Mind Games
Author: LeatherGirl lleick@yahoo.com
Archives: anywhere: email me first, please!
Rating: probably PG-13
Category: Action/Adventure
Warnings: Up to the latest of season 2Summary: John Crichton plays Scorpius’ game and threatens the crew’s lives. SACCers beware! This story could actually be one possible finale to Season 2 (Though it does not end with a cliffhanger of sorts but I am thinking of writing more to go along with what happens to each character).
Disclaimers: I do not own Farscape or anything associated with Farscape yadda yadda yadda. Enjoy!
Sorry if things aren’t too accurate. I’m new to this!
Crichton sat silently observing the stars out the view screen in the Command room. His fingers rubbed his smooth lips gently. Crichton was lost deep in thought. Memories flashed through his mind once more from his nightmare an arn ago. Memories he’d rather forget. He couldn’t shake the feelings of hopelessness and despair he felt from everything he had experienced in the past cycle. Crichton did not seem to notice the approaching pit pat of someone’s feet on the floor.
“Crichton?” Zhaan’s concerned voice asked from behind. Crichton stared into the stars and didn’t move to acknowledge her. Zhaan walked around Crichton and knelt down to come face to face with him. John finally focused his empty stare onto Zhaan’s inquiring eyes.
“Yes, Zhaan?” John replied tiredly, wondering what it was that needed fixing this time.
“You’ve been in here for several arns. Is something wrong?” Zhaan asked, placing a caring blue hand on John’s arm. John blinked a few times, unprepared for an answer and looked away for a moment. He returned his gaze back to Zhaan.
“No.” John tilted his head and closed his eyes. He saw a flash of his dying mother and opened his eyes in alarm. He got up suddenly with a jolt and swallowed hard. Zhaan stood in concern. She had seen a look of pain and guilt in his eyes for just a microt. John walked a few steps away and nervously swayed a moment.
“John…please, let us share unity…perhaps I can help you.” Zhaan asked, stepping forward, her hands outreached.
John backed away, holding his hands up. He gave Zhaan a stern and angry glare. Zhaan felt a sense of hatred from John and wondered what brought on such transformations in this once peaceful being.
“John, you’re not well…please let me help you.” Zhaan begged, suddenly unsure if she could handle the turmoil she might see within John’s soul.
“Zhaan…” John started and paused. He noticed how angry he was getting and could not figure out where such anger was coming from. “Please. This entire frelling universe has had more than its share of John Crichton and his brain. Oh! Let’s see what old Johnny boy can give us this time! But don’t be selfish, leave a little behind for Scorpy! Zhaan, I do not need another alien probing my mind!”
With that outburst, John swirled around and charged out of the room and down the hallway, singing a strange little earthly tune. Zhaan stood for a moment, trying to translate everything the human had said. Troubled by his actions, Zhaan called the rest of the crew from their slumber.
*****************
John wandered the halls of Moya, kicking around the small silver ball he had gotten…John paused for a moment. He really couldn’t quite remember where that ball had come from. In fact, that ball had been his toy since he began having flashbacks of Scorpius. John stopped in the hall and gazed down at that ball in question. He was about to pick it up when Pilot disrupted his chain of thought.
“We are approaching the commerce planet, Commander Crichton. Would you still like to stop there?” Pilot asked over the comms. John looked up and smiled devilishly.
“Yes Pilot.” He then turned his attention back to the ball. John straightened and kicked the ball down the hall and began to follow it.
“John.” Aeryn’s voice called over the comms. John ignored her but paused at her voice. He longed for her but never had felt further away from his friends than he did now.
“Crichton, why the yotz are we stopping here? We have more than enough food and supplies to last us another quarter of a cycle. We must keep moving. The Marauder is surely to discover us here.” D’Argo’s angry voice reasoned over the comms.
John smiled oddly and began to head for the room Pilot was situated in. He passed a confused Chiana in the hall, gave her a flirtatious glance, and continued on.
“He’s not answering nor will he realize the danger he’s putting us and himself in.” D’Argo replied as he and the rest of the crew stood in the Command contemplating on what the next course of action should be.
“I agree. We should starburst the frell out of here as soon as possible.” Rygel replied, snacking on a cracker.
“Rygel’s right…we don’t want to be discovered…” Chiana began but was interrupted by Pilot. His hologram appeared in the shell on the wall.
“There are several Prowlers and the Marauder headed towards the Commerce Planet. I don’t think they have spotted us yet but they will if we don’t get out of here now!” Pilot said in haste. The crew could sense the urgency in his voice. They grew nervous.
“Yes, Pilot, starburst immediately!” D’Argo demanded.
“I’m already preparing Moya.” Pilot stated.
“No, I don’t think so.” John stated, holding his pulse rifle up to Pilot. Pilot looked up to see Crichton slowly walking into the room with the pulse rifle in his hand. Pilot dropped his mouth in surprise and shock.
“Commander Crichton, what are you doing?” Pilot asked in fear.
“Keep Moya on a course for that planet.” John said, arriving at Pilot’s command center and staring at him with hollow angry eyes. Pilot grew fearful, noticing this was not the normal, gentle Crichton he had grown to respect and care for. John stood with beads of sweat trickling down his forehead. He faltered for a moment, looking off to his side and mumbling to something that Pilot could not see.
“Pilot, do as I say or I will blow your head off,” John ordered sternly. He pressed a few buttons on Pilot’s command and the ship turned slightly towards the planet.
“Pilot! What are you doing? We must starburst out of here immediately!” Zhaan urged with uneasiness in her voice. Pilot’s image once again came on to the screen. He wore a look of tension that the crew noticed right away.
“I’m afraid Commander Crichton won’t allow it.” Pilot answered. The crew looked to each other and then to Pilot.
“Crichton? What do you mean, Pilot?” Aeryn asked in confusion.
“He…He says he will kill me if I do not do as he says. He has a pulse rifle aimed at me. I’m sorry, I must do what he says.” Pilot stated in fear.
The crew exchanged looks and Aeryn and D’Argo withdrew their weapons. D’Argo was growing increasingly angry. They were about to head towards Pilot’s quarters when Zhaan stopped them.
“Please…he doesn’t realize what he’s doing.”
“Oh he will.” D’Argo stated and with that, he and Aeryn headed for Pilot.
*************
John stood near Pilot, his rifle never lowered as he blankly stared at Pilot. His eyes were red from exhaustion. Pilot knew this human wasn’t thinking right…he couldn’t be. The Command Crichton he knew would not surrender himself so easily.
“You are aware that if you go down to that planet…you will be captured by Scorpius.” Pilot stated.
“Oh I’m well aware of the consequences. Scorpy and I are old buddies. We just need to catch up on a few things before I blow his head off.” John stated, staring into Pilot. He closed his eyes for a moment, looking distressed. He opened them once more and focused back on Pilot.
“You’ve been quite distracted since we found you on that commerce planet. What happened?” Pilot asked. He was right. John had been acting differently since then. John shifted uncomfortably. A wave of memories from that day stung his mind. John rubbed his eyes painfully and then looked back to Pilot.
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Are we almost there?” John asked. He seemed suddenly calmer than before. Pilot noticed the human seemed to be suffering a lot of mood swings as well.
“Crichton, drop your weapon!” Aeryn demanded from the entrance to the room. Crichton smiled crazily and let out a little laugh. He turned his head to watch Aeryn and D’Argo enter the room with weapons drawn.
“So nice of you to join the party, amigos!” John stated in a bout of laughter. The two stepped closer. Without warning, John fired a warning shot at their feet and then pointed his weapon swiftly back to Pilot. Aeryn and D’Argo stepped back slightly, looking at John with bewilderment.
“Have you gone mad?” D’Argo asked.
