"See anything?"
"No. You?"
"Nope. Maybe Scorpy hasn't arrived yet."
She considered that. "It's possible. We are deep into the Uncharted Territories. But they can't be far away. In two solar days the Peacekeepers can reach most places, especially when it is for something as important as you are to Scorpius."
Crichton looked around a little nervously. "Remind me whose stupid idea this was again."
"It was yours…as almost all our stupid ideas are." She tried to look at him sternly but found herself smiling at him instead.
He gave her a cocky grin "Most of my plans are brilliant…"
"Most of your plans go wrong…"
"Excuse me, none of my plans have killed you!"
"Yet."
"Hey!" He nudged her with his shoulder, pleased when her smile widened.
"We are meant to be looking out for Peacekeepers." Her reprimand was softened by the fact she was still smiling.
"Well, quit distractin' me!" He shot back.
Aeryn rolled her eyes and sighed.
They were standing at the window of a hotel room, which overlooked part of the main market, dressed in the sort of hooded coat the Tarone had been wearing when they first saw him, watching the bustling crowds below them. Crichton had gone disguise shopping for four when they had first landed, dressed in what Tarone had been wearing. As well as the coats, he had also bought, on Tarone's recommendation, masks which were like thin cloth balaclavas but without any spaces for eyes and mouth. He was amazed to find that the mask didn't hamper his vision at all. Tarone had explained that many locals wore them to protect their faces from the wind, which was ever present on Tean.
The market itself was undercover, like a single storey shopping mall. A material that looked like glass, or maybe clear plastic, covered the large area without any visible means of support, save for the buildings at the edges. The interior was pleasantly cool and bright and in sharp contrast to the biting wind outside. There were stalls and shops everywhere selling everything: food; clothing; weapons; spare parts; pets; toys; furniture; crockery; everything that Crichton could think of he could see on sale somewhere in the market. It all looked well ordered and clean and…well, pleasant. The buildings that looked down on the market seemed to be mostly hotels or warehouses. What he assumed to be the local law enforcement were in evidence patrolling the area. It would have looked a lot like an indoor market back home if it hadn't been for the fact that the shoppers were a multitude of different shapes, sizes and colours. Most of the vendors looked like Tarone, but a few were lighter skinned; pinker. The ruling class overseeing their businesses, Crichton supposed from what Tarone had told him.
Even after nearly two cycles on this side of the universe, the sight of a new world still amazed him. He wondered whether that would ever change. Aeryn didn't appear to be amazed by anything. She stood beside him surveying the scene as if she saw it everyday, when in truth, as he'd once pointed out to her, many of the things they encountered were as new to her as they were to him. His eyes left the scene before him and fixed on his companion. Was that an Aeryn thing or a Peacekeeper thing? Not for the first time, he wondered what she would have been like if the Peacekeepers had never got their hooks into her. But then he would never have met her and he didn't even want to think what the past two cycles would have been like without her. In the midst of his musings he became aware that Aeryn was looking at him looking at her. He gave himself a mental shake and returned his thoughts to the matter at hand.
"Where does Tarone's master live? What's his name again: Funsis; Fungus;…?"
She rolled her eyes "Finsis." She went back to scanning the crowd. " According to this " She indicated the paper she was holding "his house is at the other end of the market." She fell quiet then turned to him "Have you noticed that there don't seem to be any Sebaceans here at all?"
"Yep, if it wasn't for these get ups, we'd be a couple of sore thumbs all right. I'm not seeing any Luxans or Delvians either. That must be how they spotted D'Argo and Zhaan so quickly. Speaking of D'Argo, shouldn't he have called in by now?"
Aeryn activated her com. "D'Argo. Where are you?"
"Outside the slave owner's house."
"Is Rygel out of there yet?" Crichton asked.
"No. The little slug is probably selling us out as we speak."
"Well, D'Argo. That is what we sent him in there for."
"No. We sent him in there to pretend to sell us out."
"Y'know, anyone would think you didn't trust little Buckwheat."
"I do not. And with good reason."
" I know, but we've been through this and we agreed that it had to be Rygel. Listen, just keep out of sight and call us when Rygel leaves." Crichton heard D'Argo mutter something that his translator microbes didn't quite catch and closed his com. " How long do you think it will be until nightfall?" He asked Aeryn.
"According to Pilot's calculations, around three arns."
He groaned. "Three arns! In this room. I suppose a little shopping spree is out of the question?"
