Phillip Shelan wakes groggily in a room filled with the afternoon sun streaming in thru a large window striking the colored bottles of healing oils, they refract light of many colors against the wall, moving slowly. He watches the colors move, almost entranced. He sits up on the side of the bed unused to being vertical he becomes dizzy. He looks for his clothes. Not seeing them, he wraps up in one of the bed sheets and gets up. This is Leahs house. Entering the main room he sits on a boulder by the tree stump table. Leah enters with a tray of fruits, bread and some type of beverage.

Thank you Leah. Phillip says to her gentle eyes. Are there no food cubes? Ill need something more fortifying if I am to recover from Whats the matter with me Leah? Why am I here? Im so tired.

This is all I have to eat Phillip. You are here because you were tortured at the Peacekeeper reconditioning facility. You died there and I brought you here to rest and strengthen.

Died? Well I need to report in immediately. Phillip says taking a bite of fruit, nearly swallowing it whole in his hunger. How long have I been here?

Please. Dont go back to them. To them you are dead. You must stay here and recover.

Recover? Med tech will get me back fit for duty soon enough. He takes another bite of fruit, washing it down with some of the beverage, savoring it. Now, how long have I been here recovering Leah?

Its been nearly 4 weekens Phillip.

No no, it cant have been that long. Surely they think I am absent without leave by now! Ill be court marshaled! he stands anxiously. Where is my uniform?

There is no uniform, Phillip.

My clothes, then.

You were not wearing any clothes when I brought you here.

Ill comm. The base then. He goes to the door. Looking outside he gasps and asks, Wheres my prowler?

I did not bring you in your prowler.

What the frell? How did I get here then?

I brought you here.

Well I need to get back to base immediately. How do I do that?

Please dont go. The evil that is there may take you again.

Humph. Phillip begins to chuckle. What evil?

The same order that sent you to reconditioning will send you again. Leah walks to him.

What are you talking about. I am a loyal peacekeeper. I have to get back to my command.

You are no longer in command. Youve been relieved of duty. The new base commander is Captain Zyvan Mallan.

No cant be. Mallan is one of my men. He is a former med tech given Special Ops detail. Hes only ensign grade.

Not any more. Leah says placing her hand on his. If you go back Mallan or Scorpius will kill you. You must keep hidden. Stay. Please stay with me Please Phillip, I couldnt stand to lose you again.

I guess Ill have to stay until I am strong enough to hike into the commerce district. I can catch a ride to base from there.

************
 
ChianaGray
(7/13/01 10:18 am)
Dark Quest II: Phillip Shelan Wakes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chiana stepped up to the gate of the ten foot high wall and peered through. It looked like there was an entire other citadel inside the Native Conciliate great hall that occupied the far eastern edge of the citadel. Over two dozen fortresses surrounded what looked like a great monastery with towers, domes and pyramids within its shape. She glanced at the others as she slipped inside, followed then by Mokan, Geyo, Pagar and Setig.

She came inside the great building better known to Rashari as a Templar. Almost immediately they had come into a huge room almost eight stories tall though only three stories of it had walkways almost all the way around where crowds were gathered in a low murmur above two story tall archways into the first floor halls. The conciliate of over 15 or more Rashari sat and milled to a balcony of the back wall that bowed out like a three story tall horseshoe into the room. In front of it was a curving half circular stand or platform. On either side steps lead up to the broad surface, about a room wide with a wall railing that angled for helm like controls people were already standing at. Inside the curve of the arch before the conciliate was a black monolith almost as tall as the highest part of the platform. It looked just like the ones inside the Nebari base.

"So ..." Chiana swallowed with a small smile. "How do we get seen?"

"We go up there," Setig pointed up to the curving arch platform with his heavily gloved arm. "And you run your petition through the system. If the matter is minor to them these ones working along the walls here will care of it. If it turns into a serious matter, these ones in front of you will address the situation. It can take only a moment my lady, or days. The alliances between us and the Rashari took four hundred and seven cycles, namely because of the PeaceKeeper's, and Rasharies resilience to becoming enslaved. Otherwise these Rashari natives are very keen, precise and swift on decisions and organization. They are indeed effective. We have found them fair, honorary and incorruptible. We like them ... for a passive race, they are quite brave. I would not mistake it for an inability to wage battle."

Chiana nodded firmly as she moved ahead and climbed the steps. She eased out her nervous breath, leaning her shoulder closer into Mokan as she stepped up to the helm command on the railing wall of the arch. She gazed up at the conciliate of Rashari natives, wondering mildly at their lizard - like forms of an emerald green flesh of fine scales that gleamed in the lights. Their heads earless, almost feline with eyes as dark blue as Jasmines though larger and cat-like with slanted pupils. They were really kind of attractive, beautiful, exotic. They occasionally smiled as they murmured in the mass of crowds, revealing fangs, maybe a remnant of having once been a vicious race like Scarren or PeaceKeeper. Their robes were elaborate, fiery silks and embroideries, mostly of a renaissance fashion and uniformed, all pretty much wearing different styles of the same thing from robes to tunics and headdresses made out of chainmail to cloath. "I hope I know what I'm doing," she thought as she began to download the petition of her request into the control board, hoping some of her dabbelings like trying to free Zhaan on Litigara might proove their usefulness about now.

The hairs rose on the back of her neck as the low murmurs of the Rashari became total silence. The alien petitioners around her and her group began to leave in a hushed hurry.