“You’ve completely lost it. You aren’t thinking clearly. Lower your weapon or we will be forced to fire.” Aeryn demanded. She locked her sights on John. She did not want to hurt her friend but if he was threatening the crew and ship’s lives…she would do what was necessary…no matter what feelings she had for this human.
“Fire? Huh! You wouldn’t…no you couldn’t fire on your old buddy old pal. No, Aeryn, you’ve softened. D’Argo, maybe not, but you, Aeryn. I don’t think so.” John said and looked to Pilot once more.
“Crichton! Lower your weapon or I will shoot you!” D’Argo threatened angrily.
“John, listen to me, you are not thinking clearly. That command carrier will surely catch up to us. Scorpius will capture you and kill you. Is that what you want, human?” Aeryn replied sternly. She held her weapon in a dead aim for John, not once lowering it.
“Pilot, stay on a direct course.” John stated. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, trying to erase the painful memories seeping into his mind. Without warning, he fired at the structure directly above Aeryn and D’Argo, sending down a spray of sparks and steam. A duct had ruptured, spraying blinding steam straight down on the two defenders. As they stumbled out of the heated steam, they realized John had escaped out of the room.
“Pilot, report!” Aeryn choked into her comms as she ran out of the room and down the hall with D’Argo close behind.
“He’s headed for the docking bay. He’s ordered me to prepare his module.” Pilot stated.
“Don’t do it, Pilot! We’re on our way there!” Aeryn ordered, running at full speed.
“Aeryn, D’Argo! Do not hurt him. Only disable him for the moment! He’s not himself, remember!” Zhaan cried out worriedly over the comms.
“Don’t worry, Zhaan. I will give him a sting he will not forget!” D’Argo raged over the comms.
**************
In the docking bay, John was already in his module; firing it up and watching the outer doors open so he could exit Moya. He paused for a moment, as if his old self were trying to emerge. But the new John was here to stay. Somehow, his mind had been taken over by something…or someone. John could not figure out how or why he was the way he was now. He felt no control over his actions and even his thoughts now. And his consciousness was not resisting. All he could hear was Scorpius’ voice cheering him on as he went. Only a small thread of his usual self was trying to call to him and stop this madness. John could not fight it. He was being possessed by another force and there was no stopping it. At his most vulnerable hour, he was defenseless.
“Pilot, keep those doors going or I will blast my way out of here!” John ordered when the doors halted. A few microts later the doors continued to open. John drove his module down the runway and was soon out of the ship and into space. He could now see the planet fully as well as the prowlers and Marauder in the distance. Smiling evilly, John laughed and headed on a straight course for the planet.
Aeryn and D’Argo arrived in the docking bay just as the outer doors were closing back down.
“PILOT! What the frell did you do that for! You could have stopped him!” D’Argo exclaimed angrily. He knocked over a few crates nearby to relieve some of his anger. Aeryn lowered her weapon and grew a face of worry.
“Pilot, how long before he reaches the planet and is discovered by the command carrier?” Aeryn asked, a sense of hopelessness creeping into her voice.
“In only a few microns he will be detected by their scans. And shortly thereafter, so will we.” Pilot stated unhappily.
Aeryn and D’Argo traveled back to command to join the rest of the crew as they watched Crichton’s module head towards the planet on the view screen.
“By the goddess, I hope he knows what he’s doing.” Zhaan stated in panic.
“Did you see his eyes? He looked so lost. I don’t even think he was himself.” Chianna replied, lost in thought. D’Argo arrived at her side as Aeryn approached the controls to monitor the situation.
“What do we do now? Wait to be discovered and destroyed by Scorpius?” Rygel asked angrily.
“Maybe Crichton has a plan.” Chianna stated desperately. She looked at the others who gave her a doubtful look. “Yeah, we’re definitely as good as dead.”
***************
Another flash of memories passed through Crichton’s mind as he headed towards the planet. He saw himself, as he once was…innocent and the anchor of the crew for thinking things through instead of blasting the way to the answer with violence. That soul was long lost and buried deep within him. Now, he was a hollow man filled with rage and hate. Seeking one thing and one thing only…to silence that haunting voice in his head. To end Scorpius’ rein on Crichton’s every existing moment. Somehow, John realized Scorpius was a part of him. He did not know how or why, but Scorpius seemed to be with him always since they had first met. No matter what John did, Scorpius knew where he was or what he was doing. It was like he was there with him. Crichton squeezed his eyes shut to rid of the memories of pain he had suffered and concentrated on the task on hand.
He was strong enough to realize he needed to isolate himself from Moya and the crew to save their lives. But not strong enough to resist the urge to listen to that voice in his head…Scorpius’ demanding voice. And the voice told him he needed to face his enemy. He needed to surrender.
“John. Do you hear me? John?” Zhaan’s voice called over the comms. John chose to ignore her pleading voice. She sounded desperate and scared. Only a tiny impulse within John felt for her.
“Listen here, human.” D’Argo’s angry voice interrupted. D’Argo uttered a few words that John’s microbes could not translate. John was about to turn his comms off when something in his head stopped him. Deep down within him, he realized it would be smart to leave the comms on. To record anything that might happen down on the planet.
“John. You are not acting normal. Turn around immediately. You will surely be killed if you don’t.” Aeryn’s demanding PeaceKeeper voice urged. “Or is that what you want?”
The last comment tugged at John’s conscience. But something else took over and John speeded up towards the planet. He stopped listening to the pleading voices and suddenly heard another voice he had not heard from in too long of a time. His mother’s.
“John. Please. Please don’t leave us. Don’t leave us again.” His mother’s voice cried in angst. Tears welled up in John’s eyes as he listened to her voice and longed to be with his mother once more. That scar from so long ago had not yet healed.
“John! What a surprise. So nice to see you. Let’s get together and chat, shall we?” Scorpius’ voice replied over the comms. Startled, John glanced around his module, half expecting to see Scorpius’ face morph from the controls in front of him.
“Shut up, Scorpy! I’m already doing what you want. Just leave them alone and let’s get this over with,” John stated, not really knowing what he was getting himself into. He just wanted all the pain to end. He knew deep down what he was doing was the best for Moya and the crew.
After an arn, John landed safely down on the planet. He was greeted by stern PeaceKeepers once he exited his module. John did not resist. He observed how much this commerce planet resembled the last one they had been to and followed the PeaceKeepers to a large structure. He already knew Scorpius was in there. They entered the structure and walked through a maze of several dark hallways. John was growing tired and dizzy from walking so long and began to wonder what the hell he was doing. A light shone onto his face as he was led into a large central room decorated with the usual homey PeaceKeeper colors. A throne was situated at the opposite end of the room. Scorpius sat patiently waiting on the throne. John immediately recognized this room from the flashes he had been experiencing when Scorpius was trying to keep him sane.
The PeaceKeepers shoved John forward into the room and the doorway behind him morphed into a wall. There was no exit now. John stared at the wall blankly and turned to see Scorpius. It was as if his mind had suddenly been erased. He could not fathom how he had gotten here or what he was doing here. John stepped forward and stopped halfway into the room. He looked up to see a bright light shining down on him and then looked back to Scorpius.
Scorpius grinned with an evil little chuckle and arose from his chair. He walked down a few steps and came face to face with Crichton. He then began to circle him.
“It’s been a long time, my friend.” Scorpius smiled. Crichton watched Scorpius wearily and tried to search his memory on how he had gotten here and what might have happened to Moya and the crew.
“Where are we? What have you done to Moya and the others?” John demanded. He suddenly began to feel extremely exhausted.
“You’re tired, John. You look exhausted. Have a seat.” Scorpius stated in a controlling manner. John stumbled slightly as a chair rose from the floor behind him. He willingly listened to Scorpius and sat down in the chair, rubbing his eyes tiredly. He struggled to keep focused, but was finding it harder to concentrate as his mind began to numb.
