"Hold frelling still!" Chiana scolded Berret a short time later as she tried to bandage his hands.
"Ouch!" complained the Shrike. Berret had managed to peel patches of skin from his hands while working with the cold metal of the drive section and the microbes seemed to not be healing the damage as they should have. Chiana found an ointment in the first aid kit and had used it and some torn pieces of the cloth she'd purchased at the market to tend the wounds.
"What's the matter? Did I hurt the big bad assassin?" the Nebari woman teased with a lopsided grin.
"That is not funny!" said Berret sullenly. Chiana gave a chuckle and padded his leg when she was done.
"Ohhhhhh!" moaned Rygel lightly as he stretched out before a heat duct feet first. "This is heaven!" he exclaimed as the warm air rushed over him. He and Chiana had managed to tap into the Pod's life support unit and adapt it to use the fuel to run the heating elements. The Pod had a bitter metallic smell from the fuel, but it was better then freezing. "I believe I shall not move from this spot until we are rescued," said the Hynerian as he rested his head on his arms and closed his eyes.
"You probably won't move from that spot even when we are rescued!" shot back Chiana in a good mood.
"You are probably right!" agreed Rygel in return.
Chiana grabbed Berret by the sleeve. "Come on," she said and pulled him toward the bed.
She sat him down then brought over a tray of food for him. "I want you to eat now... maybe then the microbes will start to do their jobs." she said to him. He tried several times to use the fork but his hands had become too sore to cooperate. After dropping it repeatedly he cursed and pushed the tray away from him in frustration.
"It's okay," Chiana said. "I'll help you." She then picked up the fork and attempted to feed him.
He suddenly slapped her hand away and snapped, "I am not a child!"
Chiana looked at him in shock and then became angry. "I never said you were!"
He got up and stalked to the back of the pod, Chiana following right behind him.
"What is the matter with you?" she demanded. "I'm only trying to help."
He was silent a few microts and it almost seemed like he would refuse to answer when he finally said,
"I don't know. Everything... nothing." He turned to look at her, "Me. You. This whole frelling thing!" he finished, waving a hand to indicate everything around them.
"Hey, it's okay.... you're just tired. You know the microbes make you sleepy sometimes while they repair you." Chiana said trying to soothe him.
"It's more then that," he responded.
"Well, talk to me," she told him. "We've always have in the past. Hey, don't you think we make a good team?" she asked trying to get him to smile and open up to her. "Partners in crime shouldn't have any secrets from each other."
Not speaking, he sighed and sat down in a nearby jump seat. Chiana sat down next to him, not letting the subject go. "On Moya, we all help each other out. At times we argue and fight, but everyone is always there for everyone else... even Rygel!" she added with a small laugh. "That's how we survive. I learned a long time ago you can't always stand alone." She cocked her head at him. "You talk to Zhaan about things, and to tell you the truth... I'm beginning to get jealous," she said gently taking his hand.
He snorted at her persistence. Chiana felt that she had hit on the problem. "Is that it? Is it something you and Zhaan have uncovered? She's very tight lipped about your sessions."
He carefully took her hand off of his and placed it back in her own lap. He rested his head back against the bulkhead and began to speak.
"I am sorry for how I acted. You are very... important to me," he started. "I'm also grateful for the kindness and tolerance that you and the others have shown me... and your friendship. I've tried to be a useful member of this crew, but I don't believe I've contributed much beyond being able to do manual labor. I would never have known how to tap into the life support unit and convert it to use the fuel. The only use I can think of for the fuel is to make several weapons. My knowledge seems to limit itself in that regard. I have nothing useful to offer toward our survival."
"That's why we help each other," Chiana broke in. "You do contribute. Neither Rygel nor I could have make that trip to the drive section and come back alive. We work best when we work together. We need each other. You need us and we need you... I need you," she added and then confessed, "The others... don't always listen to me, or take me seriously. To tell you the truth, they mostly treat me like a child... not that sometimes I don't deserve it, I admit. What I like about you is that you always listen to me. You don't judge me or dismiss what I have to say outright. A girl can get use to having you around," she said, elbowing him in the arm to make her point.
He looked straight ahead and swallowed before he spoke slowly in a low voice.
"Chiana... I have killed... entire families in their beds. I have maimed, tortured, and murdered, my way across entire sectors of space. I have unfeeling ended the lives of countless men and woman whom I never even knew, but I see their faces and hear their screams every night when I sleep. Every time Zhaan links with my mind, she sees and feels everything I have done... every life I have taken...and in the end I have to look in her eyes and see the pain I've caused her. Knowing she knows my shame but keeps it to herself."
He looked over at Chiana, meeting her eyes for the first time since he started speaking.
"Is this the kind of person you want around? Someone you want to be a 'partner'?" he asked.
She made a point of reaching for and taking his hand again before answering. "When I first realized what you were in the alley, you scared me drenless. But there was something good about you that I sensed; I still feel that about you. I knew what you were and I also know you weren't that way by choice. What you did when with the Syndicate, you didn't do by free will. It's not your fault."
She looked down at his hand and began to play with his fingers. "I also knew about your nightmares. You can't sleep next to a professional thief and expect to creep out of bed whenever you want," she explained with a smile. "I'd thought you'd talk about them with me when you were ready, so I didn't push the subject. I wish you would have before now though." She gripped his hand and he was glad for the contact even if it was slightly painful. "We've all done things we aren't proud of, but we have to get by them and move on with life... and try to do better the next time."
