto the entrance." They all started moving in single file toward the protuberance in the wall which showed where the guard entrance was. As he reached the dark outcrop d'Argo whispered to Aeryn. "There's no light." Ak Ba slipped round them and cautiously looked round the stonework. He slid back to them. "They've blocked the entrance." "Marvellous and where's the next nearest one." "The main loading doors, but the troopers will be coming out of that one once the diversion starts." Aeryn looked worried. "Makes it a whole lot more risky. We'll probably have to fight our way in and then our best weapon's gone." "Best weapon?" "Yes Chiana. Stealth and surprise!" "Ugh! Tell me why do our plans always seen to be jinxed." "You've got me there. Are you sure there's no other way Ak Ba?" The Scarran though for a while. "If it's still open, there's a culvert going into the centre. It used to be used for waste disposal before these 'visitors' of ours put in their units." Aeryn, d'Argo and Harvey looked at each other. "I don't mind fighting." "I'd rather get in undetected, d'Argo and save the fighting for the way out. Much better odds!" "I have to agree with Captain Sun." "Hey don't I get a say in this?" "Well yes. What do you think?" "These grenades we've got.. well I'd rather be lobbing them later rather than sooner. If we use them going in we could block our own way." "She's got a point." "Lead on to the culvert then Ak Ba and pray it's not closed off." The Scarran felt his way carefully round the wall and they followed him for about forty metrons. He suddenly stopped and bent down. Straightening up he went back to the group. "It's there and it's dry. It's a small drop to the floor." Chiana shuddered. "Oh these frelling grenades. I wish we hadn't brought them." "I'll hand them down to you Chiana Nebari." "Thanks Ak Ba. That would be better." "And I can do the same for you, if you wish Ka d'Argo." "I wish it very greatly Ak Ba. My thanks!" Chiana slid down the side of the culvert and dropped lightly to the bottom. Ak Ba gently lowered the grenade bag to her. "Got it!" Aeryn was the next down. She couldn't manage the projectile rifle as well as the pulse one and was surprised when Harvey handed it down. He was distinctly different. Since he'd managed to talk to Crichton after getting drunk, there had been a change. He'd become less abrasive. "Here, I'll pass mine down then it can't get stuck on the edge." She took it. He dropped lightly down and took d'Argo's grenade bag and qualta blade from Ak Ba. D'Argo had a bit of a struggle being so big. "It gets wider once you're down. Opens out into quite a wide corridor." He slipped down the wall sides. "Frell! I think I'm stuck." They all formed a chain, arms round waists, Harvey at the front, and pulled. Finally after a lot of effort he popped into the corridor like a cork out of a bottle. Muttering something that even the translator microbes couldn't cope with he picked up his bag and qualta blade. "Glad we don't have to go out that way." Ak Ba went to the front of the little procession. "This leads into the conference room. There's a grille, but it's a flimsy thing. Then the lift is just outside." Just at that moment there was an almighty explosion and the sky outside was lit up. Aeryn went to the opening. Talyn was swooping in and fired at the citadel wall. Somewhere inside a siren sounded and troopers came pouring round the corner. There was a flash and a large chunk of masonry fell off the wall into the middle of the Scarrans. "Come on let's go. They're going to to be occupied for some time to come. But we should speed it up." The corridor was dank and every now and then something scurried across their feet. "That was bigger than a conduit rat. Yoiks! And it was scaly!" "Don't think about it. Concentrate on the task ahead!" Suddenly there was a lighter patch ahead. Ak Ba stopped. "The conference room" "Let's hope they're not having a conference." Harvey chuckled. "With all that going on outside. I think we're quite safe." D'Argo made light work of removing the grill. It yielded to him easily, just like foil. They all crawled through into the stone chamber. "They don't have very big conferences." "I've seldom known any of my people discuss anything." "How did you manage in your village?" "The elected headman said do this and we did it. Saved worrying whether we were doing the right thing." "Sounds strangely like the Peacemakers!" "Which way now?" Ak Ba pointed to a metal door in the wall. "The descender's behind." He pulled the door open. "It's not very big is it?" "We'll go in two groups and hope no one notices that it's on the move." Chiana and d'Argo went first. As soon as the lift returned the remaining three got in. "It's been easy so far Harvey." Harvey had a gloomy look on his face. "From what Crichton managed to say to me, that has been the pattern of all your sorties to date. They start out well and then fade away." "You don't sound full of confidence?" "Oh I'm confident. Confident that something unexpected's going to happen." Aeryn left him and went to Ak Ba. The Scarran had primed his rifle and indicated that they should follow suit. Then he led the way down a dimly lit corridor. "This leads to the main interrogation suite." Suddenly they heard running footsteps. The Scarran indicated that they hide in a room off the corridor. From the slightly opened door Aeryn could see two improved Scarrans carrying metal boxes hurrying down the tiles floor before turning left. "Where does the left hand passage lead?" "To the grove with the machinery that amplifies the natural time fold." "They're moving out. Let's hope we're not too late." After they were sure that there were no more Scarrans on the move, they slipped out of the room and headed up towards the interrogation suite with its uncounted horrors. Part 11 There was a subdues silence in the cell after Sareel had been taken. Sout could see that Scorpius was sitting with his back to the wall, his head tilted slightly backwards and his eyes closed. He could feel nothing at all emanating from the scientist. "How do you that" Scorpius opened his eyes. "Do what?" "Shut off your thoughts completely." "I didn't. I was trying to make out what was happening to Sareel. She's been fastened to that table again and Daemedar's hovering around a cylinder full of liquid with wires leading to it. There's something else to the side and behind but she can't quite see what. I fear that he's thought up some foul new torture to get the wormhole key from her." "Does he know about it?" "I should imagine that the whole of Peackeeper territory knows about it after I disappeared down one. And because they'll have spies infiltrated in our ranks, so do the Scarrans." He smiled a wry smile. "I can only hope they have as little success as I did." "We've got to get one of them to come in the cell you know. Then