"Dren," she smirked to herself.

***********

Jasmine finished dressing into a leather uniform of a dull rust red and dark brown, adding her various tools and device attachments. She clipped a spider like device to her temple and reached into one of the many rows of capsules down the corridor, taking out a palm sized disk shape with connectors leading out of it. She stood still, staring down at the contraption for a long time.

"There you are." Jothee came down the corridor to her, his eyes settling on the device in her hand when she didn't look up. "What is it?"

"I - I," Jasmine shook her head slightly and then turned her eyes up to the ceiling as she ran her thumb along her chin line with her fingers splayed. She looked back down at the device with a slow blink of her eyes. "I guess - I used to wear it."

"What's it supposed to do?" Jothee winced his eyes at her, sharpening his brows apprehensively at the device.

"It will make me like the drones," she stated softly as she held it out to him, looking into his eyes without expression. "This is what I'm missing, my connection to Dirsan."

"Hey!" Jothee wrenched his face as he raised his hands. "I don't want that, alright? It looks like a control collar to me."

"You know about my cybergenetics," Jasmine furrowed her sharp brows at him slightly as she stepped towards him, raising the device higher in her hand. "I'll be connected to the ship again. You can run the hull more efficiently. I'm cyborg, Dirsan calls it ... it's cybergenetics. I'm a cybergen entity, you can - plug me in to service like Pilot. I can ..."

She lowered the device as she searched his eyes solemnly. "I can go back to the way I was."

"Jasmine. This isn't being connected like Pilot and Moya. This is frelling slavery," Jothee took the device out of her hand and sighed heavily as he threw it back into the capsule. "You're just going to have to learn a new way. We're Dirsan now. Can you deal with that?"

"Yeah," she spoke quietly as she tilted her head up to search the ceiling. "I just - I can't hear anything. My - duties relay, the conscious activations for - waking up, there's no task, no calculations relay transference data ... Dirsan ..."

Jothee watched her worriedly as she gazed over the ceiling distantly, waving her fingers in front of her chest almost like some strange freak out of Stark's.

"Trust me," Jothee smiled gently as he rested his hand on her shoulder to gain her awareness. "You'll like the freedom. I think we better start with getting some supplies before this place gets you used to being a mindless - whatever, again. Sound good? I'll introduce you to some nice hot Flibisk jundolia."

"Yes," she nodded with a slight smile as her eyes beamed with interest. "I like the cooking. Mokan makes cooking better than Scarren meals."

Jothee snorted with a shake of his head as he motioned her to follow him.

***********

ChianaGray
(7/19/01 11:58 am)
Dark Quest II: Phillip Shelan Wakes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 OOC: might be kind of out of place, JC/Chi moment

IC:

Return the fantasy
Return the fantasy
Of your gentle wistful smile
The panther that you are.
Across the silver waves
Sheen light a thousand sparkles
Way beyond,
The storm that tumbled.
Flashes dragon tounge.
Winds to shore like a hurricane.
The roar,
Only just the quiet whisper in your eyes.
Return the fantasy
Return the fantasy
Of your touching me when all has gone.
The fire in my soul so deep
Nothing's left to me
But the sigh.
Together embraced in tears and smiles.
Windows through the pasts that wrought us pain,
Troubeling all our lives
Until the sun might rise again.
Fighting all the dark things inside
For whatever makes us the good that we are.
Brush your lips across me.
Just a man.
Could it be enough to wipe the tears from your eyes?
Return the fantasy
Return the fantasy
Of your tender kiss
The brazen fire so wild in your heart
Raging inside mine.

***********
 
ChianaGray
(7/19/01 6:15 pm)
 Phillip Shelan Wakes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 One of the Rashari before her stood, bowing her head slightly as she addressed Chiana. "I am Conciliate Jud'ju'di , representative of this council. You are requesting planetary amnesty for the Nebari ... and your trades is an ancient Nebari generator on our planet, this is what you propose ... Lady Chiana Crichton?"

"Yeah," Chiana muttered as she straightened with a small smile. She raised her head in a slight tilt as she spoke up. "Yes - Conciliate. But, my people, the Nebari, the amnesty I'm asking for is for a resistance in need of this base. In turn we can help the forces that protect this planet and receive safety from our - our Establishment."

"You realize," Jud'ju'di narrowed her eyes as she gazed over the helm in front of her. "With the entire Scarren regiments of General Danath and almost three entire regiments of two PeackeKeeper generals in this sector, protecting their interests in Rasharies five commerce planets ... we have little interest in more of these, protection military forces..."

"Five planets," Chiana muttered as she glanced to Mokan. Mokan shook her head.

"Dren," Geyo muttered. "I didn't know they were so far spread."

"I think we've been a little buisy," Mokan muttered.

"I'm aware you don't need us at all Conciliate," Chiana spoke up with a small smile. "But I have a family and estates on this planet ... I want to protect them with our legal colonization. We're - we're not PeaceKeeper or Scarren and our resistance has asked me to present the generator to you as our trades good in being one of your allies."

"The Nebari have been our allies," Jud'ju'di stated with a flash of her fangs as she looked to her again. "An alliance that is now forbidden in our ancestral scrolls because of the actions that were forced to be used to dissway them from the domination of our people. You are Nebari, I will assume you to understand our own resistance then to their conformity."

