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Written by: LeatherGirl
Archive: 9 July 2001
Summary: This is way too big to summarize. Read it and be entertained! And if you're familiar with my writing style, the title is more than enough to summarize this fanfic!
Rating: R for mainly strong language, a little sexual content, and some violence
Category: Drama/Action/Adventure
Spoilers: Everything up to Eat Me, S3.
Disclaimer: I wrote this fanfic purely for entertainment with no intentions of making a profit off of Farscape, Jim Henson Productions, Channel 9, and the amazing creators of this show or anybody else involved. When you have fun creating, money is no object. Ka'ru is a fictional character of my own creation. As for the many scientific impossibilities found in this fanfic, frell them because this is science FICTION after all!
Author's Note: This fanfic has to be the largest writing project I have ever challenged myself into producing. I actually felt further away from Farscape than I have been in the past when writing fan fiction, thus making it even more difficult to breathe life into the well-known characters. Real life issues also strayed me away from this fanfic, many of the issues dealing with inner struggle. I bring the final piece to you as my heart and soul. Please read it as a whole and respond with feedback. Even though completion and joy of writing is satisfying by itself, feedback is the ultimate satisfaction in order for me to truly see if my efforts paid off.
Thanks to the following beta-readers for helping me out: pkbarb, jilacosa, and johryn.
Special thanks to the creators of Farscape for a unique look into the world of a universe we may never know.
This story was somewhat inspired by Stephen King's latest novel, Dreamcatcher. If you loved The Stand, this one is even better!
D'Argo lay on the floor, his back aching and his mind reeling. What had just happened? He shook his head and lifted himself up, glancing around Command to see if his other crewmates had survived the turbulence of the pulse wave. Chiana was lying near him, her arms draped over Rygel, who in turn was just wakening. The Hynerian grunted and tried to wriggle free. D'Argo helped him out just as Chiana awoke. Chiana lifted herself up, realizing her position with Rygel in disgust as Jool bounced up from the floor behind them. Rygel reclaimed his throne sled and hovered to the center of Command, peering out the view screen wearily at the fighter ships. Stark moaned from across the room and stood to observe the others.
"Is everybody all right?" Stark inquired as he approached each of the crew. He looked them over physically to see to his relief that no one had been injured in the violent turbulence they had just experienced.
The pulse wave had been a complete surprise attack. Neither Moya nor Talyn had sensed it in time to warn the crew.
"John, can you hear me?" D'Argo called over his comms. The comms crackled and he heard nothing more.
"What about Aeryn? Is she still aboard Talyn?" Chiana pondered, growing anxious.
"Pilot." Rygel stated into his comms. He called Pilot several more times before realizing nothing was working. Even the hum of Moya had silenced. The lights had begun to dim as well.
"What's going on?" Jool asked with a quivering lower lip. She glanced around with her green eyes, fearing the worst.
"Calm down, everyone." Stark demanded, holding out a hand. "Zhaan instructed us to follow our intuition. All of us. We should listen to her and realize that we are not in complete danger as of yet."
"Oh really?" D'Argo stepped forward and stood tall above Stark. The Banik did not falter and continued his peaceful stance.
"John is our key. And Aeryn is on Talyn. She can help us." Stark stated.
"He's either completely fahrbot or just as frelling peaceful as Zhaan was." Chiana observed.
"Listen, this ship is paralyzed. There is nothing we can do about our position amongst those Scarrans." Stark responded.
"Yes, there is." D'Argo confided.
"What?" Jool demanded to know, stepping forward with interest. She almost felt safer the closer she was to the others.
"We go out there in that mysterious ship of ours. It has a more powerful defense shield than I have ever seen and I am willing to wager that those Scarrans are defenseless against it." D'Argo explained, trying to gain support from his crewmates.
"What, and leave Moya and Pilot alone? I don't think so." Chiana argued. She stepped back to accent her point. Rygel hovered over to her side and nodded his head.
"I agree with Chiana." Rygel stated with bravery. "We stay with Moya and Pilot. We trust Stark."
D'Argo wrinkled his brow as he searched their serious faces. He looked to Jool to see the fright in her eyes. She was the only one willing to go with him. D'Argo then realized the absurdity of his plan and stepped down.
"It'll never work, you're right. We can't exit Moya anyway, she wouldn't even be able to open the docking bay door." D'Argo pointed out.
