Working The Starways (Closed for Iscaa)

[rbo214]

Murdock was a little unsure what the Wolves could do, he wasn't used to ordering non-humanoids. "Right, well if they could search the ship, that would be handy, maybe Khan could come with us to the Engine room..."

He looked a Kahn who was snarling because Murdock was telling Sive what to tell them. "My apologies Kahn, and I apologise for what happened to your friend earlier, I was defending myself. Could you tell your brothers to search the ship. We need an inventory if they find anything important or dangerous tell Sive. And if you can accompany us to the engine room, we are going to try and save the ship."

They made their way to the engine room, but once Murdock opened the door several alarms were ringing and flashing. Murdock rushed around checking the computer readouts while Sive tried to shut down the navigation computer.

Suddenly the whole ship shock and the gravity shut down and Shiv, Kahn and Murdock drifted to the back wall. Then the gravity came back on and the three of them fell to the floor. The temperature started to drop. "Shit, we got to get the Life support back online, and quickly. else we will freeze or run out of air or both."

Darlla's voice suddenly came over the coms, Captian I need more power to thrusters else we are going to his a big asteroid in about 2 minutes, there's nothing I can do without more power, shields or weapons.

 

[Iscaa]

In the midst of the blaring alarm signaling the life support was off line, Murdock and Sive looked at each other. Then the anti gravity went off again. The ship's controls were all over the place! This was not good, not good at all. All three of them could feel the cold seeping into the room. Murdock tried to pushed himself off the wall ending up floating a few feet from where Sive and Kahn were situated.

Pressed against the wall Sive looked for the emergency life support switch. It was across the room, way too far for her to navigate. She looked at Kahn, "Kahn do you see that red button on the far wall, right beside the green one? Above it reads; EMERGENCY LIFE SUPPORT. Do you see it?" The huge wolf cast his eyes in the direction she had indicated. When he spotted the area he thought, " I see the area, we see in greens, reds, blues, yellow, black, white and shades of gray. But not the way humans do, which button do you mean?"

Sive again looked at the wall, Kahn was right, there were more then one button, but the rest were black or red. She was starting to shake with the cold, "OK...Kahn the button you must push is directly beneath the letters LI. We don't have much time, you must kick off as strongly as you can and make it to the wall! Do it now!"

Kahn nodded his head once and with his heavily muscled hind quarters, he kicked! Making his body as streamlined as he could, the seconds went by as he sailed across the wide expanse of the engine room. He crossed the first half of the room with great speed, but then slowly lost his momentum as he continued. Sive and Murdock held their breath as they watched Kahn move the last few feet to the wall as if in slow motion.

In great relief both Sive and Murdock yelled, "YES!" as he gently bumped his nose just above the sign. He used his paws to pulled himself downward enough to reach the button Sive had told him. When he could get his nose to touch it he thought, "Sive is this the one?" Sive shouted, "YES....push it now!"

Kahn pushed with his nose enough to depress the button then ended up floating away. Seconds later the alarm went off and the life support came back on line. They all fell to the floor with various degrees of thumping.

 

[rbo214]

Murdock shook with the cold wrapping his arms around himself, that had been too close. "G.. G... Good work K...Kahn" he shouted, and Kahn involuntary waged his tail.

Murdock rushed over to the engine but it was a mess. It would take days to restore them, possibly more.

He knew they didn't have time and rushed over to the weapons station. "No power" he whispered to his self.

The com suddenly crackled "Captian? Are you still alive down there?" Darlla asked, "Only this very large rock is about to smash into us, and after all we have been through I don't fancy dying today."

Murdock used his metal hand to prize open a panel and frantically started checking chips, and wires. "Sive check weapon status on the main read out."

Murdock removed one of his fingers inside it were two small computer chips he replaced two of the damaged ones, and looked over to Sive.

"No change captain" she replied.

Murdock punched the panel in annoyance "Why aren't you working," he shouted at it.

suddenly the panel hummed, "Weapons at 15%!" Shive shouted.

"I will take it!" Murdock replied as he ran to the com. "Darlla minimin weapons online. Shoot that rock!"

Darlla aimed and pressed the trigger... nothing happened "Captin its still not..." the weapon fired splitting the meatier, pushing both halves away from the ship. Darlla breathed a sigh of relief. "Took a few seconds to charge, we are out of danger for now," Darlla said into the com.

"Good weapons are at 13% now so only use them if there is no other option, they aren't charging. it's a real mess down here, but I should be able to access the computer soon, and return navigation to you. Murdock out."

Darlla smiled, she liked being the captain, even if it was only till Murdock returned to the bridge. Zark suddenly snorted and woke up. "Did I miss anything?" he asked.

 

[Iscaa]

Darlla smiled, she liked being the captain, even if it was only till Murdock returned to the bridge. Zark suddenly snorted and woke up. "Did I miss anything?" he asked.

Darlla looked over at the com chair that Zark was sitting on. She smirked and replied, "Well Zark it's about time you woke up, we are in the middle of a ship wide crisis and all you can do is sleep!" She glanced down at the control panel making sure there wasn't anymore giant asteroids bearing down on them before looking back a Zark.

