by Travis
*****
"Prowler Flight Ergan to cruiser Jorflaks," Officer Tira Kend commed, "we have visual of the target. It appears to be two leviathans, elder and junior. Should we classify them as 'hostile'?"
Barrad cast a cool glance towards Rhian. The Inquisitor shook his head. Barrad forced himself not to gape at the Inquisitor's reaction. He turned back to the comm pick-up.
"Negative Ergan Lead." Barrad managed to say without choking, "Maintain distance. Do not engage unless fired upon."
Kend's confusion was plain in her voice, "Sir?"
"You have your orders Officer Kend." Barrad snapped before cutting communications.
He faced Rhian with his arms akimbo, fists firmly planted on his hips, "Well?"
Rhian spared him an indulgent smile, "Prepare a Marauder. I shall be visiting our 'guests'."
"You do realise that these leviathans must be the two fugitive ships sought by First Command?" Barrad asked.
"Of course." Rhian replied calmly, his dark eyes twinkling merrily, "I also realise that they have been in this territory far longer than us, and may have invaluable intelligence that may contribute to our success."
"And what of First Command's orders to destroy the older leviathan and capture the younger?"
Rhian shook his head sadly, "We have a far more important task ahead of us. Now is not the time for distractions. Instruct the Prowler flight to form a perimeter blocking the leviathans from escaping. After that, inform them of my imminent arrival."
"You're seriously going aboard that leviathan?" Barrad asked, unwilling to believe his ears.
"Yes." Rhian replied placidly, "I shall be taking along select members of your crew. I'll prepare a list and give it to you in fifteen minutes. Please have them and the Marauder ready in half an arn."
"Yes, sir." Barrad replied with emphasis, using agreeable terms to mask his true anger.
*****
"Why the yutz aren't they attacking?" Rygel asked.
"That's a good question." Aeryn replied.
"Whatever they're up to, they've got us surrounded." Chiana said with a nervous timbre to her voice. She always lost composure when faced with captivity, and now was no exception. John cast a concerned glance her way. She caught it gave him a wan smile in reply.
See, still okay here. it said.
John shook his head. He knew how much her brave front was costing her. The changes in the Nubarian since her arrival had been astounding. She was still petulant and unpredictable, that would probably never change. He did know without a doubt that he could trust her with his life, which is something he couldn't have said almost half a cycle ago when he'd first met her.
"Why haven't they attacked?" D'Argo growled.
"That's a damn good question." John mused aloud, "Maybe they don't want to blow us up."
"That's ludicrous." Aeryn scoffed, "Even if the Peacekeepers hadn't wanted us killed before, the incident with Scorpius and the Gammuck base would have sealed our fate."
"Yeah, maybe, but take a look at what's out there people." John countered, "That's a helluva lot firepower to waste on two leviathan's and six fugitives."
"Talon is armed." Aeryn reminded him.
"Armed, but not significantly enough to attack a command carrier, much less three." D'Argo commented, "That doesn't even factor in those cruisers."
"Speaking of which, what are those things?" John asked.
"Expeditionary Forces survey ships." Aeryn explained unhappily, "They are often sent into unexplored areas ahead of a command carrier to chart potential dangers."
"Or conquests." Zhaan added, "Expeditionary Forces cruisers were the first Peacekeeper ships to ever approach Delvia."
"So why're they here?" John asked.
"I suspect that the answer to that question would also explain why we are still alive." Zhaan replied.
*****
The Marauder detached itself from the bowels of the cruiser. The Expeditionary Forces ship carried no Prowlers, but had a half dozen Marauders in inventory. Rhian had selected two pilots, as well as his niece Larne, Science Officer Brun Skoda, and two of his own guards to accompany him. The Inquisitor quietly rubbed his hand through his beard as the Marauder flew towards the infamous leviathan.
Aboard the Jorflaks, Tullick watched his scope carefully. Beside him, Jerin Gelt shuffled uncomfortably at his post. Tullick softly clucked his tongue to reprimand the young astrogator. Gelt reddened and settled down.
Tullick knew something of how the younger officer felt. Tullick may not have been romantically drawn towards Larne Rhian the way Gelt was to Skoda, but he did consider her something of a kinsman. He'd known her parents, and her uncle, for years. She was unaware of that fact and he'd never willingly tell her.
