
Alright, here's
part 3 as promised. This is going back and forth between Sargas's
and Crichton's viewpoint. What will happen now that the Peacekeepers
have captured the unlikely duo? What is Sargas looking for? Well,
read ahead and find out. Once again, here's the customary warning:
CONTAINS SEASON
3 SPOILERS
'Stupid human.
How could such a being have accomplished even half of what he's
been credited with?' thought Sargas.
He had awoken
only moments earlier from the pulse blasts suffered on board the
cargo ship. Captain Coron hadn't realized about the Schaa's ability
to regenerate quickly. The shots hadn't killed him, but it was
close and the wounds were still more than a little sore. Sargas
had survived the attack and was merely bandaged up before he was
left in the cell. Crichton was apparently thrown in another.
'Well, at
least I'm in the Gammack Base. Now to figure out a way out of
here and get what I came for.'
Sargas gets
to his feet and begins to look around the cell. Almost nothing
that could be manipulated into a way of escape. He tried ramming
the door a few times with his shoulder. Unfortunately for him,
nothing more than a slight dent formed.
'Frell! If
it weren't for these damn wounds I would be able to break it.
Think man, think.'
As Sargas
leans against a wall, two armed PK Guards enter.
"What the
frell are you doing in here?" one shouted.
"Ahhhh...my
wounds." Sargas says quickly. "They're in pain. Help."
Sargas falls
to the ground and one of the Peacekeepers steps forward and jabs
Sargas with his pulse rifle. Sargas doesn't move. He gets in closer
to check and suddenly he chokes the guard. The other shoots and
Sargas uses the first as a shield and fires back using the one's
weapon. Both fall down dead. Sargas slings the rifle over his
shoulder and takes the key pass of the one guard. He walks over
and takes the pass from the other as well. Sargas closes the door
behind him and walks over to the other cell. He looks in through
the door and sees Crichton.
'...Not that
he deserves it, but I'll leave the other pass for him.' Thinks
Sargas.
He tosses
the card in and continues down the hall. He pulls open a grating
along the wall and climbs into the duck system to keep from being
discovered.
Moments later,
Crichton's eyes flutter open. As he fully opens his eyes, he becomes
aware of a painful throbbing on the side of his head. He feels
a bandage covering the wound from the earlier. He slowly gets
onto his hands and knees and spots the key pass lying by the door.
"Wha...What's
that doing here? Hey Harv, you see what happened?" stammers Crichton.
Harvey appears
next to Crichton.
"I think you
forget that while I may have my own personality, I am still very
much part of your mind. While you were unconscious, my senses
were also disabled. I must assume though, that one of the guards
dropped it by accident. I suggest you use it to get out of here."
Harvey fades
away as Crichton crawls over to the pass and picks it up. As he
does, he murmurs to himself: "Why is it that with all the blows
to the head I get, I can't lose the brain cells with you in it."
Harvey's voice
echoes through his head, "I heard that!"
Crichton activates
the door with the pass and stumbles out of the cell, still not
quite recovered. He looks around and goes over to the cell that
Sargas was in thinking it was a door. He is surprised to see the
two fallen Peacekeeper Commandos. He is about to leave when Harvey
once again appears.
"Obviously
I'm the only one here that can think straight." The neuro-clone
snipes. "Take one of their uniforms, it will take longer for you
to be discovered then. Besides, they'll be busy tracking down
the other escaped prisoner. Perhaps it was that Sargas fellow,
that would provide quite a distraction."
"Nah, couldn't
be him. He was shot. But ok, I'll steal the uniform."
After pulling
the PK uniform on over his other clothes, Crichton sets off down
the hallway on his own quest to escape.
Meanwhile,
Sargas is slowly crawling through the duct system towards his
target, the primary data system of the experimental hangars.
'Finally,
what I've been searching for during the five cycles will be mine.'
Sargas thinks with a smirk. 'Once I get the necessary data from
the Gammack Base's network, a simple virus will erase the data,
making them start from square one. I'll have to eliminate a few
others before I leave to ensure that nobody, not the Peacekeepers,
not the Scarrans, not even my fellow Schaa have it, only me. It
will make me the most feared Hunter to have ever lived. So close
now, I won't be denied.'
