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Author: Charra Loon - genisis51@juno.com
Rating: PG-13 for violence and conduct
Part: 1/3
Disclaimer: References have been made by "Everyone's Got A Secret", "Til The Blood Runs Clear", "Through the Looking Glass", and the following fanfics: "Lo'lann", "Taking the Chance" and "Warrior's Blood". Any other similiarities cited are, I assure you, purely coincidental.
Summary: Part 1 of the Hunter Trilogy. The crew of Moya encounter a legend while exploring a vast planet.
Time/Setting: The future
Author's Note: I had received permission from fanfic authors Annette, Penny and Laura to use the works listed as references, so don't say I'm a copycat.
Moya was flying into yet another part of the Uncharted Territories with her crew. Her hull grew heavy; she would give birth any day now as it seemed. Those aboard her knew this as well and were worried, especially since they remembered what happened to her last child. Constant sweeps were done to ensure the safety of both mother and child. Such a sweep was being done one day as D'Argo and John were running scans on her primary vital systems.
"Oh boy," John said. "Remind me to throw Moya a baby shower when this is all over." D'Argo looked at him strangely."It's a ritual for the coming of a child. Oh, never mind. Forget it, it's a human tradition."
"The celebration of a new birth is common among the Luxans." D'Argo said. "We call it a blood extension."
"I'm sure you do." John replied. "I don't know what Leviathans do for something like this, but we have to hold a celebration when the time comes."
"Agreed." D'Argo answered as he continued the scans. "So far, systems normal." he said after a few minutes. "Aeryn," he called on the communicator. "What's the status on your section?"
"We're fully funtional over here," Aeryn replied. "Continuing scans now. Aeryn out." Suddenly, the ship began to tip violently in various directions.
"Pilot, what's happening?" Zhaan asked via communicator.
"I'm picking up a large force of Marauders due west." Pilot told them. "They're in full attack formation."
"An entire pack?" Aeryn asked. "How many are there?"
"It's hard to say," Pilot answered. "There are about seven, eight of them at best."
Aeryn was already heading into the docking bay. "I'm going to see if I can stop them." she said. She boarded her Prowler and took off while the others reunited in the command room. It wasn't long before they noticed Aeryn was missing. "Pilot!" called John. "Where the hell's Aeryn?"
"She went to stop the Marauders." he replied. "She left a few minutes ago."
"Great, just what we need, one Prowler against an entire group of Marauders." Rygel said coming in, late as usual. "Now I know we're going to get captured. On the bright side, if we escape with our lives, we can always salvage what's left and see if we can trade it for certain accommodations."
"Don't you ever think of something other than yourself?" Chiana snapped.
"Oh, you should talk!" Rygel replied.
"At least I care about what could happen to Aeryn out there, unlike some beings!"
"All right, let's calm down!" John cried. "Now, how long have we've been at each other's throats? Three, four cycles?"
"Six, John." Zhaan answered. "It's been six cycles since we escaped the PeaceKeepers."
"Okay, now listen, Aeryn is fighting those Marauders, alone, and there has to be something that we can do!"
"Attenion, incoming armada." Pilot said. "They're heading towards the Marauders and the Prowler at full force." They all went to a window and watched the strange ships attack the PeaceKeepers and Aeryn. They were rather small, yet quick as lightning and were a light purple with a crystal-like design. An insignia which looked like a triangle split in three equal pieces with a ruby-like jewel in the center where the lines met was on the wings on each of the ships' tail wings. They attacked the group fiercely and adequately. A beam shot out of the largest ship of the force and took what living matter was there, namely thePeaceKeepers and Aeryn. The rest of the crew looked worried.
"Pilot, contact their flagship!" D'Argo barked as the rest of the ships took the Marauders and Prowler to the large ship. On the monitors appeared a strange figure all cloaked in weird black armor.
"Identify yourself, intruder!" he said.
"Why don't you identify yourself!?" D'Argo snapped.
"Whoa!" John said. "Let me handle this, big guy." He then turned towards the screen. "All right, who are you and what have you done with the people on those ships?"
"We are the crew of the Saviour," the figure said. "flagship of the space colony Omega Prime. As for the PeaceKeepers, they've been teleported onto my ship, to be escorted to Omega Prime to pay for their crimes against the empire."
"Okay, listen, pal, one of those PeaceKeepers you just took aboard your ship is not who you think she is." John explained. "She's a friend of ours, and we'd appreciate it if you would just return her to us."
"A PeaceKeeper is no one's friend, creature." the figure lectured. "Do not attempt to stop us should you and your crew value your lives. Saviour out!" The monitor went blank. Everyone watched as the ship headed towards a nearby planet.