"Crichton, we spent nearly 4 arns getting here in the transport because we didn't want Moya to be detected, we are dressed in these frelling annoying clothes" she grabbed a handful of her oversized coat for emphasis " and masks so that no-one will be able to identify us and we are currently in an establishment that rents rooms by the arn…"
"We needed somewhere safe to hide out with a view across the market. Tarone suggested this place. I didn't know it was going to be quite so ..sleazy."
She frowned "The point I was trying to make is that your plan depends upon us avoiding detection. And you don't exactly have the best record when it comes to keeping out of trouble on commerce planets. So, no! No shopping!"
"Aw, come on! I haven't gotten into trouble on a commerce planet for ages. "
"That's because we don't let you go anymore."
He huffed a little and moved away from the window.
"Why don't you sleep? You've been complaining of tiredness since yesterday."
"That was before Zhaanie zapped me with some sort of caffeine shot. I don't think I'll ever sleep again."
"Hmm, we'll see." She turned her attention back to the window.
He sighed dramatically "I'll just sit here then." He sat down on the bed and looked around for a few microts, "Doin' nothing." He tapped his feet and sighed again, flopping back onto the bed. "Hey Aeryn?" He sat up.
"What?"
"Wanna learn how to play Paper, Scissors, Stone?"
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Rygel was reclining against sumptuous cushions in a large, richly decorated room, eating marjols. He would have been extremely happy if it wasn't for the fat being in front of him and this foolish plan of Crichton's. He lifted his cup towards the slave owner who bowed his head slightly in a manner that made Rygel want to bite his fingers off one by one. Finsis was a lighter red than Tarone but was otherwise the same, except Finsis was fat and looked slightly clammy to the touch in a way that even Rygel found off putting. He was clearly very rich though. Rygel eyed the richly jewelled plates and goblets before him and wondered whether he could sneak a few out. His thoughts were disturbed by his host's deep two tone voice.
"I must confess that I was surprised when I was told of your visit, Dominar Rygel." Finsis smiled. "And intrigued when I learnt of your purpose. Tell me, what made you think that I would be able to help you?"
"Let's not play games, Finsis." Rygel returned the slave owner's sickly smile. "Your boy was not long aboard Moya when we discovered him quite by chance. He told a heartbreaking story about having accidentally left his brother behind while trying to stowaway, which convinced the others and made them decide to return to Tean and help him. However I am Hynerian and not so easily fooled! I confronted him and he eventually confessed his plans when I told him I had discovered the Peacekeeper technology he had. I agreed to keep quiet about his true motives on the understanding that he give me details of the person behind his mission." Rygel slurped down another marjol.
"I see. Why take the chance of coming back, of coming here? I could imprison you and hand you over to the Peacekeepers."
"Yes, you could. But why have one Hynerian when you could have the rest of them." Rygel gave Finsis a small smile. "You are a business man, does that sound like good business?"
Finsis nodded thoughtfully and took a sip from his own cup. "Are you really going to betray your shipmates?" He enquired almost casually.
"If you know anything of the history of this matter, you will know that ours was an alliance forged from necessity. Now my only concern is to return to Hyneria and right the wrongs visited upon me by my cousin. The others were useful during my escape but are now nothing more than a hindrance. I have been waiting for an opportunity such as this ever since the day we freed ourselves."
"And if I agree to this deal?"
"I will bring you aboard the Leviathan along with your men. They will never suspect a thing."
"And in return?"
"You leave me on Moya to starburst the frell away from here before the Peacekeepers arrive. I want Tarone and his brother to come with me. That boy has shown himself to be useful and I will need someone to serve me and act as my crew. If I take them both then I have confidence that Tarone will serve me faithfully. He seems very attached to that brother of his."
"Yes, yes of course." He looked thoughtful again. " How do I know that this is not part of some elaborate scheme?"
"You don't." Rygel shrugged. " But if it were, what purpose would it serve? If the rest of the crew knew of Tarone's treachery they would have spaced him and turned the ship around. It would make no sense for us to stay here waiting for the Peacekeepers. You can help me lose a troublesome crew. I can help you make a lot of money. We are allies."
"Forgive me, but your crew were once your allies…"
"This is a single transaction, to both our benefits, then we go our separate ways. It is hardly the same."
"Interesting."
"What do you say?"
Where are the crew now?"
"Onboard Moya. They think that I am here trying to find out what happened to the boy's brother. Where are the Peacekeepers?"