He stops at
an intersection.
'If I recall,
it should be left from here.'
Crichton walks
the corridors of the Gammack Base under the safety of the commando's
helmet. Still, he is careful not to attract any attention that
may lead an officer to question him. As he walks down the hallway,
he spots Captain Coron heading in his direction talking to two
other beings. One was a Sebacean in PK garb. The other was a dark
green color. He was tall and rather lanky with a second pair of
tiny arms extending from the center of his chest. Crichton stops
and stands at attention against a wall to listen in.
"...and I want
security stepped up in Hangar 4." Coron stated forcefully. "With
those two prisoners on the base for another two solar days, I
don't want any mishaps with the project, understand gentlemen?"
"Yes Captain."
The other PK responded. "I understand perfectly. The project is
at a very advanced state now. Luckily the electro-magnetic fields
that Fo'Lau has activated have been able to control it so far,
but they can't hold back an assault from an actual intruder."
The Captain
stops and turns to the green alien.
"Tell me Fo'Lau,
how has the project advanced?" asked Coron.
The being's
eyes begin to glow a bright red as a booming voice is heard almost
everywhere around them.
"It has been
two weekens since the success with Sample 1329a, destroying it
and yielding Sample 1329b in the process." states Fo'Lau. "Preliminary
analysis shows that it is exactly as we had planned it to be.
Of course, Sample 1329b will be completely destroyed in the testing
to ensure that all of our modifications off the base were successful.
If they were, then we will use Sample 1330a to attempt to create
a Sample 1330b."
"Very good."
Says the Captain with a nod and brief smile. "Do whatever you
deem necessary to ensure the project's success. Both our careers
are riding on it. Lieutenant Grom."
The other
PK speaks up. "Yes sir?"
"Send as many
men as you can to Hangar 4 to protect Sample 1329b. I have a feeling
that we'll need the reinforcements."
"Of course
sir."
Captain Coron
walks away. As soon as his is a sufficient distance away. Fo'Lau
turns to Grom.
"Send as many
as you can, but make sure that they stay out of my way. After
all, I am too valuable to the project as is Sample 1329b. You
and your men are replaceable."
Fo'Lau turns
and walks in the same direction as Coron then turns walks down
a dimly lit hallway. Grom is obviously holding in his anger. He
is about to leave when he sees the disguised Crichton.
"You there!
What's your duty right now?!"
Crichton quickly
responds. "I have none at the moment sir."
"Then follow
that green son of a tralk and guard Hangar 4! I don't need this."
Grom walks
away muttering under his breathe as Crichton begins to follow
Fo'Lau down the dark hall.
From above
the same room, Sargas had been listening in.
'Could it
be? I thought that they hadn't been able to get it right yet.
Last time I trust that source. Either way, if there is already
one made, then I can just take that instead of making my own.
Hangar 4, I know where that is."
Crichton enters
Hangar 4 a few microts after Fo'Lau. The being turns to face Crichton.
"Are one of
the soldiers sent by Grom to guard my work?"
"Yes" Crichton
responded nervously. He had a feeling that this being might be
trouble. Fo'Lau looked Crichton up and down then turned back to
a screen showing something that Crichton couldn't get a good look
at.
"Very well
then. Go through that door to get to the main hangar. Don't touch
anything, just stand there and watch over it. I don't want some
Peacekeeper grunt ruining my hard work."
Crichton breathed
a sigh of relieve. If the being had sensed something different
about Crichton, then it didn't care. Harvey appeared next to Crichton
with a look on his face that was both surprised and grim at the
same time.
"John...I think
you may want to see what the project is."
Crichton followed
him through the doors that Fo'Lau had pointed to. As he went through,
all that was before him was the wing of rather large ship of some
kind. The wing and some of the main body was blue, but the majority
seemed to be black.
"Harv, I don't
see what the big deal is. Sure it's big, but Command Carriers
are a lot bigger and more heavily armed."
