Farscape Tracker (6) “Our main concern now is to see if we can free the others. There is nothing more that the DRDS or I can do for Moya. Until she awakens, all sensors and propulsion remain off line. I take it they are being held on the tier where The Dominar’s quarters are?” “In his quarters is more like it,” Chiana said as she took a seat and hopped onto the console. “How many were there?” Pilot asked. “I only saw one. He looked like a peacekeeper from the way he handled Aeryn.” “I suggest that you attempt to free them if there is only one intruder.” “You didn’t see how he fought Pilot. It was like he didn’t care what happened to him, whether he lived or died it didn’t matter. His mind seemed focused on only one thing. He was cold, distant. And he was better than Aeryn not because he was a male but because he knew more, he had more experience than she did. And THAT Pilot scares the frell out me.” Pilot looked at her and sympathized with her. He too was scared. Scared for Moya, for the others and for him. “Chiana, if you wish, I can ready a transport pod for you and you can escape. No one will think anything less of you if you did this. My first responsibility is to Moya and then the others. I cannot help her now but I can help you. I am sure the others will understand and so will Moya.” She looked at him and at first she wanted to tell him yes to get the pod ready. She had been running all her life and this situation was no different from the others. She glazed into Pilot’s eyes and saw how genuinely concerned he was for her safety. Here on Moya, she was another lost soul taken on board and cared for. It took her by surprise how everyone treated her, rough at first and she even rebelled against them not wanting to trust them wholly fearing that they had an ulterior motive but this wasn’t the case. Even though they fought and squabbled and always blamed each other for the predicaments that they always got into (they mostly blamed poor Crichton), deep down they all cared for one another and for this great ship and it’s pilot even though no one would openly admit it. Chiana decided it was time to show how she really felt about them, not to prove it to them but to prove it to her. “What do you think I should do?” “If you hid inside the atmospheric vents to avoid capture, then I suggest using them again and attempt to free them.” “But I don’t know the layout as well as Rygel does,” Chiana replied. “I will be able to provide them to you but you will need to think about what to do once you reach Rygel’s quarters.” “Ok lets get started,” she answered. Traynor followed the luxan down the corridor watching his every move. The net was loosened up just enough for him to walk but luxans where highly unpredictable. When they reached the Dominar’s quarters, Traynor opened the cell doors and led the luxan in. He looked around the room and saw that everything was as he left it. The female peacekeeper was tied up back to back with the other peacekeeper, the delvian was sleeping, and the hynerian was coming to. He shoved the luxan and sat him down across from the hynerian and began to retract the net as the male peacekeeper looked on. “What do you want?” John asked? Traynor took out a pair of mag cuffs and slipped them on the luxan’s hands and looked at John then looked around the room. He then proceeded to retract the net fully and D’argo gave him a dirty look. Aeryn turned her head slightly as Traynor stood up and placed the net inside a pocket that was on his belt. “Well? If it’s not me then which one of us is it? Is it Chi..”? “It’s the ship. Isn’t in?” Aeryn interrupted Crichton and quickly snapped her head back and hit John’s head to stop him from blurting out Chiana. “Ouch! HEY!” John said out loud. Traynor looked at the both of them while D’argo let out a snarl. “The bounty of each of you does not concern me. In a couple of arns all of you will be on a transport pod heading to a commerce planet. Don’t FORCE me to collect on them,” Traynor said as he exited the cell. He turned around looked at them and gave them a smile and locked the cell door. “What was that for?” John asked Aeryn “What?” “That WWF head butt.” “I had to stop you from giving up our only chance of escape,” she replied. “Yeah but you could have pinched me, or something not give me a concussion,” John said. “Do you believe him?” D’argo asked “Yes. It’s the ship. It’s Moya. Bounty hunters don’t like sticking around and most prefer their bounties dead,” Aeryn replied. “I will NOT allow him to take this ship. Moya has done nothing but to protect us and put up with us. Not to mention everything that Pilot has done for us. We OWE it to them.” D’argo said forcefully. “Agreed,” Aeryn said, “We cannot allow him to take Moya.” “Great, but we’re not going to be able to do anything hogged tied,” John blurted out and he started to struggle trying to free himself. “Will you stop!”