Meanwhile Zark had stood up and was testing his leg for weaknesses. With a grin on his face he announced, "My leg is as good as new, OK Darlla quit your gripping, what do you want me to do?" Darlla rolled her eyes and said, "I have the bridge under control, why don't you go to engineering and see if the Captain needs a hand?"

Zark nodded his head as he left the bridge. He needed to exercise his new leg muscles anyways. He had just got off the lift and stepped onto the level where engineering was located when he noticed a odor he had encountered before. His eyes grew wide with fear and horror, it was the wolves again!!! Zark started running down the corridor knowing they were right behind him. He was only a foot from the door when one of the wolves jumped on his back, he fell forward hitting his head on the door. The other wolf had his just renewed leg in his jaws. There was a crunch and ripping sound followed by Zark's scream of pain.

Meanwhile Sive had heard a bang on the door, she looked up wondering what could have made that sound. She started to walk across the room stating, "Murdock ...I heard a bang on the door, give me a second and I will see what made it. Murdock briefly looked up from the consul nodding his head. Kahn decided to join Sive. When Sive punched the side panel to open the door, the scene wasn't pretty. There was Zark flat on his face with a Dire wolf sitting on him, the other wolf had his leg in his mouth. He had just ripped it off and looked up at Sive and Kahn rather sheepishly. All Zark could do was hit the floor with his free arm and cry out, "Look what those damn wolves have done to me again!!!!"

With a sigh Kahn sent a mental note, " Zeek...put that leg down immediately! Both of you get inside and wait for me." Zeek opened his mouth letting the bloody leg drop onto Zark's lower body and with Biff walked past the prostrate Zark and into the engine room followed by a disgusted Kahn.

Sive helped Zark up and between the two of them, got back into the engine room. Once he was seated in the nearest chair, she sent a double amount of nanites to once again reattach his leg. She positioned it getting Zark to hold it in place. She looked down at the poor doctor and said, "Zark your going to have to be more careful about that leg of yours. Just relax and repair while I go have a word with those wolves."

As Sive walked towards where Murdock was working she threw her thoughts to Kahn, "Kahn, I would really really appreciate it if you let your boys know that Zark is now off limits to them?" Kahn nodded his great black head as she went back to the work that Murdock had her doing before all the ruckus happened.

 

[rbo214]

Murdock eventually managed to get the computer shut down, giving Darlla more control of the ship. The main engine was a lost cause but the backup engine gave them enough power to get out of the asteroid field. It turned out Rattack had set a course for a nearby planet.

He had spent the rest of the day trying to get the weapons to recharge and reset the computer, neither had gone according to plan. So he was glad when he got a food dispenser working and he celebrated with a large coffee. He was surprised he wasn't more tired, it had been over 24 hours since his last nap.

Zark had been working on a new hand for Murdock "Well I did build the last one," he had bragged then after agreeing to make it and had spent the rest of the day looking for parts.

Kahn had stuck by Sive throughout the day, bonding with her. He wasn't going to be her slave, he had told her that a few times, but he did like her, she smelt nice, so, for now, he would protect her.

Darlla was starting to feel tiered. She had said she would stay at the helm until Sive took over. She wanted a word with her anyhow. She knew something wasn't right about her, being able to reattach a leg by touch and no medical equipment and to get control of the Dire wolves, both of those were imposable. Also, she had realised when she had fallen asleep and when her anger had subsided, she had been with Sive. She could affect people's emotions... maybe even Murdock. "That hussy stole my man!"

She heard the door open and she turned to face Sive.

 

[Iscaa]

Sive had had a very busy day and she kind of resented that she had to now relieve good ol Darlla from the helm. She stopped at the door to the bridge to take a breath and keep herself calm. With a grim smile Sive couldn't help but remember Darlla's last remark as she and Murdock had left the bridge. "Yes Lover....yes Lover, that ship slut....trying to make me jealous. Ha...I couldn't be jealous over that low life of a pirate if I wanted. He is not my type...and never will be. I won't let that stupid woman make me mad!"

Sive took another deep breath and hit the side panel to open the door. As she walked onto the bridge, Darlla turned to see who was entering. She had hoped it would be Murdock, so had a wide smile, that quickly turned into a disgusted frown when she saw it was Sive. She said just before turning back to her counsel, "Oh....it's you....sigh....are you here to relieve me?"

Sive stopped as she listened to the way Darlla spoke to her. She was trying mightily to keep her temper in check. "Yes Darlla I am here to relieve you, aren't you the lucky one!" Sive stopped just to the left of Darlla and continued sarcastically, "So....if you just let me know the current status, then you may go to your quarters and do whatever you do in there." Darlla looked up at Sive lifting her right eyebrow before replying, "Oh....I don't think I'll go to my quarters at all. I'm thinking I would like some company...know what I mean? I don't think a hussy like you is woman enough for the Captain...maybe one of these days I could give you some pointers?" She snickered at her own wit.