"Yes," Chiana nodded slightly as she gaped at her. "Our resistance are Nebari people who don't - who haven't conformed to the Establishment. Our cause is against the conformity that still threaghten's aliens through hundreds of sectors of space."

"Lady Crichton," Jud'ju'di stated as she narrowed her eyes down on her console, resting her hand on a rail in front of her. "Your resistance is not unfamiliar to us. You have been recently exposed as a spy working inside PeaceKeeper ranks. Your estates won in a challenge by - John Crichton. A man who defeated a Scarren Inquisitor and then married you according to Scarren rights on the won estates. You are also well known to us as a Nebari renegade who has been the leading cause of disruptions in the neutrality between the PeaceKeeper and Scarren forces on this planet. You destroyed a PeaceKeeper Gammak base, ensuing a skirmish that resulted in the destruction of five citadel sectors. Before this council considers planetary amnesty, you will have to address this council on those accusations."

"You're going to put me on charges?" Chiana winced her eyes at her as she lowered her hands, her ear drawing to her shoulder.

"We address the council for charges to place on the Nebari!"

Chiana turned, her eyes sparkling as she felt every hair on her body rise. Off to her left along the wall in a booth stood Jeriana in a PeaceKeeper uniform, standing with two other officers. Chiana tocked her head slightly in the sudden recognition of her ... the same Sebacean who had tried to seduce Crichton from her on Setig's estate. Jeriana raised her head without looking to Chiana.

Chiana shook her head as she looked away. "Go frek," she muttered as she clenched her fist with a sharp glare in her eyes.

*************
 
nhfearme 
(7/19/01 9:57 pm)
Phillip Shelan Wakes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Jeriana stands tall next to her lessers. Her long auburn hair used as one of her assets to seduce John Crichton is pulled straight back in a battle braid. Her sensuously flowing dress is replaced by her highly polished leather Peacekeeper uniform. Her shoulder press markings ranks her as a Lt.

Chiana remembers her horror at Setigs interrogation of Jeriana in the dungeon of the great mansion, when Chiana begged John not to use Setigs heat pulse to question her, possibly saving Jerianas life. She seemed such a sweet young girl then. Now Chiana sees her for what she really is, a hard line Peacekeeper who is making it her business to frell with Johns family again. What the Hezmana does she want? Chiana says aside to Mokan. Whatever it is? It cant be good.

Jeriana approaches the railing and addresses Judjudi and her counsel. "Honorable Conciliate and honored counsel, Magistrate... I worked internal security at Lord Crichtons mansion obtained from Setig in the way of honor. I was under directorate orders working with base command, keeping a careful watch for what we believed was a fraud on the Rashari people. She takes a breath, near a sigh. We determined that Lord Crichton did indeed honorably take control of his estates... yet we discovered another fraud during our investigation, that in her greed, Lady Chiana Jeriana points to Chiana. had her husband Lord John Crichton kidnapped in order to take control of his sizeable lands, his title in Scarran military and position in Rashari government for her dubious secret endeavors against the Nebari government. She accuses.

The crowd gasps and hushes quickly to hear Judjudis reply. Chianas eyes shoot fire in Jerianas direction. Mokan nearly jumps at the charges. Frell!

We have been in close contact with General Pagar and have received detailed military notes from their attempted rescue of Lord Crichton. It is clear to us that the plot to kidnap Chianas lord was both initiated and carried out by your forces Lt. Jeriana Kross is it?

Not to contradict you Consol, however I have evidence to the effect that when Captain Shelan spearheaded a mission to rescue Lord Crichton from the half-breed Scorpius' Command carrier, Chiana prevented him. There are also recordings of the Lady Chiana proclaiming to Lord Crichton that she desired a divorce. Jerianas voice echoes righteous indignation at Chianas crime.

The crowd again gasps. There are shouts from them. Traitor to your own husband! The rumors are true! Betrayer! She sold Lord Crichton into slavery!

Judjudis motions to her servant. The servant presses a button which sends out a low tremor wave over the crowd, making them hold their breath for a few microts as a warning to be silent.

Judjudi wears an angry scowl as she surveys the crowd then turns her eyes on Jeriana and Chiana. Join me in chambers. She simply says and adjourns with the counsel to behind the drape hanging behind their presentation table.

Two guards stand, weapons armed to the sides of Chiana. Lady Crichton. We are to escort you.

Mokan stands. Ill stand by you.

One of the guards stands baring her. Not you. Only the Lady Chiana Crichton. The guard tells her as the other guard takes Chiana away.

The counsel assembles on a level riser. Servants running to bring them bits of fruit and drink to refresh themselves. Judjudi takes a sip of her beverage as Chiana is positioned in the middle of the counsel chamber. I have brought you here Lady Chiana Crichton to hear the evidence brought against you away from the rabble. For though I have contention with you, we have yet to prove the testimony true or false. It is unseemly to present such testimony to the public that is of such a sensitive nature as pertaining to divorce. She turns her attention again to Jeriana. We are ready, present your evidence.

Honorable Conciliate, this is only one of our records of proof. What I say is true. Lt. Jeriana Kross slowly lifts her arm and inserts a record into the Rashari display consol.

The record springs to life. Its reflection dances, lighting the whole chamber and reflecting off of the faces of the observers. It is Lord Crichton, doubled over on the floor. He tries to stand. It is obvious he has been attacked. His face is marked and bloody. He reaches and picks up a ring. It is his estate ring. He speaks into a personal Comms unit.

