RYGEOUS ROW

Moya – Remote Corridor:

Having made the effort of tracking Chiana and Rygel down to the belly of the elegant beast that was Moya, Crichton was still just a gooseberry caught between their row.

'What the frell do you think you're doing putting all that dren in his mind, as if it isn't scrambled enough as it is?' Chiana grilled Rygel, who was hovering around above her annoyingly, just out of reach.

'He was lost and sad, and he was in pain and needed my help...' Rygel snapped back defiantly and clenched his toes at her.

Chiana jumped up and swiped at him as she shouted, 'You lied and manipulated him!'

Rygel's throne puttered as he rose a bit more, what with this Nebari female being more agile than he expected.

'Yes, and my adaptation of the truth and circumstances helped rid your new pet of all his problems, and your complaining?!'

'By telling him you're his God?' Chiana snarled.

'His Master, actually.' John finally risked getting a few words in.

'Exactly.' Rygel said, accepting John's unintended support as he hovered down and behind John.

Chiana pointed a silencing finger at John as she continued her verbal reprimand of Rygel under the humans arm.

'This must be right up there with the greatest mind frells of all time. You're no better than Nebari Mind Cleansers! It makes me go numb just thinking that you were once a ruler of millions of people...'

'Billions!' Rygel spat. 'And I still am their ruler...'

'Hate to argue with you Ryge, buddy, but isn't your auntie's, best-friend's, cousin's, roommate calling the shots now?'

Rygel scowled at Crichton's naivety or poor jest, whereas Chiana was mildly amused by the human.

Chiana edged closer to Rygel, 'And I bet your people were glad to see the back of you.'

Rygel gestured intensely and implored the Nebari, 'Chiana, I was only trying to help, you must believe me...'

'Help yourself maybe.' Chiana said as she began to pace, anger welling up ready for a big slap across the deposed Heinerian's face.

'She doesn't mean it Sparky. Much. She's upset.' John said.

Rygel bowed his head in misery at the circumstances, 'It does matter, Crichton.' He sounded deflated, and his little earbrows flopped. 'Chiana's right.'

'Okay, so she is.' Crichton placated him.

'I cheated what is practically a crippled child...'

'I wouldn't quite say that about our guest.' John said quietly to himself. 'Krett is like a Cosmic Houdini.'

'Like you've never cheated a child before.' Chiana snapped back into the dispute.

Rygel finally moved out from behind John, 'Chiana, I am sorry!' He cried out only to recoil at her fist shaking in his face. 'I am sorry. I swear on Crichton's life that I'll make things right. I'll tell Krett the truth.'

Crichton frowned at having his life sworn upon by the treacherous toad.

'You're talking out of your dren shooter.' Chiana hissed. 'And when Krett wakes up, he's going to rip you a new one.'

John got a kick out of that that comment – very human.

'Alright children. Enough.' Crichton stated boldly and gestured for calm between them. 'Rygel will release his claim on Krett's Exocraft as well. Won't you Sparky?'

Rygel nodded reluctantly.

'What about the Glax source, it's worth a fortune and belongs to Krett?' Chiana asked quickly.

'I don't want it.' Rygel almost sounded convincing.

'You're lying.' Chiana sang.

'I don't want it at the expense of your friendship.' Rygel made sure he got that sickly comment across even if Chiana was unconvinced. 'Your friendship means more to me than…'

'Money?' Chiana interrupted.

'…I want my throne back and my people to worship me as their rightful ruler as much as I want you to be there by my side when it happens. I know I need more than money to achieve such a thing.' Rygel stared into her furious eyes, praying for forgiveness.

Chiana looked at John.

'Hell, he's got my vote, Chi.' John said chirpily.

Her rage subsided.

Rygel continued his defence, 'I'm Heinerian. Dishonesty is in my blood. But I want to change. I really do.'

