Title: Chasing Aeryn
Author: Paradox761
Email: Paradox761@mail.com
Website: members.tripod.com/~Paradox761
Disclaimer: Joss and co. own all things Buffy, and SFC (in their infinite stupidity) own Farscape. No copyright infringement is intended, so please don’t sue. I don’t have any money anyway. Some elements of this story and some dialogue have been taken from the Farscape episode “Promises”, no plagiarism is intended.
Summary: Following another lead on Aeryn's location, the crew of Moya discovers her Prowler adrift. But when they bring it aboard, they find someone unconscious inside. Someone who is not Aeryn, but who may be able to lead them to her. Will they find Aeryn? And will Xander be able to control the beast that he has discovered still lurks within him?
Author’s note: This story is the fourth in the ‘Sympathetic Ear’ series, following A Sympathetic Ear, Back to the Uncharted Territories, and Enter the Cleavage. Special thanks to A. Grandt, Rob Clark, MagnusXXN, Forgotten Code, dragon_hulk, C. J. Whittaker, Greywizard, Hatten, Calen, Saffi, Woodlandchild, and Paradigm Shifter for the feedback. It’s much appreciated.
Dedication: To Jordan and Jessica, my angels. May they rest in peace.
(BtVS/Farscape, Xander/Chiana, John/Aeryn)

(3/6)

John sat down in the co-pilot’s sear next to D’Argo who was flying the ship. He let out a sigh as he rubbed his temples with his thumb and forefinger.

“What’s he doing now?” D’Argo asked.

John cast a glance back to where Scorpius was sitting quietly with his eyes closed. “I’m not sure. Meditating or something.” He paused. “I don’t like it, he’s entirely too calm considering his situation. He’s got something up his sleeve.”

“Agreed,” D’Argo said. “We’ve been following this ion trail for arns, I’m beginning to doubt that we’re ever going to find anything.” Just then, there was a beeping sound coming from one of D’Argo’s control consoles.

“What is it?” John asked.

“I’m picking up a mass on the edge of sensor range. It’s big, very big.” D’Argo tapped a few more commands into his console. “And the ion trail leads right to it.”

“Of course it does,” Scorpius said. John and D’Argo turned their heads to see Scorpius opening his eyes and standing up. He walked towards the front of the ship, looking down at the controls. “Those are the exact same mass fluctuations I was reading on the Prowler’s instruments. Curious.” A sharp glare from D’Argo caused him to take a step back from the controls.

“All right, do or die time,” John said. “Let’s go. Keep the cloak warmed up in case we have to bolt.”

“Of course,” D’Argo answered simply as he piloted the ship closer.

John kept his eye on the front window, waiting for the ship to enter visual range. After a few minutes, it did. It didn’t seem that big to John, until he looked down at the sensor panel and saw the range. They were still incredibly far away. And as they got closer, the ship got bigger, and bigger, and bigger still.

“Good God,” John exclaimed.

“As you see, I was telling the truth,” Scorpius said. “Perhaps you will believe me now.”

“Don’t push your luck,” John warned. “One thing at a time, Scorpy.”

“I still can’t get an accurate mass reading,” D’Argo said. “Which is…odd, considering our range.” He paused. “They’re comming us.”

An image appeared on a section of the forward screen, it was a strange looking alien with gray skin and large bug eyes. “Luxan vessel, why do you approach? State your intentions.”

Scorpius spoke before either John or D’Argo had the chance. “We have come to negotiate for the release of Aeryn Sun. Perhaps you remember me, I was the one you set adrift in her ship after you captured her.”

“I remember,” the creature said. “I see that you somehow survived.”

“Through luck, and a little help from these gentlemen here.”

“Negotiate you say? What makes you think I want anything that you have? Or that I am willing to release her? Perhaps I have already killed her.”

“Unlikely,” Scorpius said. “If you wanted her dead you could have simply let the heat delirium run its course. I believe that you require something of her, information perhaps. I also believe, knowing her as I do, that she has been less than cooperative with you.”

“You ‘believe’ a great many things. What do you know about the crimes Aeryn Sun and her associates have committed against the Hokothian people?”

“Nothing I’m afraid,” Scorpius said. “Perhaps formal introductions are in order. My name is Scorpius, this is Ka D’Argo, and John Crichton.”

John reached over and slapped the control to mute the comms, then he turned and grabbed Scorpius by the front of his coolant suit. “What the hell do you think you’re doing! We’re fugitives, remember!”

“These people obviously have no interest in collecting the bounty on you, assuming they even know about it!” Scorpius shot back. “They knew who you were the moment we said we were here for Aeryn, who else would try and rescue her? I am trying to open negotiations with a good faith gesture, so that perhaps they will return it in kind.”