"They should be here in force tomorrow."
"Tomorrow will be too late. Of course they may understand why you let six of their most wanted fugitives slip through your fingers…" He leaned back and noted with some satisfaction that Finsis was looking decidedly uncomfortable.
"They'll kill me." He said almost to himself.
"Yes they will, so if you want to have something to show them when they get here, collect the bounty and save your own life in the process you had better carefully consider my offer."
"Are they coming here to get the boy?"
"They have no idea where he is. Tarone told them that he is simple and must have wandered away. He told them nothing of you and nothing of the Peacekeepers. They are not expecting a fight. The whole crew will not be coming down to retrieve a lost slave boy."
"I could use you as bait…" He mused.
Rygel snorted. "I doubt they would fall for it. And who is to say that, if they did, Crichton would be the one to come and get me? Isn't he the real prize?" His eyes narrowed. "Listen to me, I am taking a great risk coming here. If the others learn of what I have done they will kill me. But I am not in the least bit concerned that you will imprison me because you would be sealing your own fate. My capture will not satisfy Scorpius." Rygel noticed with some satisfaction that Finsis had paled considerably at the half breeds name "It is Scorpius, isn't it, that your Peacekeeper friend serves? It will only serve to confirm that Crichton was here and you let him go." Rygel popped the last marjol into his mouth and swallowed it down with relish. "Incidentally, don't even think about trying to double-cross me and take me prisoner along with the rest. Moya's Pilot will refuse to open the hanger doors unless I am alive and free. If you kill me, he will open the entire ship up to space."
Finsis' smile was back in place as he said "The thought had never crossed my mind, Dominar Rygel."
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"He's out." D'Argo's voice came over the com. " And he is with a large lighter skinned man."
"Alright Pip, you're up. Keep him in sight, that's all. No contact, no matter what happens. Com us immediately if anything goes wrong. And be careful."
"Why do I have to follow Rygel through the wind in the dark?" Chiana moaned. "Why can't you do it?"
"Chiana, stop whining! You said that you wanted to come, now do as you're told for once and watch Rygel!" Aeryn's voice left no room for argument. She raised her eyebrow as Chiana's com went dead abruptly, then looked at Crichton. "Do you really think that Rygel can do this?"
He gave her a little open mouthed look of incredulity "Are you kiddin' me? Rygel and betrayal go hand in hand." He grew a little more serious. " As D'Argo says, the problem is not whether he can do it, it's whether or not he will pretend to do it."
She rolled her eyes.
"All Rygel has to do is get Finsis and hopefully most of his favourite henchmen into the transport and on the way to Moya. If they tell him where Tiva is on the way to the transport, great. He either coms us if he gets the chance or leaves a message somewhere for Chi. If not, this is not a big place; and with Finsis and his goons distracted, you me and D'Argo should be able to locate Tiva ourselves before they even get to Moya. When they do get there, Rygel leads them to the central chamber and Pilot seals them in there. If we still haven't found Tiva then we'll keep them until they tell us where he is. Simple."
"Nothing about this plan is simple." Aeryn grumbled.
"Yeah, well, nothing about this situation is simple."
"We should have used my plan."
"Your plan? Aeryn. Your plan.." He spluttered "Your 'plan' consisted of sneaking into Finsis' house, past Lord knows how many guards, to drag him out of his bed and have him take us, past all the guards again, to Tiva. And then, if I recall, your strategy was to just walk out of there. With the boy. Past all of those guards again."
"Well, we would probably have had to fight our way out." She conceded. "But we could have used Finsis as a hostage."
"Bearing in mind the reward for our capture, I'm willing to bet that Finsis would have been a victim of 'friendly fire'. Behind every powerful man is a trusted someone just itchin' to take his place."
"You don't know that."
"We would all have died, Aeryn. And, forgive me, but I'm not quite ready to do that yet. Tarone says this guy is well protected. We have to assume that any attempt to reach Finsis direct by force will fail. We have to play on his greed and distract him. And we have to do it quickly before the Peacekeepers get here."
"My plan was quick."
"And deadly."
"Well, although it may have had some flaws…"
"Dying, Aeryn, is a little more than a flaw!"
"Although it may have had some flaws, at least my plan didn't rely on Rygel doing what he is told and Chiana staying out of sight!"
Crichton tipped his head slightly to one side and rolled his eyes a touch. "Well, I suppose… I mean, if you're gonna be picky…"
Aeryn gave him a smug look.
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TBC