****************
“What do you mean the Command Carrier has turned towards us? Has it detected us?” D’Argo asked angrily, fussing over the controls with Aeryn. Zhaan had completely tuned into the Delvian Seek and was currently praying to the goddesses. Rygel was floating anxiously around Command worrying what would become of them. Chiana was nervously hassling Pilot about the situation at hand in Pilot’s quarters.
“I’m afraid so.” Pilot answered to D’Argo and then turned his attention to Chiana.
“What do you mean he looked different? He’s John- he doesn’t change colors or anything!” Chiana exclaimed, continuing their conversation before D’Argo’s interruption.
“There was something different in his eyes. It was if, it was if someone else was controlling him.” Pilot stated softly. Chiana shared a gaze with Pilot and pondered the thought.
“You don’t think Scorpius has anything to do with the way he was acting, do you?” Chiana asked.
“I don’t know.” Pilot answered honestly.
“Frell that Crichton. We should be searching for my son, not wasting our time trying to figure out what the frell made him lose his mind.” D’Argo exclaimed angrily.
“We can only handle one thing at a time, D’Argo.” Aeryn reasoned. She stopped and watched the fleet of PeaceKeepers approaching. For a brief moment, part of her wanted to join the fleet and head into battle. It was what she was trained for.
“Zhaan, how can you be so calm when we’re about to be destroyed by PeaceKeepers?” D’Argo raged on. Zhaan glanced at him with an angry glare and turned her attention back to praying.
“D’Argo, stop. It’s too late.” Aeryn stated suddenly. She held her gaze on the view screen.
“What are you talking about, Aeryn? We still can starburst out of here.” D’Argo yelled.
“No. They’ve locked their frag cannons on us. It’s too late. Besides, I’m not abandoning Crichton. No matter how crazy he appears to be he needs our help. I, for one, need to return the favor.” Aeryn seemed calm. Too calm for D’Argo.
“Have you lost your mind as well? Maybe you should be down there with Crichton!” D’Argo stated. With that, he angrily stalked out of Command. Aeryn watched him leave and turned to Zhaan.
“It looks as though it is too late to starburst. Unfortunately, the PeaceKeepers have demanded that we surrender. I see no other alternative at this point.” Pilot stated with defeat over the comms. Aeryn glanced at the view screen and then back to Zhaan.
“I hope your gods are listening…we’re going to need all the help we can get.” Aeryn stated. She turned and headed out of the Command.
***************
John could feel that all too familiar fear rising in his stomach. His worse enemy had gotten the best of him. Somehow, his mind had gotten so frelled that he must have surrendered himself to Scorpius. Impossible! There’s no way I’d give in to Scorpius.
Yes, John, there is. You wanted to save your shipmates so you surrendered to me. A wise choice. You’ll save everyone a lot of pain and suffering. Scorpius’ voice echoed throughout John’s mind.
John looked at Scorpius, who had resumed circling him. Scorpius wore that same old familiar grin that John had been haunted with for so long. The numbness within was growing stronger, and John could feel himself growing weaker by the minute. He could not figure out how Scorpius was controlling him. And the anger growing deep within him was making John feel more unsettled than ever.
“What do you want from me that you haven’t already taken?” John asked, knowing the answer.
“Johnny boy, you already know that one. Why don’t you ask what’s really bothering you?” Scorpius asked, lowering his face to John’s left ear and then raising once again to circle John.
“Fine. Why are you in my head? Why…” John stopped and came to the realization he had once discovered but somehow forgotten. The anger within him unleashed and John lunged at Scorpius. A jolt of electricity shook John’s body, forcing him to fall back into the chair, doubled over in pain. He held his head in his hands and looked up at Scorpius weakly.
“You planted that thing in my head. I want it out!” John demanded breathlessly.
“That’s not how we play the game, John. You know what I need and you’re going to give it to me. No matter what it takes.” Scorpius stated.
John rubbed his aching head with his rough hands and looked back to Scorpius with an unsteady gaze. He knew there was no way out of this. The mental chip Scorpius had planted in his head had begun to control his thoughts and actions.
*************
“Surrender?” Rygel squeaked nervously. The crew stood gathered in Command staring out through the view screen. After Pilot had unsuccessfully tried to prepare Moya for starburst, the Marauder fired a warning shot. The crew realized there was no way out.
“There is nothing we can do. May the goddess be with us.” Zhaan stated hysterically, passing her hands over her head with a quick prayer.
“We can’t just give up. We’ve got to fight!” Chiana disagreed. She brushed against D’Argo’s side. “You won’t surrender, D’Argo. You have to find your son. I have to find my brother. Come on!”
“Chiana! We are outnumbered. A true warrior lays down his weapon when he recognizes defeat.” D’Argo stated, staring out into the vast fleet of prowlers circling Moya. Chiana couldn’t believe her ears. Everyone was giving up.
“What the frell do you guys think you’re doing? No way would you ever give up this easily. Crichton once told me, where there’s a will, there’s a pathway…or something like that. If we believe we can get out of this, we can. And I know Crichton is down there for a reason. He may seem like he’s gone completely crazy…but I’m sure he has a plan.” Chiana tried to reason.
“What are you talking about, Chiana? Just face reality.” Aeryn grunted unhappily.
“Well, we’re not dead yet. Crichton must be stalling for us. Those Prowlers are guarding us. Something’s not right. Trust me.” Chiana stated, looking out to the Prowlers.
“Chiana, just face it…” D’Argo began but was cut off by Aeryn.
“D’Argo, she’s right.” Aeryn replied and headed over to the controls to monitor the situation. “They haven’t even directly contacted us. We’re being held captive but we are not the attention of that Marauder…Crichton is.”
“Scorpius.” Zhaan whispered.
“Crichton somehow knew Scorpius was here and perhaps felt he had to sacrifice himself. He may have thought of it as a good plan…but he sure could have informed us about it.” Aeryn reasoned.
“He’s down there with Scorpius, and we’re up here with the PeaceKeepers. There’s no way we can save each other from an equal fate.” Rygel stated in a dreaded voice.
“I will not give up. My son is out there and I am this close to finding him! We must fight!” D’Argo stated, changing his mind all together.
“Stubborn Luxan.” Aeryn muttered under her breath. She turned her attention to Pilot. “Pilot, are Crichton’s comms on?
“I believe so.” Pilot said with surprise.
“Crichton? Can you hear me?” Aeryn stated. Silence followed. Aeryn tried once again. Still nothing.
“He’s probably ignoring you.” Rygel said. Aeryn ignored Rygel’s remark.
“John, listen to me and listen to me very carefully. I don’t care whether you may hear me or not. We are not giving up. I don’t believe you have surrendered us or that you have surrendered yourself. Please don’t frell this up. A warrior fights to the death. You have proved to me that you are a warrior.”
Silence followed her speech. Aeryn bit her lip nervously and looked to the others.
“I think it’s up to him, now.” Zhaan replied.
****************
John was leaned forward in the chair, rubbing his eyes sorely. Scorpius had settled back down on his throne and had been staring at John intently for quite a while. John’s comms had crackled for a few moments before bringing him to remember his shipmates’ worried glances when he had last seen them. I must’ve gone completely off the deep end. They’ll never forgive me for this…if I even seen them ever again.
“John, why bother yourself with wondering about your shipmates. They can’t help you now, or vice versa. The only thing for you to do is to let me probe your brain freely to find the information that I need. When I have found the wormhole technology, I will release you back to them. There will be no harm done. You won’t even remember any of this.” Scorpius pleaded, leaning forward on his throne.
John looked at those evil beady eyes drilling into his own and then looked away anxiously. His head was beginning to ache even more than before and his thoughts were broken and distorted. John no longer knew what thoughts were his own and what thoughts were from the chip.
