BOUNTY

By Darkman

Rating:  PG for minor violence and language.

Category:  Action/Adventure

Time/Spoilers:  Some Season 3 spoilers.  Takes place somewhere near the end of Season 3 after John and Aeryn's resolution of their relationship problems

Summary:  After a strange encounter on a Commerce planet, the crew begins to plan their assault on Scorpius, but they need more currency.

Disclaimer:  I don't own them, didn't create them, and certainly don't profit from them.  Wish I did or had.  I promise that I'll put them back where I found them.

CHAPTER 5– Insight and the Plan

John leaned against the wall considering the question.  "Would I be able to kill Chatto?" he thought.

Chiana noticed his hesitation and caught Aeryn's eye.  "See, told you I was right.  He's even hesitating at the question," she crowed.

"I have to agree with Chiana.  John, your indecision could get you and the rest of us killed.  You do see that, do you not?" Aeryn said in a worried tone.

John pushed away from the wall and began to walk around waving his arms.  "Now wait a second," he began angrily.

Chiana grinned at Aeryn,  "Right again.  Now he's getting angry and defensive."

"Just hold it right there," he yelled.  "You both need to understand that I wouldn't hesitate to blow Chatto away if I had to."

Aeryn sprang to her feet and moved so close to John that he could feel her breath.  Placing her hands on his chest, she looked deeply into his eyes, "The point is you will not have to.  I will take great pleasure in shooting that tralk."

"If I don't see her first," Chiana muttered.

"Listen, guys..." he began.

Aeryn interrupted him, "No.  This time you need to listen.  We cannot afford to be put in jeopardy by clouded judgment or misguided chivalry.  Jenavian is a dangerous enemy who would give no thought to killing anyone standing in her way."  She stepped back smiling wryly, "But you have seen her in action, haven't you?  Did she show any indecision or mercy?"

John shook his head.  "No.  She moved like a cobra: ruthless, quick and deadly.  She scared the hell out of me."

"Then you understand Chatto must die the next time we meet." Aeryn's no-nonsense tone told John the discussion was over. 

 "Crichton, you're not mad at me for talking to Aeryn, are you?" Chiana purred.

"No, Pip, I'm not, but sometimes I think you need a good spanking."

Chiana smiled widely.  "Are you volunteering?"

John backed out the door shaking his head with his hands spread in front of him as if to ward off any advance.  Aeryn just sighed and followed him.

"Let's go see our patient," he suggested.  Aeryn nodded.

As they walked towards the medbay, she asked quietly, "Can you do what you said?  Or do you still have feelings for Chatto?"

John stopped abruptly, spun around, and took Aeryn in his arms.  "Baby, that woman is a threat to everything I love and believe in, namely you.  That's not even a choice."

Aeryn looked deeply into his eyes and seemed to find what she was searching for.  With the briefest of nods and a small smile, she kissed him.  The passion was there, but before they lost themselves, Aeryn pulled away.  Putting her finger on the tip of John's nose, she grinned, "Focus.  Remember our visitor."

Groaning, John reluctantly broke the embrace.  "There's always later, I guess," he sighed.

With a large smile, Aeryn started walking again.  "You can be assured of it," she threw over her shoulder. 

He caught up with her and adjusted his stride to match hers.  "Do you think we can trust Ch'rall?" he asked quietly.

"Chiana and I discussed his request earlier and we agree he could be a valuable ally.  She seems to trust him."

"How about you?"

"He would be valuable in battle, but trust is earned."

"Most of the others dropped by the maintenance bay and talked to me before I got your invitation to visit Dr. Chiana's workshop on Male Behavior 101.  Their thoughts are similar to yours.  Since we are planning on collecting Sh'nam's bounty, why don't we cut Ch'rall in and see how he does?"

"Agreed.  However, we should watch him very carefully."

"Sounds like a plan."

John thumbed his comm, "Hey, guys, let's get together in the medbay so we can talk to Ch'rall.  Pilot, feel free to join in."

