Disclaimer: I don't own Farscape, but the store doesn't sell Hershey bars.
Notes: Last chapter I wrote most of the story through the astronaut's perspective. In this one I made some of it through the eyes of Moya's crew for a change of pace. Expect some references to past episodes. So, if you haven't seen them all you might be confused by some of the dialouge. Also, though I do have a couple plans for the ending of this fic, just think of this as sort of a character study for the time being. I also won't automtically tell you who's perspective I typed in, you'll be able to figure it out. This a lot shorter than I had originally intended. I promise the next will be larger.
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As unbelievable as this is going to sound, those frelling humans are more annoying and farhbot than Crichton! We make a stop at one little commerce planet and they act like they've grown an extra pair of mivonks! All day I've had to put up with the little pale ass bitch asking me questions. "What species is that? Is this rare? How can it do that? How is that possible? Where are it's eyes? What's this? Are there more like it? I can't believe the sky is green! What color is the sky on your planet?" It's unbelievable that D'Argo paired me up with this poor deficient. I am the Dominar of over six hundred billion subjects!
If this frelling human wasn't asking some stupid question, she was speaking about things that made no sense. This... Nakoto... kept mentioning never seeing one thing or another in star wars. That is pure farhbot! We all know humans have never established contact with other species before. How do humans manage to communicate with each other without confusing themselves?
Must she also drag along that little chimp? All it does is annoy me to no end! It walked too slowly, had no discernable language, and was even more deficient than humans! How either of the two species managed to keep themselves from getting killed is beyond me!
When she drops a device she was looking at on the ground something in me snaps, "You frelling human! That is the second time you managed to break something in an arn!"
She looked scared, good. "I-I'm sorry. I won't touch anything else."
"See that you don't! You're lucky you don't look that much like an average Sebaccean. The inhabitants of this planet would have gutted you in a microt!" I paid off the shopkeeper and we headed farther down the street.
Nakoto had that curious look on her face, "Isn't Aeryn Sebaccean?"
Where's she going with this? "Of course. Why?"
"Then why would the inhabitants hate her species?"
"Because all Peacekeepers are Sebaccean." We stop at a shop specializing in Hynerian delicacies.
"Oh, so that's why you left Craig on the ship. He didn't even seem to mind. I thought that was a little odd," she said.
"Of course. Come to think of it, we should be heading back to the transport pod soon. Crichton and the others should be there already." At that they started back towards the pod. Along the way, we saw an outdoor resturant, which is something no sane Hynerian can ignore.
"I'm sure Crichton won't mind if we only stop for a few hundred microts to get something to eat," I said which the scientist readily agreed to. Finally someone who understands the importance of food consumption!
"I haven't eaten since we got here... I mean since the five of us came through the wormhole. It's been two days and I was too preoccupied to think about getting some rations. I could use a bite to eat."
I give her a look that I hope came across as 'Your farhbot!', "Could you please explain as how it is possible to eat a bite?"
She looked suprised, "Oh! It's just an expression."
We order our food and wait for it to be prepared. I decide to ask the question that has plagued me ever since I met Crichton, "Are all of your species farhbot?"
Nakoto gave me a puzzled look, "What's 'farhbot'?"
I ignore her idiotic question, "How do you humans manage to understand each other? From what I learned from that 'Gibbs', there are hundreds of expressions in each the hundreds of languages that are on your planet. How do you manage to communicate without confusing each other?"
She put a finger to her lip and looked up, "I never really thought of that before," no kidding, "I guess it's when we hear an expression we've never heard before all we do is ask them what it means."
I frowned, "Well, why use the different expressions at all. Why don't you speak properly instead of butchering your own language!"
She shrugged, "It's just easier to speak that way, I don't know."
"Ludicrous! From this moment on, you will speak properly! Understand!" She jumped at my tone, good.
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"Wait a second...." I roll my eyes as I once again get interrupted by Sikozu. She was the only alien with us at the dinner table. Apparently, the others couldn't stand us anymore. It's not my fault they can't understand me... wait, yes it is.
"What is a second?" Will she ever shut up?
Crichton comes to the rescue with, "It's just the Earth version of a microt," he turns to me again, "What were you about to say?"
