Excursions and Alarums
Character timeline: post-Season Four
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It had been his intention to accompany Scorpius. True, it was not required, but it was a novel experience to stand beside the scientist as an equal partner in the venture, to share the triumph that would eventually resonate throughout Peacekeeper space.
Crichton - as usual - had spoiled the venture.
The Human is becoming more of a nuisance, not less. If this trial is not the success Scorpius anticipates, Braca will recommend putting Crichton back in the Aurora Chair. It has proven far more effective than other methods of extracting information from the man.
Certainly, Scorpius himself is aware of the usefulness of the device. A shudder ripples through Miklo's frame at the thought. The deception he had been forced to maintain had been painful for both he and his former commander.
There had been a certain satisfaction in seeing Scorpius brought low; Braca was not fool enough to deny that part of him blamed the hybrid for the destruction of the command carrier they had previously called home. Trusting Crichton had been folly from start to end.
And the Human had dared to lay hands on Captain Miklo Braca not once, but twice. The drunken ramble might have been dismissed, but not this latter affront. Crichton is clearly testing his limits, trusting that his usefulness outweighs his insolence.
Does the fool truly believe he will be allowed his freedom?
Miklo wonders what Scorpius plans for the Human, once the bargain has been fulfilled. If this latest experiment succeeds, then Crichton's wormhole knowledge loses some of its importance; the ability to wage war will no longer depend upon his co-operation.
Perhaps he and Aeryn Sun will find themselves with far less leeway in the very near future. Sun has demonstrated that she still recalls some of her training; what it means to be a Peacekeeper. She has not flaunted her condition, although neither has she been completely discreet in her relations with Crichton. There has been no threat or rumor of threat from the crew, either. That could change once her pregnancy becomes visible.
Miklo's steps slow as he approaches his quarters. Crichton is vulnerable through Sun. Her presence is all that has held him in check thus far, that and Scorpius' light hand. If she were taken from him... That might be enough to rein in his behavior. Such circumstances have risen before; illicit lovers used against one another, examples to wavering soldiers.
The door slides open before him. Miklo loosens the collar of his jacket, pleased at the idea of leverage that has come to him. It is likely that Scorpius has already considered this; the man is a genius, and has gained intimate knowledge of Crichton's weaknesses during his time aboard Moya. If the Human refuses to see reality for what it is, well, then. Braca and Scorpius can open his eyes.
There is a neat stack of data-tiles on his desk. Braca is pleased with that, too. His ship is well-run, efficient. The crew performs to standard and above. The breakthrough science that will lead to Scarran defeat is under his authority. He seats himself, slouching a fraction, crossing his legs at the ankle. He activates the monitor embedded in the desk. With the exception of Crichton's intractibility, Miklo Braca's life is perfect.
His comm chirps. "Sir?"
"Yes?"
"There has been a breach in security, sir." The woman's calm voice does not soothe.
Braca's feet land flat on the floor. "Clarify."
"Lt. Teeg has ordered the release of the prisoner Crais, sir."
"What!?" He jumps to his feet, begins keystroking his console, until at last the brig monitors route through to his quarters. Crais' cell is decidedly bare. "Search all areas - find them!"
His comm chirps again.
"Report!"
"Sir, Scorpius ordered Officer Sun located. Her guards have been found in the restorative chambers, unconscious. Sun's comm-unit is with them."
"Frell! Get me Scorpius at once! Where is Crichton? I want them found, along with Teeg and Crais." He struggles to keep his voice calm. The crew cannot see him panic. But the horror rises before his eyes; a command carrier's death, fifty thousand Peacekeepers, soldiers and techs and children. So many had died, hundreds of lives thrown away for one man's pride and vengeance. Miklo has scoured what surveillance tapes survived the massacre; he recalls hearing Crais' words as the man ranted over open channels. He'd condemned without thought every member of his former crew to violent, useless deaths.
Crichton bears that blame, as well, Braca has no doubt.
Cold sweat runs down his face. "Search all records; everywhere that the prisoners have gone, anywhere they could be. I want security tripled at all armories. Seal off the laboratories where Crichton worked. Find them!"
He presses his fists into the desk, grinding down until his knucles ache. He must stay calm, despite the emotions that are running high. He cannot serve if he is unable to control his own reactions. When the comm chirps yet again, he does not slam it into the desk surface. His hand is steady when he reaches out to answer. "Report."
"The trial has begun, sir. Scorpius and Crichton are aboard the alien vessel." There is a brief pause; then the voice continues, lower than before, a tinge of unease creeping in. "Sir, surveillance cameras in the docking bay show Lt. Teeg bringing Crais aboard the ship. It is possible that one of the crewmembers with her was Officer Sun."
Braca sinks into his chair, his head falling into his hands. "Why?" He directs his words toward the gleaming surface of the desk. "Why in Cholak's name won't Crichton just die?" Not for the first time, he wishes he'd never laid eyes on the alien, or that the Human's foolish little ship had collided with the asteroid that had instead killed Crais' brother, thus beginning more than four cycles of obsession and chaos.
Weariness falls over him like a heavy cloak. Braca thrusts himself to his feet and starts toward the door, straightening slumped shoulders by force of will. He speaks into his comm as he walks. "Get all Prowler units in space," he commands. "I want two Marauder squads active. Apprehend that alien ship, but under no circumstances is it to be destroyed. These are my inviolate orders."
He brushes past hurrying crew members, heading toward the nearest Prowler Bay. He'll shoot down the craft himself if he has to. And when he has the fugitives in hand again, there will be no mercy this time. High Command may do as they see fit once Crais and Teeg and Sun are dead. Crichton - if he survives - will find himself begging to join them, and this time, not even Scorpius will save him from his long-due punishment.
continued here
continued from here
It had been his intention to accompany Scorpius. True, it was not required, but it was a novel experience to stand beside the scientist as an equal partner in the venture, to share the triumph that would eventually resonate throughout Peacekeeper space.
