Title: Wrath of the Hunter

Author: Charra Loon


Archive: Zen's Fanfiction

Rating: PG-13 Violence and some rough language.

Disclaimer: References have been made by "Everyone's Got A Secret", "Til The Blood Runs Clear", "Through the Looking Glass", and the following fanfics: "Lo'lann", "Taking the Chance" and "Warrior's Blood" Any other similiarities sited are, I assure you, purely coincidental. Summary: Part 1of the Hunter Trilogy. The crew of Moya encounter a legend while exploring a vast planet. Time/Setting: The future

Archiving: Anywhere

Author's Note: I had received permission from fanfic authors Annette, Penny and Laura to use the works listed as references, so don't say I'm a copycat.
Category: Series Part 1/3

Moya was flying into yet another part of the Uncharted Territories with her crew. Her hull grew heavy; she would give birth any day now as it seemed. Those aboard her knew this as well and were worried, especially since they remembered what happened to her last child. Constant sweeps were done to ensure the safety of both mother and child. Such a sweep was being done one day as D'Argo and John were running scans on her primary vital systems.

"Oh boy," John said. "Remind me to throw Moya a baby shower when this is all over." D'Argo looked at him strangely. "It's a ritual for the coming of a child. Oh, never mind. Forget it, it's a human tradition."

"The celebration of a new birth is common among the Luxans." D'Argo said. "We call it a blood extension." "I'm sure you do." John replied. "I don't know what Leviathans do for something like this, but we have to hold a celebration when the time comes."

"Agreed." D'Argo answered as he continued the scans. "So far, systems normal." he said after a few minutes. "Aeryn," he called on the communicator. "What's the status on your section?"

"We're fully funtional over here," Aeryn replied. "Continuing scans now. Aeryn out."

Suddenly, the ship began to tip violently in various directions. "Pilot, what's happening?" Zhaan asked via communicator.

"I'm picking up a large force of Marauders due west." Pilot told them. "They're in full attack formation."

"An entire pack?" Aeryn asked. "How many are there?"

"It's hard to say," Pilot answered. "There are about seven, eight of them at best."

Aeryn was already heading into the docking bay. "I'm going to see if I can stop them." she said. She boarded her Prowler and took off while the others reunited in the command room. It wasn't long before they noticed Aeryn was missing. "Pilot!" called John. "Where the hell's Aeryn?"

"She went to stop the Marauders." he replied. "She left a few minutes ago."

Marauders." Rygel said coming in, late as usual. "Now I know we're going to get captured. On the bright side, if we escape with our lives, we can always salvage what's left and see if we can trade it for certain accommodations."

"Don't you ever think of something other than yourself?" Chiana snapped

"Oh, you should talk!" Rygel replied.

"At least I care about what could happen to Aeryn out there, unlike some beings!"

"All right, let's calm down!" John cried. "Now, how long have we've been at each other's throats? Three, four cycles?"

"Six, John." Zhaan answered. "It's been six cycles since we escaped the PeaceKeepers."

"Okay, now listen, Aeryn is fighting those Marauders, alone, and there has to be something that we can do!"

"Attenion, incoming armada." Pilot said. "They're heading towards the Marauders and the Prowler at full force."

They all went to a window and watched the strange ships attack the PeaceKeepers and Aeryn. They were rather small, yet quick as lightning and were a light purple with a crystal-like design. An insignia which looked like a triangle split in three equal pieces with a ruby-like jewel in the center where the lines met was on the wings on each of the ships' tail wings. They attacked the group fiercely and adequately. A beam shot out of the largest ship of the force and took what living matter was there, namely the PeaceKeepers and Aeryn. The rest of the crew looked worried.

"Pilot, contact their flagship!" D'Argo barked as the rest of the ships took the Marauders and Prowler to the large ship. On the monitors appeared a strange figure all cloaked in weird black armor. "Identify yourself, intruder!" he said.

"Why don't you identify yourself!?" D'Argo snapped.

"Whoa!" John said. "Let me handle this, big guy." He then turned towards the screen. "All right, who are you and what have you done with the people on those ships?"