"What do you know? For the first time since I got here, I wasn't mistaken for a Sebacean, or a PeaceKeeper." John said. "We have to free Aeryn somehow."
"Pilot, can you get Moya to follow that ship?" D'Argo asked. "Perhaps we can learn where they're going."
"Already done." Pilot replied. "We're trailing the Saviour now." They watched as the Savior landed on a large green planet. Crichton looked on and thought of his own homeworld.
"Crichton!" D'Argo said. "We have to move."
"Yeah, sure." he said.
On the planet, D'Argo, John and Zhaan exited the transport pod which had landed in a small forest. They walked a mile into a large village. "Such a simple village for such a dominating empire." Zhaan said. The locals looked at the visitors strangely, then terrified.
"Well, shall we ask around?" asked John as he went towards a villager. "Excuse me, you wouldn't know about a bunch of space fighters that captured an entire group of PeaceKeepers, would you?" The villager looked at him wide-eyed and looked around him. They seemed to be trusting, but he wasn't sure.
"Why would you want to know about the PeaceKeepers?" he asked.
"Because a friend of ours got caught by these weird ships."
"Did these ships have this on the tail?" the villager asked showing John an insignia. He recognized this immediately.
"Yeah, that was the symbol."
"Then your friend is in danger." he replied. "Follow me." He went towards a hut on the outskirts of the village. John signaled D'Argo and Zhaan to follow. They were led into the hut where many of the same beings were in. They looked at them strangely, uncertainly. The villager that led them assured his friends they were all right. Just then, a woman who looked about in her late teens wearing a simple top and short skirt came up to them. She turned towards the villager.
"Arron, what is this?" she asked.
"It's all right, Elysia." he replied. "They seek a friend of theirs taken in by the empire."
Elysia turned to her visitors. "Is your friend by chance a PeaceKeeper?" she asked John.
"She was, but not anymore." answered John. "She betrayed them to help us." He then explained how Zhaan, D'Argo and Rygel freed Moya and Pilot and escaped. He also told of how he came into this part of the universe and how Aeryn helped us.
"Your story is interesting, John Critchton." she said. "However, I can not guarantee your friend will leave here alive."
"Who runs this planet?" asked Zhaan. "Perhaps we can negotiate something."
"This world is enslaved by Kathra, an intergalatic warlord who seeks to take the known universe and mold it as she pleases." Elysia explained. "I, Elysia, and those of us present, are the only ones fighting for our freedom. Others have either succumbed to her will or were killed."
"I don't suppose she would be wearing black armor, right?" John said.
"Then your friend is in grave danger for certain." Elysia said. "That black armored figure is not only one of her generals, but hersecond-in-command. He's brutal, ruthless and extremely dangerous."
"Oh, really?" said John. "What's his name?"
"I'm not sure of his birth name, but many who know of him call him the Hunter."
"The Hunter?" D'Argo asked. "The murderer of murderers?"
"That's how most describe him, yes." Elysia answered.
"D'Argo," John said. "Do you know this Hunter guy?"
"He's a legendary warrior who despises PeaceKeepers." D'Argo explained. "I've heard many PeaceKeepers who speak of him. When a PeaceKeeper crosses paths with the Hunter, then he's as good as dead."
"He's right." Elysia continued. "For some reason, the Hunter hates the PeaceKeepers, perhaps more than anyone." John began to worry.
"But this guy's a legend, right? He couldn't be real."
"I've seen him take hold of several PeaceKeeper crafts and some of my spies tell of his murders of the PeaceKeepers." Elysia responded. "He's definitely real, and very loyal to Kathra. If he has your friend, then I am certain she is dead."
"Can't we at least find a way to reach her?" John asked.
"Her fortress is to the east, extremely protected."
"But you had spies in there, right?"
"Yes, but they're lucky to survive a micron in there without getting caught." Elysia said. "Most of them are caught after an arn or two."
"Then we have to do something!" he cried.
"Can we negociate with her at least?" Zhaan asked.
"When it comes to PeaceKeepers, Kathra hates them just as much as the Hunter." she replied. "Besides, she is very stubborn, rarely gives in to compromises."
"If there's a chance, even a slim one that we could free Aeryn, then we have to take that chance!" John cried.
"I understand your concern, but if you would just follow me." Elysia led the three visitors out of the hut towards a clearing. To the east, they could see a large castle-like fortress that reached the sky. "This is what you'll be up against." Elysia explained. "Are you prepared to take that chance?"
