SECRET GAMMACK BASE: 18 SOLAR DAYS AGO

"Commence ignition sequence." Chernov spoke the words quickly into the intercom. He backed away from the console and looked out into the blackness of space. A hand fell suddenly on his shoulder. He shivered as Scorpius's cold fingers touched his skin. "It will work this time general, I can feel it." Chernov turned to face his commanding officer. The creature staring back at him was more hideous than anything he had ever seen. There was a time when the hybrid would not have been allowed to approach a man of Chernov's rank. But things were different now. A bright blue glow filled the room and all conversations came to a halt. The shimmering vortex cut majestically through space. The general smiled as it continued to swirl. "Its holding sir." Scorpius frowned as he moved to get a closer view of the computer readings. This was as far as they had ever gotten. "Send in the probe."

At the push of a button, the lone probe burst out into space. As it flew across the front windows of the gammeck base, three black numbers could be seen clearly across it's side. 377. The small rectangular machine aimed itself directly at the wormhole and was engulfed by the blue creation. The mood inside the control room was tense. All eyes were on Scorpius. His face showed no signs of emotion. "Sir, we have a clear reading of the probe's position." The tek stood and walked over to a large map built into the back wall. A tiny red dot made its way across the image. Within seconds, the mark had left the known area of the map and stopped. "Where is it?" Both Scorpius and Chernov now held grim expressions. "Its off our charts sir. We have no information on that-." The red dot disappeared.

"Frelling!" The general slammed his fists down on the console in front of him. This was going nowhere fast. "When high command hears of this...." He froze in mid-sentence. The red dot appeared once again. "Its on a return trajectory. The probe should be in sight within two microts!" Everyone turned back to the wormhole. Something was wrong. Scorpius watched with growing anger as large gaps in the vortex's walls began to form. Through one of these holes, the probe came into view. "There it is!" The teks were all patting themselves on the back. A breakthrough after so much work. "Silence." Scorpius snapped at the celebrating teks but kept his eyes glued to the scene. The gap in the wormhole was closing around the probe. With one final blast of energy, it enveloped the machine and dispersed. No one dared to speak. Finally one tek's voice broke the quiet. "I'm getting zero readings sir." Scorpius glared at him.

<<<<>>>>

PRESENT:

Scorpius awoke with a start in his chair. Looking around, he realized where he was. The marauder had left Raynor's command carrier four arns ago. The last remnants of his dream brought his thoughts to the human. When Bracca had first informed him of its presence, it had seemed too good to be true. After losing the probe, high command had been watching him very closely. This was his chance to get back in their good graces. Upon learning of the human's code number, 0377, his hopes had been confirmed. Now all he had to do was follow the trail to the probe.

Meryl watched the marauder disappear from sight. With Scorpius off the ship, she had regained her composure. But something was still worrying her. After spending a short time investigating 0377, Scorpius and his lieutenant had left in a hurry. She couldn't help but wonder if he had found something that she hadn't thought of. Clicking her comm, she said "Do we still have the marauder on radar." The response came back quickly. "Yes captain. Scorpius is still within range. Anxiously, she switched to Sargas' channel. "Lt., meet me in the hanger now."

"We're being followed sir." Bracca pulled off the earpiece and turned towards Scorpius. "A lone prowler left the Hyperion less than a quarter arn ago." Scorpius smiled to himself. "That would be captain Raynor. Let her come. This is as good a time as any to get rid of her." At the mention of her name, his blood boiled with anger. The coolant system had been misbehaving ever since she had put her hands on it. The incredible pain that had come along with it had infuriated him. He had wanted so much to break the little bitch's neck right there. But he could not. Meryl Raynor had to believe that she had the upper hand. Now that she was following them, Scorpius was sure that she would lead them right to the human she was protecting.

<<<<>>>>

Bob pulled the transport pod alongside his ship. Letting it settle into a planetary orbit, he crossed over onto the larger Nyid vessel. He watched sadly as the tiny pod settled into its path and drifted away. "Forgive me 0377. He closed the hatch and entered his ship. Within seconds, he lost sight of the planet.

"Sir, I'm picking up the Leviathan transport pod." Bracca watched excitedly as the small red beacon appeared on the radar. Scorpius moved up beside him to see. "Change your course heading accordingly." He settled back into his seat and raised the cover of the monitor in front of him. General Chernov's face filled the screen. "Have you made any progress general?" The man's sullen look revealed the answer. "No sir. We haven't been able to hold integrity past half an arn." Scorpius nodded slowly. "I will have the probe soon. Then we will be seeing each other again." Terminating the link, he brought up another transmission. "Have you done what was asked of you Bob?" The pitiful creature nodded.

<<<<>>>>

"Moya, can you hear me!" John shook the comm angrily before shoving it back into his pocket. He and Aeryn hadn't been able to get hold of anyone for the past few hours. Looking back over towards the wreck, he saw the raiding party moving back towards it's ship. "What's going on?" Aeryn turned to look at him. John shrugged. But something has them scared. Every last one of them seems to be leaving." He smiled to himself. "Nothing like imminent danger to get you ready for a salvage operation." She ignored him and began running towards the downed carrier.