“If I let you have the wormhole technology, you promise not to harm anyone on Moya? You promise to leave us alone?” John bargained, looking to Scorpius once again. He couldn’t believe himself. He would not normally give up so easily. Then again, he wasn’t even himself at the moment.
“I will obey your wishes, yes.” Scorpius replied with a smile. He stood and walked down to stand in front of John. “Give me the wormhole technology, and I’ll make sure you never remember any of the suffering you’ve gone through.”
John pondered those words over and over in his mind. He wanted to believe them so badly, but his true self knew that Scorpius would never comply with his wishes. He had to do something…and without letting the Scorpy chip or the real Scorpius on to his plan. The only other alternative was death.
***********
“Talyn? He’s here?” Aeryn asked in confusion. Pilot had just announced to the crew that Talyn had arrived in the area and was preparing his weapons to fire upon the PeaceKeepers. The PeaceKeepers were on alert, prepared to fire upon the Leviathan if she attacked.
“He’s arrived and is protecting Moya.” Pilot stated, his scans suddenly picking up on Talyn’s exact location. “He’s concealed himself underneath Moya.”
“What about Crais? Why would he be doing this?” D’Argo asked with concern.
“Talyn is completely acting on his own. Crais is having trouble controlling him.” Pilot answered. He paused to listen to Talyn and Moya communicate. “I do believe Talyn has grown as a military ship and wishes to defend his mother.”
“He may be our only chance.” Aeryn stated sorrowfully. “Pilot, notify Crais and Talyn that I am coming aboard.”
“Aeryn, this is not wise.” D’Argo stated, grabbing Aeryn’s arm as she passed him. Aeryn shrug off his grip and stared at him with the usual PeaceKeeper glare.
“We have a chance.” Aeryn replied simply. She turned and headed out of Command.
Zhaan glanced at D’Argo and then to Chiana and Rygel. They shared the same look of dread that she was feeling.
**************
John racked his brain for a solution to his current situation. He was balancing between two sanities. One was his own: the other controlled by Scorpius. No matter what he tried, Scorpius would know of his actions before he even acted upon them. Somehow, he had to get that chip out of his head.
John glanced around the room, scanning the walls for even a fissure in the structure that could lead to the outside world. To his dismay, he was in the perfect cell. No way to the world outside and trapped inside with his enemy.
“Johnny boy, time’s up. What are you waiting for?” Scorpius chanted from his throne. John glanced up at Scorpius and a thought sprung into his mind. Just a tiny thought that only a human could understand. “Unleash the hounds? What does that mean?” Scorpius inquired, reading John’s mind.
John realized now that the Scorpius in the room with him was just another decoy. Another mind game. John stood up and screamed at the top of his lungs.
“SCORPIUS, SHOW YOUR SORRY ASS NOW!” John screamed. The room began to swirl in front of him. John thought he was getting dizzy and would lose his mind but realized it was the room that was moving, not him. Stressed, John stumbled slightly as the room grew dark and he began to feel the cold of the real atmosphere he was in. John recognized this room from the Royal Planet when his stone head had been thrown into a pit of acid. But it was slightly different for there was no acid or even any heat. The coldness of the dungeon-like room was more than he was dressed to handle. The room suddenly morphed once more. John was left in complete darkness, shivering in the cold. He hugged himself to keep warm and felt the anger rising within him. He was sick of Scorpius’ games.
“I underestimated you, John. You’re much smarter than I first thought.” Scorpius’ voice stated. His voice sounded hollow and distant, revealing to John that he was yet in another room with stone walls.
“Gee thanks, I get that a lot in the uncharted territories.” John sarcastically remarked.
He shivered once again and glanced around as a light began to fill the room. John noticed he was in a small cell. Scorpius was standing within the light. A door closed behind him and the light disappeared, leaving John and Scorpius in pitch black. A singular beam of red light shone down from straight above John’s head. John glanced at it for a moment, trying not to be blinded by the light. He found that he couldn’t move his legs at all. He looked to Scorpius who approached him with a wry smile on his face.
“I’ve got you exactly where I want you. And it was quite easy.” Scorpius boasted with a hiss. He stared John down with those beady little eyes. John felt very uncomfortable under his stare. John blinked a few times, realizing his brain was beginning to feel like Jello.
“What…what are you doing to me?” John stuttered, realizing that Scorpius had already gotten into his head to look for the technology he possessed. The chip was being put to work. John struggled against it, realizing that he had little control left in his body. Memories flashed through his mind, causing John to go through everything he’d seen on the false earth the Scarren had helped produce all over again. All the emotions swept over him. His muscles began to ache and John felt he was about to collapse. No matter how much it hurt, John realized what he had to do. He had to let the chip kill him before finding the information it needed.
“No, John. You mustn’t let go. Open your mind freely and it won’t hurt as much.” Scorpius’ voice stated, inside John’s mind. John closed his eyes in pain. He grunted and gasped for air. His lungs were tightening more and more by the microt. Relief. That’s all he wanted. Relief.
John suddenly began to listen to Scorpius. He stopped resisting the chip and actually felt a wave of relief pass over his body. He was able to breathe better and his body felt somewhat rested. But his brain was completely mashed. John couldn’t hold onto reality for much longer.
“John…concentrate on me and only me.” Zhaan’s voice suddenly entered John’s head. John opened his eyes but saw he was still under the red light and Scorpius was still circling him intently. John could not understand why the chip had not yet detected her voice. But he knew he should not respond…or he might give Zhaan away. A wave of pain swept through John once more and he could feel himself losing control. Scorpius grinned greedily at John and watched as he suffered. “John, Talyn is here with us. We have a chance. Just concentrate on my voice.” Could this be another trick? John tried to ignore her voice.
*************_____
“What is Zhaan doing? She’s not responding to us anymore,” Chiana asked amidst the hectic atmosphere of Command where D’Argo was pacing madly, waiting to hear from Aeryn. Rygel was now nowhere in sight, presumably hiding. Zhaan stood with both her palms out in the air, her eyes closed, and muttering softly to herself. Chiana circled Zhaan, watching her closely and struggling to make sense of the words she was muttering.
“Probably praying to her goddesses that we all endure a quick and painless death!” D’Argo replied angrily. “Aeryn! Are you aboard Talyn yet?” D’Argo barked into his comms.
“Not yet, D’Argo. Crais isn’t responding to my request to board Talyn.” Aeryn’s upset voice carried over on the comms.
“What is John up to? Why aren’t the PeaceKeepers doing anything?” Chiana asked aloud, trying to figure things out. She was growing more nervous by the microt.
“I sense much pain in you, John. Please, concentrate on my voice. It will calm you and guide you.” Zhaan whispered. Chiana gazed at Zhaan curiously.
*************
John listened to that sweet voice he realized he missed so dearly. He hung onto it with all his might, struggling against the effects of the chip. Another jolt of electricity shocked John’s body, causing him to go in to a short bout of convulsions. John’s legs weakened and he fell to the floor in a lump. Scorpius sneered and bent over to peer down at John. His eyes were closed and he appeared not to be breathing. Growing angry, Scorpius closed his eyes and tried to gather information from the chip. But he got nothing. The chip was no longer responding.
“You can’t be dead, Crichton, the chip won’t allow it.” Scorpius stated securely.
“You’re right, it won’t.” John slurred his words as he opened his eyes weakly. He lifted his torso with his shaking arms but fell back to the stone cold floor, feeling there was no strength left in his body. Instead, he relished the cold floor cooling his overheated body. Scorpius paced around him, growing impatient.
“What’s happening? The chip won’t respond!” Scorpius growled. John let out a loud crazy laugh and smiled up at Scorpius as he rested the side of his face on the floor.
“Damn, don’t you hate it when the computer chip fries?!” John laughed in retaliation.