"We are the crew of the Saviour," the figure said. "flagship of the space colony Omega Prime. As for the PeaceKeepers, they've been teleported onto my ship, to be escorted to Omega Prime to pay for their crimes against the empire."

"Okay, listen, pal, one of those PeaceKeepers you just took aboard your ship is not who you think she is." John explained. "She's a friend of ours, and we'd appreciate it if you would just return her to us."

"A PeaceKeeper is no one's friend, creature." the figure lectured. "Do not attempt to stop us should you and your crew value your lives. Saviour out!"The monitor went blank. Everyone watched as the ship headed towards a nearby planet.

"What do you know? For the first time since I got here, I wasn't mistaken for a Sebacean, or a PeaceKeeper." John said. "We have to free Aeryn somehow."

"Pilot, can you get Moya to follow that ship?" D'Argo asked. "Perhaps we can learn where they're going."

"Already done." Pilot replied. "We're trailing the Saviour now." They watched as the Savior landed on a large green planet. Crichton looked on and thought of his own homeworld.

"Crichton!" D'Argo said. "We have to move."

"Yeah, sure." he said.

On the planet, D'Argo, John and Zhaan exited the transport pod which had landed in a small forest. They walked a mile into a large village.

"Such a simple village for such a dominating empire." Zhaan said. The locals looked at the visitors strangely, then terrified.

"Well, shall we ask around?" asked John as he went towards a villager. "Excuse me, you wouldn't know about a bunch of space fighters that captured an entire group of PeaceKeepers, would you?" The villager looked at him wide-eyed and looked around him. They seemed to be trusting, but he wasn't sure.

"Why would you want to know about the PeaceKeepers?" he asked.

"Because a friend of ours got caught by these weird ships."

"Did these ships have this on the tail?" the villager asked showing John an insignia.

He recognized this immediately. "Yeah, that was the symbol."

"Then your friend is in danger." he replied. "Follow me."

He went towards a hut on the outskirts of the village. John signaled D'Argo and Zhaan to follow. They were led into the hut where many of the same beings were in. They looked at them strangely, uncertainly. The villager that led them assured his friends they were all right. Just then, a woman who looked about in her late teens wearing a simple top and short skirt came up to them.

She turned towards the villager. "Arron, what is this?" she asked.

"It's all right, Elysia." he replied. "They seek a friend of theirs taken in by the empire."

Elysia turned to her visitors. "Is your friend by chance a PeaceKeeper?" she asked John.

"She was, but not anymore." answered John. "She betrayed them to help us." He then explained how Zhaan, D'Argo and Rygel freed Moya and Pilot and escaped. He also told of how he came into this part of the universe and how Aeryn helped us.

"Your story is interesting, John Critchton." she said. "However, I can not guarantee your friend will leave here alive."

"Who runs this planet?" asked Zhaan. "Perhaps we can negotiate something."

"This world is enslaved by Kathra, an intergalatic warlord who seeks to take the known universe and mold it as she pleases." Elysia explained.

"I, Elysia, and those of us present, are the only ones fighting for our freedom. Others have either succumbed to her will or were killed."

"I don't suppose she would be wearing black armor, right?" John said.

"Then your friend is in grave danger for certain." Elysia said. "That black armored figure is not only one of her generals, but her second-in-command. He's brutal, ruthless and extremely dangerous."

"Oh, really?" said John. "What's his name?"

"I'm not sure of his birth name, but many who know of him call him the Hunter."

"The Hunter?" D'Argo asked. "The murderer of murderers?"

"That's how most describe him, yes." Elysia answered.

"D'Argo," John said. "Do you know this Hunter guy?"

"He's a legendary warrior who despises PeaceKeepers." D'Argo explained.

"I've heard many PeaceKeepers who speak of him. When a PeaceKeeper crosses paths with the Hunter, then he's as good as dead."

"He's right." Elysia continued. "For some reason, the Hunter hates the PeaceKeepers, perhaps more than anyone."

John began to worry. "But this guy's a legend, right? He couldn't be real."

