"Changer"
Time: Sometime during Season Three, after Self-Inflicted Wounds II: Wait
For The Wheel, before Eat Me.
Disclaimer: I didn't create Farscape, didn't create the characters and don't make a plug nickel off of it.
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Part One: Do My Eyes Deceive Me.?
She looked up from the console and almost gave in to the exhaustion she had fought for so long. Her attackers had done a good job disabling her ship. The engines were dead, her weapons destroyed, the communications system nearly wrecked. If she possessed a solid body, she would be shuddering in fear.
Is this my lot in life, she wondered as she watched static dance across the viewscreen. My people are hunted because of what we are and what we can do. No matter where we go, either in Peacekeeper space, Scarran space or the Uncharted Territories. Always the same prejudice, the same hatred, the same fear.
Maybe I shouldn't try anymore. Maybe it's time to give up and end the running.
A secondary screen coming to life attracted her attention. According to the information she was barely able to read through the cracked surface, there was another ship in the area. For a microt, she was afraid that her attackers had returned. But as more information streamed across the damaged screen, she realized that it was a Leviathan and managed to relax. Maybe there was hope for her yet; maybe the crew of the Leviathan could help her. Maybe this time would be different.
I'm too much of an optimist, she thought as she started working on the comm.
---------------------------------------
John watched the ship on the viewscreen and sighed in resignation. The small vessel looked like it had been through a war; the hull was pitted and burned black from weapons fire. There were no lights showing and the ship was drifting.
"Someone's put a beating on her," he said quietly.
As he stepped up next to John, D'Argo asked, "Pilot, are you sure this is the source of the distress signal?"
Pilot's image in the clamshell looked down. "Yes, D'Argo. These are the correct coordinates. That ship is the source of the signal."
"Any sign of life?"
"There are faint life readings, which indicate." Pilot hesitated, frowned and began tapping instructions into his console.
"Pilot? Are there any life signs?"
"Yes, D'Argo. There must be something interfering with the sensors. For a moment, I couldn't identify the life form."
"And now?"
"Now, the sensors have cleared. The life form is Sebacean."
At the sound of footsteps, John turned and watched Aeryn walk into Command, Rygel hovering right behind her.
"That's the ship," she asked.
"It looks dead," Rygel said. "If it's dead, why are we still here?"
"Moya's picking up a life sign, probably Sebacean."
Rygel stared at the screen for a microt then shook his head. "Given the obvious extent of the damage, anyone who survived probably won't be around much longer. Besides, do you really want to be around if the people who caused that damage come back?"
"You're really buckin' for sainthood, ain't ya, Sparky." John gave Rygel an annoyed look. "Recognize it, Aeryn?"
Aeryn looked over the ship and shrugged. "A small transport vessel. Probably a longer-range version of a transport pod. I can't see any markings. Pilot, any weaponry?"
"Moya's sensors are detecting two cannon mounts, but both have been destroyed."
"Any generated power?"
"Batteries only, probably enough for bare minimum life support. Most likely.wait. There's another signal coming in. Audio only."
"Put it on."
There was a burst of static from the speakers. Then, faintly, they heard the woman's voice. "Please.help. In the name of the Eternal Water.help me."
John exchanged looks with D'Argo and Aeryn and nodded. "Hang on. We'll be brining you into our hanger. Pilot, deploy the docking web. Bring it in close to the med bay."
"Yes, Commander."
As they started from Command, D'Argo tapped his comm. "Chiana, Jool, get down to the med bay. We've found the source of the distress signal. Pilot's bringing it onboard."
"We'll meet you there, D'Argo."
Rygel watched them for a microt then turned back to the screen. "I hope we don't regret this," he muttered.
---------------------------------------
As the oversized bay doors slid open, the small ship's ramp began to lower. John started forward, glanced back over his shoulder and wasn't surprised to see both Aeryn and D'Argo with their weapons drawn.
"A little paranoid, don't you think?"
"Better to lean more on the side of caution," Aeryn said. "Don't want to get caught with our shirts down."
"Caught with our pants down," John corrected.
D'Argo shook his head dismissively. "Whatever. The point is, someone attacked this ship. There may be a very good reason for it. Better to be prepared."
"If you say so." John watched Jool and Chiana roll a gurney toward the damaged ship. He then walked to the ramp, looked into the darkened interior and said, "Hello."
Footsteps and a hint of movement preceded the woman's voice. "Yes. I'm here. Thank you."