“There was no malfunction. Or you would be dead. Something else has caused it to stop. But what?” Scorpius asked. He scooped down to look at John closer.
“Perhaps you’re hiding more than wormholes in that head of yours.” Scorpius suggested. He grinned and stood tall. He spoke into his comms to someone above ground, uttering something about more output in the machine. John tried to move from his current location but found it hard to lift a finger. Instead, he listened for Zhaan’s voice. Silence.
“You can’t do this to me for much longer…humans can only take so much torture before their minds shut down. You’ll never get any wormhole technology from me because there’s none there to begin with.” John stated boldly, listening to his voice echo against the stone walls of the cell. Scorpius let out a long evil chuckle as he continued his circling around Crichton.
“Perhaps we should take the chip out and replace it with a newer, stronger version.” Scorpius stated, looking off into the darkness.
“No!” John muttered with seriousness creeping into his crazed state. He did not want to suffer for much longer but would do what it took to keep Scorpius and the PeaceKeepers at bay until Moya and the others had a chance to escape.
************
Moya hovered high above the planet, sheltering Talyn against the parade of Prowlers guarding the ship. But Talyn had grown bigger and more aggressive since they had last met. As he fought with his mother, he tried to convince her that he should be protecting her, not the other way around.
Pilot listened carefully to the conversation between the two ships and relayed as much of it as possible back to the crew.
“Aeryn has entered Talyn and is now speaking with Crais.” Pilot announced.
“Finally.” D’Argo grunted.
Chiana stood a few feet away from Zhaan, continuing to observe her. She pondered on how Zhaan could possibly be reaching Crichton.
“I don’t know what you’re up to, Zhaan…but I hope to hezmana that it works!” Chiana muttered.
“You know, we wouldn’t be in this mess if it weren’t for Crichton. What the frell did he think he was doing by going down to that planet? Scorpius has for sure spotted him and gone down there after him.” D’Argo raged. He was growing increasingly impatient as time passed and their situation had not changed.
“D’Argo? How can you say that? Don’t you see? Crichton sacrificed himself to spare us.” Chiana stated, seeing the situation completely different from D’Argo. She stood up to him and looked into his eyes. She could see he was still upset about the news of his son, Jothee, being sold as a slave.
“Spare us from what? Scorpius? Maybe. But we are still escaped prisoners and now back in the control of the PeaceKeepers.” D’Argo stated. He was about to say more when Moya began to shift around, throwing everyone to the floor, including Zhaan. Zhaan shook her head and realized she had lost contact with John and began to try to resume her previous state.
“Moya’s beginning to panic!” Pilot yelled over the comms.
“Pilot! What’s going on?” D’Argo demanded to know.
“What the frell is that?” Chiana asked with a hint of fear in her voice. Through the view screen, the crew could see a large circular mechanism slightly larger than Moya being hauled towards them by two PeaceKeeper ships.
“It’s a Control Collar!” Pilot exclaimed in alarm. The Prowlers circling Moya began to part as the collar was brought closer and prepared to be placed around Moya once again. Several shots were fired at Moya to paralyze her. Moya maneuvered frantically out of the line of fire. Talyn instinctively began to attack the collar and ships hauling it but was fired upon as well.
“What the frell is going on?” Aeryn asked in surprise. She had been discussing with Crais the future of Talyn.
“They’re attempting to place a control collar back on Moya. We must starburst out of here immediately or Talyn will be next. You don’t want Talyn in the hands of the PeaceKeepers do you?” Crais asked, getting in Aeryn’s face. Aeryn glared at him for a moment and stepped forward to address Talyn.
“Talyn, calm down.”
“Talyn, continue fire on the control collar!” Crais ordered. Talyn obediently obeyed and fired his canons.
“You cannot order Talyn to do anything!” Aeryn argued. Crais smiled and stepped up to Aeryn.
“Aeryn Sun, you have yet to learn my strengths. Talyn needs guidance and I can give him that. Soon, he’ll be a mighty fleet of his own and will need to know the proper ways of battle. How is he going to learn that from a Leviathan whose only defense is the ability to starburst?” Aeryn glared into Crais’ smug expression.
“Besides, Crichton was wise to surrender himself to Scorpius. Now Moya and Talyn have a chance to escape.”
Aeryn looked to Crais with question and then out the view screen at the battle taking place between Talyn, Moya, and the control collar. Talyn rocked back and forth, avoiding several shots from the PeaceKeeper ships.
“We cannot leave Crichton.” Aeryn replied stubbornly after pondering the suggestion of escape.
“Crichton is as good as dead and you know it.” Crais stated, brushing past Aeryn’s shoulder. Aeryn looked as Crais cast her a glance to read her reaction. She knew if things had been different, she and Crais would have been together. She would have been traveling on Talyn and not on Moya. But Aeryn realized her feelings were too strong for Crichton. There were a countless number of times he had saved her life and vice versa. He had infiltrated a PeaceKeeper Gammak Base and suffered in the Aurora Chair…all for her. And she would do the same for him.
“Trained as a PeaceKeeper, why are you willing to fight for one man’s life? We were taught to fight for the common good, to spare no one.” Crais asked curiously. Aeryn was caught off guard by his inquiry. She stumbled for a moment.
“He saved my life a number of times. I must return the favor.” Aeryn replied.
“He will not survive Scorpius’ torment, I can guarantee that.” Crais stated. “There is a time to fight and a time to flee…we must leave now!”
“No, I will not abandon him. I owe him…as he once stated it.” Aeryn argued. “We’re going to find a way to save Crichton and Moya.”
************
John awoke with a start, realizing immediately that he was not in the cold stone cell anymore. Alarmed, John discovered he was strapped back in the Aurora Chair. He tried to remember arriving at this place but everything was in bits and pieces. His entire body ached and John laid his head back in the chair. He glanced around to see that he was all alone in the darkly lit room. It was similar to the one on the Gammak Base but there were no guards…not even Scorpius was parading around him this time.
“Scorpy? Come on, pal.” John stated in a playful voice. He whistled as if whistling for a dog and moved his head around to try to see if Scorpius was behind him. “Where are you boy? I miss you already!”
Maybe Moya starburst out of the area, John pondered. He paused, almost waiting for the chip to respond. He then remembered that the chip had somehow failed. John laughed psychotically.
“John, I haven’t forgotten you. Things are a little hectic at the moment. But, I do know you will be here so I don’t need to keep an eye on you…for now.” Scorpius stated, his head hovering slightly to the right of John’s. John swung his eyes towards the direction of Scorpius’ voice and smiled.
“Scorpy! You didn’t leave me! Oh I missed you!” John stated. He laughed some more. Scorpius turned to face John head on.
“John, you must keep focused. I need your attention here. If you decide to lose your mind now, that information could be lost forever. And we can’t have that now can we?” Scorpius stated with a smile. He then walked away and exited the room. John’s smile slowly wore off his face as he realized he had a chance to escape.
The fragmented memories passing through John’s mind began to make sense to him. He realized something he had overlooked. He had left his comms on the entire time. Now that the chip was no longer controlling his thoughts or emotions, John could easily contact Moya…if she were still there.
“Pilot?” John whispered frantically. He closed his eyes for a moment, feeling dizzy from the stress his body was undergoing. There was no answer.
“Pilot!” John stated slightly louder the second time.
“Shit! She probably starburst the hell out of here arns ago.” John muttered. At least he’d have a record of the chats between him and Scorpius if he ever made it back to Moya. He was sure everything they had said had been recorded.
John began to feel extremely exhausted again, realizing that this entire ordeal was beginning to take its toll. If he couldn’t hang on for much longer, he would be of no use to anyone.