"Alright, so let me get this straight. You're considered the weakest being besides Rygel and Chiana, and the most deficient. Yet, you saved their lives more times than the other way around?" Me and Ishaq laugh.
Maurice slaps him on the back, "I see you been showing 'em what humans are all about!"
He bit off another piece of his Hershey bar, "Yeah! They say my senses are so bad I might as well not even have 'em. Let me quote the words of Pilot, 'You have no special ablities," he changed his voice to do a good impression of the Australian accent, "'You're not particularly smart. Can hardly smell. Can barely see, and you're not vaugely physically or spiritually imposing.' All this, yet I'M the one coming up with all of the plans. I'M the one saving their butts all the time. There's no, 'Thanks for saving me John,' or , 'Where would we be without you John.' I only get, 'That was a terrible plan John,' or, 'Not more frelling human nonsense!' If they're so much smarter than me than they should be able to figure out what I mean!" He's almost yelling now, "Well I'm tired of it!"
What had started out as good dinner going over interesting stories, was switched over to listening about Crichton's exploits. It was fun to go, 'Humans are superior!', for a while, but John was slowly turning bitter. It was obvious to all of us that this man was as tired of the last few years as he so simply, and loudly, put it.
I decide to change the subject. "Chiana and I are getting along," I say as I raise my eyebrows suggestively. Nakoto and Sikozu roll their eyes and get up to leave. I just noticed that the redhead's name actually sounds Japanese, or at least her first name. The rest is too ridiculously long for me to care.
Nakoto looks to Sikozu, "Why don't we leave the boy's to argue over who's gettin' some," she looks back at us, "Or who's isn't."
The redhead gets a puzzled frown on her face, then she laughs when she finally gets the joke. Nakoto waves as they leave the mess hall.
Crichton looks at me, "You haven't actually..."
I shake my head, "No, though I am thinking about taking her up on her offer."
One of Ishaq's eyebrows went up, "Offer?"
Maurice decides to speak up. I can tell that he doesn't like the thought of the two of us together. It can't be jealousy because I've noticed that he and Nakoto have been a little friendly since before we ever took off in the shuttle. I had noticed when they held hands when we first met the aliens. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! You don't know what's goin' on down there man. For all you know, she could have a sword, not a scabbard."
I spit out the sip of 'fellip nectar' that was in my mouth. I had never thought of that.
Ishaq readily agreed with him, "You never know. Even if she is female, you might be trying to use incompatible parts." He, Maurice, and John all chuckle at that one. I didn't find it nearly as funny.
Crichton was still chuckling when he said, "You don't have to worry about that one."
We all look at him with raised eyebrows. He noticed this also because he followed it up with, "Whoa! It's not what you think."
"Then what is it," I ask.
He looked a little uncomfortable before answering, "I sort of walked in on her and D'Argo..."
"D'Argo!" That was all three of us. Who would have thought?
"Yeah," he looked around conspiratorially, "Try not to mention it around either of 'em. They kind of had a bad break up," he told us in a loud whisper. I see a DRD in the corner of my eye, and I give it no thought. They're all over the place.
Ishaq asked, "What happened?" I've been a little suprised by him lately. He's normally quiet and reserved unless someone needs medical attention. Maybe our little trip and meeting aliens brought out the 'motor mouth' in him, well, motor mouth for him.
John looked at all of the entrances of the mess hall. When he saw no one, he leaned over the table and whispered, "You see, most of the time I've known D'Argo he wanted to find his kid. Anyway. When we finally found him on some planet, we brought him aboard with us. To make a long story short, Chiana cheated on him with his own son........ a lot."
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Moya and I are deeply disturbed. It seems as though our encounter with Traltixx cut wounds more deeply than we had imagined. It has been almost two cycles since that incident, yet Commander Crichton still seems to be 'holding a grudge'.
Perhaps he is right, though. In fact, I know he is right. If we were really that much smarter than him, we would easily be able to determine the meaning of his 'Crichtonisms'. He has saved Moya and I numerous times, yet it seems that we have not given him the credit that he deserves. I am especially sorry about my own contributions to further the pain inflicted on his pride.