I can deal with him." "I've been thinking about that. You could make out that something's happened to me. Perhaps my neurotube's malfunctioning. Yes that should get a response. I got the distinct impression that Daemedar was saving me for some personal investigation. He wouldn't want me dead I think." *********************** The male Scarran was having a snack in the small guardroom close to the cells. Not much longer and he would be able to slip back through the time fold. He had to admit that the native Scarran population were mainly beneath contempt. Farmers and merchants. Very few with anywhere near the modern day Scarran's intelligence and resolve. There was a lot to be said for genetic engineering. Well if you were a Scarran anyway. His musing was rudely curtailed by the sound of shouting from the cells. Thosede'pakogaliens! ***************** "Well that should do the trick!" "That Sout would raise the dead!" "Do remember to look extremely ill." Scorpius chuckled. "With my face that is not difficult." The Scarran came to the entrance where the force field twinkled as dust hit it. "What do you want?" "It's Scorpius. I don't know what's wrong. He had a convulsion and passed out. I think the coolant system may be malfunctioning." The Scarran remembered the Daemedar had made a point of drilling into them that Scorpius was to be used for his pleasure and was to be taken back throught the time fold with them. He most certainly would metre out harsh punishment if anything happened to him or the Morgul for that matter. His chief was extremely interested in him never having had one for experimentation before. Rumbling profanities under his breath he switched off the power to the force field and went into the cell. Immediately the 'very ill' Scorpius rolled away from him and the last thing he remembered in his life was the foot of the black and gold Morgul coming up towards him. "Very neat Sout." "Yes it's the shock of impact in that region. Snaps their heads back and breaks their necks. A basic fault in Scarran design." "Oh I am so pleased they have one. I think we go left." "Left and left again and there's a slight rise just before the interrogation chamber." "I'm worried. I can't link into Sareel at all." "Perhaps she's unconscious." "I do hope so. Even with my help she can't stand what I can." He gave Sout an arch look. "Or possibly you for that matter!" Sout gathered up the dead Scarran's pulse rifle. And followed Scorpius up the corridor towards the chamber. They reached the area where the ground started to rise and Scorpius signalled for Sout to take the far side of the corridor. They peered into the antechamber which led into the main one. There was just the female Scarran doing something to a transparent container on the side bench. She was sideways on. Sout signalled that they would have to have a little patience until she turned. Then they heard the first explosions as Talyn began his attack. ****************** Once they had made their way into the maze of corridors the rescue party were totally reliant on Ak Ba for directions. They could hear the muffled explosions from outside. "I'd say Crais is having a field day out there." "D'Argo I'd say it's more like Talyn is letting loose. I doubt if Crais could stop him now if he wanted to." "You mean Talyn's out of control?" "Not exactly. But he does get carried away sometimes and is hard to control. Look at him when Sareel was on board." "Well she managed to do it, eventually." "I'd love to know how she did it." "You'll have to ask her, won't you." Ak Ba suddenly motioned for their silence. He came back to the group and whispered to them. "There are more Scarrans up ahead." "Original or improved." "Original, but they are soldiers." "What to to do? That is the question." "Well that's obvious Harvey. Looks as if we'll have to fight our way through," "How much cover have we got?" Ak Ba slipped upto the corner. "It's a small chamber with power multipliers in it. Good to hide behind. They are all up the far end standing about. I think they must be waiting for something." "Then they won't be very alert. Let's slip behind the first part of the machinery." "We could use a grenade." Aeryn looked at Chiana and was about to make an acid remark when she remembered that she was unlikely to realise the effect it would have. "Not in such a confined space. At the very least we'd deafen ourselves." "Oh! Hadn't thought of that." "I don't think power multipliers would react very well to a large explosion either." Harvey added thoughtfully. "Might cause a chain reaction. We don't want to do that until we are on our way out." "Would give us good cover then." "Might be just what we need." "Back to now, stealthily behind the coils and try to pick them off cleanly." There was a silent dispersal to the cover of the nearest coils. Aeryn had a good view of the Scarrans. "Frell! All but two have their backs to us." "So?" "Really d'Argo I'll never know how you made general." "He didn't if you remember. He just took the title." "Thank you Harvey. That really doesn't matter. How can I shoot them on the eye region if they have their backs to us?" "Well just go for the two who are facing us. I'll guarantee the others will turn fast enough when they go down." "Just keep those grenades out of the line of fire. I've had a close encounter with death once. I've not desire to meet it in a thousand pieces!" Chiana stuck her tongue out at Aeryn who didn't see the gesture. Da'Argo slipped behind the Nebari. "That was the action of a child." "Well she's comes the Miss High and Mighty on these occasions. I'm petrified already carrying these things. She doesn't have to remind me about them." "Well just you stay put here. I'm leaving the other bag with you so that I can use the blade." He gently laid down the second bag of grenades. "And don't let on you're here unless you are directly attacked by a Scarran!" "You don't think I'm going to let one get that close do you d'Argo?" "I doubt you'll be able to talk your way out of it if you did. Use your pistol if necessary." He moved over to the group. Aeryn and Harvey were taking aim with their projectile weapons. "Keep up a covering fire after we've fired. These can only take two bullets and then we have to reload." Ak Ba had his pulse rifle at the ready position and d'Argo was preparing the qualta blade. "Are you ready Harvey?" "As ready as I'll ever be." "Then fire!" The sound of the shots reverberated round the small chamber and one Scarran fell immediately. The other lurched into several of his companions clutching his head before falling. They immediately fired in the direction of the shots. Harvey and Aeryn fired again but this time missed because of the movement of the mass of bodies. Aeryn squinted through the sight. "This isn't easy. You've got to be so much more accurate than with a pulse rifle." "There was a