“John?” Zhaan’s voice whispered in John’s mind. John blinked several times. He thought for a moment that Zhaan was talking to him via the comms. He was almost afraid to acknowledge her voice, fearing he was just hallucinating again. Then he remembered she had contacted him earlier as well.
“Zhaan?” John stated in a hushed voice.
“By the goddess, are you all right?” Zhaan responded with relief.
“Couldn’t be better. Zhaan, are you guys safe? You’ve got to get out of here now.” John stated.
“John! We won’t leave without you. They’re attempting to place a control collar on Moya. Talyn’s here but he’s fighting more than he can handle. There’s no way we can avoid the PeaceKeepers.”
“Zhaan, Scorpius planted some kind of chip in my head. Somehow, it failed. I don’t know what he’s up to but I can only hold his attention for so long.” John stated and paused, feeling another rush of pain sweep through his body.
“John? Are you all right?” Zhaan asked, sensing his pain. John cleared his head once more and smiled.
“Zhaan, listen to me, you have to get out of there now. They’re going to kill you. Forget about me. I’d rather die than give Scorpius what he wants.” John stated bravely.
“John, I will not let you die.” Zhaan stated. John felt a sudden rush of energy flow into his body.
“Zhaan, what was that?” John asked. No response. “Zhaan?”
“Talking to yourself?” Scorpius asked. He entered John’s view and cocked his head at John.
“Only to you Scorpius.” John stated wryly.
“Unfortunately, we must depart this planetary system immediately. There are some intense solar flares that would do quite the damage on my equipment if we were to stay. Thankfully, we are already on the Marauder.”
John crumpled his brow. Now he realized they had been moving slowly for quite some time. He had thought it was because the way he was feeling.
“Maybe you should be paying more attention to those solar flares. They are an ingredient in creating a wormhole, you know.” John stated. Scorpius peered at him in wonder and stepped forward to read the human’s expression.
“Why would you be telling me this? Unless…you are willing to die. The information you give me is incorrect. The only way I can be sure is to probe your mind.” Scorpius smiled.
Sweating, John realized things were going from bad to worse.
************
“Scarrens? What would they be doing here?” Chiana asked.
Pilot announced the oncoming fleet of Scarren battleships heading towards them. The PeaceKeepers had noticed as well, sending all of their prowlers towards the Scarren fleet. The control collar was abandoned at the moment, hovering uncomfortably close to Moya.
“They are headed into battle with the PeaceKeepers. Pilot! Now’s our chance. Starburst immediately!” D’Argo ordered.
“I’m afraid Moya won’t starburst. She doesn’t want to be separated from Talyn any more.” Pilot stated in a worried tone.
“Talyn can starburst the yotz out of here as well! Let’s get out of here!” Rygel squealed from his hiding place inside a crate in the cargo bay.
“No! We can’t leave John!” Zhaan stated, finally joining with the rest of the crew on the current situation.
“Aeryn has come back aboard Moya. Talyn is preparing for starburst…and so is Moya.” Pilot reported anxiously.
“We do not want to be caught in a battle between the PeaceKeepers and the Scarrens. Crichton was a good friend to us all. But he frelled up and now we have to save ourselves!” Rygel grunted over the comms.
“Rygel! John is our shipmate. He didn’t abandon you when you decided to betray us last time!” Zhaan scolded. She was referring to the time when Rygel had gone to Scorpius to save his own eema and give up his shipmates.
The crew fell silent for a moment. Moya was about ready to starburst. They were quickly running out of options.
***********
It’s another trick. John realized as he struggled to get out of the chair. There was no way he could pry through the metal cuffs holding down his arms and legs. The whole bit about solar flares was an attempt to get information out of him and it had worked. John grew angry with himself. He could not believe the situation he had gotten himself in.
Scorpius stood at the controls, preparing to zap John’s brain. Without warning, he turned the machine on. John screamed in pain as a wave of electricity jolted his mind. The jolt was more intense than he had ever felt in the chair before. He clasped his hands down on the arms of the chair, digging his fingertips into the cool metal. John gasped for a few extra breaths and blinked his eyes. Nothing had shown on the screen. John wondered if the jolt hadn’t just been a warning shot. No, not Scorpy’s style.
His body was beginning to fail him as he was continually subjected to jolts of electricity. His own memories began to flash onto the projection screen in front of him. His eyesight was fading as he watched new memories of being tortured by the Scarren. He didn’t feel like reliving those moments again. But he could not look away, nor was his body strong enough to. Every muscle in his body ached. John realized he wouldn’t be able to hold onto consciousness for much longer. Finally he allowed the darkness to overcome him and he closed his eyes.
“John, you mustn’t give in now, we’ve only just begun!” Scorpius hissed. John did not respond. Scorpius sent another jolt of electricity through John’s body but John remained unconscious. Scorpius sneered and walked up to the chair to peer down into John’s face. He then unlocked John’s arms and legs from the constraints and walked away angrily.
“Report to tier 17. I want his brain dissected.” Scorpius ordered into his comms. He turned to John. “I’ll just have to tear you apart to find what I need. Even in death, you can’t elude me, John Crichton!” He snarled once again at John’s limp body and then stalked out of the room.
A few moments passed before John took his first gasp of air. Wincing, he slowly began to move from his position and flopped to the floor beside the chair. John curled up for a moment, feeling the intense physical pain of the torture he had been through. Breathing hard, John straightened and held onto the chair to support him as he stood up. What a fool. I can’t believe Scorpius unstrapped me! He smiled weakly.
The Marauder shook violently for a moment, sending John back to the floor with a thud. He groaned and used his weak arms to pull himself up. The ship shook again and an alarm began to go off.
Evacuation warning. Evacuation warning. John smiled and laughed hysterically. He stood up with all the strength left in his body and headed slowly out of the room.
John realized the ship was under attack. By whom, he didn’t even care at the moment. All he knew was that he could still make it if he tried. He desperately wanted to get back to Moya, and in one piece. A terrible feeling of guilt was burrowing in his stomach as he thought of his actions aboard Moya. Hopefully, the rest of the crew would forgive him.
Finally, without once passing by a single PeaceKeeper, John entered an area with a few Prowlers still waiting to be taken out to battle. He didn’t care why there seemed to be no PeaceKeepers around. He only cared to get as far away from this place as soon as possible.
John hid behind a column support and observed several PeaceKeepers guarding the area. Another couple were racing frantically towards their Prowlers, preparing to head out to battle. John scanned the scene and smiled when he saw what he was looking for. An abandoned Prowler with quite a chunk blown off the side of it was sitting in a corner. He figured it had been damaged in the battle, for the smoldered metal was still smoking. No one was near that Prowler. John decided he would have to risk all by taking that Prowler. There was no other way out.
Slowly, John walked amongst the shadows of the hanger, vigilantly keeping an eye out on the guards on the far side of the room. He came up to the Prowler and looked the damage. The gaping hole in the metal would cause some problems, but John only needed the ship to get him to Moya. Analyzing the damage, John found his luck was beginning to shine through. He laughed insanely and walked his way around the ship to get into the cockpit. He stopped cold when he felt the cold nuzzle of a weapon pointing into his back. John frowned. He turned around slowly, his arms in the air. He came face to face with Scorpius. Anger grew within John. He was growing tired of this old game.
“John, you didn’t honestly think I would have given up that easily, do you?” Scorpius smiled. He held the pulse rifle securely at John. Time was running out and John knew it. He eyed the tubes used to fix the Prowler hanging down from the ceiling to his left.
“Is any of this real?” John asked, glancing around at the Prowler and the guards who seemed not to notice them.
“That depends on who you ask.” Scorpius stated, confusing John even more.