"John, take
a closer look. Don't you recognize its design?"
Crichton looked
at the ship again. After taking off the helmet, it had been obstructing
his vision a bit, and looking at it longer. His jaw dropped when
he realized what it was.
"Harv, is
this what I think it is?"
"Yes, a-"
'Leviathan
Gunship!' Sargas thought to himself. 'It's bigger than I thought
it would be for two weekens, but I wasn't exactly sure what to
expect. All I have to do is kill Fo'Lau and corrupt his data and
all knowledge of how to make this kind is gone for good.'
"But it's
so much bigger than Talyn was." Crichton said as he arched his
neck upwards.
"Yes it is."
Fo'Lau stated from behind.
Crichton wheeled
around and saw the being standing there. Somehow, he knew he had
been tricked.
"You see,
Sample 1329b and the one known as Talyn are merely distant cousins.
Born off the same principle but off different genetic alterations.
Alterations that only I was able to complete successfully. Before
I arrived, there were five other project heads that failed to
achieve anything even remotely like this. It is bigger and stronger
Leviathan Gunship than Talyn could have ever been. When fully
grown, it will be t least 1.5 times larger than a standard Leviathan.
It is armed with two Sonic Cannons similar to those found on Talyn,
but as it grows, it should develop more weapons. Impressive, isn't
it Crichton?"
"You knew
who I was and let me through?"
"I knew that
John Crichton had knowledge of the Gunship Talyn and would appreciate
the ferocity of this new and better version. I see by the look
on your face you are indeed impressed. Now, I will inform Captain
Coron of your escape."
"Wait, one
question about this thing." Crichton said, he could tell that
Fo'Lau was easily distracted by his own ego concerning the gunship.
"Of course,
I think such a being as yourself deserves one question about this
vessel as a final request."
"Why are you
going to destroy it if you have already bred it?"
"We have already
performed a number of tests on Sample 1329b. We have learned that
it still has the ability to support a pilot, something we don't
want. Also, it appears to lack a few of the weapons I had programmed
into its genetic code. Although some of the tests were quite painful,
it was needed to make further progress to final completion of
the Leviathan Gunship dreamed of by Peacekeeper High Command.
Now-"
Those were
the final words that Fo'Lau spoke as he was lifted up from behind.
A sickening ripping sound was heard from behind and the creatures
glowing eyes dimmed then went dark. He was dropped to the ground
and Sargas stands behind him, both of his hands covered in Fo'Lau's
dark blue blood. He calmly reaches down and wipes his hands off
on Fo'Lau's clothes as Crichton looks on with shock. Sargas hurries
over to a console and begins to bring up some files.
"I thought
you were dead." Crichton manages to get out.
"Some thanks
for saving your life. Either way, it takes more than a few pulse
shots to kill a Schaa Hunter, much less someone like me." Sargas
states without looking up.
"This is what
you were after, isn't it? You wanted this Leviathan Gunship."
"No, I wanted
the data to make one. You see, five cycles ago, I began to hear
unconfirmed reports of Peacekeeper attempts to breed a Leviathan
Gunship. I didn't take them seriously, but I did search nonetheless.
Then I heard about Talyn and knew that it was possible. Since
then, I have begun to seek out the Gammack Base that is charged
with development. The original was shut down and this new one
was made. Up to now, I heard they weren't successful, but I guess
I was wrong."
"I guess you
were. What are you doing there?"
"Setting the
electro-magnetic to shut down."
"Whoa, stop
there." Crichton says as he tries to step in front of Sargas.
"You shut it down and this thing's going to blast us all to bits."
"I'm going
to set it on a timer so we can board the Leviathan and escape.
I'm setting it to around 300 microts."
"OK, I'm ready
when you are."
"Alright,
ready...and...GO!"
Crichton and
Sargas both begin to sprint towards a side hatch on the Leviathan.
Sargas reaches it first and manages to get it open. He slides
in as Crichton follows him. As this happens, Lieutenant Grom arrives
with guards.
"What the
frell?!" he shouts.