great deal of skill attached to the use of these weapons. That's what John told me in the brief dialogue I managed to have with him while we were coming here." "I wish he was here now!" "You know it might sound strange but so do I. I've never done anything like this before. Come to think, everything's new. I'm relying on Crichton's and Scorpius's transferred memories for everything. I didn't realise how much we'd become intertwined." "Watch out they're making a move!" Two of the remaining Scarrans dived out of cover firing rapidly and tried to reach where Aeryn and Harvey were sheltering. "Time to move along Captain Sun." They made their way to the next set of coils and fired at the Scarrans at the rear. One fell and the other clutched the side of his face. The first two had reached Ak Ba and d'Argo. Their Scarran fired at point blank range into the face of the second Scarran soldier who was trying to attack the tall Luxan. There was an agonised scream as the badly wounded Scarran slumped to the floor. D'Argo in the meantime was in close combat with the lead soldier. Though the Luxan was taller and heavier the Scarran was bit by bit getting the upper hand and had almost wrenched the Qualta blade out of his hands. Ak Ba was hovering, trying to get a clear line of fire, when the Scarran suddenly dropped to the ground. Aeryn stood up. "That was most welcome Aeryn. I never realised just how strong they are." "That was Harvey. I got the last one at the back." "Well whoever it was I thank you." They collected Chiana from her hiding place and d'Argo once again took his bag of grenades. "Do you suppose we've alerted any one?" "With the noise outside and the general state of chaos I'd say highly unlikely." "You don't mean to say we've been lucky for once?" "Could well be, but don't tempt fate Chiana." They moved forward extremely cautiously towards the main chamber. Aeryn was the first to peer round the entrance. "I'd say our luck's just run out!" D'Argo moved up behind her. "It's empty. Nothing at all in it." Ak Ba stood wrinkling his brow and scratching his nostrils. "This is the main interrogation hall. It's where the members of my group were held. Unless....." "Unless what?" "Aeryn Sun I think we still have a little way farther to go. They have a set of more secure rooms hidden in this floor. There are secret catches in the wall to release the doors." "I suppose that this is a stupid question, but do you know what they look like?" The Scarran looked away. He was distinctly uncomfortable. "Well do you Ak Ba?" "Maybe Aeryn Sun. And then again maybe not." "Am I being extremely stupid or have I missed something here? Why aren't you sure?" "Because no one actually got this far. The information about the catches came from one of the soldiers who had a brother in the group. Only he didn't know that. And when he visited his brother he used to tell him about what he'd done in the citadel. But it seemed that only Daemadar and his two assistants had access to the very heart of the unit. I think the catches are small carvings, but I've no idea whether they have to be actived in any special sequence." He looked glumly at the floor. "I've let you down." "You weren't to know. We couldn't have got this far without you." Harvey shifted the weight of the bandolier. "It's just like Crichton said ' Play it by ear'!" Part 11a The waiting seemed interminably. The female Scarran was engrossed in her work, but to have attacked her at that time would have been fraught with peril. Speed and accuracy were essential and Sout had to have her facing him. In the long run even Scorpius's patience was wearing thin. He whispered in Sout's ear. "Can't wait any longer. Daemedar could be doing anything to Sareel!" "You still can't connect?" "No. Look I'm going to saunter in and get her attention. The rest's up to you." He moved nonchalently forward toward the technician and coughed discreetly. The Scarran looked up and then went for her weapon. The last thing she saw was the black and gold flash that was Sout. "We should have done that sooner. It was so simple." Scorpius looked cautiously into the short passage between the side lab and the main one. "Perhaps. I felt the element of surprise to be important. The passage is empty. Now to deal with Daemedar." "I have a feeling that you've been waiting a long time to do just that." "I thought he was dead until about a cyle ago. Then I realised that he was using another name. Zip Tok." "Now even I've heard of him. The one Scarran you really don't want to meet!" Scorpius nodded. "He's been like a shadow. Slipping here and there, eluding surveillance left right and centre. I've been trying to catch up with him to settle an old score." "You're not going to tell me what that is are you?" "Some things are better kept private. Let's move on." ******************* "Well I don't see any carvings at all on these walls. We're getting nowhere fast and my feet hurt!" Chiana was tired of tramping up and down corridors. Aeryn's feet were hurting too but her training had taught her to disregard minor inconveniences. Anything short of a major wound was to be ignored. She wondered if her instructors had ever practised what they'd preached. D'Argo and Ak Ba seemed unaffected. Harvey had his boots off and was fiddling with his socks. "Just what are those things?" "Seems Crichton always wore them under his boots. These are the replicants." He pulled the offending piece straight. "But they slip down as you move and lump under your toes. He really had some strange habits." Comfortable once again he put the boots back on. Ak Ba and d'Argo were deep in conversation. Aeryn was beginning to despair of ever finding the hidden chamber. "It's like looking for a Yttrium nugget in the Sork Asteroids." They were an extremely large and thick band of debris between Sebbeus and Irgon. Yttrium nuggets were minuscule, hence the saying. Chiana flexed her shoulders. "I think we should have one more