“Scorpius. Why can’t you find some other dog to train? I will never give you anything and I surely would rather die before I let you capture me again!” John exclaimed. Scorpius paused in confusion, trying to translate John’s statement about the dog. At that moment, John swung a tube into Scorpius, sending the pulse rifle flying. Scorpius swung his arm at John, hitting him square in the jaw. John bent over, holding his jaw sorely. He was about to bounce back when Scorpius slammed his foot into John’s ribs. John fell to the ground with a grunt. Moaning, he grabbed his aching side. Scorpius swung his foot at John once more. This time, John was prepared. He grabbed hold of Scorpius’ foot and threw him to the ground. Scorpius snarled and struggled to get up. John wiggled over to the pulse rifle resting near his head and pointed it at Scorpius. Scorpius paused and stayed down. John stood up slowly and placed his foot down on Scorpius’ stomach. John leaned over his knee to look down at Scorpius with a satisfied grin. His eyes portrayed a look of hatred that Scorpius laughed at.
“You are already under my influence. Tell me John, exactly how many souls have you killed this cycle alone?” Scorpius snickered. John straightened and stared at Scorpius with even more anger. He tightened his grip on the pulse rifle and raised it to Scorpius’ head. Everything in his body wanted so badly for this creature’s life to end. A wave of memories of the torture Scorpius had caused swept through his mind. John prepared to end Scorpius’ life.
The Marauder shook violently as the Scarrens shot it once more. John shifted backwards, holding tight to his weapon but losing a hold of Scorpius. Steam began to pour out of the tubes around them and hissed loudly, cutting down on the visibility. Scorpius rolled out of his reach and stood to face John. He wore a tight but sly smile. The heat of the steam would surely begin to affect him at any moment. John grinded his teeth in frustration as Scorpius stepped closer with no problems regarding the heat.
“You’ll never escape me, John. I will always be with you in one way or another. The only way for that to stop is for you to give me the wormhole technology.” Scorpius stated in a calm voice, stepping forward. John held up the pulse rifle to Scorpius’ head. Scorpius stopped.
“This time, your chip can’t stop me.” John stated and pulled the trigger on the pulse rifle. A blast of energy shot out of the rifle just as the ship began to swerve violently. Scorpius flew backwards and disappeared from view. John shouted in anger. The ship swayed once more. John swallowed hard, trying to keep his footing and peered into the steam, trying to see if he had truly hit Scorpius. John looked down and then noticed the dark bluish colored pool of blood near where Scorpius had been standing. John smiled slightly, though still not satisfied that Scorpius was gone. He lowered his weapon and his shoulders as he realized how willing he was to kill now. He looked at the pulse rifle, took a deep breath and threw it to the floor.
The steam swirled around him as he walked up to the Prowler. Was this all an illusion? Was he still strapped in the chair? The ship began to shake once again, sending John into the side of the ship.
John opened his eyes to see he was lying on the stone cell floor he had been in once before. He squinted in the red glowing light. Scorpius was circling him and grinning. John shook his head. What is this? Not again!
John slammed his fist on the floor and suddenly, everything began to crumble around him. The illusions began to fade and John was left in darkness. The old familiar aching headache he had been experiencing in the past few solar days returned. John struggled to stand but found that gravity was fighting hard against him.
“This is real. There’s no new psychotic therapy ward for me to go crazy in. This is real.” John pondered out loud into the darkness.
The ground beneath him began to shake and tremble. Suddenly, the lighting around John began to brighten and reveal to him his true surroundings. He found himself to be back in the hanger. There was no sign of Scorpius…except for that small pool of blood…
John snapped his fingers and lifted himself off the ground slowly. He realized that the aurora chair had been another mind trick. Somehow, he had escaped wherever he had been and made it to this Prowler. He did not care how. He just wanted to get away from this nightmare as quickly as possible.
With no time to waste, John jumped into the cockpit of the Prowler and started up the engines. At least the ship still works, John thought. He maneuvered the ship towards the doors leading out into space. The faster he got out of this place, the better.
***********
“How much longer before Moya is ready to starburst?” Aeryn asked anxiously. She had joined the rest of the crew in the Command bay.
“She’s almost there!” Pilot reported.
The view screen in front of the saddened crew displayed a mighty war beginning to take place. Several large blasts and explosions plaguing the Marauder were creating shock waves and shaking Moya. Tens of thousands of Prowlers and Scarren ships were firing at each other amongst the space between the Marauder and the large Scarren base ship approaching.
Talyn suddenly starburst out of view. Aeryn sadly looked on through the view screen. She wondered silently if she would ever see him again…as did Moya.
“Wait! Is that a Prowler headed towards us?” Chiana asked with fear rising in her voice. She pointed to a smoking Prowler, shakily headed straight for Moya. “It looks like it’s going to crash!”
“Pilot, how much longer till we starburst?” D’Argo asked anxiously.
“Moya has stopped. She feels she must stay here until Crichton is safe with us.” Pilot stated in surprise.
“What?!” Zhaan asked in surprise.
“She’s receiving some kind of energy wave from the Prowler. She believes it’s Crichton!” Pilot exclaimed. “I’m allowing the ship to dock.”
The crew watched silently as the ship passed by the view screen. The smoke was billowing out of it at an alarming rate and the ship was no longer flying smoothly. The crew raced to the docking bay, fearing a trap but at the same time, hoping it would be Crichton.
“Pilot, get the DRDs down there. We’ll need all the back up we can get!” Aeryn ordered. She charged up her rifle as she ran. D’Argo readied his weapon as well.
“The Prowler’s landing in here? Pilot, close the outer doors now! Is Moya crazy?” Rygel’s frightened voice ordered from within the crate. The crate shook and rattled for a moment and Rygel wiggled his way out. He ran across the floor of the cargo bay and headed the opposite direction of the docking bay. He ran smack into D’Argo.
“Rygel! If I had the time, I would…” D’Argo started, holding Rygel by the neck. He then dropped Rygel and watched the damaged Prowler enter the docking bay. The outer doors closed swiftly behind it and the docking bay began to cloud with smoke. Moya immediately charged up for starburst.
“Warning! We are about to starburst in three microts!” Pilot stated over the comms. The crew had little time to prepare themselves. They needed to see who was in the Prowler but at the same time, needed to hold onto something during starburst. There was no time. The ship suddenly shot into starburst, sending everyone into a heap on the floor.
All was silent for a few moments. The smoke had begun to clear in the docking bay. The crew moaned and began to untangle themselves from the heap. Aeryn and D’Argo immediately rushed up to the damaged Prowler, pointing their weapons up at the cockpit and waiting for the person inside to exit.
“We are now safely out of range of the battle.” Pilot announced.
“Thank you Pilot.” Zhaan replied shortly, with a sense of tension in her voice. She, Chiana, and Rygel watched from a distance as the Prowler’s cockpit began to open. Haze shadowed the figure’s face for a moment. A few coughs came from the figure and he emerged from the cockpit, weak and confused.
“Crichton!” D’Argo stated in alarm. He helped his friend out of the cockpit. John fell to the floor and spread his arms out, taking in one huge breath. He coughed some more and looked up at his shipmates, all gathering around to peer down at him with confused and somewhat relieved faces. John smiled and held his eyes closed for a moment, letting the dizziness he was feeling pass.
“Crichton, what the frell did you think you were doing?” Aeryn asked angrily, she had not pointed her pulse rifle away from John yet.
“I don’t know Aeryn. Scorpius had control over me for a while there. I couldn’t beat him.” John explained. Zhaan knelt down beside him to check him over for injuries.
“D’Argo, help me get John to the med bay.” Zhaan ordered. Before John could argue, he lost consciousness.
************
“…he’s been under a great deal of stress. I don’t know much about humans so I can’t tell you if he’ll be all right or not, I’m sorry Chiana.” Zhaan’s worried voice stated in the distance.