John patted Rygel on the head, 'You have changed Sparky. We all have.' John brought the pair closer and said. 'Call it a truce for now at least. Let's worry about Krett first. He has woken up in the infirmary and is asking for you both to attend...'

Just then Krett strode through the maze of corridors shouting out Chiana's name and spotted her beside Master Rygel and John.

'Chiana!' Krett called out in joyous relief.

Rygel and John watched the intimidating silver figure strutting towards them. As they pondered whether to run or hide, Chiana pounced across the corridor and meet Krett with a hug, he catching her in mid-air.

Krett ran his hand playfully through her fuzzy grey hair, it satisfied him so, and clearly her too.

'Are you feeling better?' Chiana asked Krett soulfully.

'I thought it was the end again, but I'm feeling better. Are you well, my Beautiful Blue?'

'Me, I'm great. My mood that is, not me personally.' She laughed at herself. Krett didn't get the jest, but chuckled kindly.

Their apparently sincere affection and chatter impressed John and made Rygel a little envious.

'Do you think he's getting Zhaan and Chiana mixed up with the Beautiful Blue thing?' John postulated. 'Because she's more of a hazy grey…'

'Who cares!? I think it's pathetic.' Rygel mock-retched.

Krett, holding hands with Chiana, approached John and Rygel.

'Greetings, Master Rygel.' Krett acknowledged the floating Heinerian, with what appeared to be a multiple limb/hand salute.

'…Oh… yes. Hello Krett, my good friend.' Rygel replied nervously and waved.

John eyeballed Rygel and snorted a shameful laugh at his expense.

Krett continued with Chiana, 'I need you to speak with your friends, Chiana. What did I do on my arrival that was so offensive to them, because I cannot remember?'

Heavy footsteps were approaching fast.

'It wasn't your fault. Aeryn brought you on board. You had no choice in the matter.' Chiana explained to Krett.

'Then please tell the crew this, before someone gets hurt...' Krett said mournfully before he pivoted to face D'Argo charging at him, firing his Qualta Blade laser.

John pushed off of Krett's back and landed heavily behind the cover of Moya's wall outcroppings, while Rygel ducked down into a handy DRD service duct. Krett had to shield Chiana from the first three shots then slide her across the floor into cover with John.

'D'Argo, cease fire, you moron!' John cried out, fighting to hold Chiana behind cover as she clawed to get out.

A couple more shots hit Krett in the chest but were absorbed by the malleable living suit, before D'Argo finally halted to study his apparent enemy. Krett did not budge.

Rygel remained hidden in the DRD duct as Chiana tore free from John's grasp and charged at D'Argo.

'What the hesmana are you doing?' She screamed at D'Argo and kicked him in the shin.

D'Argo snarled in pain and favoured his shin as he lashed out with his tongue. Just a warning shot that flashed passed Chiana's cheek.

'Touch me like that again, Chiana, and I will put you to sleep.' D'Argo's threatening tone was as acrid as his stare.

Aeryn and Zhaan dashed up behind D'Argo, where the Delvian immediately checked on John who was limping – he'd twisted his ankle is all.

D'Argo and Chiana were arguing toe-to-toe, 'Your new boyfriend is a menace to us all. He will leave Moya immediately.'

'Jealous fools first.' Chiana said with a tilted head to D'Argo.

Krett was still and calm, with eyes only for Chiana and her animated, riled mood.

'Okay everyone, loosen your sphincters, we've got to sort this out now.' John ordered sternly and waved them all to gather round.

'The cure is simple.' D'Argo told them all. He turned his eyes on Chiana, who glared back with equal spite. 'You will be speaking to your silver soul mate in prayers if he crosses me just one more time. Do I make myself clear, Chiana?!' D'Argo stated coldly before stomping away, thumping Moya, denting the wall.

'I've never seen him quite like this before?' Aeryn asked John, puzzled.

'It's a monster with green eyes.' John whispered to her, and she was little the wiser.

'FAHRBOT!' Chiana screamed at D'Argo's back.

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