"I've seen him take hold of several PeaceKeeper crafts and some of my spies tell of his murders of the PeaceKeepers." Elysia responded. "He's definitely real, and very loyal to Kathra. If he has your friend, then I am certain she is dead."

"Can't we at least find a way to reach her?" John asked.

"Her fortress is to the east, extremely protected."

"But you had spies in there, right?"

"Yes, but they're lucky to survive a micron in there without getting caught." Elysia said. "Most of them are caught after an arn or two."

"Then we have to do something!" he cried.

"Can we negociate with her at least?" Zhaan asked.

"When it comes to PeaceKeepers, Kathra hates them just as much as the Hunter." she replied. "Besides, she is very stubborn, rarely gives in to compromises."

"If there's a chance, even a slim one that we could free Aeryn, then we have to take that chance!" John cried.

"I understand your concern, but if you would just follow me." Elysia led the three visitors out of the hut towards a clearing. To the east, they could see a large castle-like fortress that reached the sky. "This is what you'll be up against." Elysia explained. "Are you prepared to take that chance?"

"We've survived worse." D'Argo said. "This shouldn't be a problem."

"Don't underestimate Kathra." she warned. "She's wiped out whole armies for less."

"We understand." Zhaan said. "But let us try to negociate with her first before we take any drastic action."

"As you wish." Elysia said. "We'll do our best to help you. Remember, Kathra is our enemy as well as yours."

"We will need to contact others aboard our ship." Zhaan said.

"We'll go back to the base."

As they left the clearing, John kept staring at the large fortress behind them. "Hang on Aeryn." he said to himself. "We'll get you out somehow."

Inside the fortress, a tall woman sat in the center of a simple yet elaborate throne room. She had on an armor of advanced design and she watched as four others surrounded her. "Come forth, my generals." the woman said. "Zathros!" An elegantly dressed male approached closer to her as others would when called. He bowed to her deeply to show obedience.

"Present." he said.

The woman nodded. "Ta'Cara!" she then said as a young female, just as elegant as the male approached and bowed in the same manner.

"I await your commands, my leige." she said.

"Ma'Rone!" Another male approached and bowed at her presence. He was dressed more simply and looked more aggresive.

"Ready to do carnage to those who defy you!" he shouted.

"Yorita!" Another female who was as simple as the male but was more seductive than the rest approached and bowed.

"Willing to die for you, my queen!" she said.

"Hunter!" the woman said. No response. "Hunter!" she called again. "General Hunter, approach me this instant!" A black armored figure entered the throne room, approached the woman and bowed deeper than the rest.

"I live only to serve you, Mistress Kathra."

Kathra looked at him sternly as he rose to face her. "Where in the hellmanza have you been?!" she asked harshly. "Your tardiness is highly unlikely."

"I had intercepted a pack of PeaceKeeper vehicles entering orbit." he explained. "I had managed to capture them all."

"How many were there?"

"Ten PeaceKeeper vehicles."

"Nine Marauders, one Prowler. The prisoners are secured in the holding cells as we speak."

"Did you scan them all?"

"Yes, Mistress." the Hunter said. "The highest rank among them is an officer." He couldn't help but notice her slight disappointment.

"Bring the officer to me at once, Hunter." she then said. "Do what you will to the others."

"As you command, Mistress." he said as he bowed and left. Kathra sat in her throne, awaiting the prisoner and staring at the other generals. "The rest of you are dismissed!" she said. They all left. In the corridors not far to the throne room, they all mumbled, some of them envied the Hunter's recent success at pleasing their mistress.

"It's not fair he should get all the fun!" Ma'Rone cried. "I want to cream these PeaceKeepers, too!"

"I'm certain he'll let you take care of them in the Labyrinth." Zathros said.

"Too easy!" was all Ma'Rone said.

"Look, we've been through this each time." Ta'Cara said. "The Hunter is a greater warrior than each of us combined, thus his rank in the empire's army."

"Of course he is," Yorita said. "Kathra trained him herself."

"Still," Zathros said. "We should keep an eye on him. A traitor's usually the one you least expect."

"Don't start, Zathros." Ta'Cara snapped. "I'll admit the Hunter is a lot of things, but traitor is not one of them. Kathra has made sure of it."