"Chiana?" There is a silence.

Chiana opens the Comms badge. "John." She gasps.

"Shelan is trying to tell me that you want to return my ring." John says turning the ring in his hand.

"I am John. I release you from your vows." She answers.

While the image plays of John in his anguish, the memory of what Chiana has done stings her in her very heart. She gasps. Tears fall as she hears John and her words.

Jeriana removes the record before it ends. I hope this is enough evidence for you to release Lady Crichton to us for interrogation. As you see, what I say is true.

Judjudi faces Chiana and sternly asks her. What do you have to say to this evidence?

Chiana sits rocking between her armed guards as she sobs, struck down by the pain of her loss. Unable to speak her lips part and silently mouth, Forgive me John.

**************

 Mokan goes to Chianas prowler and hits her Comms. Setig! Pagar! she says frantically. Chianas in trouble. Some Peacekeeper is accusing her of, of she needs a lawyer quick! She tries to catch her breath. Setig? Pagar?

In Conciliate chambers Judjudi is troubled by Chianas display of grief, suddenly not convinced of the viability of the Peacekeepers proof. Surrender your records for our study, Lt. Kross. We will notify you of our decision. She then motions the guards to bring Chiana to a more private chamber.

One of the guards grips Chianas arm. Chiana screams and pulls her arm from the guard. The other guard attempts the same move, grabbing her arm. Chiana cannot see them through her tears, yet she tears her arm from the guard and swings at him to strike him. Keep your hands off of me!

Judjudi motions the guards to stop and step away from Chiana, then signals her servants to clear the room. Jeriana is forced from the room by Chianas guards. The rest of the consol files out silently, followed by the servants. Judjudi silently approaches Chiana. Please, Lady Crichton. Please I mean no disrespect. I can see there is much more to this incident than this Peacekeeper record. Wont you tell me what really happened?

Chiana wipes her tears and looks solemnly at Judjudi. She tries to speak only emitting a stutter of, I I I cant. Then breaks down again sobbing.

Take all the time you need Lady Crichton. Still, if I cannot determine your guilt or innocence of these charges, I must hold you. Please, reconsider telling me what happened.

John Chiana sobs. Peacekeepers took him.

Yes, I know this. It has been verified. It may please you to know, that Lt. Jeriana Kross may be implicated though. Judjudi smiles.

Chiana looks up at her smile and gives a chuckle. Thats good. She says, beginning to calm.

Judjudi pulls up a chair next to Chiana. Now tell me what you can about this divorce business, then we can all go home.

Chiana looks at Judjudi and sighs then again begins to cry. I went to rescue John she sobs. Captured.

You mean you were captured?

Chiana shakes her head to affirm. Judjudi gives Chiana a cloth for her face. Chiana wipes her face with it and blows her nose making a kind of squeak sound then she coughs and sighs.

That is relevant if we can establish your participation in his attempted rescue... Your request of Lord Crichton to divorce you however does throw the light that you did indeed participate in his kidnapping. It also throws your titles and lands into question if you acquired them under fraud.

Chiana looks at her. Judjudi can see the pain in her eyes. She takes Chianas hand. It is ice cold.

Considering Chianas testimony Judjudi sighs. Until I can contact Captain Shelan for his corroboration, I must hold you. Kidnapping is not a charge that can be taken lightly.

Phillip is missing. My underground heard a rumor a quarter cycle ago that Peacekeepers sent him to reconditioning.

I must go speak to that Lt. Kross then. Judjudi says to her, pats her hand then leaves abruptly.

***********

ChianaGray
(7/20/01 8:54 am)
Phillip Shelan Wakes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 "This is the way it has to be John."

"You can't mean it. Did he do something to you? He made you say this."

"No John. Its my own decision. You'll understand."

"I love you ... Please don't do this."

"Please, let me go John."

Chiana cried quietly to herself as she tried to see the room through the blur in her eyes. She smiled softly as she eased up to the consol, wishing Jeriana had forgotten to take the chip with her. She wanted to see just how much of that incident they had on record ... on that chip. If just the few microts to see John's face again. She must know I'm ... No, she wouldn't know about my children unless Scorpius knows. Nobody knows about my son.

She touched her stomach, her face twisting as tears fell warmly down her cheeks. Why can't this just be over? What do they want from me now?

She sniffed with a tock of her head, gazing down at the console as she swayed slightly at her hips and wiped away the last of her tears. She felt more than angry. It was like a sharp fire rising into her, an abstract darkness of the cruelty rendered and its pain ran deep with wrath. Jeriana was stooping so low it was cold natured, a coldness that slammed through her like a painful stone. She had barely been conscious when she returned Crichton's ring, Scorpius had beaten the dren out of her ... He attacked me for days! I couldn't stand on my own two feet without help ... Because he hated. Wasn't me, he just hates and I was something he could let that cruelty out on. Scorpius really could have cared less if I escaped! But, this is low. Trying to hurt me again, for what? Just how stupid do they think I am? This is dren! Just a bunch of dren!

"You want low?" Chiana narrowed her eyes as she drew her thumb and index finger to her lips and wiped her tongue with them before she began to search for the recording of Jeriana's chip in the console. I can play low, Scorpius.

She let out a long sigh as she slowly tilted her head with a distant smile, the dark pain she felt moving inside her like a lynx snatching its prey. Why trouble with me, anyway?

