Listen up cause this is important. The direction I'm taking this season allows me to follow the sci-fi format. The last four episodes will be consist of a three parter followed by the season finale. Needless to say, those four eps will have a lot of important stuff. So the four eps that precede them are of the set-up variety. They won't be as action packed or whatever. You understand

One last thing. There are three different situations going on in this ep. One of them has nothing to do with the rest of the season.

The Elephant Ep2.15: Go Nowhere, See No one

The transport pod sat abandoned outside the marketplace as its four passengers wandered amongst the shops and through the crowds. After the last few day's excitement, it felt good to be out in the fresh air with no immediate worries. Tom and Meryl moved happily down the street, avoiding the crowds and further conversation. She walked out ahead of him to look at a table adorned with exotic foods. "Tom, come over here and have a look at this." The human glanced up from his own browsing to see what she was talking about. "Do you recognize this?" He stared at the orange ball with mild interest. "What is it?"

Meryl was about to answer the question when shouts came from across the courtyard. A man was being chased down the street by several men in grey uniforms. "What do you suppose is going on?" She ignored Tom's question and kept her eyes on the escapee. He was dressed in red overalls. An outfit any peacekeeper would recognize. "Go find John and your mother. We might have to leave soon." Tom gave her a confused look before heading off to find them. He knew not to argue with her on days like today. Meryl's temper was getting worse as the pregnancy went along.

John and Rachel were walking calmly down the street. They had left the shopping to the other two and decided to just stroll. "Is this normal for you?" He turned to her and laughed. "What do you mean?" She narrowed her eyes at him. The cautious man knew exactly what she was talking about. "All this imminent danger. The sense of doom on the horizon. You seem to be used to it." John rubbed his neck and looked up at the sky. "Well, we get into our fair share of trouble. This is the uncharted territories after all." Rachel was about to respond when her son ran up to them. "Meryl says we have a problem."

She pulled her gun out and went after the group of policemen. No matter how far away her soldier days got, the instincts were still there. Meryl couldn't just sit back and watch as an escaped prisoner got away. Tom being the exception. "What can I do to help?" The officer closest to her turned and looked her over. "Peacekeeper huh? We could use you right about now." He pointed ahead of them. "Guy's scheduled for execution tomorrow morning. Broke out about an arn ago." Her memory had served her well. Red overalls meant death row.

Jed felt the last of his strength giving out. He used to be able to run forever without tiring. Those days were behind him now. He turned his head slightly to get a look at his pursuers. Much to the criminal's surprise, a woman had taken the lead. Jed didn't recognize her but she wore a peacekeeper uniform. There was something else though. The way she moved reminded him of something. His sister back home had been pregnant. "What the frell?" She was upon him in seconds. Strong hands wrapped around his neck and pulled him to the ground. "I can't believe I was outrun by a pregnant woman." Meryl sneered at him.

"Meryl, where are you?" The three of them stood right where she had been moments earlier. Tom searched the surrounding areas while John continuously tapped his comm. "I thought you said she was right here?" Rachel saw the annoyed look on her son's face and decided not to say anything further. She didn't remember him being so assertive before. He was growing up more out here than at home. That bothered her for some reason. "She was. I don't know-." John's comm burst to life. "Hey, I'm over at the police station. Don't worry, they don't know us."

Metal handcuffs were tied around Jed's wrists as he was pushed up against the wall. He could only see the cops from his vantage point but the woman's voice came from the background. There was something about her that interested him. "Stop drooling over the girl. We don't grant those kinds of last requests." He scowled at the guard and got a smack across the face. "Mind your manners with me convict." A few more hits before he sunk to the ground. Some hushed whispers came from the policemen as a figure cloaked in black emerged from the building. It was the judge in charge of his sentencing. Here to state the time of execution.

Meryl watched the scene with diminishing interest. There was a time when she would have asked to stay and watch. Past experiences had changed her mind about that. Familiar voices came from behind her. She turned to see Tom and the others coming up. "What happened?" He checked her over and saw the layer of dust on her clothes. "I thought you were going to take it easy. We agreed." Meryl sighed and shook her head. "You're serious?" Before either of them could speak, a commotion started with the prisoner.