At those words, Sive saw red, there was no way she was going to take those remarks laying down. She shoved Darlla over causing her to fall out of the chair. Sive slipped into it and said, "Just go you poor excuse for a ....whatever your position on this ship is. I am sure a monkey could do a better job!" As soon as those words left Sive's mouth Darlla was on her feet and had her hands in Sive's hair pulling her out of the chair. Sive yelled at the pain!

Both women ended up on the floor, grabbing, ripping, shouting, screaming for all they were worth. There was bits of clothing being ripped off, as well as hair being torn out. Sive tried to get a good punch in but they were too close to get any momentum going. As they rolled around on the floor, Kahn stepped in, looked at what was happening and instantly realized this was something beyond his experience. He turned and ran back to the engine room. He knew this was a job for Murdock to sort out. He just hoped the two savage females hadn't killed each other by the time they got back. He could still hear the screams of rage and pain as he sent his thoughts to Murdock. Seconds later he ran into the lift.

Meanwhile Murdock suddenly stopped what he was working on and listened, "Murdock, there is an emergency in the bridge, come as quickly as you can. It is a matter of life and death that you come now!!"

When the door to the lift slid open, there was Murdock waiting.

 

[rbo214]

Murdock was confused heading up the elevator, he hadn't expected thoughts to enter his head. He knew it was Kahn. He had thought Kahn could only talk to Sive but know he knew Kahn had chosen not to speak to him.

He opened the elevator and rushed up the corridor to the bridge kahn right behind him. He hadn't had time to think about anything just survive since he met this strange woman who had wormed her way into his life. He had to find out more about her.

He opened the door quickly and then froze. Sive was siting on Darlla her hands around her throat, baning her unconscious head on the floor. She glanced at Murdock and he took a step back. She didn't look human, her eyes were glowing. She had fangs!

Murdock drew his gun, "Stop it, your killing her!"

Sive growled at Murdock in reply. Kahn then jumped over him and growled, positioning himself between the women and Murdock. He took another step back but kept his gun raised. "Sive!" he shouted and Sive suddenly reverted back to normal. She jumped of Darlla backing away from the woman quickly. Kahn also switched back to normal, shaking his head, before looking at Murdock and then Sive and back again. The woman had done something to him. She enhanced his protective instinct.

"I'm sorry!" Kahn projected into Murdock, then instantly regretted it. He didn't apologise to anyone.

Sive crawled backwards. She had lost control, jealousy and rage had taken over. She looked at Murdock "This is your fault!" she shouted at him, knowing it wasn't exactly true.

 

[Iscaa]

Still breathing heavily Sive stopped her backwards movements and looked from Murdock to the unconscious Darlla and lastly Kahn before shifting her gaze back to Murdock, "This is your fault!" she shouted at him, knowing it wasn't exactly true. Everyone stood in a kind of shocked state not knowing what to make of all this.

Sive shook her head briefly before standing up. "It's OK...I am OK, sorry I know this isn't your fault Murdock. Somehow the nanites are doing things to me that I don't understand, they have their own intelligence now and therefor will act according to what they perceive as threats. For example I guess that woman on the floor is one. Which I don't want to get into at this moment." Sive started to talk to herself as she thought more on the subject. But she spoke out loud, "Plus it looks like they can interact with Kahn as well. I think this is a breakthrough development. Who knows where it's going, but interesting never the less. I wish I had a lab to do some tests on this development."

Coming out of her speculation Sive's eyes fell on the still form of Darlla, "I think you better have Zark have a look at Darlla, she probably has a concussion or three...." She looked uncomfortable for a moment before continuing," I am going to have to get control of my emotions." Sive grimaced guiltily at Murdock.

Suddenly Biff and Zeek came into the doorway each dragging a limp body. They dropped them and rather proudly looked up at Kahn. " We did the rounds on the ship and sniffed out these two, found them hiding in a torpedo tube. Don't worry they're alive, we just played with them enough to knock them out. It was easier then to try and herd them to you." Both sat down beside each man and awaited further orders. The wolves must have been gentle in their play, there was no blood to be seen.

Murdock glanced at the men and said out loud, "Kahn can you have them taken to the brig for now? Then we all need to have a serious meeting." Kahn looked up at Murdock nodded he head and ordered his companions to take the men to the brig and keep them there.

 

[rbo214]

Murdock listened intently before signalling Zark to the bridge. "Nanites, you have experimental nanites in your blood which are sentient and give you the ability to change your appearance and excrete hormones and pheromones that allow you to influence people?"

Sive nodded.

"And you nanites are so powerful, you were able to override the Diah wolves genetics and nanites but when you threatened they can turn you into a monster."

Kahn growled, he didn't like the way Murdock was talking to Sive. He then realised, he had no reason to, she was still affecting him, his emotions were linked to hers. "Dam you girl, I will not be a slave again!"

Murdock stared at Sive, "if looks could kill" she thought.

"You have been affecting me too, maybe not making me love you but pumping me full of hormones making me feel more than there is. Turned me into a love sick teenager, until we... you infected me didn't you, transferred nanites into me, that's why I'm healing so quick." Murdock's eyes narrowed. "Sive, how dare you! You're dangerous, no wonder the bounty hunters are after you."

"You better tell me everything or once the ship is fixed I will dump your ass on the nearest planet with your muts."