"Sir, should
we open fire?" one guard asks.
"At what?
They're inside and I doubt that we'll get that hatch open. Try
to override the shut down."
One guard
walks over to the console and tries to access.
"Sir, it looks
like some kind of program was run that is deleting the data. The
override system is already gone."
"Frell...get
out of the hangar, NOW!"
The PKs flee
as Sargas and Crichton land inside of the cold blue interior of
the Leviathan. Sargas stays on his feet and Crichton falls flat
on his back.
"Ah man, how
much longer do we have until the field shuts down?"
"270 microts"
Sargas quickly answers. "Which way is command?"
"Why are you
asking me?"
"You've been
on Leviathan Gunships before."
"I think it's
that way." Crichton points behind Sargas and he takes off in that
direction. Crichton gets to his feet and follows in pursuit. He
catches up to Sargas in command. He looks around frantically.
"How do you
communicate with these things?"
"It can hear
you, just address it."
"Right, Leviathan,
can you hear me?"
The lights
and sensors in command flash in response.
"Good. I am
Sargas, I want to help you get out of captivity and escape the
Peacekeepers. Will you allow me to help you?"
Once again
there are flashes in response.
"I'll take
that as yes. Alright, listen, in about 20 microts, the electro-magnetic
fields keeping your weapons disabled will be dissolved. Fire up
and you will be able to enter free flight. Are you prepared for
that?"
There is a
pause, then flashes in agreement.
"Alright,
here we go. Wait for my signal. 5...4...3...2...1...fire!"
The Gunship
charges up its weapon and aims directly above it. It fires two
shots and creates a hole large enough to get through. The ship
directs itself upwards and through the hole. The Gammack Base's
defense systems begin to fire at the Leviathan. Inside Crichton
and Sargas look at the controls for some kind of defense.
"Leviathan,
do you have any form of defense?" Sargas asks forcefully. A hum
is heard from the ship and defense screen appears around the Leviathan,
protecting it from the blasts.
"Man," Crichton
says with a sign of relief. "This thing's decked out with all
kinds of gadgets. I guess it really is an upgraded version of
Talyn."
The Leviathan
breaks through the atmosphere and Sargas begins to look around
on the front viewing screen. He spots the planet's moon.
"There, hide
behind that moon."
The Leviathan
follows the order and enters a stealth orbit around the moon.
Now Sargas begins to calmly inspect the control panels in command.
"Incredible,
this ship is simply amazing." Sargas says with a kind of awe.
"What now
though?" Crichton says as he looks at the controls on the opposite
side.
"Leviathan,
do you want revenge against the Peacekeepers for what they did
to you and your mother?"
Hums and flashes
immediately begin in the cockpit signifying an emphatic yes.
"Very good.
Leviathan, I have a request of you. I will help you to get revenge
not only on the Peacekeepers on that Gammack Base, but also help
you in your development as you grow. You realize that you are
different from other Leviathans. You are a warrior, like me and
I understand what must be done for you grow properly as a warrior.
Let me become your captain."
The Leviathan
begins to hum as it considers the proposal of the Schaa Hunter.
Crichton pulls Sargas aside.
"Hey, no offense,
but these Leviathan Gunships are hard to control." Crichton whispered.
"A former PK Captain, Bailar Crais was captain of Talyn and he
had lots of problems."
"I am aware
of Crais and am not concerned." Sargas said with calmness. "Schaa
are raised to have maximum control over both themselves and everything
around them. If this vessel accepts my offer, I do not aim to
control it, but to guide it on a path to its fullest potential.
I-"
Before he
can say anything more, Sargas falls forward, screaming in pain
while holding the back of his neck. Crichton looks behind Sargas
and sees a snake-like chord extending from the Gunship's floor.
Crichton turns to Sargas and sees that a neuro-transponder has
placed on the back of Sargas's neck. Sargas is breathing heavily
as he gets back to his feet.
"Yo, Sargas,
you alright? Looks like you got tagged by this thing."