"Do I have to ask?" Jool stated as the question "what do we do" seemed appropriate at this point.
"We go to Pilot's den and try to wake him." Stark suggested firmly. The crew glanced to him and nodded their approval. Stark turned and led the way as the crew followed in a single line. Each and every one of them had a look of fear spread across their faces. They always had a good plan by now. Unfortunately, this time, the main person who usually came up with all the good ideas was not there. John was in just as deep dren as they were.
*****
Her foot nudged Crais' shoulder, shaking him momentarily. Aeryn lowered her foot and exhaled loudly. No matter what she tried, Crais would not wake up. Talyn was even further into a deep sleep than Crais probably was so she had no hope wakening the ship before Crais. Aeryn turned back to the view screen and hoped that Moya and the crew were all right. Few times had there been a breach in communications. The silence both frightened and angered Aeryn. She stole a glimpse towards the section of the Scarran battle ship she could see out the view screen. Squinting her eyes, she spied John's tiny module hovering just beneath the ship, paused for what seemed like infinity.
"He made it." Aeryn confirmed out loud, a swirl of happiness filling her body. She glanced back to see that no one heard her anyway.
Aeryn watched John's module for a while, wondering what was going through the human's mind. Stark had mentioned earlier something about images plaguing John's mind; it unsettled Aeryn. She remembered John mentioned bad dreams as well. This and all of John's strange pauses and far away looks told Aeryn something was wrong. It had started even before they encountered his galaxy. Was he homesick? No, he had been the first few monens but by now, he was settled with their way of life. Or so Aeryn tried to make herself believe. How desperate could a person be to return to their only home? Especially if this person had never before experienced life outside of his very planet? Didn't the wonders here capture his imagination, starve the human for more, or even captivate him beyond words? Aeryn hoped so.
A moan from behind brought Aeryn back to the troubles at hand. She walked back to Crais and knelt down, waiting impatiently for Crais to waken. He stirred, his head rolling to one side. Aeryn slapped him on the cheek, hoping to wake him that way. Crais only moaned once more and rolled his head back to where it had been resting.
Aeryn huffed and stood. She finally noticed the dull interior of Talyn. The ship had truly begun to shut down. Hopefully, the pulse wave would not have long-lasting effects. Talyn was literally their only hope to survive this latest encounter. He was an essential part of John's plan. Aeryn began to plead with the unconscious ship, hoping he would hear her.
"Talyn. Talyn it's me, Aeryn. Please, you have to wake up. Moya's been immobilized just like you. She can't defend herself. The Scarran fighter ships have entrapped us. John is at the battle ship and he needs your help. He cannot overpower the ship all on his own. Talyn, you must save us. Allow John the chance to return to his Earth without the threat of the Scarrans. It's a simple request."
Talyn remained silent. Aeryn thought of her last words about John. She truly did wish the best for him and if that meant returning to his beloved Earth, so be it. When the moment finally came, she would deal with her inner turmoil. That was how she handled everything. It was how she was bred.
"You've grown to be such a handsome young ship, Talyn. I am proud of you. I will always be here if you need me. One way or another, Talyn, I will be your mother when Moya is not." Aeryn stepped forward and softly caressed a column on a nearby wall. The interior lighting appeared to grow brighter. Aeryn smiled, hoping her eyes were not just adjusting to the dim chamber.
"I will protect you and guide you, just as Crais has. Please wake up, Talyn. We need you." Aeryn pleaded on and then spoke in a softer voice. "I need you."
Aeryn was startled by her sudden admission. She smiled and realized Talyn was her dream for the future...with John. How she could combine these two was beyond her. Then there was Crais.
"Aeryn...." Crais muttered, disrupting her thoughts. Aeryn jumped as she was caught off guard and knelt down beside Crais. Talyn began to lighten even further, thus telling Aeryn she was not hallucinating.
"Crais, you need to wake up. You need to help me get Talyn back. John is at the battle ship. We have to attack now." Aeryn rushed her words, holding Crais' face in her arms. Crais slowly opened his eyes.
"Talyn's weak...but he's growing stronger. I'm growing stronger." Crais informed Aeryn. He struggled to stand with Aeryn's help. He leaned against the console behind him and faced Aeryn.
"Before the pulse wave...." Crais began but paused as lightheadedness paraded his vision.
"Before the wave? What? What are you trying to say Crais?" Aeryn asked anxiously, feeling her stomach begin to flutter.
