Chapter 9: Giving to a Good Cause



Crichton had to admit that he had been through worse situations than the one he was in now. His run ins with Scorpius and other hostile races who considered his mind their own private playground had nearly driven him over the edge more than once. Even to the point that he doubted his own sanity.

Unfortunately, his problem now was more of the heart than of the mind and Aeryn Sun was the center of it. Currently, John's only wish was that he could go a day without seeing her until he could gather his wits.

D'Argo shouted as he hurried to catch up with him in the corridor.

John winced slightly, still suffering from his hangover after the drinking binge of night before.

Hey, big guy. Not so loud. He said as the Luxan warrior moved up beside him.

I understand that you were up drinking last night with Sheba. D'Argo said as he folded his arms across his chest, glaring with disapproval.

Yeah, and I think she's over eighteen and legally able to drink. Crichton murmured, not wanting the third degree from the Luxan warrior. And you're not my dad!

Yes, and what you do on your own time is your business, but Sheba is concerned about you and so are the rest of us. D'Argo said with slow deliberation. Especially when you wished someone else were alive rather than you.

Give me a frelling break here! Crichton said bitterly. I have no intention of hurting myself. It was the alcohol talking more than anything.

D'Argo stared at him doubtfully. John looked back reassuringly. Honest! I'm depressed but not that depressed.

That's good to hear. D'Argo nodded, satisfied that Crichton was truthful.

The two continued down the corridor heading back up to Command. Crichton asked.

Did I miss much this morning?

D'Argo said. We're on course for the commerce planet.

How's our new guest?

She has a slight hangover. Clearly she is not used to drinking Luxan wine. D'Argo mused. Over breakfast she indicated to me she was quite home sick.

Crichton glanced over to his friend, curious. You two had a talk over breakfast? Just you two?

D'Argo came to a stop and stared back suspiciously. Is that a problem?

Crichton held his hands up. It's just that you usually don't break bread with anyone new on Moya the first day they arrive.



Ah... You know, to roll out the welcome mat, the greeting party, be the first in line to say hi to the new person. John explained.

Sheba is a warrior, and I was only showing her proper respect.

And she is a female and a pretty one at that Crichton teased with a smile, then he saw the defensive look on D'Argo face. If he didn't know better, he would have thought the tough Luxan was blushing.

You like her!

The big alien growled as his secret was discovered. I must admit that I find her quite interesting but I fear she doesn't see me the same way beyond being a possible friend.

Well, give it time, big guy. John patted D'Argo's arm. That charming personality of yours will win her over.

John laughed when D'Argo shot him one of those ever familiar, don't make me hurt you Luxan stares.

Hey, just kidding big D.

After a moment, D'Argo started to chuckle to himself. Soon, the two friends continued their walk towards Command.

***

Smoothly sailing through space, Moya would be reaching the commerce planet in a couple of arns. In the Command area, the entire crew of Moya were lounging about going over what John liked to call their Christmas Wish list. Being on the run from pursuing Peacekeepers and whatever else the galaxy can throw at them, they usually had little money or material wealth to trade with. With being on the run and constantly being shot at, they always required a lot of supplies. Somedays it would boil down to either keeping all of Moya's equipment operating for another weeken or having food to eat.

Rygel is usually quite the expert as a haggler and they let him handle the bartering. Trusting in him to make the best deals that he could with what little they had. Unfortunately this time they were down to next to nothing to trade with.

Three Rim crystals? Rygel commented sadly looking at the table with the three small purple stones resting on it. This won't do.

That's the bad news, Sparky. John sat on the edge of the same table, opposite of Rygel. That's about all we have.

This can't be all we have to trade with? Chiana said walking up to them. What about a trading a few pulse rifles or pistols.

Start selling off our only means of defence against attackers! Aeryn sniped. I suppose you'll volunteer to defend us bare handed when we're boarded by hostiles again?

The Nebari laughed. Great! When we are starving to death or Moya is falling to pieces, it'll be good to know that we don't have to worry about the bad guys coming to make our day any worse.

Aeryn looked darkly at Chiana but Jool stepped in before anything else could be said.

The truth is that we need everything on that list, including some medical supplies. We just have to decide want we need the most.

That'll be hard. Rygel replied. We don't have enough to get even of half what we need but...

The Hynerian looked over to Sheba who was watching quietly for the entire meeting. The Human still felt like bit of an outsider.