"I am...I'm
fine. Actually, better than fine. It's so hard to explain, but
I can sense everything in and around this ship. Tell me Leviathan,
do you have a proper name?"
A series of
hums and flashes occur in command.
"Sample 1329b.
That's not a name, that's a brand that was given to you by Peacekeepers.
I'll give you a real name later, for now, let's deal with that
Gammack Base. Defense screen up and arm your primary cannons."
"Sargas, are
you sure that you're in control?"
"I'm not in
control of this ship, I'm working with it. We both want revenge
on these Peacekeepers and from there, I will help in development."
The Leviathan
comes out from around the moon and reenters the atmosphere. On
the base, Lieutenant Grom is caught off-guard.
"What, they're
coming back? Where are the Prowlers?" Grom yells.
"They're out
with Captain Coron on the Command Carrier searching for the Leviathan."
A PK Tech answers.
"Frell! Send
a signal telling them it's here! Open fire on it, destroy it if
you must but try to capture it."
The defense
guns open fire, but the defense screen absorbs the shots. As they
charge for a second round, the Gunship's weapons begin to gather
energy. It releases to large blasts on the Gammack Base. The blasts
send plumes of smoke and dust shooting up from the ground. As
the smoke clears out of the way, only a crater and scattered remains
of the Gammack Base are left. On the Leviathan, Sargas smirks
as he surveys the destruction.
"Such power,
you and I will make a truly formidable duo." He says with a hint
of pride.
"OK, you got
what you wanted. Now help me find my Leviathan, Moya." Crichton
says a bit impatiently.
"Ah yes, that's
right. Very well." Sargas says coolly.
"Great, I'm
going to look for some quarters while we get out of here."
Crichton turns
to walk away, then hears whirring behind him. He turns back around
and sees that Sargas has directed the command's defense guns at
him.
"At this stage,
I'm afraid that I am quite preoccupied with aiding my ship to
become both more adept at using his current weapons and becoming
stronger completely. I have a feeling that you'd object to this
so I must insist that you take your leave. Don't worry too much
though, the guns are set to stun."
Crichton takes
a step back before the guns fire and he blacks out. Sargas turns
back to face the viewing screen.
"Finally,
some quiet. Alright, you know the planet I want to go to, let's
get there fast, Starburst."
The Leviathan
responds and Starbursts away from the crumbled Gammack Base. Half
an arn later, Coron's Command Carrier arrives. He as well surveys
the damage from his personal quarters while drinking a light blue
liquid from a glass.
"Well, it
appears as though I'm going to be reassigned." He states dryly.
He takes a drink then enters a few keystrokes onto a console in
front of him. He smirks as an incomplete copy of the Gunship's
genome comes up. "While it may be incomplete, at least it's something
that I can use to get a superior assignment than some far-flung
Gammack Base."
Crichton awakes
the next solar day, not quite sure where he is. He hears some
ruckus on the floor below him and heads downstairs groggily. He
freezes as he sees that he is back in the bar, the same one that
he had fled from days earlier and Ken'nold stood behind the bar.
He tried to sneak out, but the being spotted him.
"You don't
have to sneak. Sargas paid your bills." Ken'nold said as he turned
back to other customers.
"Where's Sargas
now?" Crichton asked.
"Not sure,
he left after leaving you here."
Crichton left
the bar and made his way back towards where his module had been,
and luckily, still was.
"Great, here
I am, days and bruises later and still stuck on the same commerce
planet." Crichton said as he slumped down next to the module.
Strangely, he was still tired and drifted off to sleep without
thinking of anything.
At the same
time that Crichton was falling asleep, Sargas stood on the command
of the Leviathan, his Leviathan.
"Now, what
to call you. Something strong and worthy of a Schaa warrior. I
know, I will deem you after the ultimate creation of the ancient
Schaa weapon smith, Nosthas. You shall be from henceforth known
as Junras. How do like that name?"
A low hum
can be heard from the Leviathan.
"Very good,
Junras it is. Now, for the moment we should lay low, at least
until I can assess what you maximum capabilities are."
Junras slowly
glides through space, heading to its next destination.
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