Lieutenant Talyn Rac Part Four: Hidden Memories’ For All
by Sorlk Lewis
“We have to escape!”, yelled the furious Luxan. “Please calm down D’argo, you are only making things worse.”, said Zhaan trying hard to keep him from full-blown hyper-rage. What followed, as D’argos’ reply was so obscene and incredible, the translator microbes didn’t even notice one word of it. They heard heavy footsteps coming down the hall towards their bleak cells. “Ka D’argo, I wouldn’t do that again if I were you.” He just snarled in reply. “Very well, have it your way.”, as soon as he said this D’argo was electrocuted by one of his restraints. It didn’t kill him, just put him in a great deal of pain. “Now you see, what will happen if you don’t comply with our rules.” The footsteps faded into the distance once again.
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“Crichton, why won’t you listen? You know I don’t want to hurt you. I am only doing this for your own good.” John had the dry heaves from his most recent bought of torture. Rac was once again tormenting him with words and beatings. “Where do you think she is John? She hasn’t tried to help you, she is probably enjoying her new found peace onboard the leviathan.” As Captain Rac spoke this last part he lowered his voice, “She won’t even try and save you.”
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Aeryn was furiously planning on how to save John. She hadn’t slept in thirty-six arns and it was beginning to take its toll on her. She had finally allowed Tayln out of his cell for a couple of arns so he could help her rescue Crichton. He refused to help the others, yet he agreed to help Crichton. Aeryn chalked it up to John being like a Sebacean and that he was the one who wanted to bring Talyn on board in the first place. Right now, though, Aeryn had to wait for their window of opportunity. To keep herself busy she was working on the ‘bucket of dren’, FarScape One. She didn’t really know why she was. She told herself that it needed more modifications that Crichton couldn’t put on himself. “Officer Sun?”, asked Pilot cautiously. She just ignored him. “Aeryn?”, he said this a little louder than before. “What?”, she snapped back.. “Moya believes that you should get some rest. Especially before rescuing Crichton.” Aeryn sighed, “I believe you and Moya are correct. Thank you Pilot, goodnight.” “Goodnight Aeryn.” She slowly sat up from her precarious position on the module. She was reluctant to go, but she did need rest.
She believed herself to be headed towards her quarters. When she arrived at her destination, it was actually Johns room. She decided to just stay there anyway. It was strange to her to sleep in his bed, yet she found it oddly comforting. After a few microts, she drifted into a heavy sleep.
Aeryn was sitting in Pilots’ chamber with John snuggled up behind her. They were in the same situation as they had been those many weekens before. “But Crais…?”, asked John, more to himself than her. Suddenly the mood shifted. “Yes, Crais indeed.”, hissed Scorpius into her ear. She jumped up and found Scorpius where John had been just a microt ago. He was standing tall and glaring at her. Behind him, where Pilot was supposed to be, John was strapped in the Aurora Chair. He was screaming as they ripped memory after memory out of his mind. “What’s wrong Officer Sun? Cat got your tongue?”, asked the maniacal Scaren-Sebacean. Aeryn had heard John use that phrase. When he said it, it was funny and light-hearted. Now it just frightened every part of her body and mind. She tried to move and free John of his horrible torture. Aeryn suddenly woke up. She was in a cold sweat with Johns’ bed sheet tangled around her legs. Sebaceans didn’t dream, they never dreamed. She never dreamed. Yet, she had dreamed this time. Aeryn untangled her legs and reached for her clothes. She dressed quickly and headed for Talyns’ cell.
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“Hello Crichton.” Johns’ breath caught in his throat, “Sc…Sc…Sc...”, he half stuttered, half choked. “Yes Crichton and I have another chair. It has been ‘modified’ for your physiology. I should have what I want soon enough.”, Scorpius then proceeded out of his cell. He said to Captain Rac, “I want him brought to the command carrier in four arns.” “It will be done Scorpius.”
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“Will you listen already? We have to go this way.”, said Talyn as he pointed to a line on the crude map. Aeryn was becoming impatient very quickly, “You are here as a courtesy. That way will lead us right into a squad of commandos.” “Yes and that’s what we want. You said it yourself; you are not the one wanted throughout the galaxy. With these uniforms we are wearing, we can walk right into the base.” Aeryn scowled. This was just like one of John’s plans. “If anything, and I mean anything, goes wrong you are going to die because I will kill you myself.” “I would expect nothing less.” “Good. Let’s go.” They jumped up from their hiding position behind a boulder and headed towards the Peace Keeper post. Aeryn was actually nervous, although she didn’t show it through her Peace Keeper exterior. As they approached the post, Aeryn recognized one of the guards. He was from her old unit in the Plesiars. She couldn’t turn back though, because they were just seen by the platoon. Aeryn prayed to every god and goddess known in the universe that he wouldn’t recognize her. “Report!”, yelled the superior officer. Talyn stood at attention next to Aeryn. He did all of the talking, “Sir, we are reporting for prisoner transport. Orders given by Scorpius.” The Lt. Commander took the orders chip and scanned it. “Very well, continue.” Aeryn and Talyn clicked their boots together to show respect and then continued in to the camp. Aeryn realized that her old friend didn’t even see her let alone recognize her. He must have been transferred before the Zelbinion. She thought to her self. They were rapidly approaching the entrance to the base. The Junior Officer asked for their ident chips. Luckily, Aeryn still had the ones from Larraqs’ group. Talyn could use his without suspicion. He waved them through. This continued for about half an arn, as they searched the base for John.
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“Ahhhhh!”, screamed John as the Aurora Chair spun in the middle of the room. Scorpius had decided against moving Crichton, instead he had the chair taken to the base. It took longer than he wanted, but he would never again risk losing Crichton as long as his information was hidden. The chair powered down. Crichton slumped over, half unconscious, half coherent. “Take him to his cell.”, ordered Scorpius. As they drug off John he managed to say in a southern drawl, “Sorry Scorpy, I guess my mind ain’t right boss.” Then he laughed insanely as he was drug out of the room.
To Be Continued…