try." "What's the difference? Trouble wherever we go." "The difference is we'll have the two Leviathans and modern science and weapons. Now Talyn can't easily be disguised. There'd be a scramble by all those species who had space travel to capture him." "And we'd use the weapons and alter time." "I'd like to remind you that if we don't destroy the machinery that enhances the time fold, it's going to happen anyway." Harvey was deadly serious. "Scarran supremacy." Chiana shook her head. "Not something I want to think about." D'Argo and Ak Ba came back after their discussion. "Ak Ba's says there's another passage." "That's good news." "Well maybe." "Ohfrell.That sounds like trouble!" "We'd have to leave the projectile rifles behind." Aeryn was running short of patience. "Oh get on with it d'Argo. We haven't got all day." The Luxan snorted and went on," The passage is flooded for part of the way. We'll have to swim through. The pulse rifles and the grenades will go through the water but the other rifles would have to be dried out before use and we just haven't got the time to do that." "There's another snag!" "What's that?" "I can'tfrellingswim!" Chiana was looking miserable. "I hate water, well I hate being in it." "Look it's quite simple. You take a deep breath when we tell you and I'll tow you through." She looked at Harvey with suspicion. "Are you sure you can swim?" "Well Crichton could so therefore so I can. Oh don't prevaricate. Just do it. The less thought you give it, the easier it will be." She still looked unhappy. Aeryn chipped in with, "We can always leave you behind." "No way, I'll do it. Somehow." "Then if we're all ready it's this way." Harvey took the bag of grenades from Chiana and laid down his rifle and bandolier. Aeryn put her beside it. "I'd like to have got proficient with that." "Well we can always make some more." "I suppose so." They retraced their steps for about twenty metrons before Ak Ba pointed to an alcove. What wasn't immediately apparent was the aperture at waist height. Ak ba bent down and went under the arch. The others followed. There was no light at all in the passage and they had to use cold light pads. They walked in silence for about seventy metrons and the the floor began to dip. "It's cut under a natural hard rock formation. That's why it flooded. They never used it once they'd realised their mistake." They soon reached the edge of the water and went in. For a while they were just wading in the cold, dark water. Then the floor dropped again, quite suddenly. "Lie on your back Chiana, I'll tow you. And take a deep breathe when I tell you to." The Nebari did so reluctantly. They others went ahead. Harvey towed her along until the passage became totally submerged. "Take the deepest breathe that you can and hold it." "Yotz. I don't believe I'm doing this." "Well you can say you've conquered a fear!" He started swimming at about half way down in the passage dragging the rigid form of Chiana behind him. The water stretched before him for what seemed to be an interminable distance. He felt his lungs reaching the point where he desperately needed air again when suddenly his head broke the surface in to air. Chiana was looking very pale. He touched her . "It's all right you can breath again now." It was then that he realised that she was wasn't breathing and was waterlogged. He got her out on to the dry passage way and started artificial respiration and and heart massage. It was to his great relief that she falteringly began to breathe and vomited copiously on the passage floor. After a few microts she had recovered enough to speak. "I'm never, never going to do that again. There'd better be another way out." The others clustered round. "Can you go on?" "Well you're not leaving me here. I'll make it" "Don't worry. I'll look after her." Aeryn gave Harvey a very peculiar look as he lifted the bedraggled Nebari to her feet and told her to hold his arm.The little party continued on its way along the passage. After a little while it began to rise and they were soon at T junction. "Take the left hand way. It leads straight to the chamber."
********************* Scorpius and Sout reached the entrance to the interrogation chamber and saw Daedemar replacing the lid on the clear container that Sareel had shown to him earlier. The only difference was that now it seemed to contain something. He motioned Sout to follow him and holding the pulse rifle he walked decisively towards the Scarran. He was preoccupied and Scorpius could see that Sareel was still strapped to the table. "Just stand still and don't go for a weapon." Daedemar straightened up slowly and looked at the two figures. "Scorpius!" "You didn't think I was going to stay incarcerated did you?" "Where are my assistants?" "If there's a Scarran heaven then they are winging their way there." "You've killed them?" "Well they weren't exactly welcoming. Now release Sareel." The Scarran burst out laughing. It was an extremely unnerving sound. Scorpius started slightly. It brought back bad memories. "Well don't just stand there do it!" Sout waved his rifle in a meaningful manner towards the Scarran. "I'd do as he asked." Daedemar released the restraints on the prone figure. "It won't do you any good. Your precious Sareel's gone for ever." Scorpius looked at him suspiciously before asking, "Just what do you mean?" "I could see that there was no chance of extracting her wormhole technology as she was, so I made a simple adjustment. I've got the means of making her do as I wish now." "But you won't get the chance!" "Nor will you...ever. Really Scorpius you disappoint me. I'd hoped that you'd have embraced our desires. You would have been a great asset to us. But no, you turned out almost as soft as the Sebbacians and Interons." Scorpius snorted. "After my childhood experiences, you really believe I would have any loyalty to you?" "Ah that was intended to toughen you up. To make you one of us. There's little room for softness in our society. But you were resistant and perverse. I was extremely embarrassed when you fled taking all that knowledge with you. Ashamed that you were from my seed." Scorpius hissed , "I've never forgotten. And I've never forgotten what you did to my mother." "Poor Scorpius, first your mother and now your mate. It must be difficult for your soft heart to accept." Scorpius realised at that moment that Daedemar had done something dire to Sareel. "What have you done?" "Oh just removed her brain. It's in that flask. Completely self sustaining system. I'm extremely proud of it. First time I've tried it out. And the body, well thanks to your excellent technology her neurotube has supported her autonomous nervous system for some time now. And will go on doing so indefinitely as long as her power rod's regularly renewed. An excellent vessel for experimentation." Sout noticed that the normally totally in control Scorpius was looking slightly wild in the eye. "You removed her brain, put it back." "But'scomplete removal's a one way operation. Even your beloved Diagnostician will tell you that." He curled his lip. "It'll take a miracle to restore her Scorpius, and scientists don't believe in miracales do they?" "I'll find a way, if it's the last thing that I do." "I think you'll find things a bit different when you return through the fold. We should be more or less in control of the Peacekeeper territory. Not having the working wormhole meant we had to try something different." "I'll destroy that temporal enhancer
then things will be back to the status quo." And he reached for the weapon hidden under the table. ****************** The rescue party burst into the chamber in time to see Scorpius, has face a mask of enraged hatred, plunge a sharp implement into the Scarran's eye and turn it round and