The fact that he is bitter is not what suprises us. His time upon Moya has been turbulent at best. It has changed him from the curious, wide- eyed alien, to the cold and arguably insane being traversing Moya's halls. Just when things seems to quiet down, another tragedy affects the crew.
Though, what does suprise us, is that Commander Crichton would so readily give away information as private as Chiana's and Captain D'Argo's relationship issues. It mattered not if he was speaking to his member species for the first time in cycles or not. He should have never have given away something so private to near strangers. Though we enjoy the company of the humans, if these last two days have been any indication, they as a species, like to talk.
What also disturbs us is Commander Crichton's frequent use of the drug the 'Divine Eternal' gave him. He repeatedly assures us that he doesn't need it, and only administers it to himself to 'take the edge off', but Moya and I think otherwise. Our fear is that he may have become addicted to the substance and is only trying to rationalize his excessive use of it.
I believe it is time to present my fears to a few... choice... members of the crew. "Office Sun," I call into the comms. I recieve no answer in return. "Officer Sun!"
After a few microts there is an answer, "What is it Pilot? Is something wrong?"
"I believe so. Could you please get Captain D'Argo, Chiana, Rygel, and yourself to my den as soon as possible?"
She immediately asks, "What about John?"
"This meeting is concerning him," I answer.
Apparently, that is all of the explanation she requires. She responds immediately, "Of course! I have noticed something as well...."
After one hundred and fifty microts all four of them enter my den. I look up and acknowledge them. They all had the same expectant expression on their faces.
"What is it Pilot? What's wrong with Crichton?" Chiana seemed a little impatient.
I look back down at the readings on my console to ensure everything is in order, then I look back up and give the four of them my undivided attention. "Moya and I are concerned with Commander Crichton's mental stability." By the looks on their faces I can safely assume that they have also given the subject some thought as well.
Aeryn seemed indecisive for a microt then asked, "Are you talkng about that substance he keeps on sniffing?"
I try not to look directly at her. "That actually was not our first concern, but it is being given some thought. What is our first concern, however, is something I, overheard, during the humans 'dinner'." I pause to command a DRD to repair another damaged one.
Captain D'Argo never really was one for patience, "Well... spit it out Pilot!"
"I believe it would just be easier to let you listen to the recording of the 'dinner' conversation yourselves." At that I play the humans conversation. Of course, I leave out their small converation concerning Chiana's...... infidelity issues. The last thing we need is a hyper-raging Luxan about.
"I believe that it is in mutual agreement that this is an issue that must be addressed immediately. Moya, of course, agrees. I also believe that the Commander also has developed a dependancy to the drug Noranti has supplied him." I look around for the crew's reaction. They look as apprehensive Moya and I feel.
After an oppressive silence, Dominar Rygel finally asked, "What is the drug for?"
I involuntarily look at Officer Sun. The rest notice this however, and I nervously answer, "He has been administering the drug to forget the... pain... that he feels when in Officer Sun's presence."
Officer Sun's face transformed into a faraway look. The others looked increasingly nervous.
Before I have a chance to speak again, Chiana twitched her neck and asked, "How do you know? Did he tell you?"
"I heard his and Noranti's conversation over a weeken ago through one of the DRDs. I believe that this problem more easily solved than the other presented, so I think that we should deal with the Commander's drug problem firstly and promptly." The others nod their heads in agreement.
"I also think that the other issue of Commander Crichton's perception of us should be discussed with him present at a later time." I recieve more nods. They all looked uncomfortable as they agree to comfront Commander Crichton during his 'dinner'.
Just as they begin to leave my den, I notice something on my console. "Everyone. It seems that Scorpius is wandering Moya's hallways unattended."
The four of them turn back to me promptly. Captain D'Argo asks, or demands rather, "Where is he!?!"
"Tier thirteen, his walking pattern indicates that he is not headed anywhere in particular."
The Luxan warrior hissed, "That doesn't matter. He shouldn't be roaming the halls with no one to watch him. I'll go down and keep an eye on Scorpius. You guys should go and talk to Crichton. I'm bad at this kind of stuff anyway."
We all readily agree. As they left my den, I kept a watchful eye on Scorpius for D'Argo.
to be continued........