As she walked down the ramp, they could see the young woman was young, dressed in a silver-gray jumpsuit and knee-high boots. Her shoulder-length hair was tinted purple and was matted with sweat and grime. Her brown eyes went from John, Chiana and Jool to Aeryn and D'Argo. To their raised weapons, specifically.
"I'm unarmed. My name is Dari," she said as she raised her hands. "I mean you no harm."
"I'm sure you don't," Aeryn said. "Who attacked you and why were you attacked?"
Dari regarded Aeryn with a blank look and leaned on the gurney. "It was pirates. They must have thought a small, lightly armed transport would make an easy target."
D'Argo frowned. "Are you carrying anything of value?"
"Just my personal possessions and a small amount of currency. Nothing that would be of interest to anyone but me."
"And the pirates just gave up?"
"In the course of the attack, my ship's power plant began to overload. Thinking an explosion imminent, they left the area. Left me to die. I was able to get the power plant under control before it exploded. Unfortunately, that only left me with battery power and no way to repair my ship." Dari took a deep breath, closed her eyes and shook her head. "I was barely able to send out the distress signal."
John chewed his lower lip and considered. "Weren't you afraid the pirates would pick up the signal and come back?"
"It was a calculated risk. If the pirates came back, at least my end would be quick. But I prayed to Li'jha for salvation and my prayers were answered." Her knees buckled. "I don't feel well." Dari collapsed into John's arms.
As John lifted her onto the gurney, Chiana said, "Is it just me or does anyone else have a problem with her story?"
"Well, something doesn't quite ring true. Still, I think we should get going, just in case."
"You think she may not have been attacked," Jool asked as she started to push the gurney toward the med bay. "What happened to her ship, then?"
"Oh she was definitely attacked. The question remains, who attacked her and why was she attacked?" D'Argo looked over the ship again and converted his Qualta Rifle back to its blade configuration. "I'll go through the ship while the DRDs do a damage assessment."
Aeryn holstered her pulse pistol. "Pilot, get Moya under way." She looked back at John, who was staring at the gurney. "Something wrong?"
John didn't answer immediately, just continued to watch Jool begin her examination. "I don't know. Have you ever felt like you've stumbled across something but you have no idea what it is?"
"Yes. Usually when you start talking." Aeryn grinned at the sour look John gave her. "Pilot, are there any systems that she could have come from?"
"There are several systems that could be within range of her ship, Officer Sun. Do you wish to set course for one of them?"
Aeryn exchanged a look with John. "No, not until we can talk to her again. Should we."
A gasp from the med bay cut Aeryn off. Turning, she and John saw Jool back away from the gurney. "What the frell.?"
John and Aeryn ran to the med bay. "What's the prob.the hell?" John looked at the gurney and his eyes went wide. "What the hell?"
Where Dari had been was now what looked like a mass of cloudy gel that reminded John of mound of Vaseline. The gel's surface seemed to ripple and undulate in response to unseen stimulus.
Hey, I saw this movie, John thought. "It's the Blob! Where's Steve McQueen when you need him?" John leaned close to the gel and frowned. "Looks like Jell-O. Dari turned into this?"
"I was about to start examining her. It looked for a microt like her flesh was starting to melt. Then she changed into this."
"That's weird. Is there any chance what did this to her could do it to us?"
Jool considered for a microt then shrugged and picked up her scanner. "I won't know that until I know what did it to her. Now go away and let me work."
"I know what it is."
John turned to Aeryn. Her face had become a hard mask and her hand was drifting back to her pulse pistol. "Care to share, Aeryn?"
"It's a changer."
"A changer? I've heard of them." Jool's face brightened as she began to work with the scanner. "Supposedly, they can assume any form imaginable."
"You mean she's a shape-shifter? Cool." John gently pressed his hand against the mass of gel that had been Dari. "Aeryn, what do you."
Pilot's voice cut him off. "Excuse me, but we're receiving a signal."
"Who's it from, Pilot?"
"It's coming from a ship at the very extreme limit of Moya's sensors. They're identifying themselves as representatives of the Shralasen Hegemony. They're apparently searching for an escaped criminal. Do you wish to speak with them?"
John watched D'Argo leave Dari's ship and nodded slowly. "Yeah, put them on."
A microt later, a man's voice was heard. It sounded rough and gravelly to John. "I am Sunistas, Associate Constable with the Shralasen Hegemony. We are searching for a dangerous criminal who is fleeing from justice. Her ship was last seen in this sector."
"A small transport ship," Aeryn asked in a tightly controlled voice.