"Come on, we have work to do." Zathros said as they all followed.

In the deepest of the dungeons, Aeryn found herself chained to a wall along with many other PeaceKeepers. "How ironic," one of them said. "We come into a part of the Uncharted Territories to die by the hands of the Hunter."

"What the frell are you talking about?" Aeryn asked. "The Hunter is no more than a story told to us by our elders to make us better warriors."

"Oh, he's real." another one said. "He is real. Many PeaceKeepers disappeared in this sector. We were sent to investigate when we found you. The next thing we know, we're here."

"Pathetic," thought Aeryn. "A bunch of rookies scared of a myth." She shook her head. Just then, the Hunter enters the dungeon. One of the PeaceKeepers stared in terror. "It's him!" he screamed. "It's the Hunter! He's going to kill us! We're all dead!!! AHHHH!!!!!"

"Silence, dren-sucker!" the Hunter said. "You'll get your chance. Right now, I seek the officer." He stared at Aeryn and ordered the nearby guards to remove her restraints from the wall. The Hunter then grabbed her and escorted her out of the dungeons. In the corridors, Aeryn tried to fight back, but it was no use. As much as she struggled, it was as though she never moved. This went on as they went into the throne room where Kathra was waiting. The Hunter bowed and forced Aeryn to do the same. "Here is the officer you requested, Kathra."

Kathra went up to them, her eyes looking coldly at the prisoner. "You have done well, Hunter." she said. "This one has fire still in her. I assume she was quite a challenge."

"No more than any others that have fallen." he replied.

"All right, who the frell are you?!" Aeryn cried. "Why have you brought me here?!?!"

The Hunter slapped her in the face. "Don't ever speak to Kathra in that tone!" he shouted. "You're lucky to be alive, PeaceKeeper!"

"I admire your strength and courage, Officer Aeryn Sun." Kathra said. "Normally, many PeaceKeepers would quiver at the sight of the Hunter, but not you."

"Who are you?"

"I am Kathra the Supreme, conquerer-ruler of this planet and many others."

"How do you my name?"

"I know many things about you, Aeryn Sun." Kathra explained. "In command of Captain Blainar Crais, you turned against your own people. For what reason, I can not comprehend. You were currently in the company of an escaped Leviathan prison transport along with three fugitives and a strange being from across the universe."

"Maybe you're right." Aeryn replied.

"Tell me, Aeryn." Kathra said. "Why would you betray your own kind?"

"I have my reasons." Aeryn answered. "Why do you work with this excuse for a myth?"

"The Hunter is who he is, Aeryn." Kathra said. "He is no myth. Also, he works for me." She gave a nod at the Hunter, who held a heated iron that was pressed at Aeryn's neck. A shock went through her skull and into her brain.

"What is this?" she said.

"What does it look like?" Kathra said. "Observe as your body slowly takes in the low radiation heat and slowly succumbs to the Living Death. I can stop this right now, if you cooperate."

"What is it you want?" Aeryn asked reluctantly.

"Information on your departure from the PeaceKeeper society and on the creature."

"I told you, I have my reasons." Another shock went through her brain. "Ahh!" she screamed.

"I know, and what are those reasons?"

"Crais had declared me irreversibly contaminated." she said. "The creature is called a human whose ship accidently collided with a Prowler hile the fugitives were making their escape."

"Why does Crais care about a measely Prowler?" Kathra asked. When Aeryn was silent, the Hunter gave another shock into her brain.

"The pilot was Crais's brother."

"Interesting, considering the PeaceKeepers would slaughter a colony of Sebaceans at a moment's notice!"

"You don't know what the frell you're talking about." Aeryn whispered. "PeaceKeepers are Sebaceans, in case you didn't know."