**********************

"I attacked that base," Mokan spoke softly as her eyes rested into Setig. There was an unnerving look in her copper eyes, something distant though the appeared almost readless, as blank as stone as she stood without expression.

Setig growled as his face snarled with regret. "An attack that would not have changed even with foresight. Believe me Mokan, it has been long coming. War between us is inevitable, not even peacefulls like the Rashari can stop that and they are well aware of it. This entire sector is nothing but a war front waiting to happen. When it does, we will eliminate the PeaceKeeper's. They are a useless race."

"You mean useless to Scarren desires," Mokan stated tonelessly as she crossed her arms, lowering her head slightly as she glanced between him and Pagar. "You and I have always been face forward Setig. It's what I like about you. You know as much as I do that the Scarren's value your service to John Crichton and Chiana because of the wormholes and Scorpius. He's a way for you to be inside snooping PeaceKeeper intel. General Corrum had a wormhole ship so close into his hands I think he drooled on himself when I arranged his holding it with Melak."

"I did not foresee this ever happening to Lady Crichton," Setig growled as he narrowed his eyes.

"You're a warrior," Mokan barely smiled. "Not a governmental with games to play. Still, we are strategists in our own right. We have to find something to counter the accusations of that PeaceKeeper officer, Jeriana. My guess is they want Chiana back in ... to play on her value to you."

Pagar sighed heavily as he crossed his arms. "It is best, if the PeaceKeeper's do not know about Chiana's children."

"Yeah, we know," Mokan sighed lightly as she curled her lip at the floor. "So what's this thing about divorce with the Rashari?"

**********
 
nhfearme 
Prowler Pilot
Phillip Shelan Wakes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Phillip Shelan wears a sheet worn toga style as he trudges across the desert toward the Rashari Commerce district miffed that he, Captain of the largest Peacekeeper base in the Rashari planet consortium is stranded in the desert with no clothes, shoes, underwear at least he has a sheet to protect him from the intense sun. He pulls a ruff of it over his head to protect from the burning rays.

As Shelan approaches the commerce district he can see there is a more than large event at the Templar. Crowds are spilling out into the ship area and people are still trying to get in. Surely there will be Peacekeepers viewing this. Ill ask one of them for a ride back to base. He drinks the last drops of water from the leather canteen Leah gave him and walks the rest of the way to the Templar.

Shelan stands outside the gates watching the different species come and go. He hears two men talking. It isnt the divorce that troubles me its that she abandoned him to Scorpius! one man says.

No. No. No. My servant snuck in when the record was played. It clearly showed her aboard Scorpius' vessel. She was there to save him, not abandon him! If she wanted to abandon him, why bother going on board Scorpius vessel? the other contradicts.

And how do we know she wasnt aboard to deliver Crichton to Scorpius?

My servant says she was tortured there. Now would Scorpius torture his own agent? He sighs. The key witness here is a Peacekeeper named Captain Shelan. If Chianas defense can turn him up she may go free today.

Shelan steps forward. I am Captain Shelan. Who needs my help?

The men stand and gasp at him either from his appearance or that a vital witness simply dropped into their laps, no one can tell. But one of the men grabbed his hand and led him while the other man said. Hurry, the Lady Chiana Crichton stands to lose her properties, title and even her liberty and family if you do not testify for her!

Shelan picks up his sheet not to trip and runs along with the men. Then I will. He tells them.

**************

 Judjudi stands outside of chambers speaking to Lt. Jeriana Kross when two men run up to them with what appears to be a homeless man with them. Wrapped in an odd garment, standing barefoot carrying a leather canteen. Judjudi eyes him. He looks to be a monk or pious seeker. His hair is long to his shoulders. His eyes reflect what appears to be innocence. Judjudis lips part in awe that someone dressed in this manner would visit her in Templar today.

Jeriana eyes the stranger with contempt. She turns to Judjudi. I must contact the base immediately for a detail to accompany this may back to base.

Why? asks Judjudi. What has he done?

This is Captain Phillip Shelan, honored counsel. Jeriana answers.

But this is the man we require testimony of. Proceedings must reconvene at once. Judjudi motions to the guards, who take charge of Captain Shelan.

As they enter chambers Chiana looks on Phillip in shock. Not nearly the man he once was. Thin and drawn, he wears the scars of viscous beatings. No one would ever know he was a peacekeeper. Phil Phillip? She gasps. Her heart remembers her flirtations with him. Johns viscous attacks on him, placing him in the chair and beating him near death, thinking he was defending her. She flinches at the thought that John nearly killed Phillip more than once.

Chiana knows in her heart that Phillip wears the scar of the knife she plunged into his chest the day he came to ask forgiveness for what hed done. She also remembers the forgiveness she gave in the joy of knowing she carried a child. Her lips curl up into a dry smile, which quickly fades at her thoughts of the day he rescued her from Scorpius. The day she gave back Johns ring. Chiana begins to cry silent tears as she watches Phillip take the stand in the center of the room.

*************

 The Conciliate returns to chambers to hear defense witness Captain Phillip Shelan. He stands in monks attire, gaunt and drawn before them.

Honorable Conciliate. I came before you to speak in Chianas behalf. I must tell you first, to be honest that I do not remember anyone named Chiana. I have undergone a process called reconditioning. It is to my shame that my crime against the service that I love is so great that they chose to remove memories. In truth, I will not know if I can answer your questions until you ask them. I will try to remember all that is required of me. Please, proceed with your interrogation.