Crichton - as usual - had spoiled the venture.
The Human is becoming more of a nuisance, not less. If this trial is not the success Scorpius anticipates, Braca will recommend putting Crichton back in the Aurora Chair. It has proven far more effective than other methods of extracting information from the man.
Certainly, Scorpius himself is aware of the usefulness of the device. A shudder ripples through Miklo's frame at the thought. The deception he had been forced to maintain had been painful for both he and his former commander.
There had been a certain satisfaction in seeing Scorpius brought low; Braca was not fool enough to deny that part of him blamed the hybrid for the destruction of the command carrier they had previously called home. Trusting Crichton had been folly from start to end.
And the Human had dared to lay hands on Captain Miklo Braca not once, but twice. The drunken ramble might have been dismissed, but not this latter affront. Crichton is clearly testing his limits, trusting that his usefulness outweighs his insolence.
Does the fool truly believe he will be allowed his freedom?
Miklo wonders what Scorpius plans for the Human, once the bargain has been fulfilled. If this latest experiment succeeds, then Crichton's wormhole knowledge loses some of its importance; the ability to wage war will no longer depend upon his co-operation.
Perhaps he and Aeryn Sun will find themselves with far less leeway in the very near future. Sun has demonstrated that she still recalls some of her training; what it means to be a Peacekeeper. She has not flaunted her condition, although neither has she been completely discreet in her relations with Crichton. There has been no threat or rumor of threat from the crew, either. That could change once her pregnancy becomes visible.
Miklo's steps slow as he approaches his quarters. Crichton is vulnerable through Sun. Her presence is all that has held him in check thus far, that and Scorpius' light hand. If she were taken from him... That might be enough to rein in his behavior. Such circumstances have risen before; illicit lovers used against one another, examples to wavering soldiers.
The door slides open before him. Miklo loosens the collar of his jacket, pleased at the idea of leverage that has come to him. It is likely that Scorpius has already considered this; the man is a genius, and has gained intimate knowledge of Crichton's weaknesses during his time aboard Moya. If the Human refuses to see reality for what it is, well, then. Braca and Scorpius can open his eyes.
There is a neat stack of data-tiles on his desk. Braca is pleased with that, too. His ship is well-run, efficient. The crew performs to standard and above. The breakthrough science that will lead to Scarran defeat is under his authority. He seats himself, slouching a fraction, crossing his legs at the ankle. He activates the monitor embedded in the desk. With the exception of Crichton's intractibility, Miklo Braca's life is perfect.
His comm chirps. "Sir?"
"Yes?"
"There has been a breach in security, sir." The woman's calm voice does not soothe.
Braca's feet land flat on the floor. "Clarify."
"Lt. Teeg has ordered the release of the prisoner Crais, sir."
"What!?" He jumps to his feet, begins keystroking his console, until at last the brig monitors route through to his quarters. Crais' cell is decidedly bare. "Search all areas - find them!"
His comm chirps again.
"Report!"
"Sir, Scorpius ordered Officer Sun located. Her guards have been found in the restorative chambers, unconscious. Sun's comm-unit is with them."
"Frell! Get me Scorpius at once! Where is Crichton? I want them found, along with Teeg and Crais." He struggles to keep his voice calm. The crew cannot see him panic. But the horror rises before his eyes; a command carrier's death, fifty thousand Peacekeepers, soldiers and techs and children. So many had died, hundreds of lives thrown away for one man's pride and vengeance. Miklo has scoured what surveillance tapes survived the massacre; he recalls hearing Crais' words as the man ranted over open channels. He'd condemned without thought every member of his former crew to violent, useless deaths.
Crichton bears that blame, as well, Braca has no doubt.
Cold sweat runs down his face. "Search all records; everywhere that the prisoners have gone, anywhere they could be. I want security tripled at all armories. Seal off the laboratories where Crichton worked. Find them!"
He presses his fists into the desk, grinding down until his knucles ache. He must stay calm, despite the emotions that are running high. He cannot serve if he is unable to control his own reactions. When the comm chirps yet again, he does not slam it into the desk surface. His hand is steady when he reaches out to answer. "Report."
"The trial has begun, sir. Scorpius and Crichton are aboard the alien vessel." There is a brief pause; then the voice continues, lower than before, a tinge of unease creeping in. "Sir, surveillance cameras in the docking bay show Lt. Teeg bringing Crais aboard the ship. It is possible that one of the crewmembers with her was Officer Sun."
Braca sinks into his chair, his head falling into his hands. "Why?" He directs his words toward the gleaming surface of the desk. "Why in Cholak's name won't Crichton just die?" Not for the first time, he wishes he'd never laid eyes on the alien, or that the Human's foolish little ship had collided with the asteroid that had instead killed Crais' brother, thus beginning more than four cycles of obsession and chaos.
Weariness falls over him like a heavy cloak. Braca thrusts himself to his feet and starts toward the door, straightening slumped shoulders by force of will. He speaks into his comm as he walks. "Get all Prowler units in space," he commands. "I want two Marauder squads active. Apprehend that alien ship, but under no circumstances is it to be destroyed. These are my inviolate orders."
He brushes past hurrying crew members, heading toward the nearest Prowler Bay. He'll shoot down the craft himself if he has to. And when he has the fugitives in hand again, there will be no mercy this time. High Command may do as they see fit once Crais and Teeg and Sun are dead. Crichton - if he survives - will find himself begging to join them, and this time, not even Scorpius will save him from his long-due punishment.
continued here