"We've survived worse." D'Argo said. "This shouldn't be a problem."
"Don't underestimate Kathra." she warned. "She's wiped out whole armies for less."
"We understand." Zhaan said. "But let us try to negociate with her first before we take any drastic action."
"As you wish." Elysia said. "We'll do our best to help you. Remember, Kathra is our enemy as well as yours."
"We will need to contact others aboard our ship." Zhaan said.
"We'll go back to the base." As they left the clearing, John kept staring at the large fortress behind them. "Hang on Aeryn." he said to himself. "We'll get you out somehow."
Inside the fortress, a tall woman sat in the center of a simple yet elaborate throne room. She had on an armor of advanced design and she watched as four others surrounded her. "Come forth, my generals, " the woman said. "Zathros!" An elegantly dressed male approached closer to her as others would when called. He bowed to her deeply to show obedience.
"Present." he said.
The woman nodded. "Ta'Cara!" she then said as a young female, just as elegant as the male approached and bowed in the same manner.
"I await your commands, my leige." she said.
"Ma'Rone!" Another male approached and bowed at her presence. He was dressed more simply and looked more aggresive.
"Ready to do carnage to those who defy you!" he shouted.
"Yorita!" Another female who was as simple as the male but was more seductive than the rest approached and bowed.
"Willing to die for you, my queen!" she said.
"Hunter!" the woman said. No response. "Hunter!" she called again. "General Hunter, approach me this instant!" A black armored figure entered the throne room, approached the woman and bowed deeper than the rest.
"I live only to serve you, Mistress Kathra."
Kathra looked at him sternly as he rose to face her. "Where in the hezmanza have you been?!" she asked harshly. "Your tardiness is highly unlikely."
"I had intercepted a pack of PeaceKeeper vehicles entering orbit." he explained. "I had managed to capture them all."
"How many were there?"
"Ten PeaceKeeper vehicles."
"Only ten?"
"Nine Marauders, one Prowler. The prisoners are secured in the holding cells as we speak."
"Did you scan them all?"
"Yes, Mistress." the Hunter said. "The highest rank among them is an officer." He couldn't help but notice her slight disappointment.
"Bring the officer to me at once, Hunter." she then said. "Do what you will to the others."
"As you command, Mistress." he said as he bowed and left. Kathra sat in her throne, awaiting the prisoner and staring at the other generals. "The rest of you are dismissed!" she said. They all left. In the corridors not far to the throne room, they all mumbled, some of them envied the Hunter's recent success at pleasing their mistress.
"It's not fair he should get all the fun!" Ma'Rone cried. "I want to cream these PeaceKeepers, too!"
"I'm certain he'll let you take care of them in the Labyrinth." Zathros said.
"Too easy!" was all Ma'Rone said.
"Look, we've been through this each time." Ta'Cara said. "The Hunter is a greater warrior than each of us combined, thus his rank in the empire's army."
"Of course he is," Yorita said. "Kathra trained him herself."
"Still," Zathros said. "We should keep an eye on him. A traitor's usually the one you least expect."
"Don't start, Zathros." Ta'Cara snapped. "I'll admit the Hunter is a lot of things, but traitor is not one of them. Kathra has made sure of it."
"Come on, we have work to do." Zathros said as they all followed. In the deepest of the dungeons, Aeryn found herself chained to a wall along with many other PeaceKeepers.
"How ironic," one of them said. "We come into a part of the Uncharted Territories to die by the hands of the Hunter."
"What the frell are you talking about?" Aeryn asked. "The Hunter is no more than a story told to us by our elders to make us better warriors."
"Oh, he's real." another one said. "He is real. Many PeaceKeepers disappeared in this sector. We were sent to investigate when we found you. The next thing we know, we're here."
"Pathetic," thought Aeryn. "A bunch of rookies scared of a myth." She shook her head. Just then, the Hunter enters the dungeon. One of the PeaceKeepers stared in terror.
"It's him!" he screamed. "It's the Hunter! He's going to kill us! We're all dead!!! AHHHH!!!!!"
"Silence, dren-sucker!" the Hunter said. "You'll get your chance. Right now, I seek the officer." He stared at Aeryn and ordered the nearby guards to remove her restraints from the wall. The Hunter then grabbed her and escorted her out of the dungeons. In the corridors, Aeryn tried to fight back, but it was no use. As much as she struggled, it was as though she never moved. This went on as they went into the throne room where Kathra was waiting. The Hunter bowed and forced Aerynto do the same. "Here is the officer you requested, Kathra."