Chiana gasps at Phillips speech. She swallows, wondering what else was removed from his mind. Does he really not remember what he did, to me? To John?

Jeriana glares at Captain Shelan. I must make a full report on this to high command. His reconditioning could not have been complete if he remembers the source of his contamination!

Judjudi listens, appalled at the revelation that a major witness has been stripped of the very information this Conciliate needs to hear to determine this case. She stands. I will hear your answers Captain. It is not your fault, surely, that the Peacekeepers did this to you. I will accept your answers as true and any falsehoods judge against your betters who did this heinous act against you. She takes a breath and a sip of water.

You claim that you do not remember Chiana.

I know not that name. Phillip answers solemnly.

Then please tell me Captain. This Nebari woman. Judjudi indicates Chiana. Do you know her?

Yes, I know her. Though I do not recall her name consol.

The Conciliate awes and Judjudi smiles. Do you recall helping her to escape the Rac'tara'jin, Scorpius' vessel?

Yes. I do. Phillip answers.

Please, Captain. Tell us the circumstances of her rescue from the Rac'tara'jin.

She is the leader of the resistance to the Nebari establishment here on Rashari. I was assigned to assist her fight against them. It has been my duty for over a cycle to assist the resistance. However Peacekeeper connection to this faction has been difficult to establish. I was desperate to gain her trust in order to be privy to resistance Intel and project missions. Phillips continues. She snuck aboard the Rac'tara'jin with a group of prowlers from patrol and entered, observing Lt. Commander Crichtons quarters with the mission to capture him and return him to the resistance custody. He is the builder of a topsecret prowler that the resistance captured when Crichton escaped Shelan says, unsure of himself. Scorpius earlier. He motions to a server of his thirst and waits, attempting to clear his dry throat until the server brings water and lets him drink.

In this mission I was delayed in joining her. I told her that I thought it foolhardy to kidnap him on her own and to wait until she could rally more of her forces. A Jaboan confederate of hers flew her to intersect to the Rac'tara'jin where she gained access as I already described. Realizing that she left on the mission alone I sought to bring her back, being the leader of the resistance here. Mokan, the Jaboan, created a disturbance while I entered and found her. He says softly, confused that he would not know the name of the one Peacekeeper command sent him to assist. Please, consol. Please may I know her name? he swallows, staring quite plainly at Chiana. The look of pain in his eyes and sorrow on his brow.

This is the defendant Captain Shelan. Judjudi takes relish in telling him. Her name is Chiana. You are the witness for her defense. Please Captain, do proceed with your explanation of the events.

The events. He blinks and looks at Judjudi. Yes of course. He sighs, looking at Chiana, then back to Judjudi. I found Chiana in the medical bay in a sound proof room. She had been shackled to a gurney tortured, beaten. His voice fades, his eyes on the floor.

Do you need a recess Captain? Judjudi asks, concerned for a man who has forgotten much, remembering a painful past.

I wish to continue consol. He says, wringing his hands nervously. Thank you consol. He swallows. I helped her from her cell and to the prowler bay during the alert. She stopped outside of Lt. Commander Crichtons quarters and insisted I return his ring. I did, telling him not to worry, I would take care of her.

Captain. Judjudi nearly says in a gasp. What did the ring represent? Vicious this reconditioning they have done to him. Can he truly not remember that Lord and Lady Crichton were married?

Lt. Commander Crichton owned the ring on Rashari. He owned some lands and Chiana was returning the ring to him.

Please Captain. For my own curiosity of the depth of your reconditioning tell me the contents of the conversation you had with Lt. Commander Crichton. Judjudi asks pointedly.

Chiana gasps and grabs the side of the chair. The dialogue she heard from the record was so painful. When he came to her after returning the ring to Crichton, Phillip was covered in blood, a black eye, his clothes torn. She does not want to hear the painful reminder of her greatest mistake. She turns her head from her witness in preparation for her grief.

I told his guards to ignore anything they may hear. I then entered Crichtons quarters to only be attacked by him in a furious state. He accused me of raping his wife of kidnapping and raping. Phillip swallows and looks at Chiana. No, I couldnt have. His heart breaks. A sick place in his soul that harbors savored evils enacted upon the helpless reveals itself, showing him what he is capable of. Suddenly he remembers Chianas face, drugged, unconscious and him pulling her clothing off in a jealous rage! No. Phillip begins to cry. Forgive me. He says barely audible, even to himself.

We will have an arns recess to examine the testimony. Judjudi announces.

The Conciliate stand. We concur. They voice in unison.

Adjourned. Witness, remain, I wish to speak with you on this account. Judjudi says as the room clears.

All but Jeriana, that is. Consol, please. This man has not yet completed his reconditioning. Several solar days of completion is being ruined by this testimony. She says distastefully.

Judjudi looks angrily at her. I will not pass judgment on the peacekeepers until it comes before me, however, I have always believed that a mans mind is his own. His memories are the only thing he has to hold onto in this world. Sacred, owning only to our own minds, untouched by others in our passage of time. She looks at Jeriana with pronounced judgment. You have destroyed him. His very soul cries out to remember his past. A past that you have stolen from him.

Jeriana stares back at Judjudi and turns abruptly leaving with an icy glance.