As her unofficial mentor, he wasn't about to let anything happen to her. He was determined to detect any potential hazards well before they presented themselves. He pities Gelt the inability to monitor the situation as well as himself. Romance within Peacekeeper ranks was rare, but it did happen.
Tullick occasionally wondered why First Command discouraged relations between its soldiers. In Tullick's opinion, it gave them something personal to fight for. Command worried that a front line trooper might be distracted if a mate was also under fire. Tullick humbly felt that would provide greater motivation to win, or for vengeance in case of defeat.
Tullick shrugged and shoved such thoughts aside as he heard the comm officer signal the Prowler flight, "Ergan Lead, you are cleared for escort run."
*****
"We are receiving a signal from the incoming Marauder." Pilot informed his shipmates, "They are asking permission to board."
"Asking?" D'Argo repeated cynically, "Why don't I believe that?"
"It is true Kar D'Argo." Pilot assured the Luxan, "They are guaranteeing our safety once they come aboard."
"Safely in their custody you mean." Rygel snorted.
"No, your Imminence." Pilot replied incredulously, "They are guaranteeing our freedom, authorised at the highest levels."
"What level?" Aeryn asked warily.
"They claim to have a writ from the Office of Inquisition."
*****
The boxy Marauder came to a soft landing within Moya's Landing Bay. It sank down slightly on the cylinders of its landing skids before the boarding ramp descended. Two soldiers dressed in ebon armour descended first. Larne and Skoda followed with pulse rifles at the ready. Rhian himself came last, carrying no weapon.
The double doors leading to the antechamber outside the Bay opened. Six figures stood in a line waiting for them. Five of them were armed. The four armed Peacekeepers halted and took aim.
"I don't think that will prove necessary." a deep voice said from behind the Peacekeepers. Rhian pushed through to interpose himself between the two armed parties.
"My God, Its Sean Connery." John laughed to himself, "Straight from the Red October."
Rhian ignored this incomprehensible remark as Aeryn informed him, "We will not surrender our arms."
Rhian's eyebrow rose as a smirk formed on his lips, "I didn't presume you would." He gestured towards his own party, which obediently lowered their weapons.
He crossed his arms in front of him, "Better now?"
"Damn!" John exclaimed, "Even talks like him."
Chiana glanced towards John to whisper, "What the frell are you talking about?"
John merely shook his head while wearing a stunned expression, "I'll tell you later."
"Can't wait." she muttered in a tone that indicated otherwise.
"Why are you here?" D'Argo growled suspiciously.
Rhian met his glare evenly, "I am here because you may be in possession of intelligence I require."
"What kind of intelligence?" Aeryn's voice reflected her apprehension.
"Have you ever heard of a race known as the Swarm?" Rhian asked nonchalantly. The bitter expressions upon the fugitives' faces were all the answer he required.
*****
They gathered in Command. Rhian's two guards now had their rifles slung. Skoda was exchanging botanical notes with Zhaan, much to D'Argo's consternation. Rhian spoke with Rygel. Aeryn and Larne stood facing one another; toe to toe, eye to eye.
"Hello again, Officer Sun." Larne said with a nod of her head.
"Greetings." Aeryn returned, then hesitated, "I regret my deception during our last meeting."
Larne smiled warmly, "I would have down the same in similar circumstances. You displayed your honour and skill. You have nothing to be ashamed of. I'm still in your debt."
"There is no debt." Aeryn replied, her relief plain in her eyes, "I would be honoured of you would consider me a comrade instead."
Larne nodded fervently, "I would be proud too."
Aeryn's tone turned wry, "That may not be a wise career move. Command generally chooses to punish acquaintances of those under its ire if it cannot punish them directly."
Larne shrugged, "It wouldn't be my first blunder born of loyalty."
Aeryn's eyes moistened, "Thank you."
Rhian turned his attention from Rygel's preening to the others, "If I may begin the necessary inquiries?"
D'Argo and John exchanged a dry look. The two Peacekeeper soldiers they were standing across from glowered. Not that that was much of a change, all they'd done since coming aboard is glower. It seemed to a speciality among Peacekeepers, but this pair had raised it to an art form.
Which is too bad, John mused as glanced again at the female of the pair, she'd be cute of she didn't look like she wanted to rip our throats out. It startled him to recall that had been his initial impression of Aeryn as well. Now, he couldn't imagine ever thinking that of her. The times were definitely a'changin'.
"What is it you wish to know?" Aeryn asked in reply.