Kathra went up to them, her eyes looking coldly at the prisoner. "You have done well, Hunter." she said. "This one has fire still in her. I assume she was quite a challenge."
"No more than any others that have fallen." he replied.
"All right, who the frell are you?!" Aeryn cried. "Why have you brought me here?!?!" The Hunter slapped her in the face. "Don't ever speak to Kathra in that tone!" he shouted. "You're lucky to be alive, PeaceKeeper!"
"I admire your strength and courage, Officer Aeryn Sun." Kathra said. "Normally, many PeaceKeepers would quiver at the sight of the Hunter, but not you."
"Who are you?"
"I am Kathra the Supreme, conquerer-ruler of this planet and many others."
"How do you know my name?"
"I know many things about you, Aeryn Sun." Kathra explained. "In command of Captain Bialar Crais, you turned against your own people. For what reason, I can not comprehend. You were currently in the company of an escaped Leviathan prison transport along with three fugitives and a strange being from across the universe."
"Maybe you're right." Aeryn replied.
"Tell me, Aeryn." Kathra said. "Why would you betray your own kind?"
"I have my reasons." Aeryn answered. "Why do you work with this excuse for a myth?"
"The Hunter is who he is, Aeryn." Kathra said. "He is no myth. Also, he works for me." She gave a nod at the Hunter, who held a heated iron that was pressed at Aeryn's neck. A shock went through her skull and into her brain.
"What is this?" she said.
"What does it look like?" Kathra said. "Observe as your body slowly takes in the low radiation heat and slowly succumbs to the Living Death. I can stop this right now, if you cooperate."
"What is it you want?" Aeryn asked reluctantly.
"Information on your departure from the PeaceKeeper society and on the creature."
"I told you, I have my reasons." Another shock went through her brain. "Ahh!" she screamed.
"I know, and what are those reasons?"
"Crais had declared me irreversibly contaminated." she said. "Thecreature is called a human whose ship accidently collided with a Prowler while the fugitives were making their escape."
"Why does Crais care about a measely Prowler?" Kathra asked. When Aeryn was silent, the Hunter gave another shock into her brain.
"The pilot was Crais's brother."
"I see, so all of this trouble was because of family value." Kathra said. "Interesting, considering the PeaceKeepers would slaughter a colony of Sebaceans at a moment's notice!"
"You don't know what the frell you're talking about." Aeryn whispered. "PeaceKeepers are Sebaceans, in case you didn't know."
"I know exactly what I'm talking about." Kathra snapped. "I also know the difference between a species and a military group of murderers, and that's exactly what the PeaceKeepers are; murderous barbarians who can't think for themselves and when they do, it's usually the ones at High Command who are old-fashioned, arrogant, conceited dren-suckers who would make an entire race suffer for their pleasure." Aeryn stared at her icily. "You know I'm right, Aeryn." Katha continued. "How manyspecies have either become scavengers or nearly extinct when they could've been the greatest race the universe has ever known? I guess we'll never know, all because of the PeaceKeepers. Take Delvia, for example. They were conquered, enslaved, their traditions almost lost to us forever! What could've happened if the PeaceKeepers hadn't interefered with their lives? Tell me that, Aeryn Sun."
Aeryn was silent. What Kathra said was true; the PeaceKeepers were responsible for destroying countless civilizations, all because of difference. "I'm not sure," she said at last. "But it had to be better than what you were planning."
"I seek to destroy the PeaceKeepers, and you can help me, Aeryn." Kathra said. "Join me, and I will see you as a Sebacean, a species who seeks to learn from others despite their differences. Together, we can topple the PeaceKeepers and save these galaxies from their wrath. All I require is your unconditional loyalty, sworn to me, and any information you have on High Command."
"What makes you think I want to help you?" Aeryn said. "You're obviously no better than them, creating these dreaded beings you call soldiers."
"You will aid me, Aeryn." Kathra replied. "Many of my soldiers had suffered by the hands of the PeaceKeepers before joining me, especially the Hunter himself. If anyone is responsible for his existence, it'sthePeaceKeepers."
"When I first left, I spent over half a cycle regreting it." Aeryn said. "Then I realized that I could be more, more than a soldier, than what was no better than a drone. Since then, I vowed to be dependent on myself, and not let anyone control me again."
"So you refuse to join me?"
"Yes."
"You had your chance to live, PeaceKeeper!" Kathra said. "Place her in the Labyrinth!"
"As you command, Mistress." the Hunter said as he dragged Aeryn away. Kathra stared as they went, coldly and disappointed.
"One day," she thought. "Victory on the PeaceKeepers will be mine."