Judjudi waits until Jeriana has left the room then calls to the guards to stand outside and bar her entrance from any further proceedings, to protect Captain Shelan from her clutches. The guards stand outside of chambers, ready for her return and any guard she may bring with her.

Phillip glances at Chiana. Chiana glances at Phillip. Both wondering what relationship they now have. Chiana with so many memories, both evil and good. Phillip with no memory, only a soul full of pain.

Judjudi looks at both of them. You will be safe here Captain. Please remain here while I join the rest of Conciliate to deliberate. She walks behind the riser and through the curtain to join Conciliate, leaving Captain Shelan and Chiana alone together.

************
 
ChianaGray
(7/24/01 2:02 pm)
Phillip Shelan Wakes
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 Chiana swallowed hard as she lowered her head. She hated this. A simple request - and it had turned into a trial. She felt conciensious, worse, like an object everyone was making such a big deal about, all her pains being ripped open and scrutinized over by total strangers. She felt so angry. She looked to Shelan from the corners of her eyes as her lips parted. Reconditioned, just like Aeryn. She felt so cheated out of his memories. He stood, wiping tears from his eyes with both his hands.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I can't - believe I attacked you."

Chiana took his hand, holding it tightly as she stood, lifting her eyes up into his. "Phillip ... I don't want you to be reconditioned. You - you were my friend ... a friend in allot of dren. If I didn't forgive you I would have killed you the microt I had the chance. I didn't do that did I? Can't you escape? Or something ... anything but this. You think - you think I can go home after this and just let you walk right back into your reconditioning? Crichton wanted to kill you for what you did. I didn't let him. You'd be dead if that's what I wanted Phillip, if you let them keep reconditioning you, you might as well be."

She put her hand into her face as she began to cry, her shoulders drawing up as her memories of John came sweeping through her, how much she missed him, how much they had all been through. The scars on Shelan's body drowned inside her. She began to sob deeply, everything pouring out of her as she rested her head on Shelan's chest and accepted his arms wrapping around her. He stood looking confused, shocked by her reaction as he tried to comfort her. This stranger.

**************

OreoFic
(8/4/01 4:13 am)
Chiana's Trial
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 Lt. Jeriana Kross paces outside of deliberations. A peacekeeper squad stands ready to take possession of Captain Shelan. Mokan looks angrily at Jeriana, feeling nearly naked with the surrender of her Qualta to the consulate guards. She glances at the peacekeepers; glad they are unarmed, powerless over the consulate. One of the guards motions Mokan to enter through a side door. She hesitantly follows him.

Captain Phillip Shelan looks tormentedly at Chiana. He knows her, has been intimate with her and has plagued her and her family in his duty to the Peacekeepers. I was the one who gave the order to kidnap her husband Lord Crichton. I could have left Scorpius in the Scarran gulag but I was jealous, jealous of her. That is why my punishment was so severe. I must have been contaminated by her and no longer able to do my duty. My duty was to capture her and deliver her to Scorpius. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Chiana. I gave the order for Mallan to arrest Crichton and deliver him to Scorpius.¡±

As Chiana sits with the ruined Phillip Shelan her memories begin to twist in her stomach. Scorpius is at the root of her troubles. Twice she had opportunity to kill him. He deserves death for what he¡¯s done to me, to John, my children¡¦Phillip. Phillip is speaking to her. She doesn¡¯t hear him. Chiana begins to formulate a plan to pay Scorpius what he owes her in kind.

Jud¡¯ju¡¯di enters the room with the rest of the consulate. Mokan walks with her then walks quickly from her to Chiana¡¯s side.

Some time later a prowler lands at the grove. Setig and Pagar both emerge to see. Is it Mokan? Is the lady Chiana with her? What of Captain Shelan? As the dust settles around the prowler the canopy opens and Mokan emerges. She walks slowly to the Scarran giants. Her eyes reflect sorrow. Their eyes watch her not noticing another figure walks up behind her. Setig smiles. It is the lady Chiana.

¡°I¡¯m planning a little trip.¡± She tells them. ¡°Are you with me?¡±

**********
 
ChianaGray
(8/7/01 7:17 am)
Chiana's Trial
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 "You heard the order!" Jerrian snapped sharply as she glared down into the officer next to her on the ships deck. "Carry that out officer or face insubordination!"

"Yes sir!" The young man nearly shouted as he stared numbly out at the lands below in the screen. "Fire one!"

A shot blew out of the marauder. The young man checked his read outs, glancing back at the screen as a dark cloud began to shadow over the scratch works that outlined the citadel.

"Direct hit sir," he stated more quietly. "The Reshari Templar is destroyed."

"Fire again," Jerrian snapped as she began to take off her leather gloves. "Level what's left of it."

She turned her glare into him nearly touching his face with her own. "And never question your orders again Officer Degra!"

"Sir!"

***************
 
nhfearme 
(8/20/01 6:50 pm)
 Riven
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 Lt. Jeriana Kross has successfully taken command of the Rashari base. Mallan will not be returning here. It is up to me to watch over the Lady Chiana and her resistance movement. She turns to her guard. "Of course my assignment is only temporary, however be certain that the Lady Crichton is found since she escaped from you at the citadel. It is paramount that she and Captain Shelan be brought to the base or their bodies found. Chiana must submit for interrogation if found alive and Shelan? He must continue with his Reconditioning. This fiasco is a demonstration of the amount of damage that can come from a irrevocably contaminated Officer."