"Small, but armed. She put up stiff resistance during the pursuit. We thought the ship on the verge of exploding due to damage to its power plant."
John frowned. "So you just left this criminal to die?"
"Flight from Shralasen justice is punishable by death, sir. When we didn't pick up the detonation, we came back to investigate. Did you find the ship?"
John started to say no, but Aeryn cut him off. "Yes, we did."
"Do not enter the ship. The criminal is a changer. We would have to take extreme measures, if the creature escapes."
"Well, that's a bit of a moot point," John said quietly. "We've already opened the ship."
Sunistas was silent for a microt. "What?"
"We thought she was Sebacean. We have her contained, though."
The Constable hesitated again. "I see. We should rendezvous with you in five arns."
"What kind of extreme measures were you just referring to?"
"We will rendezvous with you in five arns. Be ready." The speakers went silent.
"Well, that sounds ominous enough." D'Argo stared at the gurney and shook his head. "That must be why Pilot couldn't get a clear reading on her life signs at first. She was changing into a Sebacean. Changers are supposed to be deceitful, a race of criminals who use their abilities to."
Dari's voice sounded in their minds. "Don't believe the rumors, Luxan. Some say your people are unthinking brutes who respond to any conflict with violence. Is that true?"
John walked back to the gurney. "Is it true what Sunshine said? Are you a criminal?"
"What do you know about the Shralasen?"
"Nothing much," Aeryn said. "They keep to themselves and their home system. Why?"
"To the Shralasen, different equates with criminal. Any race they don't know, any life form they don't recognize, anyone who doesn't follow Shralasen law to the letter is criminal."
Chiana stepped up next to D'Argo. "Sounds familiar."
"Believe me, Nebari culture is extremely liberal compared to the Shralasen. That was my crime, being the very definition of the word different. In fact."
John held up a hand and silence Dari. "Wait a minute. Can you change into something with a mouth? I have enough voices in my head."
"Of course. I apologize."
As they watched, Dari's gelatinous form began to change and grow. She soon took on her Sebacean form. "I didn't want to start changing form without first telling you." She looked at John and frowned. "You look Sebacean, but you're not. Close, but different enough."
"And how do you know that?"
"When I collapsed, you caught me. I was able to read your genetic structure. It's part of how I can almost perfectly mimic other forms."
"Through your clothes?"
"My clothes are part of me." As they watched, Dari's clothes changed to a duplicate of Aeryn's, then Jool's, then Chiana's. After a microt, she changed back to her gray jumpsuit and boots.
"Your genetic structure is similar to a Sebacean's, but it's different enough to be unique."
"Your point?"
"The Shralasen won't recognize your species any more than I do."
"And the Shralasen don't like anyone different." John winced. "I believe the operative word is oops."
They stood for a microt in uncomfortable silence. "What did you do to get on their shit list?" John half expected Dari's confused look. "What did you do to get them mad at you?"
Dari glanced at the deck and laughed. There was no humor in it. "I was sleeping. The Shralasen Constabulary conduct regular sweeps of their population centers, looking for dissidents and unregistered aliens. They found me when I was asleep."
"Moya's sensors registered you as a Sebacean," D'Argo said. "If you can assume a form that completely, how could they detect you?"
"When I'm asleep or unconscious, I revert to my natural form, as I did here. They scanned while I was asleep. That was how they found me."
Aeryn waved a hand at Dari's ship. "So you stole that ship and escaped."
"I know Sebaceans have no use for aliens.which does make me wonder why you're here on a Leviathan with a Luxan, a Nebari, an Interon and whatever he is. But that's not important at the moment. I did not steal that ship. If I can get the computer up and running again, I can show you my ownership papers."
"Maybe later. I'm sure you'll understand if we put you in a cell until the Shralasen arrive." Dari started to protest, but she closed her mouth without speaking and nodded once.
"You must do what you feel is right."
"I'll take her," John said. "Come on, Odo. Let's go find you a bucket to sleep in."
As she followed John, Dari said, "I don't understand many of the things you say."
"No one does, Dari. I'm the wind. Let's go."
As she watched John and Dari leave the med bay, Aeryn asked, "What did you find, D'Argo?"
"Just as she said, some personal possessions and some currency. Nothing out of the ordinary. Do you believe her?"
"I don't know. There are races that will go to the most insane extremes to maintain their isolation. Still." Aeryn looked back at Dari's ship. "Can her ship be repaired?"
D'Argo nodded. "The damage is extensive, but it can all be repaired. What are you thinking? Get the ship repaired and get her out of here?"