Inside the confines of the ship, darkness replaced the smoldering heat of the sun. Aeryn surveyed her surroundings carefully. Everything had been stripped from its place. It seemed almost sad to see such a strong machine brought down. Behind her, John stepped inside. "Do you see anything?" She shook her head. "Everything is gone in this part of the ship." She continued forward. "The hanger should be up that way." Her finger pointed into complete darkness. Pulling out her pulse rifle, Aeryn led the way.

Every step they took gave way to loud groaning from the floor below. The structure was falling apart. Shadows bounced off the walls and made them seem alive with movement. Crichton shivered slightly as he moved close behind Aeryn. He tried to hold on to her shoulder but she shook him off. A roaring sound came from somewhere above their heads. "What do you think that was?" She looked back at him. "I don't know."

The marauder passed quickly over the crash. Scorpius looked down at the ruined carrier and his hopes sunk. The vessel had obviously been stripped and looted. "Land there." He pointed at a secluded spot away from the wreckage. "Sir, the prowler should be arriving here within a quarter arn." Scorpius nodded to his lieutenant. "Then we better hurry up." He stood from his seat and pushed open the exit hatch. Outside, the blistering heat hit him immediately. Stepping back into the ship, he grabbed the box of extra coolant rods and jumped out. Bracca popped out behind him and the two of them headed for the command carrier.

Sargas watched his captain carefully. She seemed to be her old self for a moment. That determined look in her eyes was quite familiar to him. During the course of their work together, he had seen it many times. Whatever her intentions were now, he knew she would get the job done. Casting his eyes down at the crash, he recalled the day of the battle. It had been quick. The Auriga had posted a rather futile response against the Hyperion and Daggoth. Sargas was still bewildered as to how the Daggoth had been destroyed. Over two thousand soldiers killed in an instant. "I'm landing." Her words shook his thoughts away. Pulling a pulse pistol from the storage compartment, he prepared to disembark.

She watched him closely. The decision to bring Sargas along might have been a mistake. Meryl was still unsure of what she was about to do. She knew that Scorpius had to be deterred from finding 0377, but how far would she go to prevent it. What would Sargas do? He sat behind her now, pistol in hand. From this point on, she had no idea what she was doing. The prowler landed on the opposite side of the crash from Scorpius's marauder. Grabbing hold of her pulse rifle, she stepped outside.

"Bingo." John smiled and patted Aeryn on the back. She had found the hanger. As they made their way through the torn wreckage, one thing became clear. The hanger had suffered major damage in the crash and pieces of prowler and marauder were strewn about the room. Under the debris, it appeared that some of the ships were still intact. "I'll check that side." Aeryn moved past him and headed for the far side of the hanger. John watched in amazement as she lifted huge pieces of metal out of her way. Leaning over to inspect his side, a loud crash caught his attention. "Aeryn, did you hear that?" His question was met with silence for several seconds. Then her reply came from farther away than he had thought. "Yes."

Bracca blasted away at the damaged section of wall that stood in their way. Scorpius waited impatiently as he felt the cool air beckon him from inside. "Just about there." Bracca stopped firing and the metal wall crashed to the ground. Together they stepped inside with guns drawn. "Stay close behind me lieutenant." Scorpius pulled a small box from his black parcel. Switching it on, a map of the ship appeared on the tiny screen. A blinking dot signaled the coordinates of the probe.

Meryl and Sargas broke through the outer wall and stepped into the ship. "What exactly are we looking for?" The lieutenant looked to his captain with uncertainty. She had no response that would calm his suspicion. "Just search the ship for anyone. Contact me if you find anything interesting." He looked confused. "We're splitting up?" She nodded. Pulling the pulse rifle from its holster, she walked past him and disappeared into the darkness.

"John, over here!" She motioned for him and he came running. Aeryn found a small hole in the hull and peered outside. "What do you see?" It took a moment for her to adjust to the light but there was no mistaking what she saw. "A marauder." John pulled his pistol out and walked back to the hanger doors. "Should we hide or go seek?" She pointed towards a prowler near the back. "I think that one still works. Let me see if I can get it started. You check around outside." He nodded. As he pulled open the door, she stopped him. "John, don't go too far." He noted the look of concern on her face. "I won't." With that he turned and made his way out the door.

"Did you see that?" Bracca stopped and pointed his gun towards the spot where he had seen it. "See what Lt.?" They stood quietly for a moment and listened. "Someone passed by in front of us. I'm sure of it." Scorpius frowned and stepped forward. "The radar unit detects nothing. Proceed." Noticeably shaken now, Bracca nodded and continued.

John struggled to breath. He hadn't been sure at first but the voices had confirmed it. Scorpius was here. He began to reach for his comm but stopped. They were too close and would definitely hear him. Moving very slowly, he rushed back to the hanger.