As droves of troops leave the base in search of Lady Chiana and Captain Phillip Shelan the sun sets over the ash and dust of the destroyed citadel. A dark figure moves from the rubble carrying what appears to be a body wrapped in a shroud. Under the cloak of darkness the figure quickly boards a prowler with his burden and points the prowler skyward engaging stealth to avoid detection.

Jeriana submits to the base med tech's examination. "This is degrading tech. How many more of these exams must I submit to. I have important service business to attend to." She says unnerved and extremely uncomfortable being actually touched by this lowly functionary.

The tech holds his face close to her ear as though he were to whisper a secret to her. He kisses her ear. She startles and swings her pulse pistol striking him in the temple. He withdraws his hand suddenly from her and falls to the floor.

He looks up at her defiantly. "I wouldn't do that again Lt." he enounces smarmily to her.

Jeriana holds her pulse pistol on him as she sits up and covers herself with the sheet. "You'll die for your insubordination tech and your poor attempt at, rape is it?" She levels her gun at his throat. "Or an even poorer attempt at seduction."

The med tech's hands go up involuntarily. He backs away from her. "I know what you did to take command of this base. The surgery you ordered me to perform is against high command directorate orders. I have the proof and have it in a place you will never find."

"You have nothing!" Jeriana says angrily at him, growling. "Guards!" She shouts and two guards enter and press the med tech to his knees cuffing his wrists behind his back.

"You'll be sorry you did this Lt. I have the power to remove you from Command of office!" The med tech threatens, fearful of his own death.

"All I wish to know I will extract from you in the Aurora Chair tech!" She shouts angrily then eyes him curiously. "You worked side by side with Mallan, did you not? How ironic, your friend is unable to help you now as he has important directorate business to attend to." She coos at him seductively then chuckles. "In any case, whatever is left of you when I'm finished will only be good as fertilizer for the Rasharian gardens!" She laughs deviantly as the guards drag him away.

***************
 
ChianaGray
The Hezmana
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 The ship was nearly as large as Moya, drifting just outside the sector of Reshari's moon. It was leaf shaped with an up curve at the tail where a long shaft shot out. It looked almost like Moya in shape except it seemed like a shell hood with sweeping, curving edges over an underside of what looked like one big wasp nest with tear shaped entries. It looked more like a sting ray enwrapping a bullet-like underside than anything else. It even seemed to suggest a stingray-like mouth incurving back into the ship. A prowler made its way to it, slipping into one of the tear shaped entries.

Jothee got out of his prowler, slinging the body over his shoulder. He walked through the Hezmana into its medical bay, opening the heavy blanket to reveal Phillip Shelan. Jothee let out his breath, turning his eyes to the two ant-like drones as they approached and began to tend to him.

"Look ahh," Jothee twisted his brow at them looking almost like his father as he seemed to smile. "We want this guy alive with his real body parts, okay?"

The two drones looked at each other and then to Jothee, their red ant-like eyes glowing.

"Y'know, alive!" Jothee expressed with a slight flick of his hands in front of himself.

"Yes," one of the drones spoke in an almost static monotone. "He will live."

"Shall we place him in stasis?" The second drone asked. "Once we have sufficiently stabilized him for the sample process."

"No, I want him alive and moving around." Jothee sighed. "Look, don't turn this guy into a million pieces of samples alright?"

"Yes," the first drone stated tonelessly as he began to place sensors over Shelan's body. "We will stabilize the being for ..."

He looked to the second drone who looked back and then to Jothee. "For sustenance?"

"Just - stabilize," Jothee leaned over the gurney at them and pointed into Shelan's chest. "The Sebacean so that he wakes up, healthy, with all of his own body parts. Don't give the Sebacean any alien Dna. Don't incubate him, don't cook him, whatever. Got it?"

"Yes," the first drone affirmed as he finished placing the sensors on Shelan and took a hypo the second handed to him.

Jothee sucked in his breath, clenching his teeth with a low growl as he planted his hands on the gurney. "So he'll live right?"

*************

 "Captain Joth," Jasmine commed as she came to the ships great helm with Rygel and two Zenitan pirates. "Dominar Rygel is here."

"I'm on my way," Jothee came back through comms. "Can you tell if these bugs are going to Meditech Shelan or what?"

"I've already coded the specifics to them," Jasmine stated as Rygel wandered the helm, gaping at it.

"That yotz!" Rygel gasped. "No wonder he wanted this ship, I could make a fortune from it!"

"Why did you come aboard?" Jothee asked as he wandered in.

"I came to help Chiana," Rygel sucked in his breath as he raised his head to Jothee. "An outstanding pile of junk you have here Jothee ... I expect it will live up to it's value in our trade for it before much longer."

"I don't know how much help you're going to be," he shrugged. "I was just asked to standby with the flax to serve as trade value until the estates are secure. Now I'm asked to run off with this guy to some Resistance place."

"Really," Rygel said in a soft tone as he glided his stubby hand along the huge semicircular helm. "And only stand by."

He laughed as he turned to Jothee, his earbrows flying up. "Go on then, be off with you."

"I thought you might be inside my ship because of my part of the flax," Jothee eyed him as he crossed his arms.

"It's in my best interest you keep your hands on it," Rygel stated sharply as he turned away with a brush of his hand and began to glide his levitational throne out. "Be well Jothee, I'll care of this ... ordeal ..."

"Yeah," Jothee snorted as he smiled. "I can see it now."