? Aeryn said as she started to move with him as Crichton realized that the he was also struggling with her, “Let’s hope that Chiana comes up with a plan… and fast.” Pilot looked out of the corner of his eye and saw a figure was approaching his chamber; he then quickly looked down as he continued to monitor Moya’s systems. As the figure drew nearer he grew anxious fearing the worst but prepared to do all that he could to save the others and Moya. “Is there anything that you need?” Pilot looked up surprised at his question. “No,” as he pressed some levers. “The leviathan…is she hurt?” “No. Moya is sleeping and it appears that all of her systems are fine although in sleep mode,” Pilot answered as he looked up and faced Traynor. “I thank you for the chlorium. It has eased her pain and has sped up the healing process.” “I’m sorry. There was no other way without hurting the others,” Traynor replied. “So you do not intend to hurt the others?” “I have no intention of doing so unless they provoke me.” “What will you do with them?” Pilot asked with great concern. “If all goes according to plan, they will go free,” Traynor said. “If you are not here for them…then you are here for us?” “Yes; I’m afraid so. I have no intention of harming ANY of you. This will all be over shortly.” Pilot lowered his head and eyes with sadness and helplessness as he knew that there was nothing that he could do. He took a deep breathe and looked up, “Then Moya and I will help you we will not resist as long as no harm comes to the others,” and then lowered his head again. Traynor was taken aback as to the concern that this Pilot had for her crew and he had no doubt that the leviathan had the same if not more for her Pilot as well. “Good. Will this com badge allow me to communicate with you should I need to?” “Yes.” Traynor nodded his head and turned around and headed out of the chamber back to where the others were being held. Pilot looked up without disdain placing a small amount of trust into this stranger. He was obviously an ex-peacekeeper but was somehow different, genuine, and honest. He began to push some levers and patiently waited for Moya to awaken from her sleep to tell her all that has happened. Traynor made his way back to the cell and as he approached it he could hear voices talking and knew that everyone was awake. The cell door opened up and the talking stopped for a microt. He looked over everyone once to make sure that they were still bound. Finally Zhann broke the silence, “I don’t know whether to thank you or to kill you.” “Feel like raiding the fridge for some munchies Zhann?” John said out loud chuckling as the others looked at each other then at him not knowing what he was talking about. “I am glad to see that everyone is awake,” Traynor said. “If you have harmed Pilot or Moya I swear that…” “They are both doing fine,” Traynor interrupted Zhann. Chiana opened the atmospheric vent and gently moved it aside as to not make any noise. She saw Traynor standing in front of the cell with the door opened and knew that now would be her only chance to gain advantage over him. She drew her pulse pistol and began to sneak up behind him. D’argo saw her and began to speak to try to buy her some time. “We have your word that no harm will come to Pilot and Moya?” “Yes. And all of you will be free to go about your business once this is over.” “And what do you get out of this?” D’argo asked. “Nothing much…” “…except a pulse blast in the back of your head,” Chiana said as she pushed the pistol into Trayanor’s back. “Pip, I LOVE YOU!” John said out loud. “What kept you?” Aeryn demanded to know. “Get these frelling cuffs off me!” Rygel yelled out. “Glad to see that you all missed me!” Chiana said with a smile and a slight giggle. “I missed YOU,” D’argo said looking at her. Traynor slipped his hand into his right pocket, and then raised both of his hands in the air. “Don’t try anything stupid or you’ll be splattered all over this cell. NOW MOVE!” and she shoved him into the cell. He stumbled forward then turned around and lowered his hands and showed her his right hand. “What the frell is that?” she asked. “This? This is a pressure pad detonator. If my fingers leave it, the demo packs that I placed on this ship will detonate and you, I, they, and this leviathan and its Pilot will be blown apart. I have nothing to loose. You on the other hand, have a very important decision to make in the next couple of micros because if you don’t toss the pistol towards me or shoot me I will make the decision for you,” Traynor said to her. “You’re lying,” Chiana replied. “Am I? Ask your Pilot. I was down in his chambers.” Chianna spoke into her com, “Pilot? Had this piece of dren been in your chambers?” “Yes he has,” Pilot’s voice said as it crackled over the com. "You see. I told you. Whets it going to be?” Traynor said looking at her. “Don’t believe him Pip, he has a poker face on,” John said “Shoot him!” Aeryn shouted “Shoot!” Zhann found herself saying. “YES YES shoot shoot!” Rygel said frantically. “AIM FOR HIS HEAD!” D’argo yelled out. “FRELL!!” Chiana said as she took aim at Traynor. Traynor looked at her with a frozen look, not moving and looking directly into her eyes. She gripped the pistol tightly and began taking shallow quick breathes as she steadied herself to take the shot. She looked at Traynor then lowered the pistol. “AW man!!” John yelled out loud. “Now, place the pistol on the ground and kick it to me.” She did as Traynor instructed. He lowered himself to the ground to pick up the pistol maintaining eye contact with her. He picked up the pistols and stood up and motioning with the pistol to Chianna, “Get over there with the others.” He opened his hand and placed the detonator around his neck “What the….” D’argo said. Aeryn just moved her head and close her eyes with disgust as she knew what he placed around his neck. Everyone was staring at Traynor. He looked at all of them knowing that they wanted an answer. “IDENT chip,” he said with a smirk as he moved over towards Chianna to tie her up. Everyone moaned out loud in disappointment and rolled their eyes. Traynor reached backed into his pocket and took out the transmitter that his retainer had given him. He pressed the button and turned it on and it began transmitting Moya’s coordinates. Soon he would finally meet the retainer that was so eager for this leviathan. END PART ONE
Copyright © 2002 Rick Mantilla |