"Talyn sensed a pod...headed for Moya."
"A pod?" Aeryn asked but already felt she knew where Crais was headed.
"Two beings aboard...they came from the battle ship." Crais finished.
Aeryn's eyes widened and she stepped forward to look at distant, silent Moya before them. The numerous fighter ships between them hardly obscured her view.
"Who occupied that pod, Crais?" Aeryn commanded an answer. Crais remained quiet. Aeryn rushed to him and clenched her hand onto his chin, lifting his face up. She glared at Crais who struggled to stay conscious.
"Who?" Aeryn repeated.
"A Scarran...and Scorpius." Crais growled. Aeryn released her grip on Crais, allowing him to crumble to the floor, struggling with consciousness. Aeryn turned back to look at Moya with alarm. There was no way to warn them and even then, it was already too late. Aeryn could only take solace in the fact that John was not aboard the Leviathan. As for the rest of the crew, she feared the worst.
*****
The blazing orange sliver began to melt into the deep blue ocean at the horizon line. Orange pools of reflected light glittered on the shimmering water, begging for more life than the oncoming nightfall would allow. A slight salty breeze whooshed across the surface of the endless waters from the darkening clear blue sky above.
John glanced down to view his sandaled feet swirling around in the sand. He whisked his head back up to see the final sliver of the day's sun beginning to slip under the horizon. What the frell? He was back in the memory with DK on the beach the day before quarantine so long ago. What am I doing back here?
DK cleared his throat from nearby. John looked to see his friend at his side. Before DK could say a single word, John held up his hand. He knew what was coming. He didn't want to hear it. Not again. And just as if someone had been listening at that moment, everything stopped. The wind, DK's very heartbeat, even the sliver of sun hanging by a thread above the ocean became still. John shook his head, backed away from DK and his thunderbird convertible parked behind them. He headed towards the water, as if there was any escape into it.
"...be your own hero....second thoughts....blood, sweat, tears....everything will change...prove to the world..." DK's voice boomed around John. He swirled, seeing nothing but the eerie stillness of DK and Mother Nature. He then heard his own voice echoing in the mix.
"...worry about the small stuff when time calls for me to..." All these words struck John as symbolic. They were the things both he and DK had said originally in this memory. So why were they all jumbled together like this? Was his mind trying to tell him something? Or was Harvey involved somehow?
John held his hands up to his ears and prepared to scream. He squeezed his eyes shut. The jumble of emotions he had been suppressing for so long began to release. John heard the motor of a vehicle and then the spinning of tires against sand. John opened his eyes a slit to see the red taillights of his vehicle glowing like a pair of eyes, growing smaller as they headed further down the path. John searched the dimming area with his eyes. DK was gone. The breeze and tide of the ocean had lessened. The sun had finally set.
Without warning, John was whisked into a dream plane, as he would have described it. He was physically experiencing every single flashback or memory that had haunted him since the beginning of this entire mess. And it all began with DK and him in the bar.
"Come on, John. What's with the Jack Crichton act? You're way too serious. Enjoy the buzz and worry about the other stuff the morning after." DK laughed, swaggering. John saw himself across from DK, snorting and laughing in response.
John began to back away, unsure of everything at this point. He stumbled on someone's feet behind him. John felt fear shroud his body. Scorpius. He turned with a scowl expression but was caught by surprise. There was Bobby and his henchmen standing like puppets, waiting for their master to animate their individual parts. His head began to spin, and John thought for sure that this time, he would truly enter into insanity forever.
"Oh crap." John echoed the earlier version of himself.
Blackness blanketed his vision briefly. John found himself seated snuggly in the cockpit of the space shuttle, which was ready to boost him to outer space. Farscape One was about to encounter alien worlds and contacts. Could he possibly warn himself? John knew this wasn't possible. This was all the past. There was nothing that could be rewritten.
The shuttle shook with such ferocity that John feared it would shatter into a billion pieces even before exiting the launch pad. He took a side-glance towards the window to see the orange globe of the sun, slowly rising above the horizon. That was peculiar. The sunrise was hours ago. John thought to himself.
The shuttle lifted off. John screamed at the top of his lungs, both from the adrenalin rush, and the fear that something might go horribly wrong. He braced either side of his seat with his hands. His knuckles instantly faded to white. The shuttle shook and growled as it reached for the darkness of space through the blue-tinted atmosphere of Earth. John had always loved the rush of going up into space. But he would not be able to re-experience it any longer.