Kahn growled again, this time, he had a reason, "I am no mut!" he thought but kept his thoughts privet.

"I'm waiting!" Murdock growled, looking almost murderous.

 

[Iscaa]

"I'm waiting!" Murdock growled, looking almost murderous.

Sive sighed and thrust her chin up into the air, "OK...OK calm down, I will tell you everything once Zark takes care of her..." Sive tried to feel ashamed of her lack of compassion but really couldn't. She went over to the consul and looked it over to make sure all things were running as they should. From the corner of her eye she could see that Murdock was trying to calm down as he waited.

Zark showed up a few minutes later, exclaimed over the unconscious Darlla and took her to her quarters to fix her up. That left Sive, Murdock and Kahn on the bridge. Sive stood up and said, "You better take a seat, this is going to take awhile.

So she explained how she was a research scientist, how she felt her research if fallen into the wrong hands would be devastating for the entire known universe. She went into her five years of running somewhat...ending with her being on The Tainted Angle. She hesitated....but told Murdock and Kahn how the nanites had evolved into sentient lifeforms now. She was overwhelmed that this could have happened, but the evidence was there. As she told her story she walked around the bridge trying to make Murdock and Kahn understand.

Then she got down to what she knew Murdock wanted to know. She stopped in front of him and said, "The nanites somehow sense a compatible match....and that would have been you when you first came to that planet that YOU....kidnapped me from. Don't ever forget that...this is not all on me! Anyways, some of them transfered to you just by you carrying me, then they started to multiply enough to get you to well .....you know what happened later. Now your walking around with probably the same amount of nanites as I have. They are the evolved ones, that took five years to get where they are now."

She started to move around again as she continued to talk, "You can change form, but only into something of the same mass and weight. And, with practice which is key here mind you, you will be able to change form, produce hormones, pheromones and who knows what else to influence other beings. Also you will be able to communicate with me or anyone else with the same nanites as we have. As for Kahn and his brothers, yes we can read their minds and influence them with our emotions." She glanced over at the quiet form of Kahn, she could see he was digesting all this information as readily as Murdock. Only he wasn't apparently upset by it all, he was thinking what it would mean to him and his brothers.

Sive by then had come around to stand in front of Murdock again, " Now do you understand why I was running? With only a fraction of what we can do, the bad guys would be able to become rulers of vast parts of the civilized galaxy." She put her hands on her hips, eyeball to eyeball raised her voice and retorted," YOU CAN'T TURN ME IN .....AND YOU CAN'T DUMP MY ASS ON ANY PLANET! WE ARE NOW LINKED MURDOCK....SO GET USED TO IT. I DON'T LIKE IT ANY BETTER THEN YOU DO!"

 

[rbo214]

Kahn growled as Sive shouted " YOU CAN'T TURN ME IN .....AND YOU CAN'T DUMP MY ASS ON ANY PLANET! WE ARE NOW LINKED MURDOCK....SO GET USED TO IT. I DON'T LIKE IT ANY BETTER THEN YOU DO!"

Murdock didn't like the idea he was stuck with this girl, not that he didn't have a choice. if he developed abilities like hers... that would be nice, but always looking over his shoulder for bounty hunters and soldiers was not what he wanted in life.

"When we land we fix the ship, them maybe we can fake your death, or send the bounty hunters in the wrong direction," he suggested. "Until then no using your abilities on me or my crew... on Darla, or Zark. Iv reactivated the auto piolet, now we are out of the asteroids we should make planet fall in 24 hours."

Murdock looked at Sive. She was nearly crying, been running for 5 years, stuck in an imposable situation. He went to hug her until Kahn growled and got in between them.

"it ok boy I wasn't going to hurt her," Murdock said backing away.

 

[Iscaa]

Both Sive and Murdock glared at each other while Kahn watched the two emotional humans. He shook his big black head and rolled his eyes.

Sive's lips curled as Murdock suggested some ideas on how to avoid detection.....like she had never thought or used them before. She rolled her eyes at him. Then when he started to talk more reasonably she got a big lump in her throat. She had thought that she was finally safe with Jason, until this big lug of a man had taken her away. Now she was right back into running and on top of that she had him to contend with. She tried to blink her teary eyes, when he started to come over to her.

Kahn started to growl in his protective way making Murdock back off, "It's OK boy I wasn't going to hurt her," Murdock said backing away.

This made Sive smile and feel a lot better, like back in control. She realized she had to make the best of the situation, there was no other choice. Maybe, she could in time come to like the Captain, she knew she did respect his way of running the ship. She really had to admit, he wasn't so bad even though he was a scummy pirate.

As for Kahn, well she always loved animals, but found it hard to keep one around, what with her being on the run all the time. But with Kahn, he could think like a human and look after himself as well. Plus it looked like he wanted to look after her too. It gave her a warm fuzzy feeling to know this. She walked over to the big wolf and put her arms around his huge neck, giving him a big hug. Her fingers barely touched, his neck was so thick.