"And starburst right after that. Let's get to it."
TO BE CONTINUED
Disclaimer: I didn't create Farscape, didn't create the characters and don't make a plug nickel off of it.
---------------------------------------
Part One: Do My Eyes Deceive Me.?
She looked up from the console and almost gave in to the exhaustion she had fought for so long. Her attackers had done a good job disabling her ship. The engines were dead, her weapons destroyed, the communications system nearly wrecked. If she possessed a solid body, she would be shuddering in fear.
Is this my lot in life, she wondered as she watched static dance across the viewscreen. My people are hunted because of what we are and what we can do. No matter where we go, either in Peacekeeper space, Scarran space or the Uncharted Territories. Always the same prejudice, the same hatred, the same fear.
Maybe I shouldn't try anymore. Maybe it's time to give up and end the running.
A secondary screen coming to life attracted her attention. According to the information she was barely able to read through the cracked surface, there was another ship in the area. For a microt, she was afraid that her attackers had returned. But as more information streamed across the damaged screen, she realized that it was a Leviathan and managed to relax. Maybe there was hope for her yet; maybe the crew of the Leviathan could help her. Maybe this time would be different.
I'm too much of an optimist, she thought as she started working on the comm.
---------------------------------------
John watched the ship on the viewscreen and sighed in resignation. The small vessel looked like it had been through a war; the hull was pitted and burned black from weapons fire. There were no lights showing and the ship was drifting.
"Someone's put a beating on her," he said quietly.
As he stepped up next to John, D'Argo asked, "Pilot, are you sure this is the source of the distress signal?"
Pilot's image in the clamshell looked down. "Yes, D'Argo. These are the correct coordinates. That ship is the source of the signal."
"Any sign of life?"
"There are faint life readings, which indicate." Pilot hesitated, frowned and began tapping instructions into his console.
"Pilot? Are there any life signs?"
"Yes, D'Argo. There must be something interfering with the sensors. For a moment, I couldn't identify the life form."
"And now?"
"Now, the sensors have cleared. The life form is Sebacean."
At the sound of footsteps, John turned and watched Aeryn walk into Command, Rygel hovering right behind her.
"That's the ship," she asked.
"It looks dead," Rygel said. "If it's dead, why are we still here?"
"Moya's picking up a life sign, probably Sebacean."
Rygel stared at the screen for a microt then shook his head. "Given the obvious extent of the damage, anyone who survived probably won't be around much longer. Besides, do you really want to be around if the people who caused that damage come back?"
"You're really buckin' for sainthood, ain't ya, Sparky." John gave Rygel an annoyed look. "Recognize it, Aeryn?"
Aeryn looked over the ship and shrugged. "A small transport vessel. Probably a longer-range version of a transport pod. I can't see any markings. Pilot, any weaponry?"
"Moya's sensors are detecting two cannon mounts, but both have been destroyed."
"Any generated power?"
"Batteries only, probably enough for bare minimum life support. Most likely.wait. There's another signal coming in. Audio only."
"Put it on."
There was a burst of static from the speakers. Then, faintly, they heard the woman's voice. "Please.help. In the name of the Eternal Water.help me."
John exchanged looks with D'Argo and Aeryn and nodded. "Hang on. We'll be brining you into our hanger. Pilot, deploy the docking web. Bring it in close to the med bay."
"Yes, Commander."
As they started from Command, D'Argo tapped his comm. "Chiana, Jool, get down to the med bay. We've found the source of the distress signal. Pilot's bringing it onboard."
"We'll meet you there, D'Argo."
Rygel watched them for a microt then turned back to the screen. "I hope we don't regret this," he muttered.
---------------------------------------
As the oversized bay doors slid open, the small ship's ramp began to lower. John started forward, glanced back over his shoulder and wasn't surprised to see both Aeryn and D'Argo with their weapons drawn.
"A little paranoid, don't you think?"
"Better to lean more on the side of caution," Aeryn said. "Don't want to get caught with our shirts down."
"Caught with our pants down," John corrected.
D'Argo shook his head dismissively. "Whatever. The point is, someone attacked this ship. There may be a very good reason for it. Better to be prepared."
"If you say so." John watched Jool and Chiana roll a gurney toward the damaged ship. He then walked to the ramp, looked into the darkened interior and said, "Hello."
Footsteps and a hint of movement preceded the woman's voice. "Yes. I'm here. Thank you."