Relieved that she accepted his confession without turning away, Berret sighed and laid his head on the small woman's shoulder. He closed his eyes for a few moments to rest and enjoy the company of his friend in the now finally warm shuttle. They sat together in silence and before he realized it, a few microts later... he'd fallen asleep.
"We need to starburst immediately when we return to Moya," said D'argo.
"Right, the others don't have that much time," responded Aeryn.
Aeryn and D'argo were almost to the landing pad when the heard a shout.
"STOP!" yelled one of Tarcus' men from behind them.
Aeryn and D'argo turned to see 5 men coming their way. Aeryn drew her pulse pistol and Dargo withdrew his Qualta blade and quickly manipulated it into its rifle form. Aeryn managed to get off a couple shots, taking out one of the men. The Luxan warrior got off a shot taking out another man.
"D'argo, let's go," said Aeryn as she and D'argo turned to run. They tried dodging the pulse-fire as it whizzed past them, occasionally turning back to return fire, and then kept running. They almost managed to reach the Transport Pod when one of the shots struck Aeryn in the back. Not noticing, D'argo kept running.
"D'argo!" Aeryn said as she gasped for air. It was then that the Luxan realized that she was no longer beside him.
"Aeryn!" D'argo yelled as he ran back a little distance to where Aeryn had fallen. He had taken out another man with his rifle and dodged several more pulse bolts. He picked Aeryn up and hoisted her over his shoulder and began to run with her. He turned to fire, yet again, as he hid behind a barrier on the launch pad. When he reached the Pod he quickly put a semiconscious Aeryn in and got off a couple more rounds before climbing into the ship himself.
Once in the ship, the warrior started up the engines and lifted off as soon as he could. The transport's thruster ports kicked up debris and dust, blinding their pursuing attackers. Leaving them unable to fire at the departing craft.
When he thought he was a safe distance from the planet he activated his comm.
"Pilot! Ready Moya for immediate starburst, and Zhaan...?"
"Yes, D'argo?" she answered back immediately.
"Ready the medical bay. Aeryn's been injured," said D'argo looking at a now unconscious ex-Peacekeeper.
"Oh God! D'argo, what happened?" John asked. D'argo could tell by the sound of his voice how frightened he was knowing how close he and Aeryn had become.
"I'll explain it when we get back," is all D'argo could say.
John and Zhaan were waiting in the hangar bay when D'argo had landed the Pod. After he shut down the engines he popped open the hatchway. John ran hurriedly over to where Aeryn laid unconscious behind D'argo.
"Oh God, D'argo! What happened to her?" John asked as he took one look at Aeryn noticing the blood on the jump seat. "Zhaan! Get over here now," he demanded.
"John, I'm sorry. I tried to get her back as soon as possible," D'argo said as they exited the transport with the wounded Sebacean woman. John picked Aeryn up and carried her to where Zhaan stood with a makeshift stretcher. He gently laid her down and they proceeded down the corridor towards the medical bay.
"Aeryn? Baby, can you here me?" John asked pleadingly. "Come on, sunshine. Don't do this to me. Zhaan will she be alright?" he asked.
"I don't know, dear. We'll have to see as soon as we get her to the medical unit and I can fully examine her," the Delvian answered.
"Pilot, as soon as we're secured in the medical unit, I want you to Starburst out of here," demanded D'argo.
"Yes, Ka'D'Argo," answered Pilot.
When they reached the med bay the readied themselves for Starburst.
"Prepare for immediate Starburst," Pilot announced to all hands.
They all held onto something while in Starburst. John held onto Aeryn as much as he could without causing her further injury. After they came out of Starburst, Zhaan began to extensively examine Aeryn.
"John, Dargo... why don't you two go and help Pilot. And someone needs to be up at command to help navigate," said Zhaan
"No, Zhaan. I'm staying right here. D'argo can go," John said sternly.
"John, let's go and let Zhaan do what she has to do," D'argo said putting a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.
"No, Dargo. I'm not leaving her. I told her once that I'd never leave her and I meant it," John said angrily.
"John dear, then please wait outside. I need to see how extensive the damage is and to do that I need to unclothe her," Zhaan said calmly.
"Okay, Zhaan... outside then. I'll be right outside and you let me know the microt she wakes up. I mean it, Zhaan."
Zhaan nodded her head in response.
John and D'argo went outside the room and John leaned up against the wall and then slid down to sit on the floor. He rested his arms on his knees and put his head down.
"D'argo, why don't you go up to Command? I'll wait here," John said with his head still down. D'argo knew better than to challenge the human when he was like this. Especially when it came to Aeryn. He knew that even if they did not seem to get along at times, deep down they had grown to care for one another. D'argo placed his hand on John's shoulder once more and left for the Command tier.
Malika was still looking for more food with Andar when Pilot contacted her and told her what was going on in the Med-bay. As soon as they were out of Starburst, she decided to go find Zhaan, she could probably help if things were serious, "You coming, Andar?" she asked.
As D'argo arrived on the Command tier Pilot appeared on the holo-com, clamoring for his attention.
"Ka D'Argo! Moya's scans show what appears to be a Peacekeeper convoy in route between our current position and the coordinates you and Aeryn have given to me."