Notes: Last chapter I wrote most of the story through the astronaut's perspective. In this one I made some of it through the eyes of Moya's crew for a change of pace. Expect some references to past episodes. So, if you haven't seen them all you might be confused by some of the dialouge. Also, though I do have a couple plans for the ending of this fic, just think of this as sort of a character study for the time being. I also won't automtically tell you who's perspective I typed in, you'll be able to figure it out. This a lot shorter than I had originally intended. I promise the next will be larger.
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As unbelievable as this is going to sound, those frelling humans are more annoying and farhbot than Crichton! We make a stop at one little commerce planet and they act like they've grown an extra pair of mivonks! All day I've had to put up with the little pale ass bitch asking me questions. "What species is that? Is this rare? How can it do that? How is that possible? Where are it's eyes? What's this? Are there more like it? I can't believe the sky is green! What color is the sky on your planet?" It's unbelievable that D'Argo paired me up with this poor deficient. I am the Dominar of over six hundred billion subjects!
If this frelling human wasn't asking some stupid question, she was speaking about things that made no sense. This... Nakoto... kept mentioning never seeing one thing or another in star wars. That is pure farhbot! We all know humans have never established contact with other species before. How do humans manage to communicate with each other without confusing themselves?
Must she also drag along that little chimp? All it does is annoy me to no end! It walked too slowly, had no discernable language, and was even more deficient than humans! How either of the two species managed to keep themselves from getting killed is beyond me!
When she drops a device she was looking at on the ground something in me snaps, "You frelling human! That is the second time you managed to break something in an arn!"
She looked scared, good. "I-I'm sorry. I won't touch anything else."
"See that you don't! You're lucky you don't look that much like an average Sebaccean. The inhabitants of this planet would have gutted you in a microt!" I paid off the shopkeeper and we headed farther down the street.
Nakoto had that curious look on her face, "Isn't Aeryn Sebaccean?"
Where's she going with this? "Of course. Why?"
"Then why would the inhabitants hate her species?"
"Because all Peacekeepers are Sebaccean." We stop at a shop specializing in Hynerian delicacies.
"Oh, so that's why you left Craig on the ship. He didn't even seem to mind. I thought that was a little odd," she said.
"Of course. Come to think of it, we should be heading back to the transport pod soon. Crichton and the others should be there already." At that they started back towards the pod. Along the way, we saw an outdoor resturant, which is something no sane Hynerian can ignore.
"I'm sure Crichton won't mind if we only stop for a few hundred microts to get something to eat," I said which the scientist readily agreed to. Finally someone who understands the importance of food consumption!
"I haven't eaten since we got here... I mean since the five of us came through the wormhole. It's been two days and I was too preoccupied to think about getting some rations. I could use a bite to eat."
I give her a look that I hope came across as 'Your farhbot!', "Could you please explain as how it is possible to eat a bite?"
She looked suprised, "Oh! It's just an expression."
We order our food and wait for it to be prepared. I decide to ask the question that has plagued me ever since I met Crichton, "Are all of your species farhbot?"
Nakoto gave me a puzzled look, "What's 'farhbot'?"
I ignore her idiotic question, "How do you humans manage to understand each other? From what I learned from that 'Gibbs', there are hundreds of expressions in each the hundreds of languages that are on your planet. How do you manage to communicate without confusing each other?"
She put a finger to her lip and looked up, "I never really thought of that before," no kidding, "I guess it's when we hear an expression we've never heard before all we do is ask them what it means."
I frowned, "Well, why use the different expressions at all. Why don't you speak properly instead of butchering your own language!"
She shrugged, "It's just easier to speak that way, I don't know."
"Ludicrous! From this moment on, you will speak properly! Understand!" She jumped at my tone, good.
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"Wait a second...." I roll my eyes as I once again get interrupted by Sikozu. She was the only alien with us at the dinner table. Apparently, the others couldn't stand us anymore. It's not my fault they can't understand me... wait, yes it is.
"What is a second?" Will she ever shut up?
Crichton comes to the rescue with, "It's just the Earth version of a microt," he turns to me again, "What were you about to say?"