As she walked down the ramp, they could see the young woman was young, dressed in a silver-gray jumpsuit and knee-high boots. Her shoulder-length hair was tinted purple and was matted with sweat and grime. Her brown eyes went from John, Chiana and Jool to Aeryn and D'Argo. To their raised weapons, specifically.
"I'm unarmed. My name is Dari," she said as she raised her hands. "I mean you no harm."
"I'm sure you don't," Aeryn said. "Who attacked you and why were you attacked?"
Dari regarded Aeryn with a blank look and leaned on the gurney. "It was pirates. They must have thought a small, lightly armed transport would make an easy target."
D'Argo frowned. "Are you carrying anything of value?"
"Just my personal possessions and a small amount of currency. Nothing that would be of interest to anyone but me."
"And the pirates just gave up?"
"In the course of the attack, my ship's power plant began to overload. Thinking an explosion imminent, they left the area. Left me to die. I was able to get the power plant under control before it exploded. Unfortunately, that only left me with battery power and no way to repair my ship." Dari took a deep breath, closed her eyes and shook her head. "I was barely able to send out the distress signal."
John chewed his lower lip and considered. "Weren't you afraid the pirates would pick up the signal and come back?"
"It was a calculated risk. If the pirates came back, at least my end would be quick. But I prayed to Li'jha for salvation and my prayers were answered." Her knees buckled. "I don't feel well." Dari collapsed into John's arms.
As John lifted her onto the gurney, Chiana said, "Is it just me or does anyone else have a problem with her story?"
"Well, something doesn't quite ring true. Still, I think we should get going, just in case."
"You think she may not have been attacked," Jool asked as she started to push the gurney toward the med bay. "What happened to her ship, then?"
"Oh she was definitely attacked. The question remains, who attacked her and why was she attacked?" D'Argo looked over the ship again and converted his Qualta Rifle back to its blade configuration. "I'll go through the ship while the DRDs do a damage assessment."
Aeryn holstered her pulse pistol. "Pilot, get Moya under way." She looked back at John, who was staring at the gurney. "Something wrong?"
John didn't answer immediately, just continued to watch Jool begin her examination. "I don't know. Have you ever felt like you've stumbled across something but you have no idea what it is?"
"Yes. Usually when you start talking." Aeryn grinned at the sour look John gave her. "Pilot, are there any systems that she could have come from?"
"There are several systems that could be within range of her ship, Officer Sun. Do you wish to set course for one of them?"
Aeryn exchanged a look with John. "No, not until we can talk to her again. Should we."
A gasp from the med bay cut Aeryn off. Turning, she and John saw Jool back away from the gurney. "What the frell.?"
John and Aeryn ran to the med bay. "What's the prob.the hell?" John looked at the gurney and his eyes went wide. "What the hell?"
Where Dari had been was now what looked like a mass of cloudy gel that reminded John of mound of Vaseline. The gel's surface seemed to ripple and undulate in response to unseen stimulus.
Hey, I saw this movie, John thought. "It's the Blob! Where's Steve McQueen when you need him?" John leaned close to the gel and frowned. "Looks like Jell-O. Dari turned into this?"
"I was about to start examining her. It looked for a microt like her flesh was starting to melt. Then she changed into this."
"That's weird. Is there any chance what did this to her could do it to us?"
Jool considered for a microt then shrugged and picked up her scanner. "I won't know that until I know what did it to her. Now go away and let me work."
"I know what it is."
John turned to Aeryn. Her face had become a hard mask and her hand was drifting back to her pulse pistol. "Care to share, Aeryn?"
"It's a changer."
"A changer? I've heard of them." Jool's face brightened as she began to work with the scanner. "Supposedly, they can assume any form imaginable."
"You mean she's a shape-shifter? Cool." John gently pressed his hand against the mass of gel that had been Dari. "Aeryn, what do you."
Pilot's voice cut him off. "Excuse me, but we're receiving a signal."
"Who's it from, Pilot?"
"It's coming from a ship at the very extreme limit of Moya's sensors. They're identifying themselves as representatives of the Shralasen Hegemony. They're apparently searching for an escaped criminal. Do you wish to speak with them?"
John watched D'Argo leave Dari's ship and nodded slowly. "Yeah, put them on."
A microt later, a man's voice was heard. It sounded rough and gravelly to John. "I am Sunistas, Associate Constable with the Shralasen Hegemony. We are searching for a dangerous criminal who is fleeing from justice. Her ship was last seen in this sector."
"A small transport ship," Aeryn asked in a tightly controlled voice.
"Small, but armed. She put up stiff resistance during the pursuit. We thought the ship on the verge of exploding due to damage to its power plant."