Chiana and D'Argo entered medbay together to find Crais and Jool monitoring their patient.  By the time John and Aeryn arrived Ch'rall was sitting up and eating.  "Looks like you're feeling better," John said.  "Do you feel up to discussing your future on Moya?"

Ch'rall nodded and gave Crichton his full attention.  "I gather that you and your shipmates have reached a decision."

Rygel leisurely floated into the medbay.  "Were you going to have a meeting without me and my valuable input?" he said.

"If you were here promptly like the rest of us, you wouldn't feel left out," D'Argo rumbled.

"Well, you know our Dominar.  If he doesn't make an entrance, people might not notice him or his 'valuable' input," Chiana giggled.

Before Rygel could respond, Crais interjected, "Can we just get on with this?"

Taking his cue, John looked at Ch'rall.  "No one is crazy about the idea of trusting you, as I'm sure you realize.  But since we're planning on collecting Sh'nam's bounty on my hide, we thought you might like to begin earning our trust with some assistance."

Ch'rall looked puzzled.  "The beacon promised the bounty for proof of your death.  Unless you are suicidal, you must have a really interesting plan."

"Look, the explanation is too long.  Let's just say we have proof of John Crichton's death and leave it at that.  What we need to decide is who negotiates, who collects, and what our cover story will be."

Rygel floated slightly higher.  "Did you say negotiation and collection?" he smiled.  "Two of my strongest assets as you all know."

Before anyone could begin to deride Rygel, John put the wanted beacon on a table.  "Let's not go there right now.  We need to focus."

After listening to the message again, Crais cleared his throat.  "The beacon makes no mention of Dominar Rygel or me."

"Good point," responded John.  "Sh'nam probably doesn't know about Sparky or Smiley here, so how do we use that to our advantage?"

"As much as I hate to say it, Rygel seems a clear choice to be the contact for Sh'nam's emissary," D'Argo began.  "Crais could pose as the muscle who killed Crichton."

Ch'rall coughed lightly.  "It is unlikely that any emissary would believe one Hynerian and one Peacekeeper renegade defeated Crichton without assistance.  You appear to require at least two more hirelings to make this work."

"Right," began John.  "Chiana how do you feel about cross-dressing or being disguised?  Since a female Nebari is mentioned, you could dress as a male Nebari or as a Peacekeeper tech.  As I recall you've done the tech routine before.  What do you say?"

"Given a choice I'll go with the Peacekeeper disguise," she responded.

"OK, that leaves one more," John said thoughtfully.  "How about Jool?  There has to be a species that matches Interons closely enough."

"Arcturions," Ch'rall said excitedly.  "With a little makeup and some body paint she would make an excellent Arcturion pirate complete with eye patch."

Immediately Jool began to whine.  "Is this such a good idea?  What if I frell it up or say the wrong thing?"

Aeryn and Chiana looked at her disgustedly.  "Then we space you," they said almost simultaneously, earning a slight squeal from the object of their disdain.

"Ladies, ladies," D'Argo chimed in.  "As much as we would enjoy another bout of incessant bickering, now is not the time."

 "Agreed," added Crais.  "What is the rest of the plan, Crichton?"

John quickly outlined the plan.  "I give a blood sample.  Rygel contacts the emissary and allows him to test the blood sample to show that it belongs to no known species of animal or being in this sector.  Talyn will be the base of negotiations.  After negotiation, we agree to surrender John Crichton.  However, due to a malfunction in his containment area, he is incinerated and all we have are ashes matching the DNA of the blood sample.  The mass of the ashes matches the mass of a being of Crichton's size.  We let the Scorvian medicals do their little tests, claim the currency, and get the hell out of Dodge as fast as we can.  Ch'rall and D'Argo cover our retreat in their ships if we need it.  This should go off without a hitch.  What do you think, gang?"

Everyone nodded agreement and appeared satisfied.  "OK, then," John continued.  "Rygel, start trying to contact Sh'nam's emissary and the rest of you get ready for your parts.  Aeryn and I will stay with Moya in case the Scorvians try something funny.  Let's get cracking." 

No one saw Aeryn shake her head or heard her whisper to herself, "They never work like you say they will."

End Chapter 5