After straightening up, Sive looked up at Murdock and put her hand out with a smile and said, "Truce? I think we should have a truce....what do you say Captain?" She watched the surprised look he gave her and added, " After all you do have a lot to learn about being a "Changling" And I promise I won't use my abilities on any of your crew." She waited for him to clasp her hand in agreement.

 

[rbo214]

Murdock slowly took her hand. He glanced at Kahn who was watching them, before replying, "Truce." he had used his real hand and felt it warm against Sive's.

Kahn wasn't sure what to make of it. These two humans had mated, he could smell it but now it was like they had started the mating ritual again... right at the begining. He didn't really care. He knew they would mate again. Diah wolves mated for life but humans were a little more free with their bodies and partners. Apart from this overwhelming urge to protect the female, he didn't want anything to do with them, though he did like the hugs.

Murdock stared into Sive's eyes for a moment, before backing away. "Right... Well... since you er... took Darlla out, you will have to take the helm, not that you can do alot, the ship course is locked in and the main engine is still ... fucked. Weapons are only at 12% so don't use them unless there is no other option. I will be down in the engine room trying to fix this mess. once we land on the planet..." Murdock suddenly looked woried, "I will go check the landing gears and atmospheric thrusters, else would be more of a crash on the planet than a landing. Contact me if anything happens."

Sive nodded before replying "Yes captain,"

Murdock turned and left quickly thinking about the nanites, bounty hunters and the fact he hadn't slept in two days and wasn't feeling tired.

Kahn yawned and then jumped into the captain's chair and made himself comfy. Sive giggled "Any orders captain?" she asked him.

"Just wake me if you need me," Kahn replied.

 

[Iscaa]

"Just wake me if you need me," Kahn replied.

Sive had to laugh at Kahn, he was turning into a very interesting personality. She couldn't help thinking, (He is just like a grumpy of man, soft on the inside but grouchy on the outside! But I can see why he doesn't trust humans...look where he came from?) She smiled as she monitored the helm, (I doubt very much if he and his brothers were treated with any kindness. Not if they were supposed to be guard animals.)

Her thoughts shifted to Murdock. ( Now do I go about telling Murdock about all his abilities and how to go about learning to control them? It won't be like it was with me or Jason, he has all the updated nanites running throughout his body. I suppose when I get off this shift, I had better begin with showing him how to change into another person or even an animal. That would be a good start.)

Sive glanced over at the sleeping Dire wolf and softly chuckled, (He looks so gentle sleeping like that.) Then her thoughts went to Darlla, (Geeezzz...but that woman sure knows how to get under my skin! I am going to have to somehow control my temper. I hope Zark fixes her up soon, I need some rest. It's been a hectic few hours. We all will need to get some rest before hitting that planet. I wonder if I can find any information of it in the records?)

She proceeded to press a few buttons seeking info on the planet they were headed for. A few seconds later the screen lit up with the information;

Planet name; Planet - X21T80 ( AKA; Deadly Planet X)
Location; Sector 2 of the Noboid section 800G Galacy
Designation; F Type Planet
- Breathable air for humanoids, 10% richer in O2 and Co2 causing life to generally larger in size.
- No organized civilizations
- Jungle like flora and fauna
- Humanoids - large primates....primitive....caveman level.
- Animals - mostly large - 30% to 50% larger then earth type equivalents
- includes; cats, canines, rodents, avians, primates bovines, etc.
- Insects - many insects equivalent to earth, only much larger.
- Weather - many storms over the oceans, which make up 60% of the planet.
- inland storms, tornadoes, etc, common throughout the planet.
- Temp. vary from sub-zero on the polar regions to an average of 25- 40 C
in the interior jungle regions.

Note; Has never been colonized because of the dangerous numbers of large deadly predators.

Blinking a few times Sive sat back and thought about what they were going to be up against on this wild planet. Even it's name sent shivers of fear up her spine!

 

[rbo214]

Murdock was trying to make the best of a bad situation, he knew where they were heading and he knew Rattack wouldn't have programmed this location without a good reason. Murdock took a deep breath before entering the brig. the two wolves looked up at him before focusing back on the prisoners.

"Wake up!" Murdock shouted and both men started to stir. "Why would Rattack set us on a course for X21T80?"

The two men looked at each other before one answered, "The captain had a stronghold build there, stores most of his treasure there he does."

"Yes but it's called the Deadly planet for a reason. It had 'uge animals and primitives. Spiders the size of your arm, snakes big enough to eat a man whole." the other added.

Murdock had heard the stories before and would never choose to go to this wretched place. Still if there was a treasure there... they needed some treasure, most of his goods had been on his father's ship. With enough he and Sive could disappear, Darlla could get her own ship and fill it with men, and Zark... well whatever Zark wanted he could probably get as well.

"Where is Rattack's stronghold?" Murdock asked, "If you help me I will make sure you get a good share, and Rattack is dead."

The men looked at each other again, "For enough gold and jewels we will help you but we won't through our lives away. There's a map in the captain's quarters but there are booby traps and dangers that only we know about."

Murdock considered this carefully, his options were limited, "Very well, I will find this map then we will have a discussion. Since there are six of us my terms are simple. We fix the ship replace equipment, then split the treasure six ways."