Sargas aimed his pistol and fired. The shadowy figure in front of him fell over and cried out. He watched nervously as another figure stepped forward and bent down over the first. "Bracca?" A beam of light cut across the wall in front of him and he had to duck to avoid it. "Frell!" He whispered the curse to himself. He had not intended to shoot Bracca. Turning back the way he came, Sargas wondered what was going on.

Scorpius looked down at his Lt. Their eyes met for a moment and he shook his head slightly. Bracca nodded slowly and did not move from his spot on the ground. Stepping over him, Scorpius pulled his own gun out and continued.

Aeryn heard the gunshot clearly. Tapping her comm lightly, she whispered "Crichton, are you ok?" There was no answer. He would have to fend for himself for a little while. She turned her attention back to the prowler. A few more adjustments and it would be ready to fly.

Meryl watched Scorpius enter the storage chamber. The points finally connected as she realized what he was after. The probe that had brought 0377 to the battle. Why would Scorpius want it? She would ask him. Moving as quietly as possible, she followed him into the room. The shot flew past her head, missing it by mere inches. "Captain Raynor, I would advise you to leave before you damn yourself any further." She stepped into his field of vision with her gun drawn as well. "Somehow I didn't think you would listen. She fired. Unprepared for her immediate action, Scorpius fell to the ground in pain. Clutching his shoulder, he felt a warm fluid trickle down his hand.

John heard the footstep a moment too late. "Freeze!" He turned slowly and found the face of a stranger. He felt momentary relief. "Who are you?" Sargas didn't answer at first. "Drop the gun." John had no choice. He let the pistol fall to the ground and raised his hands above his head.

With her gun aimed directly at him, Meryl walked quickly into the chamber. "You're finished Raynor. I wouldn't bother returning to your command carrier. When high command hears of this, you will be executed." She looked down at the monstrous creature with no sympathy. But his words did strike a chord. She had just sealed her fate. There was no way out of it this time. "And if I kill you now? Who would ever know?" He smiled at her cold words. "Your life was over before we even met. I knew exactly what you had done." He pointed at the captain's badge on her uniform. "You've lost everything Meryl." The anger boiling inside her could not be held back any longer. She fired into his chest. Scorpius closed his eyes and lay still. But his hideous smile remained. Meryl leaned down and pulled something from his parcel. Then she left the room.

"Captain, over here!" Sargas called out to her. He held his gun up to Crichton' head with enthusiasm. Capturing the escaped prisoner would put them in good graces with command again. But Lt. Sargas was not prepared for what he saw. Meryl had her rifle pointed directly at her former lieutenant. "What are you doing?" The shocked and betrayed look on his face pained her. "Let him go." He shook his head furiously. "I can't do that and you know it." Grabbing onto Crichton by the collar, he turned his gun on Meryl. They stood there unmoving.

Crichton couldn't believe what was happening. The two peacekeepers stood eye to eye with guns drawn. He had never seen either of them before and yet they seemed to conflicted over him. "Who are yo-." They cut him off. "Shut up!" It suddenly came to him that 0377 had told him of a female peacekeeper captain. "You're Meryl?" The woman turned to him with a look of recognition. "You're John Crichton?" They both nodded. The other man however, remained confused. "What the frell is going on?" Sargas and Meryl heard the footstep. Two guns fired at the same time. Bracca was thrown off his feet. He hit the ground hard and shouted in pain. "Bracca!" Sargas lowered his gun slightly and that was all that she needed. With incredible speed, Meryl's gun met his jaw and he fell alongside the other lieutenant.

"Where is Scorpius?" John's mind raced with possibilities. This could be his chance to kill the bastard. "Scorpius is dead." He looked at Meryl with amazement. "Are you sure?" She nodded and extended a gloved hand out to him. John looked at the hand, not sure what to make of what he saw. As she uncurled her hand, it revealed a small container. Through its clear shell, John could see the neurochip. "How did you find this?" She glanced back towards the way she had come. "He had it on him. I thought it might be important." Her serious expression broke momentarily. "0377, he is with you?" John could do nothing but nod. "Then give him this." She leaned forward and kissed him softly on the cheek. Then without another word, she picked the other man up and pulled his limp body over her shoulder. They disappeared into the darkness, leaving John to consider what had just happened.

"Aeryn!" He yelled her name into the comm. "I'm here John. The prowler is ready. Meet me out where we first landed." He smiled broadly. "You are not going to believe who I just met." There was no answer from her side. He shrugged his shoulders and made his way out of the ship.

Once Crichton's footsteps had faded, Bracca pushed himself up from the floor. Feeling around inside his coat, he pulled a flat piece of metal out. It sizzled with heat from where the two blasts had hit it. Standing up, he walked over to the storage chamber. Scorpius stood against the wall with a smile on his face. "You let him have the wormhole technology?" The hybrid turned to face Bracca. "It doesn't make any difference. Without this, he won't get any farther than we have." In his hands, Scorpius held the flight computer for probe #377. "We have what we came for."