"Have they detected us?" asked the Luxan in sudden alarm.
"No. We have exited Starburst on the opposite side of a large planetoid on our way in-system. At this time we are protected by the planetoid's mass," explained Pilot.
"How long until the convoy passes out of range?" D'argo asked him.
"The vessels are mainly slow moving cargo transports meant for inter-system travel. It will be several arns before it is safe to proceed on course to that heading," replied Pilot.
"Dren!" D'argo roared. He thought for several microts and then concluded, "Then there is nothing more we can do. I will inform the others... at least Zhaan will have time to see to Aeryn's wounds then."
Zhaan began to take off Aeryn's top and view the wound. She wiped the wound with a sterile cloth so she could examine it further. She then ran the scanner over her upper body to see how extensive the damage was. Looking at the image up on the viewer, she could see that the wound was not as bad as she thought it was. Aeryn had lost a lot of blood but the pulse bolt had not caused any internal damage and there was no damage done to any major organs. Relieved at her findings, Zhaan proceeded to dress the wound. Since Aeryn had lost so much blood, Zhaan would need to replenish the blood loss. Andar was yet too weak to help and since there was not another Sebacean onboard she would have to substitute. After cleaning the wound and cauterizing it Zhaan began to search her apothecary for herbs that could help Aeryn regain her strength when she woke
John sat with his head up against Moya's bulkhead for what seemed like arns. "Come on, Zhaan. What's going on in there?" he whispered to himself. Just as he finished his sentence, the Delvian came out.
"Zhaan, what's going on? Is Aeryn alright?" John said jumping up from the floor.
"Yes, my dear. She will be fine. The wound wasn't as bad as it looked," answered Zhaan placing a calming hand on John's arm.
"But there was so much blood, Zhaan."
"I know... but there wasn't any extensive damage done. She has lost a lot of blood and she will be weak for a couple of days but with time, she will heal."
"Oh, thank you! Thank you, Zhaan," John said relieved. He hugged Zhaan tightly. "Can I see her?" he asked.
"Yes, my dear. Although she will probably be unconscious for a while," Zhaan replied.
"I don't care, Zhaan, I just want to see her. I need to make sure she's all right. It's my fault she's in there in the first place," John said rubbing his eyes as if he could hold back his tears.
'John, do not blame yourself for this. She wouldn't want you to. She did it because she cares for you. She knows that you would do the same because you care for her. This is not your fault," Zhaan said placing her hand on his cheek.
"Then why do I feel so bad, so guilty?" he asked looking her in eyes.
"John do not... what's the human phrase you use, beat yourself up. It will not help Aeryn get well." Zhaan smiled as she cupped John's face with her hands.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Thanks, Blue. Thanks for everything," John said smiling back at her.
"You're welcome, my dear. Come, let's go see Aeryn," Zhaan said leading him into med-bay.
John walked over to sit next to Aeryn. He looked her body up and down to assure himself that she was indeed okay. Zhaan continued to work with her herbs to come up with something that would help Aeryn heal as soon as she woke up. John placed his hand on Aeryn's and spoke softly to her.
"I'm sorry, Aeryn... for everything. For this, for everything that's happened in the past. If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be in this mess in the first place."
He began stroking her forehead and smoothing back her hair. He just sat and stared at her for several microts.
"Zhaan?" Pilots voice broke the silence.
"Yes, go ahead Pilot," she answered.
"Ka'D'Argo asked me to inform you and Commander Crichton of our current situation," Pilot responded. Zhaan looked over at John who seemed to be ignoring the conversation.
"What is it, Pilot?" she asked.
"There is a Peacekeeper convoy in route between our current position and the planet where Rygel and the others are located," said Pilot. That got John's attention.
"Peacekeepers?" John said surprised. "Have they spotted us?"
"No, Commander. We are on the opposite side of a large planetoid. We are currently protected by its mass," replied Pilot.
"When will it be safe to emerge then, Pilot?" asked Zhaan.
"Given the speed of the transports, it will not be for several arns," replied Pilot.
"Well, what are we supposed to do until then?" asked John, annoyed at the situation.
"We wait, Commander," Pilot answered.
John put his head down on the side of Aeryn's bed and sighed heavily.
"Thank you, Pilot," said Zhaan.
"Commander Crichton?"
"Yeah, Pilot?" John answered, raising his head.
"D'argo could use your help in Command."
"Yeah. Okay, Pilot. I'll be there in a microt," he said looking up at Aeryn again. "I have to go now, baby. Sleep well." He bent down and kissed Aeryn on the forehead. He walked over to Zhaan. "Stay with her, Zhaan... and call me the microt she wakes up."
" Of course. I will do that, John. Go now and help D'argo," Zhaan said as she placed a calming hand on his arm. John turned and took one last look at Aeryn and left for command.
Berret awoke with Chiana curled up next to him. Sometime during the night Chiana had awaken him from where he'd fallen asleep on her shoulder and forced him to eat something, then they retired to the makeshift bed. Only having to use his cloak as a cover. They had become so accustom to the howl of the wind outside the Pod, that they hardly heard it any longer, now it was just background noise. What he did hear was the constant rumble that was Rygel snoring. The Hynerian was still laid out in front of the heat vent, the small being having made himself a bed there. The loud sawing noise was a welcomed change over the almost silent way the little pest slept while they almost froze to death thought the ex-assassin. Berret looked down at the sleeping Nebari girl and a feeling of content swept over him as he recalled her acceptance of his confession without her turning away from him. It was a great weight off his shoulders.