One of the men laughed, as long as we land on the platform we won't need this ship, there are three more and enough provisions and weapons for a thousand men."

Murdock nodded "Very well equal shairs and you get a ship."

"If any of us survive," one of the men added before Murdock left the brig heading for the captain's quarters.

 

[Iscaa]

As Sive mulled over what she had just learned about the planet they were headed for, the door to the bridge opened and in walked Darlla. She stopped and glared at Sive, who couldn't help but glare right back at her. Then Sive sighed, " Look Darlla, we don't like each other, but with such a small crew for now, I suggest a truce. We just need to keep professional." At Darlla's slow nod of her head Sive continued, OK...good, I just pulled up the information on planet X21T80 also known as " Deadly Planet X". I think you better have a look at it."

Darlla swiftly made her way over to where Sive was standing, as she looked, her eyes widened considerably. She glanced at Sive, "Why don't we just ....you know bypass this planet once we have control of the ship again? Do you know why Rattrack programmed the ship to take us to this planet?" Sive shrugged her shoulders.

Darlla stood back thinking for a minute. "Well, him being a pirate, and a pretty successful one at that, my guess would be...he might have hidden his loot on a planet such as this. Yep, I'm pretty sure he has his treasure hidden somewhere on it. I'm thinking if we could find it, and survive mind you....we would be pretty well off....for the rest of our lives." She continued to think while nodding her head.

Sive agreed, "Your probably right, the thing is, to find where he has his treasure hidden. Too bad he is dead. Anyways, it's your shift for now, I have to get something to eat and see about some rest." Darlla nodded her head as Sive left the bridge. Between keeping an eye on the controls she daydreamed about what she would do with her portion of the treasure.

Once Sive had some food in her, she asked the pc system where Murdock was located. She found he was inside Rattack's quarters. She headed that way, she had to talk to him about what Darlla thought Rattack's plan had been.

 

[rbo214]

Murdock had spent hours looking for this the map. "Rattack was a paranoid fool!" he thought to himself as he finally opened a safe, which was hidden behind a secret panel, which was opened by a hidden button which was in a hidden draw which had the bed resting up against it.

He took out the old manuscripts and maps, "Wow, paper haven't seen that in years." he lay the papers out on the desk. He could read the map but all the notes were coated. "Dam paranoid fool!" Murdock thought again, as he set about breaking the code. He was smart and had cracked several codes but this was unlike what he had seen before. it seemed more random.

Murdock studied it for three hours without much luck. He had deduced a landing zone, a small structure, and a larger one 3 miles from the landing zone. he assumed that was where the treasure was.

He was hungry and for the first time in 2 days tiered. He left Rattack's quarters heading for the mess hall, where the food dispenser he had fixed was.

He was about to enter when Sive caught him up. "morning... or is it evening, iv lost track. would you join me for some dinner or breakfast, I have something I want to show you. Sive nodded while stifling a yawn. At the table, Murdock spread out all the sheets and the map, while drinking a strong coffee. The food dispenser wasn't as fixed as Murdock thought as it only gave out chocolate bars and this green goopy soup. "it's stuck on its last order," Murdock explained, and Sive laughed, before trying the soup and then quickly got some of the chocolate in her mouth and sucked to try and remove the taste as the coffee was still too hot and the soup tasted terrible".

 

[Iscaa]

Sive looked at Murdock as he blew and then sipped on his hot coffee type drink. "I think we better get someone to fix the food dispenser, I do love chocolate but really don't want to live on it. That soup is too gross to even think about."

Once Murdock had all the papers spread out, she looked at them. Most of what she saw was way beyond her knowledge. Glancing up she said, "You know I haven't seen that much paper ...since well since I was in a museum years ago. Anyways I was talking to Darlla." At the look he gave her she quirked her eyebrow and added, "Don't worry, we have a truce going now, we are after all professional woman...well I am anyways. What she is, who knows?"

Sive took another bite of her bar, before continuing; "So, we were talking about this planet we are heading for. She came up with a rather interesting thought. Murdock....Darlla thinks Rattack has a hidden treasure somewhere on it. What do you think? It would solve a lot of our problems if there was some kind of treasure to be found. That is if we can survive!" Sive took another bite of her bar as she waited for Murdock to answer.

 

[rbo214]

"I'm sure his treasure is there, and I think I know where." Murdock pointed to a square on the map, "That's a stronghold," he then pointed to a larger grey square, "And this is a landing bay. The prisoners say there are a couple of ships there, I agreed they could have one and a share of the treasure if they help us."

Shive nodded, as she finished her chocolate.

Zark came into the mess hall, as soon as he saw Murdock and Sive he started limping, "Captian, I have finished your new hand, it will have Hacking tools and a magnetic function, plus the usual. I've also incorporated the inners of a stun gun, but it will have limited shots and will take 2 minutes to recharge."

Murdock looked at his old hand, it was pretty useless now. Zark spent a few minutes and grumbles, removing it and attaching the new one.

"How did you lose your hand?" Sive asked.