round. Daedemar howled and fell dead to the floor. "Thank the Goddess you're all right both of you." Aeryn looked round. "Sareel's unconscious?" Sout took them all to one side. I'd leave Scorpius for a microt or two to collect himself." "Why what's happened?" "Well Ka d'Argo, it appears that the Scarran he's just killed was the one that raped his mother." Chiana pointed to the body on the ground. "That was his father?" "I suppose he was. But no paternal instincts there at all." Harvey just looked at the figure of Scorpius who was holding his hands round the transparent container with its grey contents and bubbling liquid. "And the rest." "Sareel's in two pieces and it seems there's little or no hope of recombining them. The Scarran removed her brain. That's what's in that flask Scorpius is holding." Aeryn felt a stab of pity for the Peacekeeper chief scientist and a sense of the loss of Sareel. They moved out of the chamber and left Scorpius alone with Sareel's remains. He stroked the smooth sides of the flask. He couldn't prevent the lump in his throat and the feeling of emptiness in his gut. Scorpius wept! Part 12 >It was an extremely solemn procession that wended its way through the maze of passages to the outside. D'Argo was carefully carrying Sareel's body. "Strange", he thought, "She looks so normal. Just asleep." What he found difficult was that it was exactly how she would remain virtually for ever as long as she was provided with nutrients and her power rod changed. "Sleeping Beauty." "What?" "Crichton's just popped his head out of the dumpster. He can't get much more than that out. It's a children's tale from earth. A beautiful princess is put under a spell by a wicked witch. She sleeps until someone kisses her. Then the spell is broken." "I wish it were that simple." "So do I! Even Maldis couldn't put her back together." "He's like a wicked witch. He'd just absorb her life essence." "Interesting that! Where do suppose that resides. In her brain or her body?" "I don't want to think about it. Scorpius maybe a piece of Peacekeeperdren, but I feel for him." Aeryn and Chiana were feeling sorry for the scientist too. He was carrying the flask which contained Sareel's brain almost with reverence. There was not trace in his demeanour of his breakdown in the interrogation chamber. He was once more in total control of himself, moving purposefully, but with a quiet dignity. "What do you think he's going to go now?" Aeryn ducked under a low arch. She and Chiana were in the lead. "Scorpius being Scorpius, back to his first goal, with modifications." "The wormhole?" "That won't do him much good unless he's out of here. No he'll destroy the time fold if he can." "I can get out of most situations easily, one way or another. I don't ever remember a time when I felt so helpless." "I loathe being dependent on Scorpius, but at the moment he represents our only way out. Shhhhsh." "What is it?" "In the chamber ahead. Group of Scarran troopers." Harvey, Ak Ba and Sout moved up. "Ideas?" "Run like asnalkit'sbiting your rump and lob a few grenades on route." "What about d'Argo and Scorpius?" "How much damage will those grenades do in here? I mean the chamber's not likely to collapse or any thing like that?" "Hard to say. Chiana knows that there are differing amount of chemical in them. They weren't all the same size." "Well will a couple of the smaller ones see off the Scarrans?" "Make it three and they'll be Scarran soup!" Sout went back to tell Scorpius and d'Argo to wait until after the blast before going through the chamber. The scientist just nodded. When Sout looked at his eyes, they were devoid of emotion. It was as if he was dead inside. The Morgul thought he'd never seen a more chilling sight. ***** "Right ! Now!" Harvey, Aeryn and Chiana ran straight into the chamber and lobbed grenades at the startled Scarrans. Before they could fire the grenades exploded. The massive combined sound reverberated round and round. Chiana suddenly screamed. Aeryn looked round. A dismembered Scarran arm had landed round her shoulders, the sinews and blood vessels dangling and it was twitching. "Get thisfrellingthing off me." "Just stay calm and forSork'ssake don't drop those grenades. They're even more lethal than I thought they'd be." Aeryn dispassionately picked the still twitching arm off the Nebari who shuddered, and threw it as far away as she could. "Just as John told me! Scarran soup!" "You mean Crichton told you that." Harvey frowned, "Well it's way outside my usual vocabulary. I remember he was grinning as he said it." Aeryn looked at him with something resembling hope on her face. "You two are splitting apart again, aren't you?" "Well John managed to wriggle an arm out of the dumpster this time." "Why don't you just unlock thefrellingthing?" "Ah well you see I'm not as soft hearted as John. I threw away the key!" There was no answer to that so they collected Sout, d'Argo, Ak Ba and Scorpius and headed to the ascender. Once in the main corridor Chiana looked a lot more chirpy. "Yotz! Fresh air. Get rid of the smell of Scarran. I need a bath!" "Yes they are a bit fragrant. Especially when their guts are flying round the place." Chiana glared at him. He just returned the glare with a grin that was reminiscent of Crichton. They emerged into the outside world to witness a scene of destruction and confusion. Large bits of the masonary of the citadel had either fallen or been disintergrated and the Scarran troopers were in total disarray. Talyn swooped in with another burst of his photonic cannons and a bit more of the stonework disappeared. "Well at least someone's enjoying themselves." Aeryn curled her lip and snapped, "At a time like this that's about the most insensitive thing I 've ever heard!" "Even I wouldn't say something as gross as that." The thoroughly chastened Harvey led the way down towards the settlement. There was no need now for caution and Aeryn was secretly glad not to have to cross the lava field again. The direct route was much quicker and in less than an ahn they were in the small ravine where they'd left the transport. Chiana sent the signal pulse again to let Crais know they'd reached the ships and to disengage. Aeryn had a feeling he'd have great difficulty in getting Talyn to stop firing. The growing ship was getting more and more warlike. Which wasn't surprising as that was what he'd been bred for. However an out of control armed Leviathan didn't bear thinking about. Scorpius put the flask gently on the ground and released the canopy catch to the prowler. "I thought, Captain Sun you could fly it back to Moya. A pity to leave it here." Aeryn looked at him. There was not a trace of any emotion on his face. She thought she'd never seen him look more drained. "Yes I'll do that. It would be a pity to leave it down here." She was about to say 'When Sareel's made all those