John began to become aware of his surroundings once again. He could hear that same old comforting hum of Moya so he knew he was in a safe place. He struggled to open his eyes but found every single muscle in his body ached terribly. His head was a whole other story. His mind was numb. A dull ache was beginning to make its way to his frontal lobe. John could feel his mind reeling from the overload of emotions he had gone through in the past several arns.
“I’ll stay with him.” Another sweet voice stated, somewhere close to John. John suddenly realized the voice was Aeryn’s and that her warm, comforting hand was clasped around his own.
“Are you sure you won’t try to kill him?” Chiana asked sarcastically. John could sense a hint of uneasiness in her voice. He felt it himself.
“He needs someone to be with him, Chiana.” Aeryn explained. John could also sense guilt in Aeryn’s voice. He wondered why.
John let out a slight moan as he tried to open his eyes; the dull light from the room was enough to make his eyes hurt. He opened them halfway to confirm Aeryn sitting next to him and Chiana and Zhaan slightly further away. Each woman wore a look of worry. But John also noticed they wore defensive expressions underneath. They were still not sure if he was truly the John Crichton they knew.
John tried to sit up, but his body would not allow it. The hard surface he was laying on was uncomfortable but he could bear it. He looked to Aeryn and the others and smiled briefly.
“John. Are you feeling any better?” Zhaan asked. She stepped forward and placed a hand on John’s shoulder.
“Zhaan, I don’t think I could feel any worse. But don’t worry, I’ll get better.” John stated. He closed his eyes briefly to see a flash of Scorpius’ grinning face. He reopened his eyes. Aeryn had noticed the disturbed look on his face.
“I think I killed Scorpius.” John stated slowly.
“May the goddess forgive you. You did what you had to.” Zhaan stated.
“I’ve killed in cold blood, Zhaan.” John said and let his eyes trail off into the distance. Zhaan tilted her head at John’s statement and decided to question him later.
“I will inform D’Argo and Rygel that you are awake.” Zhaan stated in response.
Zhaan and Chiana slowly retreated out of the med bay. Aeryn watched John closely. She wasn’t about to let down her PeaceKeeper guard and show John emotion. Instead, she sternly watched him, making sure he would be all right.
“Aeryn…I’m sorry.” John stated, looking to Aeryn. His reddened eyes carried a few tears. Aeryn bit her lip. She looked away for a moment and then back to John.
“Don’t worry, it’s over now. It’ll be okay.” She tried to comfort him but knew it wasn’t working.
John raised his weak arm and allowed a finger to trail across Aeryn’s cheek with affection.
“No, it’s not. I put all of your lives in danger and nearly killed you and D’Argo. I’m surprised you guys didn’t try to kill me when I arrived in the Prowler.” He lowered his arm. Tears were beginning to form in Aeryn’s eyes as well.
“John, we would never…” Aeryn paused before continuing on. “Just promise me that you’ll tell me if things are wrong. If you had just said something, we could have figured things out like we always do.”
“Aeryn, even I didn’t know things were wrong. I had no control over my own thoughts. Do you know how unsettling that is? To have had Scorpius in my head like that? I’m glad I shot him.” John stated, holding his head up. Aeryn looked into John’s eyes to see satisfaction taking over the previous look of death. She didn’t know whether to smile at that or be concerned.
“John, what exactly did Scorpius tell you to do?” Aeryn asked slowly, unsure of how John would react. John looked into her eyes with question. He lowered his head and gazed at the ceiling for a moment.
“I’m tired, Aeryn. I’ve been tired for so long. I just want to sleep.” John replied coldly. Aeryn stalled for a moment. She then let go of his hand.
“Close your eyes, Crichton, let the sleep come.” Aeryn coaxed. She was surprised at herself for being soft. She slowly got up onto the bed and made use of the small space between John and the edge of the bed. She drew herself closer to his warm body and wrapped her arms around John ‘s shoulders.
“I’m not giving up on you Crichton, remember that.” Aeryn whispered into his ear. John smiled lightly as his eyes drooped. He held onto Aeryn’s hand and rubbed it affectionately. Before he knew it, he was fast asleep.
***********
Once again, John was left alone admiring the stars. This time, he was in the terrace. A place he had not been in quite a long time on Moya. He stood tall, dressed in his usual PK leather, pondering over the events that had played out in the past few solar days. His gaze carried down to the pulse rifle securely fastened to his right thigh.
“Here you are.” Zhaan’s soft voice said from behind Crichton. He turned to see Zhaan pause several feet away, looking at him with concern. He then looked back to the stars.
“Do you need me for something?” John asked emptily.
“No, John. I just wanted to make sure you were all right.” Zhaan stated. She stepped forward. John turned abruptly, startling her for a moment.
“Zhaan, please. I’m getting sick and tired of everyone having to check up on me every frelling arn.” John stated. He stopped when he noticed Zhaan’s hurtful expression. “Zhaan, I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me...it’s just...lately, I haven’t been myself.”
“I understand John. But I also understand that you are not healed.”
“Yes I am. I’m perfectly fine.” John lied, holding out his arms and speaking of his physical health.
“While you may be healed physically, I do not believe your mind has even begun to heal. You are not the same John Crichton we have come to know.” Zhaan stated and stepped up to face John. John felt uncomfortable under her inquiring gaze. Deep down, he knew exactly what she was talking about.
Without warning, Zhaan grasped her hands onto John’s head and pulled him forward to her own head. John struggled, but Zhaan’s grip was too strong. Suddenly, everything John had been pressing down into his soul began to rush forward into his mind. He could hear Zhaan speaking to him as he struggled.
“Let go of you fears. I can take away your pain if you let me.” Her soothing voice stated. John wanted so hard to believe her but he knew these feelings, memories, and thoughts were there to haunt him for the rest of his life. John fell to his knees. He was beginning to crack under the pressure as Zhaan knelt down to be at his level. She pressed on.
John saw his mother crying out to him. He saw DK looking at him with disappointment in his eyes. His father flashed through his mind with a strange grin…was this his real father or the Ancients? Aeryn and the rest of the crew flashed through his mind as well suffering through the various events that had occurred since he had arrived on Moya. Images of the beings John had killed trickled into the flash of memories. Finally, the haunting image of Scorpius laughing down on him burned into his mind.
John fought vigorously with Zhaan this time. Zhaan had discovered his rage and drew on it, realizing that it was radiating from the images of Scorpius that she was witnessing. John suddenly began to feel a weight lift off his shoulders. Renewed strength began to fill his body. John wasted no time. He shoved himself out of Zhaan’s grip, sending both of them to the ground with a thud. Zhaan cried out and looked to John as he was slowly raising himself from the ground. She could not believe all that she had seen…nor the feelings of hatred she had felt from within John. Only once before had she encountered such hate…and that was within her savage side she had conquered so long ago.
John sat up with tearful eyes and watched as Zhaan helped herself up. He let his gaze fall to the stars to his right and looked back down at his pulse rifle. To Zhaan’s surprise, he dismounted the pulse rifle and held it up to her, offering for her to take it from him.
“John?” Zhaan asked in a shocked tone, taking the pulse rifle from his shaking hands.
John stood and faced her for a brief moment. She saw a look of hollowness in the man who once displayed heroism and courage in his eyes.
“I have enough blood on my hands…it stops here.” He then began to walk out of the terrace. Zhaan wasted little time wondering what another one of John’s earth sayings meant.
“John, I sensed much conflict and pain within you. Please don’t let it consume your soul.” Zhaan stated. John spun slowly around to face Zhaan one last time. He gave her a brief smile.
“Zhaan, thank you for your help. But it is much too late for that. I may heal…someday. In the mean time, please, let me sort these things out for myself.” John said. He nodded to her and then left the terrace to rest in his quarters.
Zhaan watched him leave with sorrow spread across her face. She looked out to the stars, wondering briefly why the human found such comfort in them. She then turned and left the terrace.
THE END