"I'd like to say I lost it in a raid, or I sacrificed it to save someone, but truth be told, it was damaged in an accident when I was young, so my father decided to replace it. It made a good hiding place. I made it into a tool box, when i got a bit older it was equipped with hacking and engineering tools. And Zark has improved on my design."

"Twice," Zark added while smiling.

Murdock finished his coffee. I suggest you both get some rest, once we get to the planet, we will have a lot of work ahead of us

 

[Iscaa]

Sive agreed, at this point rest sounded heavenly but she had to ask, " OK...just one thing for you to know Murdock. If you want I am pretty sure the nanites can regrow your hand to be as good as new." She paused while that sunk in before adding, "You can think about it, there is no rush since you had an artificial one since a kid. Just thought I would let you know."

They all got up and went to their quarters. Kahn and his two followers trotted behind Sive as she went down to her quarters. Sive mentally said, "Kahn you Biff and Zeek can come with me and get some rest or find a place of your choosing." He stepped up to walk along side her and replied, "We will rest just outside your quarters." Sive nodded her agreement. As the walked along she looked at her friend and couldn't help but ask, "Kahn, you have a great name, but who gave Biff and Zeek their names?" Kahn gave her the equivalent of a shrug, she chuckled.

The wolves stopped at the doorway and when Sive went in closing the door behind her all three found a spot to lay down and were soon sleeping soundly. Once inside, Sive quickly shed her cloths and slide into bed. Her mind went over the recent events, about the planet, what kind of treasure and of course Darlla. Grimly she thought, (The sooner we find the treasure and split it and the other ship....the sooner I will not have to look at that slut of a woman again!) With that last reflection Sive smiled to herself as she finally fell into a peaceful sleep.

 

[rbo214]

Murdock watched Sive leave the galley. She was smart, capable and beautiful. More than a match for him, not that he would admit it.

If he was stuck with her, then so be it. There were very few people who Murdock could think of, that he could live being tethered to and Sive was probably top of that list at least for now.

He finished his coffee, before heading for the quarters he had taken. The plan was to get a couple of hours sleep then re-leave Darlla. "Rest was for the dead" his father used to say, and since the nanites had entered his body he had needed a lot less.

He looked at his new hand, it looked almost human. he wondered if the nanites could replace his missing hand, or if Sive was overestimating their abilities.

Murdock lay down and closed his eyes, he just needed a few hours.

 

[Iscaa]

Darlla had just an hour left to her shift. It had been a long day and she was having a real hard time staying awake. She kept on pinching herself, but finally in the end, her head fell forward onto the com panel ...asleep at the helm.

Suddenly Darlla awoke to find herself on the planet X, not having any idea of how and why she was there alone. She glanced around, the foliage was thick, she couldn't see more then a few feet in front of her. She suddenly jumped at the sound of a loud roar, her hands searched franticly for her weapon....no weapon! Darlla started to run thinking, (How could Murdock leave me like this? If I ever get a chance, I swear I'll blow his head off and worse!...that's if I survive this!)

After a while of running through branches, cutting her arms and such, she was getting pretty winded so decided to slow down. That is when she heard more sounds of breaking branches, she now knew something was following her. Sweat was now pouring from her temples, wiping her eyebrows with the back of her hand she desperately looked around for somewhere to hide herself. Finally she saw a climbable tree that had a heavy amount of huge leaves on the branches. She quickly realized, (If I could get up there, I might have a chance to escape whatever is tracking me.)

There was no time to find a better hiding place, she reached up and started climbing. Just as she got far enough up to get behind some of the thick leaves Darlla saw what had being tracking her. To her horror it turned out to be some kind of humongous reptile. It's fork tongue kept coming out as it swung its ugly head back and forth until it came up to the tree Darlla was sitting in. It tried to lift it's heavy bulk up the tree but only succeeded in falling over.

Darlla watched the creature, it looked like it was going to wait for her to come down. She saw it lay it's long body down and slowly close it's eye lids, but that tongue would come out every minute of so. She knew she was stuck in this tree.

Glancing around Darlla decided to find a more comfortable branch to sit on since it looked like she was going to be here for awhile. About fifteen feet further up the tree she found a reasonably wide fork that she could sit in, maybe even sleep if she could. Once she was settled in Darlla sighed and decided to take a nap. (If I am lucky that ...that thing will have given up and I can get out of this tree.)

Just at that moment something grabbed Darlla's arm she screamed! Franticly flailing her arms about Darlla finally opened her eyes. There was Murdock with a surprised look on his face. She looked around to find herself on the bridge. Swallowing hard she said, "Sorry Sir...I must have fallen asleep at the helm."

 

[rbo214]

Murdock had awoken and headed to the bridge, it was going to be 2 more hours till they reached the planet and it could be an interesting landing with the ship so damaged. He wished some of his friends were still alive.

There wasn't many from his old ship he would really miss but some had served with him for a long time.

He entered the ship and saw Darlla sleeping. he smiled and he woke her. "Sorry Sir...I must have fallen asleep at the helm."

"it's alright going get some sleep, we will be attempting a landing in 2 hours, I will need all hands on deck."

"Yes sir," Darlla said while trying to stifle a yawn.