"I think Officer Skoda is more qualified to ask the preliminary questions." Rhian deferred.
Brun gave the Inquisitor a wry smile, "I wouldn't say that, but I suppose we should begin with the technical issues."
She ran a hand through her short, auburn hair, which usually had the effect of making it stand on end, "We must know if you've had direct contact with the Swarm?"
The ripple of disgust that passed over the crew as they remembered their experience with the insects should have been answer enough. They all knew from experience that this would not be the case with anyone wearing a Peacekeeper uniform. Paranoia was a cultural heritage among the Sabbaceans. Although the answer was obvious, the Peacekeeper's paradigm required additional corroboration before the answer would be believed.
"Yes." Aeryn answered, suppressing a shudder, "We faced them. They boarded our ship and we repelled them."
"Impressive." Rhian commented.
"Not impressive enough to save the Peritans." John muttered bitterly.
Larne's eyebrow arched, "The Peritans?"
"A Sabbacean colony here in the Uncharted Territories." her uncle replied.
There was a consensus of stunned silence among Moya's crew. Rhian studied their reactions. The Luxan was furious. The Delvian wore an expression of grief. The Hynerian was fairly unperturbed. The...whatever the one they called Chiana was, broke into a wry smirk that intrigued the Inquisitor. It was the former Peacekeeper and the human Crichton that truly felt the weight of his words.
"You knew." the words ground through Aeryn's clenched teeth, "You knew they were in peril and you did nothing?"
"Figures." John added with disgust.
Rhian's expression conveyed a sense of a lecturer addressing dim-witted pupils, "We knew of the colony's existence. We knew nothing of its destruction until now."
"How did you learn of it now?" Aeryn asked suspiciously.
Rhian cast her a dry look, "I would think your reactions would be indication enough for even a Peacekeeper to deduce the Peritan's fate."
Aeryn bristled somewhat but was contented by the answer.
Skoda took the opportunity to resume her line of questioning, "Were they formidable opponents?"
"For us?" D'Argo asked in a challenging tone, "Or for you?"
Brun coloured brightly. The fugitive shipmates laughed, smiled, or sniggered depending upon their various skills regarding impulse control. Larne wore a blank expression that reflected her indecision on the correct response. The two Peacekeeper guards made their unhappiness known through their heightened tension.
Rhian merely smiled, "I have read the files regarding your skills Ka D'Argo. I have no doubts as to your skills as a warrior. I am merely seeking your assessment as to the Swarm's abilities."
"They are physically formidable." D'Argo admitted slowly, "However, their strategies appear largely based upon direct assault or ambushes. There is no overall strategy to their attack. They merely seek o overwhelm through numbers."
Rhian cast a questioning glance towards Aeryn, "Would you agree with this determination Officer Sun?"
"Yes, I would." Aeryn informed him, maintaining an impassive expression.
"Our studies indicate that they will prove vulnerable to our pulse weapons." Brun interjected, "I take it this is the case?"
"It appears to overheat the aqueous elements of their physiology, causing their carapace to explode in order to vent the internal pressure." Zhaan confirmed.
Brun turned towards Rhian with a smile, "That was our estimate as well, sir."
Rhian gave her a sardonic smile, "Except for the fact that their report is based upon experience rather than a mere guess."
It was Brun's day to blush, "Yessir."
"If I may ask," Aeryn interrupted, "what are your plans towards us now?"
"I was hoping to convince you to assist us." Rhian admitted.
"Help you what?" John asked sharply.
"Simply put, help us subdue the Swarm." he paused as if weighing his next words carefully, "And help us establish a new colony free of First Command's meddlesome ambitions."
"You must be joking." Aeryn replied scornfully.
Rhian casually took a seat on a nearby bench, "I've never been more serious in my life."
In a day full of surprises, this one seemed to overtake all others. The utter lack of reaction or surprise from Larne, Brun Skoda, and the other Peacekeepers only lent credence to Rhian's words. That was impossible wasn't it? How could a Peacekeeper Inquisitor be discussing creating a colony outside of Command's control?
"How?" Aeryn asked at last, "Why?"
"Very simple, m'dear." Rhian responded with charismatic confidence, "The how is the fact that we have three command carriers, the Expeditionary Forces ships, and their crews."
"As far as why," he gave an innocent shrug, "most of the crews were born techs. Why wouldn't they pursue an opportunity for self-determination?"
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