He remembered her bandaging his hands and he flexed them as a test. There was very little pain in them this morning so he undid the wraps and found that at some time during the night, the microbes had begun to repair the damage he had suffered. He eased himself from the homemade mattress and made use of the small head aboard the Pod, it was a small favor that the convenience survived the crash and was still useable. After he was finished he padded passed his still sleeping crewmates and made his way to the cockpit, stopping to get himself a cup of what Crichton said almost passed for something called Tea on their home planet, he couldn't recall all the different names the beverage went by at the moment. He plopped himself down into a cockpit seat and cycled open a port window. Gazing out at the blowing snow, he drank his hot drink. He'd begun to think that maybe they would indeed die here. It was hard to believe that the others could ever find them.
He was so lost in thought he'd lost track of the time. He'd almost finished the cup when he noticed he had been hearing a noise that didn't belong. Sitting up straight in his chair he listen for the sound again. It seemed almost like a tiny voice, coming from under a pile of parts and tools stacked on top of the control panel. Berret moved the objects around until he found the source of the disturbance. It was Chiana's comm badge. The Nebari had removed it while working on the controls and had not bothered to replace it, being that the devices required the Pod's communication repeater to function away from Moya. The communication system being destroyed, he'd left his own comm badge with his armor. There was a weak signal coming from the device. Listening closer he heard a voice through the heavy static. Hope began to rise within him and he tried to make out the words the voice was saying. The comm could only work now if Moya was in the area.
After a few microts, he made out part of what was being broadcasted.
"...scans of the ****sector***complete. No sign**********of the transport. Moving to****"
His blood ran cold. Someone was searching for them, but it wasn't Moya or their crewmates.
He didn't recognize the first male voice or the second. "We have to**ind that frellin'***Pod, before***
***or we ain't*****paid!" exclaimed the second man.
Berret jumped to his feet and hurried back to the rear section of the transport. As he passed by the sleeping Hynerian, he tapped Rygel with his foot.
"What?" said the awakened Dominar sleepily.
"We'll have company shortly... of the bad sort," said the Shrike.
Leaving the Hynerian to digest the news, he moved to the bed and more gently attempted to wake the Pixie.
Chiana's white haired head emerged from beneath his cloak startled as he shook her shoulder. Her hand following ready to strike him before she realized who it was that woke her. Berret having been struck soundly several times in the past by the abruptly awakened Nebari gently caught the arm without thinking.
"What's goin' on?" asked the girl, blinking the sleep from her dark eyes.
"We have trouble," stated Berret.
Berret quickly explained what happened to the two. When he was finished, Chiana shot out of bed and began preparing weapons, stopping only to grab a few food cubes and stuff them into her mouth as she worked. Rygel sat down and activated his own comm badge to monitor the search party's communication signal. "I think it's getting closer!" he shouted to the others.
"The storm is still going outside... maybe they won't find us in it," threw in Chiana.
"That is my hope. But if they are scanning with ship sensors, they probably will locate the Pod's hull eventually," responded Berret as he donned his armor.
"That's what I like about you, Shrike. You're such a shining ray of frelling hope," growled Rygel
"Anything for you... your Toadness," murmured Berret.
"What are we gonna do when they get here?" asked Chiana
Berret thought a moment. "The only plan I can come up with this microt is to wait until they land. Then you and Rygel will try to hold them off here."
"And what will you be doing?" asked Rygel suspiciously.
Scowling at the Hynerian he answered, "I will be outside... putting my 'skills' to use," He said the word skills with a hint of distaste. "Try and not shoot me by mistake, you nearsighted slug," he finished.
Rygel grinned wickedly. "I shall endeavor to do my best," he said, being deliberately vague.
"Yeah," said Chiana, ignoring Rygel and Berret's bickering. "We kill them all and then take their ship. We boost outta here back to Moya and kiss this ice cube goodbye... I like that plan."
Berret frowned slightly at his friend's casual dismissal of having to kill, then again the people about to arrive certainly had something to do with their being trapped and almost dying here. So he guessed they would only be getting what they deserved. Chiana was a survivor. She'd run first if she could but if backed into a corner, she'd be quick to deal death if she had too. He'd try to except this as a necessity and learn to follow her example... to only kill as a last resort, not as a universal solution to solve all problems.
Berret decided to use Chiana's idea of tying the cloak tightly around him for warmth. He found a white sheet of bedding material and torn it into manageable strips, which he wrapped around his torso and limbs to create winter camouflage. The dark and light colors would effectively break of his outline once outside the Pod. Chiana strapped on extra charge clips for the Pulse-rifles and the Shrike had given Rygel his Pulse pistol seeing the Hynerian was too small to handle the larger weapons. When they finished, Rygel and the Nebari girl sat around and listened to the radio traffic on the comm. Berret moved off by himself and sat cross-legged on the floor. He closed his eyes and his fingers intertwined and worked themselves into strange configurations which Zhaan had shown him, which he claimed helped him meditate. After almost an arn of silence, Chiana stole a worried glance at her friend. She knew he was searching for that part of him that he'd rather forget. Attempting to bring the killer in him to the surface. She idly wondered if he succeeded in finding him, would she ever have the 'Ret she knew back again.