Without as much as a blink of an eye, John was back on Moya, looking around in his newly established quarters. Fast forward please. This was getting old. Somebody must have been listening because John was then transported to the next unforgettable event of his life.
The gracious meteor streaked across the sky above him. John smiled, feeling at peace as he lay on the sand, drinking beer with his good old buddy DK. The Graduation Beach Party. Ah, such good times. An exciting tingle enveloped his body as the fateful idea struck him. Traveling into space using Earth's atmospheric friction to send a craft into unprecedented speeds, thus the beginning step towards interstellar travel. The idea was powerful, loved by literally everyone John and DK presented it to. Along with the positive feedback, came the skepticism. The media was the worst. They tore apart the duo's work as it progressed through five years of hard work, dedication, and numerous setbacks.
John remained silent, allowing the memory to progress. Unfortunately, this time he found he was a witness to Scorpius and himself, arguing. His former self was standing above his mother's coffin at the gravesite. Scorpius refused to leave him alone. The anger boiled within the witnessing John just as strong as it had originally. John charged forward to strike Scorpius, only to find himself falling, fast.
The shining frightened eyes of a deer shone in front of him. His heart jumped. John swerved his bike but to no avail. He hit the dumbstruck animal head on. He didn't hear the screeching noise of his tires nor Bobby's at this point. He only heard that sickening sound of the deer's body being shredded apart as his bike smashed into it. He heard a small whimper, and then his ribs cracking as he fell onto the hard pavement. His head smashed into the ground, unprotected, and his vision buzzed, a streak of red flashing before him. John felt the pain just as strong as he had originally, and then remembered something he had thought as he came to a rest in the ditch. Farscape One was not a complete disaster if he just tried a little harder.
John could already predict the pattern now. He was re-experiencing all the memories and all the emotions that came along with them. These memories were telling him about his own personality. They built his character and they could tear down his character. With this in mind, John feared the next memory about to hit him.
Smack! Like being slapped in the face, John was back leaning against the hospital wall, staring into the corridor at the ticking clock. That fucking son of a bitch clock. John slammed a fist against the wall and dared himself not to look into the hospital room nearby. He didn't need visual confirmation to know what he'd see. The image of his dying mother had always haunted him. It plagued his mind so intensely that he could hardly recall what his mother had always looked like before the cancer. He knew she had been radiant but his mind would not allow him past the guilt of abandoning his mother in a time of crisis.
And just to tease his mind, the images around him merged into that of the white townhouse on 32nd street. The two playful boys dancing in the mud puddle with their trusty Tonka trucks. John could barely recall Harvey and the reflection of the Milky Way in the puddle when he was transported to the most haunting image sequence to parade his mind as of yet. His mind had skipped the locker room memory completely, leading into the Scarrans rapidly attacking his Earth. The child who had been standing near the lone swing set had run, dropping his Tonka truck. John saw a flash of leaning down and sighting his very own initials on the Tonka truck. He then heard the screaming victims and the shredding buildings, and worst of all, he smelled the fear and death of the destruction around him.
John struggled to take control of his mind. He was lost in a plane of no origin or time. He couldn't get back to his module hovering beneath the Scarran battle ship nor could he get to that inspiring locker room speech he had given. He had always drawn a lot of strength from that memory. He had shown leadership in the time where all odds were against him. He had shown strength and bravery, standing up to a coach feared by nearly the whole community, and best of all he had shown determination to never give up, no matter what the challenge.
John saw a flash of Harvey's scaly face. He was saying something. What was it? Oh yes...nah nah na nah nah na. That son of a bitch was tormenting John. He was the sole reason behind everything John had been experiencing. John felt anger and fear but harnessed both dangerous emotions. He could play at this game. After all, some of those memories were the best of his life!
Harvey appeared on a glaring white sandy beach, the ocean lapping against the shore beside them and the sky bleached out by the sun high above. John swirled around where he stood, taking in his new surroundings. Every sensory was on overload. Beads of sweat began to form on his tanned skin. He squinted his eyes against the brilliant sand. His nose sensed the heavenly salty air. The sand beneath his feet burned him almost beyond toleration. And the stinging taste of sweet revenge tickled his tongue. John marched up to his nemesis whom was dressed in his usual leather thermal suit.