“Yeah, well maybe it’s time for us to do the talking now. Just in case any more of your good faith gestures get us or Aeryn killed.”

“You are many things John, but a diplomat is not one of them. If you start yelling and making ridiculous threats, it will accomplish nothing. Like it or not, you need me.”

John let go of him in disgust. “You just watch yourself, you understand me?” he warned. Scorpius just nodded as he returned to the screen. D’Argo unmated the comms.

“My apologies for the interruption,” Scorpius said. “I believe that you were about to introduce yourself.”

“I am Ullom, Chief Protector of the Prime Hokothian.”

“What are these crimes that Aeryn allegedly committed against your people?” John asked.

“She, and two others invaded our homeworld, shot their way to the governing chambers, and assassinated our most beloved Prime Hokothian,” Ullom answered.

“You know for a fact that it was her?” John asked.

“Before the killers escaped, we managed to dose them with a contagion that induces heat delirium. Her illness should be all the proof you need. The contagion has been specially engineered, and genetically encrypted. Making me the only one who can save her from the living death. The deal is simple, Aeryn Sun gets the antidote when she gives me the name of her employers, and her fellow assassins.”

“Her compatriots have no doubt already succumbed to the heat delirium,” Scorpius said.

“Those who were on the planet, yes. But there were others. Our planetary defense grid detected several ships when the assassins escaped. They were tracked to the commerce planet, L’lidor. But only Aeryn Sun was recovered, as you know. She has been…less then cooperative, as you said.”

“If you allow us on board, to speak with her,” Scorpius started. “Perhaps we can convince her to give you the information that you wish.”

Ullom’s alien expressions were hard to read, but John guessed that he looked to be considering it. “Very well. You will bring no weapons, and if you attempt to escape with the assassin, you will be killed.”

“Understood,” Scorpius said. “We will rendezvous shortly, Scorpius out.” The connection severed, leaving the three looking curiously at each other.

“He’s lying,” John said. “Aeryn wouldn’t do that.”

“On the contrary,” Scorpius said. “It sounds like a job a group of mercenaries would be perfectly suited for. Certainly nothing beyond Aeryn’s capabilities.”

“Then why wouldn’t she just tell Ullom what he wants to know?”

“Believe it or not John, the Peace Keepers have a moral code. And a very significant part of that code is not divulging information to enemies when captured.”

“There is no morality in assassination,” D’Argo said.

“How short-sighted of you,” Scorpius commented. “And yet, unsurprising.”

D’Argo growled. “There is another possibility,” he said. “Perhaps Aeryn knows that once she gives Ullom what he wants, he will no doubt kill her.”

John nodded. “And if that’s the case, diplomacy isn’t going to do us a whole lot of good.”

*

Pilot looked up when the door to his chamber opened. His eyes widened at the sight that greeted him. Xander had his pulse pistol out and in the back of a man Pilot had never seen before. His hands were bound behind his back, and a makeshift gag covered his mouth. Xander was also carrying what looked like an equipment belt in his other hand. He pushed the intruder forward along the walkway as he closed the door behind him.

“What’s going on?” Pilot asked.

“I found him in the Gym, trying to sneak up on me,” Xander said. He shoved the intruder to the ground in front of Pilot’s station, next to a couple DRDs. “I’m guessing there’s more.”

“Then this was a trap?”

“It’s certainly looking that way.”

“I’ll alert the others.”

“No, don’t,” Xander warned. “I don’t want to tip these guys off that we know they’re aboard. They’re counting on the element of surprise, I think we should do the same.”

“What should we do?” Pilot asked.

“I’ll get the others, we’ll make our stand here. It’s the most heavily shielded place on board, correct?” Pilot nodded. “Earlier you said that the internal sensors would be affected by the nebula, how exactly? What can you detect?”

“Broad life sign readings in general locations, not much more.”

“What about him?” Xander asked, motioning toward their prisoner.

Pilot looked at his console. “I’m not reading anything at all from him.”

Xander nodded. “I figured as much, they must have some way to mask it.” Xander dropped the equipment belt he was holding in his other hand on Pilot’s console. “This is everything he had on him. This is a weapon I think,” he said, indicating one of the devices. “Try to figure out what the rest of it is.” Pilot nodded. “Those broad life sign readings, what are you detecting now?”

Pilot consulted his console again. “Two in the galley, one in the hangar bay, and one in Jool’s quarters.”