"It's been a hellish week, once we land we will get a ship get some treasure, and start rebuilding out lives... You can have a ship if there is more than two down there ."

Darlla suddenly seemed wide awake, "Thank you Captin."

"It the least I can do. you have served me well and are now the longest serving member of the crew. please rest now. I have the bridge."

Two hours later, Murdock sounded an alarm and within minutes, everyone was on the bridge. Zark had freed the 2 prisoners and two of the wolves stood behind them ready to pounce.

Murdock started giving orders when suddenly the ship shot forward and started a rapid descent.

Everyone was thrown off their feet, Murdock pulled himself up to the helm but everything was offline.

"You did disable Ratytack's Auto landing procedures," one of the men shouted.

"What Auto landing Procedures?" Murdock shouted back.

"The ship is coming apart, Darlla shouted and she pulled herself onto a chair. before Sive clambered onto her lap.

There was an explosion and the ship listed forward. The 3 wolves had had enough and were crawling for cover until Zark flew across the room clattering into them. Karn yelped, before biting him.

"Hold on!" Murdock shouted, as the ship violent shook.

 

[Iscaa]

When Sive landed on Darlla's lap, they started pushing at each other. Darlla shouting, "Get off me Bitch!" Sive could do nothing but hang onto the woman's arm as she looked around for an empty chair. She spotted one just to her left, where the wolves were piled on top of Zark growling and biting in their fear.

Giving Darlla a slap on the face so she would let go of her, Sive quickly slipped off Darlla and made for that chair. She stumbled fell to the floor, reached for the chair and pulled herself up on it. That is when she realized the wolves were going to get pretty bashed up if she didn't help them.

Glancing around Sive saw the storage locker she thought quickly, (That locker just might be big enough to fit all three of the wolves inside or not....have to give it a try anyways!). She pushed herself off the chair and stumbled over to the locker shouting, "Kahn get yourself and the others over here quick!" Kahn looked around til he spotted Sive, nodded his head as he ordered Biff and Zeek to follow him.

All three bounded over to Sive, leaving a bleeding Zark, who staggered to an empty chair near the door. Strapping himself in, he looked around to see that most of the crew were secure in chairs. Murdock shouted to Sive, "Hurry your ass....we are going to crash any second!" He continued to try to get control of the ship.

Meanwhile Sive slid the panel of the locker open and ordered Kahn and the others inside. They jumped in as fast as they could, she slid the door shut and ran for her chair. Just as she buckled up she heard Murdock shout, "Hold on!, as the ship shook violently."

The next thing Sive knew was she was opening her eyes moaning. Blinking to clear her vision she looked around, the two crewmen were unconscious as well as Zark. She glanced over towards Murdock and saw him move his arm. Sive released the straps and staggered over to Murdock asking, "Are you OK?" When he nodded his head, she uttered, "Good, if all we got is a few bumps and bruises, I'd say it's our lucky day." She heard some whining coming out of the storage cabinet. Then she heard Zark whine as he unbuckled himself. She called out, "Zark can you let the wolves out? I need to have a look at the others. He closed his eyes before answering, "OK....why do I always have to deal with those dogs? They hate me....look what they did to me!" He held up his arms, but no one was looking. Sighing to himself he went over and slid the door open.

Glancing over at Darlla Sive saw that she too was awake, again bruised but in one piece. Next Sive went over to the crewmen, they too were coming around. She turned to see the wolves bound out of their confinement and right at poor Zark. She thought to herself, (He has blood on his arms..must be from a few wolf bites again. At least this time they didn't rip a limb off. I'll send him more healing nanites.) Out loud Sive said, "Zark, what is it with you and those wolves? If you want to live long, I suggest you make friends with them. I'll be over there in a minutes to see to your wounds."

The two crewmen were now awake and starting to move around. She went back to her chair to await further orders. It looked like they had landed ....alive and all in one piece. She had a feeling they were going to need all the wits they had, in dealing with this planet X.

 

[rbo214]

Murdock slowly got up he had hit his head hard on the navigation panel. He looked around everyone was still alive, then he looked up to see a tree poking through the light fittings, the ship was dead.

Zark slowly went over to the storage locker thinking about what Sive said he opened the door only for the wolves to launch themselves at him in anger and frustration of being shut away and then bashing themselves inside of the locker when the ship crashed.

Sive ignored his cries as she walked over to Murdock.

Murdock shouted orders for everyone to get out of the ship, just in case it exploded. one of the men opened a secret panel and handed everyone a gun and a hand sensor which clipped on their wrist. "set them to locate life forms, and avoid them, else this place will be the last you see," he warned.

The door the bridge was wedged shit but a few good shots and the door gave. Murdock looked outside, the ship had completely come apart, at the end of the corridor he could see an open field. he was surprised and gleeful everyone was still alive. "Any idea where we are?" he asked.

One of the men said they were between the landing zone and the treasure vault, but no one knew which way either was.

Murdock ordered Kahn and his brothers to scout around before the rest of the team disembarked.

Outside it was humid and sunny. they were in an open field. "Well this is nice," Murdock jovially stated, before he saw a giant bird swooping towards them, "Everybody down," he shouted.