Someone does have a fighter sitting in our hangar that could prove extremely profitable for trade. Rygel announced.

Trade in my Viper? Sheba said surprised, taken off guard. I'd like to help out but that's my ship and it's a part of me.

Yes, I understand your feelings for your ship, but we all have to make sacrifices here. Your Viper has unique technologies and it's almost out of fuel, a type which you can't acquire out here. Rygel informed and added with amusement. What are you going to do once its tank runs dry, push it?

Sheba immediately marched angrily around the table after Rygel. How do you know so much about my Viper, let alone what type of fuel it uses! Were you snooping?!

For a moment, Sheba looked ready to grab the small Hynerian out of his hover throne to demand some answers when John stepped between them.

Hold on, Sheba. John said quietly. No one is going to make you give up your Viper. I'm just as attached to my module as you are to yours. Unfortunately, we're in trouble here. Do you have anything of value that you wouldn't mind parting with?

I'd want to help, but what do I have that's worth much of anything? Sheba said. I have my blaster, a survival pack, some clothing...



John and Sheba looked down to see Rygel hovering right up alongside the Colonial Warrior. He was studying the latch buttons on her jacket.

These buttons are indeed made of gold. Rygel said eyeing them closely. I can make a great deal if I have your coat.

Sheba looked confused at the interest in her coat buttons. What's so special about gold. It's just a common metal.

Ah! Maybe from where you are from but here, it's money of kings.

You want my flight jacket now?

Sheba looked from Rygel back up to John. He didn't say anything but gave a look as if to say, it's your choice. To all honesty, Sheba didn't want to part with anything of hers. She was separated from the fleet, her very existence. She wants to keep as much of that familiarity around her as she can. Unfortunately, looking at Moya's crew around the table, she was in a new home now and they were in need.

D'Argo said softly to her. You don't have to.

Sheba admitted, as she started to slip off her jacket. If I want to earn my keep, I have to make some... Wait a minute!

Sheba pulled her jacket back on and reached inside her pants pocket, fishing for something that might be worth more than her jacket.

She looked to Rygel. You said gold is highly valued here?

I'm not in the habit of repeating myself but yes, it's extremely valued here.

With a smile, Sheba pulled out a small pouch. Untying the knotted end, she dump the contents out on the table. Tiny square gold coins clanked across the table surface.

Will cubits do?

Rygel and almost everyone else at the table went bug eyed staring at the small treasure trove that Sheba produced. The Hynerian was very pleased as he scooped up the golden coins, appraising them closely.

These will do nicely. Rygel beamed.

***

About an arn later, Moya settled into orbit about the commerce planet. Navigation charts showed it to be a small but growing settlement with only one major city and several surrounding settlements.

Watching the blue green planet with gentle swirling white clouds from the command console station, John thought for a moment that the alien world looked a lot like Earth.

What is it?

Glancing to his right, John found Sheba beside him looking up with interest. You were staring at the planet, smiling.

John shook his head feeling silly. This planet looks so much like home.

Like Earth? Sheba looked at the planet more closely now. How so?

John found it nice to have someone else on Moya that shared his interest in Earth. Just the blue and greens of the land and oceans, plus the gentle white cloud cover partially blanketing it. You see, on Earth, the oceans cover about three-quarters of the planet's surface.

Sheba gasped. So the stories of the your world being a lush environment is true.

I think you'll find it a nice place to visit, if you don't mind all the Humans.

Teach me about your world. Sheba asked. The Asgard files were very scientific in detail but they lacked anything personal about your world like what you people do for fun.

I would love too, and I'll even tell you about the Three Stooges.

Three stooges? Are they some sort of scholars or wise men?

Wise guys is a more appropriate word to use in describing them. John grinned. The Three Stooges were comedians.

As the two Humans chatted, D'Argo and Chiana were working on the Command area just behind them. The Luxan warrior watched Sheba and John from his console station, trying to suppress his jealousy. He kept telling himself that he shouldn't be surprised to see John and Sheba being drawn to each other. John was Human and from Earth. For Sheba, she was also Human, and seeking to find John's home planet. The connection between them was so obvious.

The Luxan tried to feel happy for John. Sheba was helping him to forget some of his troubles and the Colonial warrior would make a perfect mate for any male she chose to be with. He just wished it would be him to win her affections.