John frowned. "So you just left this criminal to die?"
"Flight from Shralasen justice is punishable by death, sir. When we didn't pick up the detonation, we came back to investigate. Did you find the ship?"
John started to say no, but Aeryn cut him off. "Yes, we did."
"Do not enter the ship. The criminal is a changer. We would have to take extreme measures, if the creature escapes."
"Well, that's a bit of a moot point," John said quietly. "We've already opened the ship."
Sunistas was silent for a microt. "What?"
"We thought she was Sebacean. We have her contained, though."
The Constable hesitated again. "I see. We should rendezvous with you in five arns."
"What kind of extreme measures were you just referring to?"
"We will rendezvous with you in five arns. Be ready." The speakers went silent.
"Well, that sounds ominous enough." D'Argo stared at the gurney and shook his head. "That must be why Pilot couldn't get a clear reading on her life signs at first. She was changing into a Sebacean. Changers are supposed to be deceitful, a race of criminals who use their abilities to."
Dari's voice sounded in their minds. "Don't believe the rumors, Luxan. Some say your people are unthinking brutes who respond to any conflict with violence. Is that true?"
John walked back to the gurney. "Is it true what Sunshine said? Are you a criminal?"
"What do you know about the Shralasen?"
"Nothing much," Aeryn said. "They keep to themselves and their home system. Why?"
"To the Shralasen, different equates with criminal. Any race they don't know, any life form they don't recognize, anyone who doesn't follow Shralasen law to the letter is criminal."
Chiana stepped up next to D'Argo. "Sounds familiar."
"Believe me, Nebari culture is extremely liberal compared to the Shralasen. That was my crime, being the very definition of the word different. In fact."
John held up a hand and silence Dari. "Wait a minute. Can you change into something with a mouth? I have enough voices in my head."
"Of course. I apologize."
As they watched, Dari's gelatinous form began to change and grow. She soon took on her Sebacean form. "I didn't want to start changing form without first telling you." She looked at John and frowned. "You look Sebacean, but you're not. Close, but different enough."
"And how do you know that?"
"When I collapsed, you caught me. I was able to read your genetic structure. It's part of how I can almost perfectly mimic other forms."
"Through your clothes?"
"My clothes are part of me." As they watched, Dari's clothes changed to a duplicate of Aeryn's, then Jool's, then Chiana's. After a microt, she changed back to her gray jumpsuit and boots.
"Your genetic structure is similar to a Sebacean's, but it's different enough to be unique."
"Your point?"
"The Shralasen won't recognize your species any more than I do."
"And the Shralasen don't like anyone different." John winced. "I believe the operative word is oops."
They stood for a microt in uncomfortable silence. "What did you do to get on their shit list?" John half expected Dari's confused look. "What did you do to get them mad at you?"
Dari glanced at the deck and laughed. There was no humor in it. "I was sleeping. The Shralasen Constabulary conduct regular sweeps of their population centers, looking for dissidents and unregistered aliens. They found me when I was asleep."
"Moya's sensors registered you as a Sebacean," D'Argo said. "If you can assume a form that completely, how could they detect you?"
"When I'm asleep or unconscious, I revert to my natural form, as I did here. They scanned while I was asleep. That was how they found me."
Aeryn waved a hand at Dari's ship. "So you stole that ship and escaped."
"I know Sebaceans have no use for aliens.which does make me wonder why you're here on a Leviathan with a Luxan, a Nebari, an Interon and whatever he is. But that's not important at the moment. I did not steal that ship. If I can get the computer up and running again, I can show you my ownership papers."
"Maybe later. I'm sure you'll understand if we put you in a cell until the Shralasen arrive." Dari started to protest, but she closed her mouth without speaking and nodded once.
"You must do what you feel is right."
"I'll take her," John said. "Come on, Odo. Let's go find you a bucket to sleep in."
As she followed John, Dari said, "I don't understand many of the things you say."
"No one does, Dari. I'm the wind. Let's go."
As she watched John and Dari leave the med bay, Aeryn asked, "What did you find, D'Argo?"
"Just as she said, some personal possessions and some currency. Nothing out of the ordinary. Do you believe her?"
"I don't know. There are races that will go to the most insane extremes to maintain their isolation. Still." Aeryn looked back at Dari's ship. "Can her ship be repaired?"
D'Argo nodded. "The damage is extensive, but it can all be repaired. What are you thinking? Get the ship repaired and get her out of here?"
"And starburst right after that. Let's get to it."
TO BE CONTINUED