"I know exactly what I'm talking about." Kathra snapped. "I also know the difference between a species and a military group of murderers, and that's exactly what the PeaceKeepers are; murderous barbarians who can't think for themselves and when they do, it's usually the ones at High Command who are old-fashioned, arrogant, conceited dren-suckers who would make an entire race suffer for their pleasure." Aeryn stared at her icily. "You know I'm right, Aeryn." Katha continued. "How many species have either become scavangers or nearly extinct when they could've been the greatest race the universe has ever known? I guess we'll never know, all because of the PeaceKeepers. Take Delvia, for example. They were conquered, enslaved, their traditions almost lost to us forever! What could've happened if the PeaceKeepers hadn't interefered with their lives? Tell me that, Aeryn Sun." Aeryn was silent. What Kathra said was true; the PeaceKeepers were responsible for destroying countless civilizations, all because of difference.

"I'm not sure," she said at last. "But it had to be better than what you were planning."

"I seek to destroy the PeaceKeepers, and you can help me, Aeryn." Kathra said. "Join me, and I will see you as a Sebacean, a species who seeks to learn from others despite their differences. Together, we can topple the PeaceKeepers and save these galaxies from their wrath. All I require is your unconditional loyalty, sworn to me, and any information you have on High Command."

"What makes you think I want to help you?" Aeryn said. "You're obviously no better than them, creating these dreaded beings you call soldiers."

"You will aid me, Aeryn." Kathra replied. "Many of my soldiers had suffered by the hands of the PeaceKeepers before joining me, especially the Hunter himself. If anyone is responsible for his existance, it's the PeaceKeepers."

"When I first left, I spent over half a cycle regreting it." Aeryn said. "Then I realized that I could be more, more than a soldier, than what was no better than a drone. Since then, I vowed to be dependent on myself, and not let anyone control me again." "So you refuse to join me?"

"Yes."

"You had your chance to live, PeaceKeeper!" Kathra said. "Place her in the Labyrinth!"

"As you command, Mistress." the Hunter said as he dragged Aeryn away.

Kathra stared as they went, coldly and disappointed. "One day," she thought. "Victory on the PeaceKeepers will be mine."

..............to be continued in "Secret of the Hunter".

Title: Secret of the Hunter

Author: Charra Loon

genisis51@juno.com

Archive: Anywhere

Rating: PG-13 for violence and conduct

Category: Serial 2/3

Disclaimer: See "Wrath of the Hunter"

Summary: Part 2 of the Hunter Trilogy. The title pretty much speaks for itself, don't you agree?

Time/Setting: Moya, after the events of "Wrath of the Hunter"

Author's Notes: I wish to thank the following fanfic authors who allowed me permission to use some of their works for a reference. Penny, Laura,and Annette, you ladies are the greatest!!!

Chiana was getting worried. So far, there hasn't been a response from the others. She knew they would take long, but this? Something had to be wrong.

"Well, at least there's some peace and quiet around here," Rygel said. "Finally! It couldn't have come sooner."

"Spare me your triumph, toad!" Chiana replied. "I'm sick enough already."

"Ha, ha." Rygel laughed.

Just then, the monitor began to flicker a bit. "Please don't be them, please don't be them," Rygel prayed.

"Chiana, Rygel can you hear me?" It was John's voice.

Chiana smiled with relief while Rygel frowned in disappointment. "Where were you?" Chiana asked. "Have you got Aeryn yet?"

"We found Aeryn, but we're going to need a little help here. Can you and Rygel meet us at these coordinates?"

"We'll be right there!" Chiana exclaimed. Rygel was about to object when Chiana grabbed him and headed staright to the docking bay.

"But what about Moya and the baby?" Rygel asked. "Someone has to take care of them in case something should happen."

"That's a good idea," Chiana replied as she stuffed Rygel into a transport pod. "I'll help Pilot take care of Moya while you go see what's the hold-up."

"But won't you need any help?"

"After the last time you helped me, I don't think so."

The pod went off before Rygel could say another word. At the rebel base, John shut down the transmission in prayer that Aeryn can hold out while they try to get her out. A rebel came in with a stern look. Elysia motioned him to come forth and the two went into a corner. They began whispering. After the conversation, Elysia came towards her visitors with the rebel.

"Is something wrong, Elysia?" Zhaan asked.

"There is something of great importance to discuss." She glanced at the rebel next to her. "Barros had infiltrated the fortress earlier and has some good news and some bad news."

"Okay," John said. "What's the good news?"