Jed squirmed in his chair as the judge walked up beside him. He tried desperately to find a way out of the cuffs but they were too strong. "Are you ready?" The man in black looked down at him and smiled maliciously. All of the soldiers lined up and removed their caps. Jed felt the judge's hand on his shoulder. "Prisoner 3703, you will be executed at first light tomorrow. Now make your selection."

He had almost forgotten about this part. Searching the faces in the crowd in front of him, Jed settled on the woman that had chased him down. "Her, I want her." Meryl's head snapped up as she heard the words. "Want me for what?" One of the policemen stepped over and grabbed her arm. "He's chosen you as his spiritual advisor."

<<<<>>>>

The door opened slowly to reveal a young woman with tousled brown hair. She smiled at the prisoner and stepped into the room. Sitting down on the other side of the table from him, Sil pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. "State your name and rank for the record please." Scorpius let a breath of air flow out of his open mouth. He had never seen this girl before but her place was obvious. She wore the uniform of a tek. The hybrid had no idea how she had gotten in here. "Perhaps you have the wrong room, tek. I am Scorpius." Sil grinned and leaned forward. "Yes I know." Scorpius was confused.

"I am of higher rank than you. This interrogation is unlawful." They sat there quietly for several moments. Sil made no move to object to his words. The hybrid was correct. Unfortunately, circumstances were different in this case. She reached her hand out and grabbed his coolant container. "What the frell are you doing?" Scorpius was given no response. She twisted the device in its place. The pain was enormous and he had to fight to keep from falling. Sil stood from the table and walked around. Standing over him, she shook her head. "Let's start again."

Helen Raynor watched the scene with more than a little amusement. It pleased her to see Sil working. The young girl had learned much in the time they had spent together. As the high counselor raised her eyes again, she could see her kicking the hybrid viciously. "That's my girl." Helen pressed a button on the wall. "Proceed. We cannot waste any more time." Sil glanced up and nodded. She picked Scorpius up and put him back in his chair.

<<<<>>>>

The small ship glided effortlessly through the dark regions of space. Kithara looked out the forward portal and gazed at the object ahead of him. A large docking station with vessels moving to and from it. The structure looked like it had been attacked recently. Pieces of debris floated past his view and disappeared. He ran his hand over the golden form in front of him and smiled. "Do you detect any weapons?" The response came immediately. There were in fact guns on the station. "Very well."

Kithara stepped out of the docked ship and looked around. His surroundings appeared much the same as from the outside. Black stains marked the charred walls that led inside. He walked forward until a restaurant full of people came into view. There was a constant among the group. As he opened the door, one of them turned to look at him. "What's a little boy doing in a place like this?" Kithara smiled up at him and continued. The man was grey, with black hair. Perhaps he was on the right track.

A group of them sat in huddled in the corner around a large table. One of them men sat in the middle. His mouth moving slowly and deliberately. Kithara couldn't tell what he was saying but it sounded important. If he was to find Chiana in time, risks would have to be taken. "Hello, can you help me?" Every one of them turned to look at him. Their eyes scanned over his form with caution. They didn't seem like the types who left anything to chance. "What could we possibly help you with little man?" The leader stood and walked towards him. "Are you a Nebari?"

<<<<>>>>

The door slammed shut behind her as the guards moved away. Meryl peered through the inky blackness and searched for the man that had brought her here. "Why the frell did you do that?" He didn't answer at first. Jed was having too much fun watching her squirm. There weren't many more moments of amusement left for him. He savored it. "I had to pick someone. You were my best option." She glared at him and sat down. Meryl pulled her jacket closer and shuddered. "How can you live in this?" He grinned. "How do you think?"

She cursed herself for being insensitive. That feeling alone brought along more confusion and discomfort. Meryl found it amazing how much things had changed in such a short time. "So, what am I supposed to do?" Jed sat up straight and shrugged. "Advise me." The answer did not help matters much. She wiped a bead of sweat off her forehead. "About what?" The inmate considered this for a moment. "What happens when I die?" Meryl shook her head angrily. "I can't do this. Guard!" Jed smiled. "He won't come."