"Ouch!" complained the Shrike. Berret had managed to peel patches of skin from his hands while working with the cold metal of the drive section and the microbes seemed to not be healing the damage as they should have. Chiana found an ointment in the first aid kit and had used it and some torn pieces of the cloth she'd purchased at the market to tend the wounds.
"What's the matter? Did I hurt the big bad assassin?" the Nebari woman teased with a lopsided grin.
"That is not funny!" said Berret sullenly. Chiana gave a chuckle and padded his leg when she was done.
"Ohhhhhh!" moaned Rygel lightly as he stretched out before a heat duct feet first. "This is heaven!" he exclaimed as the warm air rushed over him. He and Chiana had managed to tap into the Pod's life support unit and adapt it to use the fuel to run the heating elements. The Pod had a bitter metallic smell from the fuel, but it was better then freezing. "I believe I shall not move from this spot until we are rescued," said the Hynerian as he rested his head on his arms and closed his eyes.
"You probably won't move from that spot even when we are rescued!" shot back Chiana in a good mood.
"You are probably right!" agreed Rygel in return.
Chiana grabbed Berret by the sleeve. "Come on," she said and pulled him toward the bed.
She sat him down then brought over a tray of food for him. "I want you to eat now... maybe then the microbes will start to do their jobs." she said to him. He tried several times to use the fork but his hands had become too sore to cooperate. After dropping it repeatedly he cursed and pushed the tray away from him in frustration.
"It's okay," Chiana said. "I'll help you." She then picked up the fork and attempted to feed him.
He suddenly slapped her hand away and snapped, "I am not a child!"
Chiana looked at him in shock and then became angry. "I never said you were!"
He got up and stalked to the back of the pod, Chiana following right behind him.
"What is the matter with you?" she demanded. "I'm only trying to help."
He was silent a few microts and it almost seemed like he would refuse to answer when he finally said,
"I don't know. Everything... nothing." He turned to look at her, "Me. You. This whole frelling thing!" he finished, waving a hand to indicate everything around them.
"Hey, it's okay.... you're just tired. You know the microbes make you sleepy sometimes while they repair you." Chiana said trying to soothe him.
"It's more then that," he responded.
"Well, talk to me," she told him. "We've always have in the past. Hey, don't you think we make a good team?" she asked trying to get him to smile and open up to her. "Partners in crime shouldn't have any secrets from each other."
Not speaking, he sighed and sat down in a nearby jump seat. Chiana sat down next to him, not letting the subject go. "On Moya, we all help each other out. At times we argue and fight, but everyone is always there for everyone else... even Rygel!" she added with a small laugh. "That's how we survive. I learned a long time ago you can't always stand alone." She cocked her head at him. "You talk to Zhaan about things, and to tell you the truth... I'm beginning to get jealous," she said gently taking his hand.
He snorted at her persistence. Chiana felt that she had hit on the problem. "Is that it? Is it something you and Zhaan have uncovered? She's very tight lipped about your sessions."
He carefully took her hand off of his and placed it back in her own lap. He rested his head back against the bulkhead and began to speak.
"I am sorry for how I acted. You are very... important to me," he started. "I'm also grateful for the kindness and tolerance that you and the others have shown me... and your friendship. I've tried to be a useful member of this crew, but I don't believe I've contributed much beyond being able to do manual labor. I would never have known how to tap into the life support unit and convert it to use the fuel. The only use I can think of for the fuel is to make several weapons. My knowledge seems to limit itself in that regard. I have nothing useful to offer toward our survival."
"That's why we help each other," Chiana broke in. "You do contribute. Neither Rygel nor I could have make that trip to the drive section and come back alive. We work best when we work together. We need each other. You need us and we need you... I need you," she added and then confessed, "The others... don't always listen to me, or take me seriously. To tell you the truth, they mostly treat me like a child... not that sometimes I don't deserve it, I admit. What I like about you is that you always listen to me. You don't judge me or dismiss what I have to say outright. A girl can get use to having you around," she said, elbowing him in the arm to make her point.
He looked straight ahead and swallowed before he spoke slowly in a low voice.
"Chiana... I have killed... entire families in their beds. I have maimed, tortured, and murdered, my way across entire sectors of space. I have unfeeling ended the lives of countless men and woman whom I never even knew, but I see their faces and hear their screams every night when I sleep. Every time Zhaan links with my mind, she sees and feels everything I have done... every life I have taken...and in the end I have to look in her eyes and see the pain I've caused her. Knowing she knows my shame but keeps it to herself."
He looked over at Chiana, meeting her eyes for the first time since he started speaking.
"Is this the kind of person you want around? Someone you want to be a 'partner'?" he asked.
She made a point of reaching for and taking his hand again before answering. "When I first realized what you were in the alley, you scared me drenless. But there was something good about you that I sensed; I still feel that about you. I knew what you were and I also know you weren't that way by choice. What you did when with the Syndicate, you didn't do by free will. It's not your fault."
She looked down at his hand and began to play with his fingers. "I also knew about your nightmares. You can't sleep next to a professional thief and expect to creep out of bed whenever you want," she explained with a smile. "I'd thought you'd talk about them with me when you were ready, so I didn't push the subject. I wish you would have before now though." She gripped his hand and he was glad for the contact even if it was slightly painful. "We've all done things we aren't proud of, but we have to get by them and move on with life... and try to do better the next time."