modifications.' when she suddenly realised the possible implications of adding the rider. Instead she climbed up and switched on the engines and ran through the pre flight checks. Even the tracking screen had been customised by Sareel. There was a holopic of Scorpius saying "Now are you sure you've checked everything", just a microt before it shattered into a thousand pixel fragments. Aeryn smiled a wry smile. There were going to be many more reminders of the departed technician to contend with. She powered up and saw Scorpius's marauder follow her. The slower transport had already left and they passed it on the way to Moya. ********************* "I don't believe it! It couldn't happen! It's impossible!" "It's happened Rygel. You'll have to accept it. Sareel's gone." "But her body's all fresh and breathing." "Yes and it'll stay that way indefinitely as long as it has minimal attention." "Sout. Tell me it's not real. Tell me I'm having a nightmare." The Morgul patted the diminutive Hynerean reassuringly on the head. "There's always hope, Dominar." Harvey was removing th explosive from the grenades and neutralising it. "I think,frell, nearly dropped it, that's what Scorpius feels. Chiana, how did you pack it in so tightly?" "Well you did say stuff it in as hard as you can, and I did." "I don't recall saying that exactly." "Well that was what you implied!" Rygel was looking extremely down in tne mouth. "I suppose that means we're stuck in this time for ever. I'll never get my rightful position back!" "What makes you say that?" "Well I thought Sareel was the one with the answers." "Oh come on dominar selfish. Sareel would tell Scorpius. They were always transmitting information. And Scorpius is supposed to be a genius." "Peacekeeper command think so!" "Crais!" "You'll never believe the difficulty I've had in calming Talyn down. I'll have to get your Pilot to ask Moya for advice." "I thought that might happen." "I think Aeryn, that he'd listen to you." Crais was deadly serious. "Maybe. But I don't want to move over." "Zhaan's gone, Crichton's gone, Sareel's gone. What is there left on board Moya for you now?" "Hope Crais. There's always hope." She walked away from him, but he could see from the droop of her shoulders that she didn't believe her own words. ************** Scorpius had laid Sareel's body on the couch in their quarters and securely fastened the flask containing her brain to the bench. It would be safe from sudden movements. His objectivity was returning. They had to get out of the time fold and also destroy the machinery that enhanced it. Returning to their own time was the only chance there was to find a solution to Sareel's problem. He couldn't think of it a more than a temporary problem. His own mind wouldn't let him! He could never accept that she was gone for all time. Oh true he should be able to make connections to her brain using some of the Aurora Chair technology and communicate in some manner with her consciousness, but that would never compensate in full for her vitality and her joy in living or ease his pain. He picked up the small device off the side bench that he'd been working on previous to the planet side excursion and went towards the central lounge. ***************** Harvey had just finished extracting the explosive and was about to neutralise the last batch. "Don't do that! I need it!" He looked up and saw Scorpius standing there a small pad in his right hand. His face was devoid of expression and his eyes were like grey stone. "Ah! Well if you're sure. Take it by all means." "Is there a box to put it in or something similar?" Harvey produced an empty small tool box. "That do?" "Excellent." He waited until it was filled and then took it off the sprite. The others had grouped round by this time. "I want you to be ready at exactly the co-ordinates you arrrived at. You too Crais ,so I suggest that you manoeuvre immediately." Crais gave him a surprised look and left for the docking bay. "Pilot, did you hear that?" "Perfectly Captain Sun. Moya's initiating drive now." There was a slight shudder as the big ship moved to the co-ordinates she'd occupied on her entry to the ancient time. "I'm going down to start the fold enhancing machinery and lay the explosive charge. I shall detonate it the microt before I enter the time fold. The slight temporal delay should ensure my safe passage." "That's risky!" "There is an element of risk Captain Sun, but it is minimal." The hardness was back in Scorpius's voice. There was none of the softening of tone that had become apparent to them after Sareel had entered his life. Aeryn shuddered. Goddess help any interogees from now on! He took the box from Harvey and left the lounge. They all looked after the receeding figure in black. "If he was hard and dedicated before, he's gong to be twice as bad now he's lost the meaning to his life." "Sareel had that much of an impact on him? " "He's now got two goals, a stable wormhole, which is only a matter of time and the restoration of Sareel which is a leap of faith for a being who only believes in scientific fact." "Er...m Science has it's limitations as I'm finding out rapidly." They turned to look at Harvey. "Crichton was fun. He's given me the need to have fun. I hope Scorpius can find me another body when we're back home!" "And I'd like Crichton back. Harvey I don't want to hurt your feelings, but when I kissed you there was nothing there. I thought the same body, same reactions. But there weren't." "Then love is all in the mind?" "Love? Well I find the concept hard to subscribe to.." "Peacekeeper indoctrination", snorted Rygel. "You don't know what you've been missing." "I have had physical encounters before", she retorted indignantly. "But never let your heart know.FrellAeryn, that's the best part. The uncertainty, will he, won't he. Can he love me back?" "I thought you just used sex to get you out of scrapes." "Doesn't mean I haven't enjoyed it either. There've been males I could have happily died for. Georgeous males. Well not to look at particularly. There was one Rovot.." "You never told me about a Rovot." "Didn't I d'Argo? Perhaps it slipped my mind." "I wonder just how much more slipped your mind", rumbled the Luxan darkly. Aeryn looked from one to the other. "I thought you two had agreed just to be friends?" "Well even friends need a bit of comfort sometimes, don't they d'Argo?" Aeryn looked up at the ceiling and spread her palms up to the ceiling too, in a gesture of frustration. "Do I really need a complication of this sort." Harvey chuckled. "John has just said you enjoy the fight." Part 12a Scorpius had taken the prowler, he kept thinking of it as Sareel's prowler. No it was just a prowler, it would be fatal if kept finding reasons for dwelling on her at every turn. He wouldn't be able to function and that just wouldn't do. Public and private would have to