"Your friend is alive," Barros began. "Kathra usually spares the PeaceKeeper with the highest rank for her inspection and, fortunately for you, the PeaceKeepers in the Marauder pack were all rookies."

"And the bad news?" D'Argo mentioned.

"Kathra looked into her reputation and tried to persuade her to join the empire. She refused, and was sent to the Labyrinth. It's only a matter of time before--"

"What's the Labyrinth?" Zhaan asked.

"The Labyrinth is where Kathra sends her most dangerous enemies, mostly PeaceKeepers and us rebels, to their doom." Elysia explained. "It is a dangerous maze heated to weaken PeaceKeepers and ensure a Living Death. If the heat doesn't get them, the traps within the maze will, and if the traps don't get them, the Hunter will."

"Elysia, there's an alien pod coming in towards us." Arron said.

"Relax, I called some friends of ours." John said as they went towards the pod. Rygel exited out towards them, completely furious. "Well, what the hex is going on here?!" he shouted.

"Rygel, you little--" John said as he held up the Hynerian with joy. All went inside as they told Rygel what had happened.

"So, we have to find a way to get Aeryn out of there before she ends up a trophy on the Hunter's wall." John finished. "We need you to negociate something with Kathra. Where's Chiana?"

"She's on Moya, keeping an eye on the baby." Rygel replied.

"The Leviathan has a newborn with her?" Elysia asked.

"She's expecting." John said. "Now, do we have a plan on how to get Aeryn out of there?"

"Why can't we just leave her there?" Rygel said. "We're better off."

"So, you're the great Dominar Rygel XVI," Elysia said. "We know of you. Arrogant, concieted and selfish. No wonder you lost your throne." "Watch it," Rygel warned.

"Easy now," John said. "I got a plan. Suppose we let some of us negociate with Kathra, but we use the negociations as a diversion while others infiltrate that Labyrinth and get Aeryn out."

"It sounds risky, especially for someone who doesn't know what he's getting into." Elysia said.

"I got an idea, if the negociations fail, we'll strom the fortress and distract Kathra while we get your friend out."

"Elysia, that's a suicide mission!" Barros exclaimed.

"We have no choice." Elysia replied. "We can't let Kathra take another innocent life. Have you forgotten what she's done to take control of this colony?"

"At least let one of us risk the Labyrinth." Arron suggested.

"I'll go," John said. "You guys try and distract Kathra."

"I'm coming with you." Elysia said.

"Look, we appreciate the offer, but I can't ask you to risk your life," John said. "You've done enough for us already."

"You haven't been in the Labyrinth before, or faced the Hunter in battle." Elysia said. "I have. My decision is final, I'm accompanying you to the Labyrinth."

The next day, D'Argo, Zhaan and Rygel appeared at the fortress door. They knocked; a soldier dressed in purple opened a panel on the door. "We wish to speak with your mistress," D'Argo said. "Let us in now." The soldier went to a wall and activated a communicator. "Mistress, a trio of beings seek an audience with you." he said. Kathra looked into the monitor of the communicator. "Scan them," she said. The soldier did as she asked. "Delvian, Luxan and Hynerian," the soldier said._"All pure."

"They must be the fugitives accompanying the PeaceKeeper." she said. "Send them in."

"As you wish." The soldier then opened the door and led the trio into the fortress. They were escorted to the throne room where Kathra was. "Ah, the escaped fugitives." she said. "Let's see if I got this right;Pa'u Zooth Zhaan, Ka'D'Argo and Dominar Rygel XVI, is that correct?"

"It is," Rygel replied. "Unfortunately."

"Why are you here?" Kathra asked.

"Your general accidently captured a friend of ours," Zhaan explained. "We wish no trouble, but if you would just release us our friend--"

"Negative." Kathra replied. "A PeaceKeeper is no one's friend. If they were, they would be the only surviving species."

"She is not a PeaceKeeper." D'Argo said. "She was, but she left them for our sake."

"Yes, just as she told me." Kathra said. "You see, I persuaded her to tell me quite a lot, especially about the human. Perhaps if you brought him to me, I would consider your offer."