Relieved that she accepted his confession without turning away, Berret sighed and laid his head on the small woman's shoulder. He closed his eyes for a few moments to rest and enjoy the company of his friend in the now finally warm shuttle. They sat together in silence and before he realized it, a few microts later... he'd fallen asleep.
"We need to starburst immediately when we return to Moya," said D'argo.
"Right, the others don't have that much time," responded Aeryn.
Aeryn and D'argo were almost to the landing pad when the heard a shout.
"STOP!" yelled one of Tarcus' men from behind them.
Aeryn and D'argo turned to see 5 men coming their way. Aeryn drew her pulse pistol and Dargo withdrew his Qualta blade and quickly manipulated it into its rifle form. Aeryn managed to get off a couple shots, taking out one of the men. The Luxan warrior got off a shot taking out another man.
"D'argo, let's go," said Aeryn as she and D'argo turned to run. They tried dodging the pulse-fire as it whizzed past them, occasionally turning back to return fire, and then kept running. They almost managed to reach the Transport Pod when one of the shots struck Aeryn in the back. Not noticing, D'argo kept running.
"D'argo!" Aeryn said as she gasped for air. It was then that the Luxan realized that she was no longer beside him.
"Aeryn!" D'argo yelled as he ran back a little distance to where Aeryn had fallen. He had taken out another man with his rifle and dodged several more pulse bolts. He picked Aeryn up and hoisted her over his shoulder and began to run with her. He turned to fire, yet again, as he hid behind a barrier on the launch pad. When he reached the Pod he quickly put a semiconscious Aeryn in and got off a couple more rounds before climbing into the ship himself.
Once in the ship, the warrior started up the engines and lifted off as soon as he could. The transport's thruster ports kicked up debris and dust, blinding their pursuing attackers. Leaving them unable to fire at the departing craft.
When he thought he was a safe distance from the planet he activated his comm.
"Pilot! Ready Moya for immediate starburst, and Zhaan...?"
"Yes, D'argo?" she answered back immediately.
"Ready the medical bay. Aeryn's been injured," said D'argo looking at a now unconscious ex-Peacekeeper.
"Oh God! D'argo, what happened?" John asked. D'argo could tell by the sound of his voice how frightened he was knowing how close he and Aeryn had become.
"I'll explain it when we get back," is all D'argo could say.
John and Zhaan were waiting in the hangar bay when D'argo had landed the Pod. After he shut down the engines he popped open the hatchway. John ran hurriedly over to where Aeryn laid unconscious behind D'argo.
"Oh God, D'argo! What happened to her?" John asked as he took one look at Aeryn noticing the blood on the jump seat. "Zhaan! Get over here now," he demanded.
"John, I'm sorry. I tried to get her back as soon as possible," D'argo said as they exited the transport with the wounded Sebacean woman. John picked Aeryn up and carried her to where Zhaan stood with a makeshift stretcher. He gently laid her down and they proceeded down the corridor towards the medical bay.
"Aeryn? Baby, can you here me?" John asked pleadingly. "Come on, sunshine. Don't do this to me. Zhaan will she be alright?" he asked.
"I don't know, dear. We'll have to see as soon as we get her to the medical unit and I can fully examine her," the Delvian answered.
"Pilot, as soon as we're secured in the medical unit, I want you to Starburst out of here," demanded D'argo.
"Yes, Ka'D'Argo," answered Pilot.
When they reached the med bay the readied themselves for Starburst.
"Prepare for immediate Starburst," Pilot announced to all hands.
They all held onto something while in Starburst. John held onto Aeryn as much as he could without causing her further injury. After they came out of Starburst, Zhaan began to extensively examine Aeryn.
"John, Dargo... why don't you two go and help Pilot. And someone needs to be up at command to help navigate," said Zhaan
"No, Zhaan. I'm staying right here. D'argo can go," John said sternly.
"John, let's go and let Zhaan do what she has to do," D'argo said putting a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.
"No, Dargo. I'm not leaving her. I told her once that I'd never leave her and I meant it," John said angrily.
"John dear, then please wait outside. I need to see how extensive the damage is and to do that I need to unclothe her," Zhaan said calmly.
"Okay, Zhaan... outside then. I'll be right outside and you let me know the microt she wakes up. I mean it, Zhaan."
Zhaan nodded her head in response.
John and D'argo went outside the room and John leaned up against the wall and then slid down to sit on the floor. He rested his arms on his knees and put his head down.
"D'argo, why don't you go up to Command? I'll wait here," John said with his head still down. D'argo knew better than to challenge the human when he was like this. Especially when it came to Aeryn. He knew that even if they did not seem to get along at times, deep down they had grown to care for one another. D'argo placed his hand on John's shoulder once more and left for the Command tier.
Malika was still looking for more food with Andar when Pilot contacted her and told her what was going on in the Med-bay. As soon as they were out of Starburst, she decided to go find Zhaan, she could probably help if things were serious, "You coming, Andar?" she asked.
As D'argo arrived on the Command tier Pilot appeared on the holo-com, clamoring for his attention.
"Ka D'Argo! Moya's scans show what appears to be a Peacekeeper convoy in route between our current position and the coordinates you and Aeryn have given to me."
"Have they detected us?" asked the Luxan in sudden alarm.