be compartmentalised as far as possible. What he could let himself feel in private must never show in his work. Anyway he was fully of the opinion that the time wasn't all that far away when surgical restitution of Sareel would be possible. Perhaps in a cycle or two. The ground loomed up and he skimmed the trees which edged the grove and landed by the side of the small building which housed the machinery. Descending from the prowler he slung the bag containing the explosive over his shoulder. The door to the building wasn't locked, something which surprised him. He'd been fully prepared to shoot it open. The hasty departure of the last Scarran scientists, he supposed. The machinery looked innocous enough. Just two power coils around a dull metal core, which he knew must house field replicators, all linked to a controlling computer. He looped the handle of the bag over the central core, well away from the power coils. opening the compartment in the front of his codpiece, he took out a small rectangular pad and punched in some figures. Two tiny red lights started flashing. With a grunt of satisfaction he placed it in the top of the bag on top of the explosive and pressed the button which started up the unit. There was a soft whirring and the whole building appeared to shimmer. Rapidly he walked ouside and into the prowler. The small craft swiftly left the planet's surface and Scorpius soon reached the position above Pharas where the mirror effect occured. There was no sign of the two Leviathans. He noted their absence with satisfaction and touched the small control pad on the console and powered his way into the time fold. The prowler went through a similar buffeting to that which had thrown them through initially and it was with some relief the he emerged into non turbulent space. Immediately he cleared the area and moved towards the two big ships. It wasn't a moment too soon. There was a sudden swelling of the distortion and a ball of pure energy was emitted from it and then ...nothing. The time fold had gone. He turned towards Moya and slipped the prowler into the docking bay. Now to make good a promise Sareel had made! ********************** "Not here again. It'd been in my nightmares for too long." Aeryn was not pleased at reaching the ice planet . Rygel was looking at the outside scanner. "I like it warm. I keep well away from places like this if at all possible. But you want Crichton back and this is step one." "I hope he doesn't expect me to go with him." "Scorpius? No he's going down with d'Argo and Sout." He fingered his moustache. "Bye the bye did you know there's no trace of Stark. All his belongings have completely disappeared and Pilot swears he never came back on board." "We're well rid of him. When I think of how he used to try to get me to....." "Get you to do what? She twisted her mouth into a rather lopsided grimace. "None of your business Rygel!" "Why is it never any of my business when it sounds interesting?" "Believe me it isn't interesting in the least." An involuntary shiver ran through her body, which Rygel noticed straight away. "Oh it was like that was it? I always thought he was supposed to be celibate." "What everyone supposed about Stark and what actually occurred are two entirely different things." Chiana trooped into the lounge, trailing a rather tired looking feather boa. She flopped down on the couch. "Anyone seen Harvey? I've been looking everywhere." "You can always ask Pilot." Rygel looked her over. She looked weary. "I think he's taking stock somewhere quiet. At least that's what he said when he came through. It's a big step for him to take and he's getting prepared." He squinted down at the ragged collection of feathers. "And just how long ago did that bird die? It looks as jaded as you do." Chiana waved, a lacklustre movement. "I've just realised exactly what I did down on Pharas. It's just caught up with me." "I heard a disembodied Scarran arm did too!" "Just don't mention any more about that Rygel or this moth eaten collection of feathers may just get used to strangle you." Aeryn was looking at the faded feathers with curiosity. "Just where did they come from. I've never seen anything like them before." "You know that small cupboard that I got on the last trading post?" "Yes, the one with strange patterns on it." "Well there was a gap at the back of the drawer at the top and this was in it." "For some reason I feel uncomfortable about it." Then Aeryn smiled. "Don't take any notice of me. I'm just wary after that mirror Maldis foisted on you." "I was just off to put in in the recycling chute." "Probably wise. It's well past it's best." "I doubt it ever had a best!" *************** Scorpius led the small contingent into the Diagnostician's ante-chamber where they were met by a fat, disreputable looking man. "How can we help you sirs?" "I see the doctor got a replacement for Grunslick." "Ah poor Grunslick. He's quite disorientated you know. Was never the same after Scorpius put in the behaviour control." He grinned broadly to reveal a mouth of discoloured and uneven teeth. Scorpius noticed his breath was foul. "I'm his younger brother, Floush." "And I'm Scorpius. I really find it hard to believe that there could be another individual as obnoxious as Grunslick, but I see I must make that adjustment!" Floush's mouth dropped when he realised who the man in black was. "What do you want", he uttered rather hesitantly. "I need one of your excellently preserved specimens." "I'm sure the doc will let you have it at a special price." Scorpius walked up to him menacingly. "Oh he will!" "How about fifty credits?" "How about no credits?" Floush's face went all shades of purple. "But the cost! These aren't just your run of the mill frozen bodies, each one was hand picked." Scorpius took hold of the front of his none too clean tunic. "I know that half of these were sold to you by their relatives who found a dying relation, shall we say... an embarassment. No questions asked I believe is the motto. So if you don't want me asking any awkward questions, forget the fee!" Sout and d'Argo managed to smother smiles at the sight of Floush's face. Scorpius twisted the top of the tunic. "I'm waiting. I'm a patient man, but even my patience can evaporate." There was a rather strangled squeak from Floush. "I can't breathe." "Oh what a pity. Your answer!" "I'll ask the doc. He makes the final decision." "I always thought that was what he paid you for. Well I do just happen to have another control chip with me. It'll save us a lot of time!" "No...No...don't do that. You can have any one you want. Your choice. Just browse round." "Is the likely cause of death on the labels?" "Well they're not exactly dead." "I know that cretin. But is their affliction on the label?" "Where known, yes. But some of them are accidents." "Just like you." "That wasn't very nice." "Well