"Alright, so let me get this straight. You're considered the weakest being besides Rygel and Chiana, and the most deficient. Yet, you saved their lives more times than the other way around?" Me and Ishaq laugh.
Maurice slaps him on the back, "I see you been showing 'em what humans are all about!"
He bit off another piece of his Hershey bar, "Yeah! They say my senses are so bad I might as well not even have 'em. Let me quote the words of Pilot, 'You have no special ablities," he changed his voice to do a good impression of the Australian accent, "'You're not particularly smart. Can hardly smell. Can barely see, and you're not vaugely physically or spiritually imposing.' All this, yet I'M the one coming up with all of the plans. I'M the one saving their butts all the time. There's no, 'Thanks for saving me John,' or , 'Where would we be without you John.' I only get, 'That was a terrible plan John,' or, 'Not more frelling human nonsense!' If they're so much smarter than me than they should be able to figure out what I mean!" He's almost yelling now, "Well I'm tired of it!"
What had started out as good dinner going over interesting stories, was switched over to listening about Crichton's exploits. It was fun to go, 'Humans are superior!', for a while, but John was slowly turning bitter. It was obvious to all of us that this man was as tired of the last few years as he so simply, and loudly, put it.
I decide to change the subject. "Chiana and I are getting along," I say as I raise my eyebrows suggestively. Nakoto and Sikozu roll their eyes and get up to leave. I just noticed that the redhead's name actually sounds Japanese, or at least her first name. The rest is too ridiculously long for me to care.
Nakoto looks to Sikozu, "Why don't we leave the boy's to argue over who's gettin' some," she looks back at us, "Or who's isn't."
The redhead gets a puzzled frown on her face, then she laughs when she finally gets the joke. Nakoto waves as they leave the mess hall.
Crichton looks at me, "You haven't actually..."
I shake my head, "No, though I am thinking about taking her up on her offer."
One of Ishaq's eyebrows went up, "Offer?"
Maurice decides to speak up. I can tell that he doesn't like the thought of the two of us together. It can't be jealousy because I've noticed that he and Nakoto have been a little friendly since before we ever took off in the shuttle. I had noticed when they held hands when we first met the aliens. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! You don't know what's goin' on down there man. For all you know, she could have a sword, not a scabbard."
I spit out the sip of 'fellip nectar' that was in my mouth. I had never thought of that.
Ishaq readily agreed with him, "You never know. Even if she is female, you might be trying to use incompatible parts." He, Maurice, and John all chuckle at that one. I didn't find it nearly as funny.
Crichton was still chuckling when he said, "You don't have to worry about that one."
We all look at him with raised eyebrows. He noticed this also because he followed it up with, "Whoa! It's not what you think."
"Then what is it," I ask.
He looked a little uncomfortable before answering, "I sort of walked in on her and D'Argo..."
"D'Argo!" That was all three of us. Who would have thought?
"Yeah," he looked around conspiratorially, "Try not to mention it around either of 'em. They kind of had a bad break up," he told us in a loud whisper. I see a DRD in the corner of my eye, and I give it no thought. They're all over the place.
Ishaq asked, "What happened?" I've been a little suprised by him lately. He's normally quiet and reserved unless someone needs medical attention. Maybe our little trip and meeting aliens brought out the 'motor mouth' in him, well, motor mouth for him.
John looked at all of the entrances of the mess hall. When he saw no one, he leaned over the table and whispered, "You see, most of the time I've known D'Argo he wanted to find his kid. Anyway. When we finally found him on some planet, we brought him aboard with us. To make a long story short, Chiana cheated on him with his own son........ a lot."
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Moya and I are deeply disturbed. It seems as though our encounter with Traltixx cut wounds more deeply than we had imagined. It has been almost two cycles since that incident, yet Commander Crichton still seems to be 'holding a grudge'.
Perhaps he is right, though. In fact, I know he is right. If we were really that much smarter than him, we would easily be able to determine the meaning of his 'Crichtonisms'. He has saved Moya and I numerous times, yet it seems that we have not given him the credit that he deserves. I am especially sorry about my own contributions to further the pain inflicted on his pride.