"What kind of monster would trade one life for another?" Zhaan asked.

"An ambitious one." Kathra answered. "I know the genetic structure of a human is similar to that of a Sebacean, with some variations. Now, where is he?"

"He's not with us." Rygel said. "What do you want with him?"

I can see that." Kathra exclaimed. "As for my need with him, it is none of your concern."

"It is always our concern for our comrades, warlord." D'Argo said.

"Perhaps I should elaborate!" Kathra exclaimed. Ma'Rone and Ta'Cara approached beside her.

"Ma'Rone, Ta'Cara, eliminate them!" she ordered.

"No problem," Ma'Rone said as he began to attack. He and Ta'Cara attacked as Zhaan and D'Argo fought back. Rygel, of course, cowered in the nearest corner. It was then Zathros entered, opening the door and giving Rygel time to flee out of the fortress.

"Mistress Kathra!!" Zathros exclaimed. "There's been a breach in the fortress!"

"What?!" she cried out. "So, this was all a diversion. Clever, real clever. Seal off the fortress! No one gets in or out!" she activated a communicator.

"Hunter, find whoever went in and terminate him!" she ordered. "If it is the human, I want him captured, alive." "It shall be done." he said.

Outside the fortress, Arron watched as the fortress went into lockdown. "Attack!" he screamed as the rebels charged the base. They fought the soldiers that met them, and they fought vigorously. "Please hurry,Elysia." Arron thought to himself as the battle outside went on.

Inside the dungeons, John and Elysia came across a large doorway. "That is the entrance to the Labyrinth." she said. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yeah, if I could survive a few hundred PeaceKeepers, I'll survive this." he replied as he ties a piece of string to the doorway. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"Making sure we can find our way back."

"Does your world have Labyrinths by any chance?"

"Only in myths."

They went in, and what they found was atrocious. Bodies layed everywhere, and this was the first corridor. A chill went up John's spine as they went. Elysia stopped him before he took a step further, then tossed a rock onto the path; a spiked ceiling came down on top.

"We must be careful where we tread." she said. They went on. The maze began to have more and more twists and turns as they advanced. John later noticed a limp body inside the path. He took a closer look at it. Aeryn. She was barely breathing, but breathing none the less. John began to carry her as she began to look at him.

"Crichton?" she whispered. "Is that you?"

"Yeah, Aeryn." he replied.

"The other PeaceKeepers," she began. "One by one, they fell."

"Relax, Sunshine," John replied. "We'll get you out of this hell in no time." They followed the string back towards the entrance. As they came out the way they came in, they saw a familiar figure waiting for them.

"How clever of you to use a string to find your way out," the Hunter said. "A pity it was also predicitable on where you would show up."

"Get Aeryn out of here," John said as he started to hand Aeryn over to Elysia. "I'll deal with this creep."

"Elysia," the Hunter said to her. "I did not expect you to return here,ever."

"Expect the unexpected, Hunter." she said. "Such as the downfall of you and your mistress!"

"Kathra will reign surpreme as long as the stars burn bright!" the Hunter cried. "You rebels are wasting your time."

"Better to die a freeman than live as a slave to that monster!"

"Better to be under her leadership than the PeaceKeepers!"

"What is your problem with them?!" John cried. "I'll admit, the PeaceKeepers are jerks, but even they don't deserve this, no one does."

"They deserve far worse that this." the Hunter said. "You, of all people, should understand that."

"Get Aeryn out of here." John said. "Now!" Elysia took hold of Aeryn and helped her out of the dungeons. John went to strike the Hunter only to have him grab the fist and toss him towards the wall.

"You're pretty brave, for a weakling." he said. "What the hell was that?" John asked himself. The Hunter began to charge him, but John managed to dodge him, but not before the Hunter swept him to the ground. Crichton got up, rolled to the other side and grabbed the Hunter by the back.

"Not bad," he said. "At least you have guts."

He then sent an electric shock from the metallic tenticales on his helmet which went through John who let go. The Hunter then tossed him at a wall which knocked the valiant human out.