“Okay, I’ll start in the galley,” Xander said, sliding Naomi back into her holster. “I want you to close off any other access points to this room besides that door. I also want you to start shutting down consoles throughout the rest of Moya, so these guys don’t get access to any of her systems. Do it one at a time, nice and slow so we don’t alarm them, and start with Command.”

“Understood.”

“And tell these DRDs to keep an eye on our boy here. If he moves, shoot him someplace painful but not fatal. We need him alive. Tell the rest of the DRDs to keep their eyes peeled, and stay off the comms. I’ll be back.”

Pilot just nodded again and set to work while Xander jogged out of the room. The prisoner gulped nervously as the DRDs around him all turned to face him, extending their tiny laser weapons.

*

Xander clenched and unclenched his fists as he walked down the corridor toward the galley. There was a barely tolerable rage bubbling under his deceptively calm exterior. His prisoner had been on the quiet side during the trip to Pilot’s den, and Xander had had little time to persuade him otherwise. He was too worried about being spotted. The indecency of it, that these…pirates or bounty hunters or whatever the hell they were, had the gall to board Moya, his home, and threaten him and his friends. He wanted nothing more than to find every last one of them and shove them out of an airlock. How dare they invade his territory and threaten his pack…

Xander stopped dead in his tracks as he realized what he had just thought. The hyena was taking advantage of his anger. The animal spirit was feeding it, stoking the fires of his rage until he couldn’t even tell what emotions were his own anymore. The more powerful the beast grew, the angrier Xander became, and the angrier he became, the more powerful the beast grew. It was a vicious cycle that Xander was determined to break. He didn’t have time to wrestle with his demons, his friends were in danger. He forced himself to calm down and continued on his way.

When Xander got to the galley, he found exactly what he had expected to find. Rygel eating, and Noranti cooking. The old woman spotted him and smiled. Rygel glanced at him, but returned to his meal without acknowledging him.

“Ah, Xander. Sit down, let me fix you something to eat. You look tired, have you been sleeping well? I could give you something to help you sleep.”

Xander smiled. Noranti had been like the grandmother that he had never had. Protective, doting, and always trying to feed him. “I’m fine Noranti, and I’m not hungry, but thanks.” Xander sat down and tried to look casual. In reality he was scanning the room, looking for places where any intruders could be hiding. “Are you carrying a weapon, like I asked?” The question was directed at Noranti, he knew he didn’t have to bother asking the Hynerian.

Noranti waved her hand and returned to her cooking. “I don’t need a weapon,” she said. “I have ways to defend myself if need be.”

Of that Xander had no doubt. You don’t get as old as Noranti in a place like the Uncharted Territories without being able to take care of yourself. He knew that she was nowhere near as helpless as she sometimes seemed. “Still, just as a precaution,” Xander said. “Please, it would make me feel better.”

Noranti seemed to consider it for a moment before nodding. That was enough for Xander, he knew she would keep her word.

“Actually, I came down here because Pilot needs help with something. He asked me to ask you both to see him as soon as you can.”

“Why didn’t he just use the comms?” Rygel asked.

“I think that’s what he needs help with.”

“And what are we supposed to do that the DRDs can’t?”

“Look, Rygel, trust me, okay? You need to go to Pilot’s den.”

Rygel just looked at him with confusion. Noranti’s smile fell as she watched Xander. He didn’t know if it was just the tone of his voice or if she could see something else beyond his calm façade. He watched as she grabbed a few pouches from the counter and stuffed them in her pocket. She walked around the counter and took Rygel’s arm.

“Come now Rygel, if Pilot needs us then he needs us. No use in interrogating Xander over it.”

“Let go of me old woman, what are you blathering about?!”

“If you could stop by Jool’s quarters on your way, I’d appreciate it,” Xander said. Noranti just nodded. He didn’t know how, but she definitely knew that something was wrong. She dragged Rygel out of the room by his throne sled, the Dominar complaining the whole way.

Xander watched them leave before standing and making his way to the hangar bay.

*

John, D’Argo, and Scorpius stepped onto the Hokothian vessel and looked around warily. The interior of the ship was tinged in blue, and they passed some kind of fish tank filled with exotic creatures as the stepped into the chamber they were led to. “Knock, knock. Candygram,” John called out.

Ullom stood before them, holding a slug-like creature in both hands. “Scans show no weapons on your persons,” he said.

“As we agreed,” D’Argo said.

“Scans also show that you are not…Sebacean,” Ullom added, looking at John.

John and D’Argo glanced at each other. “You could have just asked,” John said with an edge to his voice.

“Do you want to see Aeryn Sun suffer the living death? If that’s the case…” Ullom didn’t get a chance to finish his threat. D’Argo lashed out with his tongue, striking his target. But Ullom simply shimmered and disappeared, reappearing again behind the trio.