Harvey was also observing the environment in surprise. Harvey had not realized the human would wise up to his old tricks so early in the game. He stood in place as he viewed the determined human charge towards him. He was going to have fun with this.
"Excellent wardrobe my friend!" Harvey exclaimed with a huge smile, spreading his arms out. John stopped and glanced down to see a rather loudly colored Hawaiian shirt upon his chest and dull khaki shorts upon his waist. He glanced back up just as Harvey struck him under the chin with his left fist. John fell to the sand on his back, shocked but not down for the count.
John flipped back to a stand, smiling back at Harvey. Harvey nodded his head briefly in admiration, tucking his lips out to accent this.
"Let's do this, Harvey...Scorpy...whoever the frell you are." John stated, lowering his head to glare at the creature before him.
"Fine." Harvey stated, throwing a towel beside him. John didn't stop to ponder where the towel had suddenly materialized. He knew everything was growing in symbolism by the microt. John shrugged...he might as well have fun with it.
Harvey and John marched towards each other. The two struck with force, slamming their fists into each other's faces. No damage was done however. They struck again. Nothing but a little ache here and there. Another strike, and then another. John was on a roll. Harvey smiled...a worthy opponent at last.
John threw his weight into the next punch. Harvey was sent flying...at least ten feet through the air...before he landed on the sand with a thud. John raised his arms and a sudden crowd appeared around him, cheering him on. They each waved American flags with pride. John studied the crowd briefly, noting his sisters and their families near the center and D'Argo, Aeryn, Chiana, and the rest of the bunch gathered together near the back.
"Hey, might as well invite the whole cavalry!" John exclaimed, as he wrapped his hand around the front of Harvey's neck. Harvey was too quick, unfortunately for John. The Scorpy clone slid a leg into John's sending him to the ground as well. John rolled onto his side and raced to stand up, hoping to strike first before Harvey had a chance.
John saw a fist in his direct field of vision. His knees buckled. But somehow, he remained standing. Harvey took another swing but this time, John slammed an opened palm into Harvey's fist, stopping him completely. The two became locked together, glaring and snarling at one another.
"Come on son! You can do it!" Jack Crichton called from somewhere in the crowd.
"Don't let the shitface beat you to a pulp, man!" DK laughed to John's left.
"Kill him!" Aeryn cried.
John felt a surge of energy within. He stared deep into those hollow black eyes. They stared back, almost into his soul. John had feared them once. Now, he only saw an empty soul, begging to be obliterated. John thrust his weight into Harvey and knocked him to the ground. He raised his right arm high above his head, poised to strike. Harvey wiggled and squirmed, already foreseeing the end. John brought down his hand with a powerful force, striking Harvey square in the chest. He then picked up the stunned Harvey, hoisted his weight up and threw him into the cool blue ocean. Harvey struck the water and sank, completely disappearing from view. John thrust his fist into the air.
"YES!"
The crowd was gone, unable to celebrate in the victory. John didn't care. He had finally beaten the Scorpy clone in his head. He wiped his hands together, smoothed his hair, and turned his back to the end of his torment. He faced the beautiful landscape of his home before him, blanketing green forests, glistening blue lakes, and best of all, his Dad with a fishing rod in his hands. John did not glance back; he took a step forward. He was going to go fishing.
The coolness of his module returned him to the present. John looked slowly back to the massive ring of swirling matter above him and then down to his thumb, now resting gently on the trigger. He didn't have any more decisions to make. He didn't have any more doubts to consider. All he had was the back seat of his flight suit, the best seat in the house, and frelling good aim. John depressed the trigger.
*****
Scorpius and Ka'ru marched through the dimmed hall of Moya. They were determined to find their prey, no matter what the cost. Scorpius had tried again and again to mentally tune in to the human, but failed miserably. Yet, he showed Ka'ru none of this. One little fault in his stature and the Scarran would have ended his life.
The main difference between the two villains was simple. Ka'ru would kill instantly without a second thought. Scorpius would at least have a premeditated plan, and always a reason to keep a life to torment it, break it down, and destroy it over a long term. It was the second difference that proved to be the most dangerous. Scorpius was at least predictable...Ka'ru was not.
Scorpius could barely contain his excitement. Soon, John Crichton would be in his hands. And Ka'ru would be subject to mutiny by his ever so loyal officers. The brute Scarran would die before he even thought of Scorpius as the culprit.