"You were quite a challenge." he said. Ma'Rone came in to see the comotion. He smiled as the human tried to get up. "Whoa!" he said. "You beat him up good. Let's finish it!"

"Kathra wants the human alive, Ma'Rone." he said. John's face lit up as he developed an idea. He went towards the Hunter, tackled him and immediately had him pinned, for a short while.

The Hunter got him off and went towards him, with a large sword in his hand. "Whoa, whoa." John said. "Didn't you just say that Kathra wanted me alive?"

"You're fortunate that's the case." he replied. "Ma'Rone, contact Mistress Kathra. Tell her I have the human with me."

"But--, There are rebels waiting to be slaughtered afterwards." "Okay!!" Ma'Rone said as he went off.

"It's not often that anyone's survived this long in a fight against me," the Hunter said. "Kathra will be pleased."

"Well, as long as we're waiting here, why don't we get to know each other?" John asked. "Like, tell me about yourself. Come on, you can't keep up the mysterious warrior act forever. Who are your friends, for example, not that you have many, or about your family?"

The Hunter stared at him, uncertain at what to answer. No one has ever asked him about his family, ever. Yet, somehow, he felt a need to answer. "The empire is my family." he finally said. "I, I came to them a child."

"Okay, then do you want to tell me why you hate PeaceKeepers so much?"

"I've always hated them. It was because of them I came to this place." He looked at the human strangely. "You are a weird species, John Crichton." he said. "You yourself have been pursued by the PeaceKeepers, and yet befriend one of them. Don't you hate them for what they've done to you?

"Look," he said. "I'll tell you right now, Aeryn is not like the other PeaceKeepers. She didn't make an accident look like cold-blooded murder. She didn't go insane and obsessed at destroying me. No, as much as I want to, I don't hate them, and I think you don't want to either."

"They refuse to accept what is there."

"Maybe most don't, but some do."

"Why do they hate you so much?"

"They think I'm inferior, and I probably am. My species are found on only one planet and I'm the only one who's ever seen the universe." "Yet genetically, you are superior."

"Why is that?"

"Kathra wanted you alive, didn't she?"

"Yeah, she does. What is she going to do to me?"

"Study your genetic makeup," he said. "Perhaps find a way to use it with Sebacean DNA and get some spies in High Command and destroy the PeaceKeepers from there."

He paused a minute and stared. "You have proven yourself worthy of me," he went on. "For that, you shall see what others haven't." A hum began to start in the armor, and it grew louder.

"What is that?"

"The mircoscopic robots that make up this armor."

"Nanotechnology?"

"I suppose you can call it that, but it needs some adjustments. The ones in the helmet are departing, so that you may see the face of the Hunter."

The helmet began to seemingly disintergrate as John stared at the face behind it. He was shocked at what he saw. "You're.....a Luxan!" he gasped.

"A Luxan who speaks with a Sebacean dialect."

"I am something else." the Hunter said. "Something the PeaceKeepers refused to accept into their society."

John couldn't believe it. The young Luxan seemed almost as tall as D'Argo, and he was bald, mind the tentacles, and he carried with him a Qualta blade and a smaller version of it. He had to be at least nineteen cycles old.

Moments later,D'Argo entered. "Crichton!" he called. "We have to get out of here,now!"

The Hunter looked at him and lunged at him, but the older Luxan managed to fight him off. The two Luxans fought, practically as equals in combat. The fight lasted for a few minutes, with each of their moves being countered by the other. John watched as a large device fell out of the Hunter's armor. "NO!!" the Hunter screamed as he went for the device. As he did, a holopicture came up, one that D'Argo found hauntingly familiar.

"Where did you get that?" he asked.

"It's always been mine." he said. D'Argo looked at the picture, then at the Hunter. Was it possible, he thought. The Hunter grabbed the device and inspected it.

"Good thing it's not broken." he mumbled to himself as he shuts down the device. He then charged towards D'Argo and John, who had recently joined him.

"You're not thinking what I think you're thinking, right?" asked John.

"I have to find out." D'Argo replied as the Hunter came closer, blade in hand and pointing their way.

"Jothee, don't!"...........................to be concluded in "Heart of the Hunter."