John frowned. “Cute, a hologram. And we wanted a face to face.”

“I don’t care what you want! I want the names of those who hired Sun,” Ullom bellowed.

“Which is precisely why we are here,” Scorpius cut in. “May we see her?”

Ullom paused. “One of you may see her, the others will wait here.”

“I’ll go,” John said before Scorpius could speak again.

“Very well. Follow me.”

John glanced at D’Argo, telling him silently to keep an eye on Scorpius. D’Argo just nodded. John turned and followed Ullom. The Chief Protector led him through a corridor to a door before turning back to John. “You will convince her to tell me what I want to know.”

John wasn’t sure if it was a question of a demand. “I’ll do my best,” he answered.

The door slid open and Ullom disappeared. John peered into the room and slowly stepped inside. The walls were bare. The only thing in the room was a bench the jutted out from the wall across from the door. Lying on it was a figure clad in a coolant suit, complete with cowl. John stepped in further and the door slid shut behind him. If she heard the sound, she ignored it.

“Aeryn?”

Her eyes opened immediately and she looked up. She wore a shocked expression as she saw who had spoken her name. “John? How…what are you doing here?”

It was her, it really was. John could hardly believe it. He had almost convinced himself that he was never going to find her, that he’d never see her again. But here she was, dressed like Scorpius and imprisoned on a ship the size of a small moon. It was enough to make him want to laugh, scream, and cry all at the same time. He tried to keep his voice level, but it was still filled with emotion.

“Oh, you know, I was in the neighborhood, thought I’d stop by. You’ve been busy.”

Aeryn sat up slowly, using the wall for support. “You have to leave.”

“I intend to, with you.”

“He’ll kill you.”

“And what’s he going to do to you, give you a manicure? I’m not going to leave you to die, it isn’t going to happen.”

“How did you find me?”

“Scorpius.”

“He’s alive?”

“Unfortunately. We got a tip you were on L’lidor. When we got there we found him in your Prowler. He led us here in exchange for us not killing him. Though now that we’ve found you that arrangement isn’t destined to last long.”

“No.”

“No, what?”

“You can’t kill him.”

“What?! Why?”

Aeryn pushed herself to her feet. She was weak from the heat delirium and looked ready to fall over any second. “You have to promise me.”

John met her halfway across the room and caught her as she almost fell. “Aeryn, you’re weak, you have to rest,” he said, trying to guide her back to the bench.

“Promise me you won’t harm him, or I won’t go with you, even if I do somehow manage to survive this.”

“For god’s sake Aeryn, why?! After everything he’s done to us!”

“John please, you have to promise me.”

“Okay, fine! I promise, okay! Now will you please sit down?”

Aeryn did as she was asked and sat back on the bench, resting her head against the wall. John sat down beside her. “You shouldn’t have come,” she said.

“Yeah, well, I did.” John let out a frustrated sigh. “So, how did you catch this cold? Dancing in the rain?” Aeryn just looked at the floor. “Come on Aeryn, you have to talk to me.”

“I can’t, I gave my word.”

“To who?” Aeryn didn’t answer. “Okay, then tell me what Scorpius has to do with all of this.”

“With Ullom, nothing.”

“Come on, you know how he works. He probably set this whole thing up from the beginning.”

“He took advantage of a situation that he could not have created.”

“Okay fine, forget about Scorpius. What about Mr. Tall, dark and intangible out there? He says you’re an assassin, I call him a lying son of a bitch. What do you say?” Aeryn just looked down at the floor again. “Aeryn, you have to give me…something. I don’t care about what you did, I don’t care about your promises.” Aeryn closed her eyes. “He says he has the only cure. Do you believe him?” She nodded slowly. “So tell me, what am I supposed to say to the guy?”

“If you love me…you say nothing.”

John just stared at her for a moment, incredulous. Here she was, about to die, and she cared more about keeping her word, more about Scorpius, then she did about her own life. He let his head fall into his hands. “Why can’t anything ever go smooth,” he mumbled to himself.

He banged his fist on the bench before pushing himself up and crossing the room to the door. He pounded on it with his hand twice. “Hey, I’m done!”

A second later the door slid open to reveal Ullom. He looked into the room to Aeryn. She turned her back on the Hokothian and lay back down on the bench. “Will she give me the names?” he asked.

John walked through the hologram and started down the corridor back the way they came. “Patience, Arnold J. Rimmer,” he tossed off over his shoulder. “Things like this take time. I have to consult with one of my…associates. We’ll be on our ship.”

The Chief Protector shouted after him. “My patience will last only so long.”




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