"No. We have exited Starburst on the opposite side of a large planetoid on our way in-system. At this time we are protected by the planetoid's mass," explained Pilot.
"How long until the convoy passes out of range?" D'argo asked him.
"The vessels are mainly slow moving cargo transports meant for inter-system travel. It will be several arns before it is safe to proceed on course to that heading," replied Pilot.
"Dren!" D'argo roared. He thought for several microts and then concluded, "Then there is nothing more we can do. I will inform the others... at least Zhaan will have time to see to Aeryn's wounds then."
Zhaan began to take off Aeryn's top and view the wound. She wiped the wound with a sterile cloth so she could examine it further. She then ran the scanner over her upper body to see how extensive the damage was. Looking at the image up on the viewer, she could see that the wound was not as bad as she thought it was. Aeryn had lost a lot of blood but the pulse bolt had not caused any internal damage and there was no damage done to any major organs. Relieved at her findings, Zhaan proceeded to dress the wound. Since Aeryn had lost so much blood, Zhaan would need to replenish the blood loss. Andar was yet too weak to help and since there was not another Sebacean onboard she would have to substitute. After cleaning the wound and cauterizing it Zhaan began to search her apothecary for herbs that could help Aeryn regain her strength when she woke
John sat with his head up against Moya's bulkhead for what seemed like arns. "Come on, Zhaan. What's going on in there?" he whispered to himself. Just as he finished his sentence, the Delvian came out.
"Zhaan, what's going on? Is Aeryn alright?" John said jumping up from the floor.
"Yes, my dear. She will be fine. The wound wasn't as bad as it looked," answered Zhaan placing a calming hand on John's arm.
"But there was so much blood, Zhaan."
"I know... but there wasn't any extensive damage done. She has lost a lot of blood and she will be weak for a couple of days but with time, she will heal."
"Oh, thank you! Thank you, Zhaan," John said relieved. He hugged Zhaan tightly. "Can I see her?" he asked.
"Yes, my dear. Although she will probably be unconscious for a while," Zhaan replied.
"I don't care, Zhaan, I just want to see her. I need to make sure she's all right. It's my fault she's in there in the first place," John said rubbing his eyes as if he could hold back his tears.
'John, do not blame yourself for this. She wouldn't want you to. She did it because she cares for you. She knows that you would do the same because you care for her. This is not your fault," Zhaan said placing her hand on his cheek.
"Then why do I feel so bad, so guilty?" he asked looking her in eyes.
"John do not... what's the human phrase you use, beat yourself up. It will not help Aeryn get well." Zhaan smiled as she cupped John's face with her hands.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Thanks, Blue. Thanks for everything," John said smiling back at her.
"You're welcome, my dear. Come, let's go see Aeryn," Zhaan said leading him into med-bay.
John walked over to sit next to Aeryn. He looked her body up and down to assure himself that she was indeed okay. Zhaan continued to work with her herbs to come up with something that would help Aeryn heal as soon as she woke up. John placed his hand on Aeryn's and spoke softly to her.
"I'm sorry, Aeryn... for everything. For this, for everything that's happened in the past. If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be in this mess in the first place."
He began stroking her forehead and smoothing back her hair. He just sat and stared at her for several microts.
"Zhaan?" Pilots voice broke the silence.
"Yes, go ahead Pilot," she answered.
"Ka'D'Argo asked me to inform you and Commander Crichton of our current situation," Pilot responded. Zhaan looked over at John who seemed to be ignoring the conversation.
"What is it, Pilot?" she asked.
"There is a Peacekeeper convoy in route between our current position and the planet where Rygel and the others are located," said Pilot. That got John's attention.
"Peacekeepers?" John said surprised. "Have they spotted us?"
"No, Commander. We are on the opposite side of a large planetoid. We are currently protected by its mass," replied Pilot.
"When will it be safe to emerge then, Pilot?" asked Zhaan.
"Given the speed of the transports, it will not be for several arns," replied Pilot.
"Well, what are we supposed to do until then?" asked John, annoyed at the situation.
"We wait, Commander," Pilot answered.
John put his head down on the side of Aeryn's bed and sighed heavily.
"Thank you, Pilot," said Zhaan.
"Commander Crichton?"
"Yeah, Pilot?" John answered, raising his head.
"D'argo could use your help in Command."
"Yeah. Okay, Pilot. I'll be there in a microt," he said looking up at Aeryn again. "I have to go now, baby. Sleep well." He bent down and kissed Aeryn on the forehead. He walked over to Zhaan. "Stay with her, Zhaan... and call me the microt she wakes up."
" Of course. I will do that, John. Go now and help D'argo," Zhaan said as she placed a calming hand on his arm. John turned and took one last look at Aeryn and left for command.
Berret awoke with Chiana curled up next to him. Sometime during the night Chiana had awaken him from where he'd fallen asleep on her shoulder and forced him to eat something, then they retired to the makeshift bed. Only having to use his cloak as a cover. They had become so accustom to the howl of the wind outside the Pod, that they hardly heard it any longer, now it was just background noise. What he did hear was the constant rumble that was Rygel snoring. The Hynerian was still laid out in front of the heat vent, the small being having made himself a bed there. The loud sawing noise was a welcomed change over the almost silent way the little pest slept while they almost froze to death thought the ex-assassin. Berret looked down at the sleeping Nebari girl and a feeling of content swept over him as he recalled her acceptance of his confession without her turning away from him. It was a great weight off his shoulders.
