Tarone kept his pistol trained on Zhaan as she settled into the pilot's seat.
"Why are you doing this? We agreed to help you and your brother." Zhaan sounded more perplexed than angry or scared.
"No, I'm afraid that would've changed. The Sebacean, Aeryn Sun, tripped me up, and she knew it. I could see it in her eyes. I cannot go back empty handed and with you, there is a good chance that the others will try to rescue you."
"Why do you want to see us captured? Are you working for the Peacekeepers?"
"Not exactly. Now let's get going."
"You are not comfortable with the role you have been forced to take in this matter. I can sense it. Tell me what's troubling you. Perhaps I can help."
"The only way you can help me, Pa'u, is by piloting this craft to Tean and acting as bait for your friends."
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"The transport has taken off."
"Thank you Pilot." Aeryn said. She was watching Crichton. He was leaning against one of the consuls: head bowed, eyes closed. She was about to go over to him when D'Argo burst into command.
"We must go and get Zhaan back." He boomed.
"We are almost certainly being led into a trap, D'Argo." Rygel's face was grim.
"Do not suggest that we leave her there because I will not." D'Argo's drew himself up to his full height and crossed his arms defiantly.
Chiana came to stand next to him. "No. Neither will I." She looked around the others. "W..we have to find out where he's taken her and get her back."
"Rygel's right, D'Argo. It's a trap."
The Luxan glared at the ex-Peacekeeper. "If the rest of you are too cowardly, then Chiana and I will go alone."
Aeryn gave him an annoyed look "No. Of course I will go. That's not what I'm saying. But we need to be aware that if we go down after her someone, maybe Peacekeepers, will be waiting for us. Which is why…."
"Which is why I'm going alone." Crichton straightened up and strode quickly towards the door.
"No you're not!" Aeryn said firmly, going after him.
"This is my fault. I was the one that talked you all into giving the guy that hi-jacked Moya a second chance. If we had listened to you then Zhaan would still be onboard."
"We all agreed to listen to what he had to say, John. And we all left Zhaan alone with him." D'Argo came alongside him. "There is no point in assigning blame in this matter. What's done is done."
Crichton stopped, looking at them both "And there is no point in us all heading into a trap. I'll go down there and, if I can, I'll bring Zhaan back, if not then the rest of you can starburst out of here."
Aeryn shook her head. "No. That is neither acceptable nor sensible. You'll need help. D'Argo and I will go with you."
D'Argo nodded. "Yes, John. Aeryn is right. You cannot go alone."
"Listen. Chances are the Peacekeepers are behind this. I mean, who else wants us this bad? Right?" He shrugged. "If I do this right, they won't even know I'm there."
"And what if you are detected?" Aeryn shot back angrily. "You'll need help."
"If they spot me then I'll be beyond any help that you two could give me." He began walking again down Moya's corridor.
Aeryn exchanged a look with D'Argo and ran after him, grabbing him by his leather vest, forcing him to stop again. "If you are caught they will hand you over to Scorpius again." She almost shouted at him in her frustration.
He nodded "Yeah." His voice was suddenly hoarse with emotion. He gave her a sad half smile. "And if they catch you they'll sentence you to the living death, and D'Argo will either be killed on the spot or spend the rest of his days with his collarbones chained to the wall of some Peacekeeper cell. And what will they do to Zhaan, or Rygel, or Chiana?" He reached up to cup her cheek as he gently removed her hand from his vest. "My fate would be no worse than yours."
She looked at him sadly. "I'm sorry." She said simply.
"What for?" He asked, confused when she looked over his shoulder. He heard the noise but D'Argo's tongue had hit him in the back before he worked out what it was. He heard her say "For that." Then everything faded to black.
Aeryn caught him as he pitched forward and lowered him to the floor. She looked up at the Luxan. " Let's put him in his quarters and get going."
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"Fly faster!" Tarone was feeling nervous. It seemed to be taking forever to reach Tean and his captive was beginning to unnerve him.
"The transport won't go any faster." Zhaan explained patiently. "Why did you say that you couldn't go back home empty handed?"
"What?"
"You said before that you couldn't go back home empty handed. I just wondered why not?"
"Be quiet and pilot the ship. Otherwise I will shoot you and pilot the ship myself. " He jabbed his pistol in her side for emphasis.
Zhaan smiled at him "But then you would go home empty handed and besides I doubt very much whether you can pilot this ship."
"If I shoot you, Pa'u, then your friends won't know and they will still come for you, which suits my purpose nearly as well." He scowled and added " And I am quite capable of flying this craft. Even with one hand."
She continued to smile. "Very impressive." She remained silent for a few microts, then "So what exactly is your purpose?"
Tarone decided to remain silent in the hope that she would tire of talking to him.
"Hmm…" Zhaan regarded him carefully. He looked very young and very scared to her. Not evil or corrupt by any means. "I wonder if it has anything to do with your brother?"
He shot her a quick look but said nothing.
"Has someone got your brother, Tarone? Is that why you can't go home empty handed?" Zhaan noted that he was looking very uncomfortable. " Is it the Peacekeepers? You know, we might be able to help you if you let us."
"You are in no position to help me. Just fly the craft to Tean and shut the frell up!" He shouted, pointing his pistol at her with a shaky hand.
Zhaan looked at him calmly and made her decision. "No." She said.
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TBC