I'm not a very nice person when I meetdrenlike you. Don't forget that...ever!" He moved away from Floush and back to Sout and d'Argo. "This may take some time. We need a body with an intact brain and a repairable condition. Just call if you think you find one that fits our needs. If we each take one of the caverns it will speed up the operation." They took a cavern apiece and began the time consuming task of checking all the holotags. Well over an ahn had passed before Sout caught up with Scorpius in his chamber. He'd had no luck. All too damaged in the brain department or unsuitable species. "Scorpius!" He turned. "Ah Sout. You've found a suitable candidate?" "Two I think. A Ledeveran and an Interon." "I'll follow you." They went back into the cavern tha Sout had been checking to be met by d'Argo. "Scorpius! I may have found what we're looking for." "Another? Well that gives us options." Sout pointed out the first of the two cryocoffins. Barely visible inside was the pale green face of a Ledeveran male. Scorpius examined the details. "Ah yes now this would be suitable. Died, well almost died from heart damage due to a pulse rifle. Well we won't ask how he got into that predicament. Ledeveran spare parts are grown on their planet. A simple matter to replace the organ." He moved on round the cornner, following the willowy figure of the Morgul. "This was the other one." Scorpius chuckled. "I can't see him being impressed by this one, but then again he can't really complain. Let me see now 'Contracted Solam Fever, terminal condition.' Might have been for them, but not for us. Totally treatable. Now Ka d'Argo, what have you got to show me?" The big Luxan turned on his heel and led them back into the cavern he'd been searching. He and Sout were both feeling distinctly chilly. "Can't stand much more of this cold Sout." "I can hear your teeth chattering, d'Argo." "What are you cold? I tend to forget with my thermal suit. We'll speed up matters as much as possible." D'Argo stopped in front of a slightly different shaped cryocoffin. Sout couldn't supress a laugh. "What do you suppose he'd say to that one?" "Totally unrepeatable!" Scorpius was inspecting it. "Mmmm. We are fortunate!" "Which are we going to take?" "I've just got to make a decision between two of them. Let's go back and find that apology for a lifeform." It was with considerable relief that Sout and d'Argo followed him out of the storage facility back into the ante-chamber. Floush was sitting there stuffing something into his mouth , which looked completely disgusting. Scorpius felt revolted at his uncouth manner of eating. "Ah gentlemen. Found what you want? I forgot to say there is a small fee for release of the coffin from the fac........" His voice faltered as d'Argo approached menacingly. "Did you mention the word 'fee'?" "I...I . A slip of the tongue. Yes just a slip of the tongue. That's what it was. No problems at all gents." Scorpius was sitting on the desk, absently fingering the pad which controlled the database. "You're completely sure about that Flush?" "Floush. Just be careful what you're doing with that pad." "You're totally sure about it Plush? It's such a simple thing to completely erase your data base then who'd know who was who?" Floush made a lunge at Scorpius and tried to grab the pad from him. Scorpius held it above his head. "I'd like number zero five one zero released immediately." "At once . Like right now. Consider it done. " He looked at the pad in Scorpius's hand. "Could I have that? I need it . Please." "Seeing as you asked so nicely." He placed the pad in the quivering hand of Floush who immediately entered some figures on it "I'll have it with me when I return gents." Scorpius remained seated on the desk absently drumming his finger tips . Sout looked at d'Argo, who was finding it extremely hard not to laugh. "He won't like it." "Definitely not. Well I wouldn't." "I believe that he wanted to be unique." They turned to look at Scorpius. "Ever since his conception, he's wanted to be more than a mere clone. He will be the first scientist of their species. The brain has plenty of unused space and he'll be able to grow." "He won't like it though." "He should be grateful that Sareel promised to help him, and not moan about the vessel provided." Sout shook his head. "Doesn't alter the fact..." "That he won't like it. Do give it a rest Sout. I haven't got that much patience!" ***************** "Of all the species he could have got, he has to pick that one!" They were all in the hold, except for Scorpius who had disappeared to his chamber the microt they had unloaded the cryocoffin. "Oh I think it's cute. I could really go for for you like that!" "With a tail and.... and those
floppy ears." "Oh have you Sout. To be quite honest I hadn't noticed. Why, oh why did he have to choose that one?" "Something about brain capacity, a
simple genetic fault he can easily mend and your desire to be unique. He
said you'd be the first scientist of the species." Aeryn peered into the cryocoffin. It had taken a while for her to summon up the courage to do so. "Harvey, it's got whiskers too." "Oh that's just the last straw. Just what does Scorpius think I am?" "Desperate, and I think you should be grateful to him for carrying out Sareel's promise." "Thank you Rygel. Oh perhaps I am over reacting, but a Prelian, I ask you. Of all the species in the galaxy, a Prelian." "Thank your lucky stars it wasn't the Interon." "Oh why was that d'Argo?" "It was a female." "Might have been preferable to a Prelian." "Well if that's a Prelian, I like it." "But you like everything that's soft and cuddly Chi." "Mmm and it's been most enjoyable." "Oh I give up. A Prelian." Harvey could be heard repeating the word all the way down the corridor. ********** Moya reached the Gammak base a little ahead of Talyn, because Crais decided he needed supplies. "I didn't think I'd see this place again." "I'm not sure I ever wanted to see it in the first place," said Chiana with a shudder, "Brings back bad memories." Scorpius came into the lounge. "Ah Captain Sun. Are you ready to leave? I do realise that this is difficult for you, but I think you would be the best." "No, no, I agree. He'll need to see a familiar face when he returns to himself. Where's Harvey?" "He's gone ahead on the transport with the Prelian. If you fly the prowler down then I'll follow in the marauder." Aeryn made her way to the docking bay, Scorpius was a little way behind. her thoughts were running riot. "Oh Crichton, I do hope this works. I miss your stubborn pride, your wild enthusiasm." She opened the prowler canopy, "And please the goddess one day soon let Sareel be whole again." There was so much at stake and suddenly everything seemd to have the consistency of an illusion. An extremely unsettling illusion! | |
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