The fact that he is bitter is not what suprises us. His time upon Moya has been turbulent at best. It has changed him from the curious, wide- eyed alien, to the cold and arguably insane being traversing Moya's halls. Just when things seems to quiet down, another tragedy affects the crew.
Though, what does suprise us, is that Commander Crichton would so readily give away information as private as Chiana's and Captain D'Argo's relationship issues. It mattered not if he was speaking to his member species for the first time in cycles or not. He should have never have given away something so private to near strangers. Though we enjoy the company of the humans, if these last two days have been any indication, they as a species, like to talk.
What also disturbs us is Commander Crichton's frequent use of the drug the 'Divine Eternal' gave him. He repeatedly assures us that he doesn't need it, and only administers it to himself to 'take the edge off', but Moya and I think otherwise. Our fear is that he may have become addicted to the substance and is only trying to rationalize his excessive use of it.
I believe it is time to present my fears to a few... choice... members of the crew. "Office Sun," I call into the comms. I recieve no answer in return. "Officer Sun!"
After a few microts there is an answer, "What is it Pilot? Is something wrong?"
"I believe so. Could you please get Captain D'Argo, Chiana, Rygel, and yourself to my den as soon as possible?"
She immediately asks, "What about John?"
"This meeting is concerning him," I answer.
Apparently, that is all of the explanation she requires. She responds immediately, "Of course! I have noticed something as well...."
After one hundred and fifty microts all four of them enter my den. I look up and acknowledge them. They all had the same expectant expression on their faces.
"What is it Pilot? What's wrong with Crichton?" Chiana seemed a little impatient.
I look back down at the readings on my console to ensure everything is in order, then I look back up and give the four of them my undivided attention. "Moya and I are concerned with Commander Crichton's mental stability." By the looks on their faces I can safely assume that they have also given the subject some thought as well.
Aeryn seemed indecisive for a microt then asked, "Are you talkng about that substance he keeps on sniffing?"
I try not to look directly at her. "That actually was not our first concern, but it is being given some thought. What is our first concern, however, is something I, overheard, during the humans 'dinner'." I pause to command a DRD to repair another damaged one.
Captain D'Argo never really was one for patience, "Well... spit it out Pilot!"
"I believe it would just be easier to let you listen to the recording of the 'dinner' conversation yourselves." At that I play the humans conversation. Of course, I leave out their small converation concerning Chiana's...... infidelity issues. The last thing we need is a hyper-raging Luxan about.
"I believe that it is in mutual agreement that this is an issue that must be addressed immediately. Moya, of course, agrees. I also believe that the Commander also has developed a dependancy to the drug Noranti has supplied him." I look around for the crew's reaction. They look as apprehensive Moya and I feel.
After an oppressive silence, Dominar Rygel finally asked, "What is the drug for?"
I involuntarily look at Officer Sun. The rest notice this however, and I nervously answer, "He has been administering the drug to forget the... pain... that he feels when in Officer Sun's presence."
Officer Sun's face transformed into a faraway look. The others looked increasingly nervous.
Before I have a chance to speak again, Chiana twitched her neck and asked, "How do you know? Did he tell you?"
"I heard his and Noranti's conversation over a weeken ago through one of the DRDs. I believe that this problem more easily solved than the other presented, so I think that we should deal with the Commander's drug problem firstly and promptly." The others nod their heads in agreement.
"I also think that the other issue of Commander Crichton's perception of us should be discussed with him present at a later time." I recieve more nods. They all looked uncomfortable as they agree to comfront Commander Crichton during his 'dinner'.
Just as they begin to leave my den, I notice something on my console. "Everyone. It seems that Scorpius is wandering Moya's hallways unattended."
The four of them turn back to me promptly. Captain D'Argo asks, or demands rather, "Where is he!?!"
"Tier thirteen, his walking pattern indicates that he is not headed anywhere in particular."
The Luxan warrior hissed, "That doesn't matter. He shouldn't be roaming the halls with no one to watch him. I'll go down and keep an eye on Scorpius. You guys should go and talk to Crichton. I'm bad at this kind of stuff anyway."
We all readily agree. As they left my den, I kept a watchful eye on Scorpius for D'Argo.
to be continued........