The two continued on through the hall, observing an occasional frozen DRD but not a single sign of the inhabitants on board. So far, they realized their surprise visit was unannounced.
*
Stark led the way towards Pilots den in a rushed walk. Every microt counted. He knew better than any of them that danger was near and all the crew could really do was depend on the balance of time and space to guide them through. Somehow, upon merging with Zhaan's soul, Stark had been given the gift to hear all the voices in the universe, not just those of the dying. This was how he had known of John's mental torment. And this was how he knew that danger was close...by even a single doorway.
Chiana and D'Argo rushed behind Stark, checking each opened doorway as they passed, pointing their weapons. The sternness on their faces wasn't reflected onto Jool or Rygel's however. These two stayed as closely as possible to the Nebari and Luxan, fearing that being the trail of the group would cost them their lives.
"Are you sure you sensed someone enter onto Moya after the wave hit?" Chiana asked, her voice nearly quivering. She had harnessed her fear to a point, drawing strength from D'Argo's bravery.
"Positive." Stark muttered, still tuned in on the voices.
"What the frell are we doing in the hall then? We should be hiding!" Rygel slammed a fist onto his throne sled. He dared not show he was just as frightened as Jool at this point.
"Hiding? Is that all you can think of? That's pathetic!" Jool cried back, yet she grabbed harder onto the back of Rygel's throne sled just the same.
"Do you mind? You're slowing me down!" Rygel argued back.
"SHHH!" Stark stated, stopping suddenly. He held out a finger and pointed towards the right of the upcoming split in the hall. D'Argo raised his Qualta Blade up and stepped forward with Stark. Chiana paused momentarily.
"Why that way?" She demanded to know. D'Argo spun around, gave her a look, and then headed on. Chiana nodded her head. "Right."
The crew then continued down to the right hall, headed for Pilot's den.
*
Ka'ru marched ahead of Scorpius, smelling the sweet scent of the human. He knew he was nearby. He just had to be. Ka'ru turned into a hall where several personal quarters were situated. He came to an abrupt stop before on of the quarters and physically pried open the doorway. The door squealed, protesting his force. Scorpius stood aside, impatiently.
The quarters were dark. Ka'ru could smell the human everywhere. Frustrated, he thrashed his arms about the few materials in the room. Scorpius shook his head and came to the entrance of the quarters. Ka'ru immediately charged up to him and grabbed Scorpius, lifting him up off the ground. Scorpius gagged and grabbed Ka'ru's bulky arm, holding onto it as he kicked his legs in the air.
"He's not here." Ka'ru stated simply. Scorpius wanted to laugh. Of course the human wasn't there. The human was much more intelligent than that.
"They're probably hiding." Scorpius hissed.
"Where are they?"
"Either in Command, or the Pilot's den. Most likely Command." Scorpius lied and was instantly slammed to the floor by his captor. Ka'ru began to walk away. Scorpius picked himself up off the ground and walked slowly towards the path Ka'ru was taking. He tilted his head and allowed a large smile to form onto his face. He then turned and headed in the opposite direction, towards Pilot's den.
*
"Pilot!" D'Argo stated as the crew entered into the den. Pilot was unconscious, his DRDs frozen in place about his console. Stark rushed to Pilot and placed a hand onto his cheek, soothing him and trying to wake him. Chiana held her weapon steady and followed D'Argo around to secure the area. Jool and Rygel rushed to take refuge behind the console. They gathered close to Pilot, scanning the room and locking their sight on the doorway for any sign of trouble.
"Can you wake him?" D'Argo demanded to know, glancing back from his position near the beginning of the walkway to Pilot. Chiana hovered near the side of the doorway, pushed at the opened door.
"I'll try." Stark called back busily.
"D'Argo, would you mind helping me here?" Chiana asked with frustration. D'Argo let out a frustrated sigh and walked over to Chiana. He began to push on the colossal door. It began to slide, little in response to Chiana's pressure and nearly all in response to D'Argo's. Jool began to scream, her hair turning a shade of red. Rygel ducked his head under one of Pilot's arms. Stark whipped his head around and gasped. Chiana stumbled backwards. D'Argo prepared to fire his Qualta Blade.
Ka'ru and Scorpius stood before them, glaring at each other and the crew in the semi-opened doorway.
*****