They sat there quietly for half an arn without saying so much as a word. Jed would look up at the clock every once in a while and frown. She refused to do the same. Finally, the man could take it no more. "I've got less than half a day. Tell me something." Meryl rubbed her hands together and searched for comforting words. There weren't any. "I am, was a peacekeeper. We believe one thing. When you die, you go nowhere, see no one. That's it." He scratched his head. "Well, that's incredibly depressing if you don't mind me saying." She smiled slightly and nodded.

<<<<>>>>

Sil pulled the file out of her case and placed it on the table. Letting her hands slide slowly towards it, she lifted the cover. Scorpius watched her every move with due concern. The burning in his head had not yet subsided. He thought of all the ways the girl could die. That at least was comforting. "How many cycles were you at gammek base 117?" Her question hung in the air for several moments. The hybrid did not respond. "Do we need to go over this again?" Scorpius glared at her. "That's classified."

A tapping sound came from the window next to them. Both turned simultaneously to look at it. "Do you know what that means?" Sil asked the question with a menacing smile on her face. She lifted a thin blade from her case. Scorpius swallowed involuntarily. Self-preservation was more important than his pride. "Three cycles." She put down the knife. "And in all that time, how much did you learn about wormholes?" He shook his head. "Not much. Nothing of importance anyway." Sil nodded her head. "So you failed?"

Scorpius shook his head angrily this time. "I did no such thing. My research continues even now. Progress has been made." The young tek smiled and pointed at a picture in the file. "Ah yes, John Crichton. You believed he had the technology locked in his brain." The hybrid nodded back. "He did. I retrieved it." Sil glanced downwards again. "What did you discover. Was it what you hoped for?" He frowned and stared nervously at the blade. "His brain contained a piece of a larger equation. Crichton did not provide me with everything I needed."

Helen knocked on the glass again. This time she tapped three times. A signal for Sil to leave the room. The girl heard it and stood from the table. "Wait here." Scorpius growled at her as she exited. As she stepped into the outer room, they spotted each other. "What do you think?" The high counselor saw her disciple's lips curve upward. "I think he knows. Scorpius has the technology." Helen considered this. Her own mind searched rapidly for possible solutions. "Then we have to make sure that he never gets the chance to tell anyone."

<<<<>>>>

The grey man stared at him awkwardly for what seemed like an eternity. Kithara, unafraid, stood firmly and waited for a reply. "Yes I am. What is it to you?" The boy stepped forward and raised his hand. "I'm looking for someone. She is a Nebari like you. Traveling aboard a leviathan." There was no reaction from the man. He looked coldly down at Kithara and shrugged. "How could I pick out one female among the millions out there. You'll have to give me more than that."

Kithara groaned as he heard the words. Perhaps this had been a mistake. Searching for the leviathan might of garnered more immediate results. He scanned the faces in front of him, hoping for one clue to follow. Another of the Nebari stood out. His face seemed familiar somehow. The Delvian's memories! Kithara could see that same face staring back at him. Covered in scars and dried blood. "Him, he knows who I seek." The man he had pointed out said nothing. "You know her. A female named Chiana."

The leader's face froze in a state of shock and fear. He turned slightly to stare at Kithara with his mouth hanging open. "You are looking for Chiana?" The boy nodded. Searching the area frantically, the grey man shook his head. "Why?" Kithara considered the question. Was it a good idea to tell this one? "I am to give her a message." This did not provide much comfort to the listener. "What kind of message?" No answer. "My name is Nerri. Chiana is my sister." Before either of them could continue, an alarm went off.

<<<<>>>>

"Tell me something about yourself. How does a peacekeeper become pregnant?" Jed reached his hand out towards her stomach. She slapped it away and growled at him. "None of your frelling business." He shook his head as she said the words. He had definitely made the right choice. This was fun. "It's not like I'm going to tell anyone." Meryl looked out into the hallway and checked for guards. There was no one to hear. "I'm not really a peacekeeper anymore. I got thrown out." The inmate looked shocked. "For what?"