He remembered her bandaging his hands and he flexed them as a test. There was very little pain in them this morning so he undid the wraps and found that at some time during the night, the microbes had begun to repair the damage he had suffered. He eased himself from the homemade mattress and made use of the small head aboard the Pod, it was a small favor that the convenience survived the crash and was still useable. After he was finished he padded passed his still sleeping crewmates and made his way to the cockpit, stopping to get himself a cup of what Crichton said almost passed for something called Tea on their home planet, he couldn't recall all the different names the beverage went by at the moment. He plopped himself down into a cockpit seat and cycled open a port window. Gazing out at the blowing snow, he drank his hot drink. He'd begun to think that maybe they would indeed die here. It was hard to believe that the others could ever find them.
He was so lost in thought he'd lost track of the time. He'd almost finished the cup when he noticed he had been hearing a noise that didn't belong. Sitting up straight in his chair he listen for the sound again. It seemed almost like a tiny voice, coming from under a pile of parts and tools stacked on top of the control panel. Berret moved the objects around until he found the source of the disturbance. It was Chiana's comm badge. The Nebari had removed it while working on the controls and had not bothered to replace it, being that the devices required the Pod's communication repeater to function away from Moya. The communication system being destroyed, he'd left his own comm badge with his armor. There was a weak signal coming from the device. Listening closer he heard a voice through the heavy static. Hope began to rise within him and he tried to make out the words the voice was saying. The comm could only work now if Moya was in the area.
After a few microts, he made out part of what was being broadcasted.
"...scans of the ****sector***complete. No sign**********of the transport. Moving to****"
His blood ran cold. Someone was searching for them, but it wasn't Moya or their crewmates.
He didn't recognize the first male voice or the second. "We have to**ind that frellin'***Pod, before***
***or we ain't*****paid!" exclaimed the second man.
Berret jumped to his feet and hurried back to the rear section of the transport. As he passed by the sleeping Hynerian, he tapped Rygel with his foot.
"What?" said the awakened Dominar sleepily.
"We'll have company shortly... of the bad sort," said the Shrike.
Leaving the Hynerian to digest the news, he moved to the bed and more gently attempted to wake the Pixie.
Chiana's white haired head emerged from beneath his cloak startled as he shook her shoulder. Her hand following ready to strike him before she realized who it was that woke her. Berret having been struck soundly several times in the past by the abruptly awakened Nebari gently caught the arm without thinking.
"What's goin' on?" asked the girl, blinking the sleep from her dark eyes.
"We have trouble," stated Berret.
Berret quickly explained what happened to the two. When he was finished, Chiana shot out of bed and began preparing weapons, stopping only to grab a few food cubes and stuff them into her mouth as she worked. Rygel sat down and activated his own comm badge to monitor the search party's communication signal. "I think it's getting closer!" he shouted to the others.
"The storm is still going outside... maybe they won't find us in it," threw in Chiana.
"That is my hope. But if they are scanning with ship sensors, they probably will locate the Pod's hull eventually," responded Berret as he donned his armor.
"That's what I like about you, Shrike. You're such a shining ray of frelling hope," growled Rygel
"Anything for you... your Toadness," murmured Berret.
"What are we gonna do when they get here?" asked Chiana
Berret thought a moment. "The only plan I can come up with this microt is to wait until they land. Then you and Rygel will try to hold them off here."
"And what will you be doing?" asked Rygel suspiciously.
Scowling at the Hynerian he answered, "I will be outside... putting my 'skills' to use," He said the word skills with a hint of distaste. "Try and not shoot me by mistake, you nearsighted slug," he finished.
Rygel grinned wickedly. "I shall endeavor to do my best," he said, being deliberately vague.
"Yeah," said Chiana, ignoring Rygel and Berret's bickering. "We kill them all and then take their ship. We boost outta here back to Moya and kiss this ice cube goodbye... I like that plan."
Berret frowned slightly at his friend's casual dismissal of having to kill, then again the people about to arrive certainly had something to do with their being trapped and almost dying here. So he guessed they would only be getting what they deserved. Chiana was a survivor. She'd run first if she could but if backed into a corner, she'd be quick to deal death if she had too. He'd try to except this as a necessity and learn to follow her example... to only kill as a last resort, not as a universal solution to solve all problems.
Berret decided to use Chiana's idea of tying the cloak tightly around him for warmth. He found a white sheet of bedding material and torn it into manageable strips, which he wrapped around his torso and limbs to create winter camouflage. The dark and light colors would effectively break of his outline once outside the Pod. Chiana strapped on extra charge clips for the Pulse-rifles and the Shrike had given Rygel his Pulse pistol seeing the Hynerian was too small to handle the larger weapons. When they finished, Rygel and the Nebari girl sat around and listened to the radio traffic on the comm. Berret moved off by himself and sat cross-legged on the floor. He closed his eyes and his fingers intertwined and worked themselves into strange configurations which Zhaan had shown him, which he claimed helped him meditate. After almost an arn of silence, Chiana stole a worried glance at her friend. She knew he was searching for that part of him that he'd rather forget. Attempting to bring the killer in him to the surface. She idly wondered if he succeeded in finding him, would she ever have the 'Ret she knew back again.