"There was this prisoner, a human." She looked into his eyes and stopped talking. "You wouldn't understand. It sounds silly." Jed grinned with delight. Her stiff exterior was cracking. He was seeing all the insecurities popping out. "Try me." Meryl rubbed the sweat off her palms and continued. "He woke something up inside of me. Something I didn't know was there. I let him escape." This was even more interesting than he could have ever imagined. The peacekeeper with a heart of gold. Sounded like one of those vids he used to watch as a kid. "So that's his baby?" She nodded.

"I've told you something about me. Now it's your turn." Meryl watched the reaction in his face with alarm. The easy going facade disappeared. A look of pain arose. "You want to know why I'm in here?" She didn't say anything but the answer was implied. "I did something terrible. The kind of thing you should get executed for." There was no significant change in her attitude. Apparently this one didn't like him already. The truth wouldn't change things. "I got really drunk one night. Got fired, needed to forget about the day. My sister started hassling me. She was having the mood swings."

<<<<>>>>

Chairs were kicked over and shouts filled the air as people stormed out of the room. Nebari's everywhere were fighting to get out. Kithara turned to his companion with a look of concern. "What's happening?" Nerri pulled a gun from his belt and glanced around. "Someone's tracked us down. We have to get out of here." Dragging the boy along, he ran towards the hangar. The two of them reached it and looked around. In the space above, large ships blasted at the station with deadly force. Nearby vessels exploded brilliantly.

"Do you have a ship?" Nerri's emotions were torn between fear and anger. He watched helplessly as many of his fellow fighters flew off in their ships. His own had been destroyed. "Yes, come with me. I can get you out safely." Kithara pointed towards his golden ride down the line. It glistened with the light of a sun in the distance. "This way!" They ran as fast as possible. Avoiding the terrible craters left by the attackers. "Why are they shooting at us?" Nerri's answer was lost in the noise.

The two of them stepped inside the ship and closed the hatch. Kithara ran up to a large console and sat in the chair it surrounded. "Connect me." A low humming sound came from below him. Nerri turned around. "What did you say?" The boy shook his head. "I wasn't talking to you." The Nebari shrugged and walked over to the forward portal. Outside, things were looking very bad for his companions. "Does this thing have any weapons?" Kithara shook his head again. "No, it can only do one thing."

<<<<>>>>

Sil stepped back into the room but did not sit down. He kept his eyes on her at all times from his place at the table. She reached into her case and pulled out a pair of handcuffs. "Put these on." Scorpius looked down at the metal objects and shook his head angrily. "You'll have to do it yourself." She sighed and bent forward to grab his wrists. Before Sil could get that far, he smashed his elbow into her face and leapt from his chair. She went down hard and hit the ground. The hybrid ran towards the door and pushed it open.

Helen turned around just as he left the room. She hadn't been paying attention. "You won't get away with this. I can bring you up on charges." Scorpius growled at her but it had not effect. The high counselor nodded her head slowly. "Forgive me Scorpius. I don't know what I was thinking." He relaxed and let his arms fall to his side. Without warning, Helen shot out her hand and punched him in the stomach. He fell to his knees. "If you ever try that again, I'll kill you. Is that understood?"

<<<<>>>>

Meryl slapped him across the face with her gloved hand. "You bastard." Jed covered his face with his hands and begged her not to do it again. "You asked. What did you expect. They don't execute people for petty crimes." She stood up and banged the barred cell door. "I can't believe I was sympathizing with you." He lifted himself up and sat back down in his chair. "But you were. Peacekeepers don't sympathize." Meryl glared at him and took her place across from him. "I told you, I'm not one."

"They're going to make you watch." She looked down at her feet and then back at him. "What do you mean?" Jed noticed that her voice had grown weaker. "You have to watch me die." Meryl shook her head and turned away from him. The back of her neck was beginning to itch. The memory of a needle stuck in there came back. A girl named Delia. "I won't do it." He smiled slightly. This odd little conversation helped keep his mind off what was really happening. "I'm sorry." They both said it at the same time.

(TBC)
Neuroscpr