Part Five
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"Commander Crichton." Aeric woke to Pilot's voice drifting across they hallway.
"What is it pilot?" The man's voice sounded weary and unburdened by sleep.
"Captain D'Argo is requesting your assistance on command."
Aeric could hear the sounds of someone hastily getting out of bed and getting dressed. "What's going on?"
"A disabled ship has appeared on Moya's sensors. Their environmentals are at dangerous levels and there are signs of life. But they are not transmitting an emergency signal."
"Then they must have their problem under control. Why are we stopping?" Crichton's voice faded slightly as he hurried down the hall. Aeric scrambled to follow. There was no way he was going to miss this. He stumbled into Command just in time to see Chiana staring the view-screen and hear Crichton arguing with D'Argo. "Every time we pick up hitchhikers it turns out badly."
"So you feel we should abandon them to die?"
"No. I'm just saying, let's be careful. We've only got two more arns to reach the diagnosian. We need to get there as soon as possible."
"I haven't forgotten our goal John, nor the urgency of it. But it was you who taught me about compassion. We will bring them aboard and keep a close eye on them. Agreed? Pilot, bring them aboard."
The three friends unholstered their weapons as they left the room, all held at high ready. "Aeric," Crichton called over his shoulder. "Go wait in your chamber."
Frell that! He was going with them.
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Brennik caught up with them just as the group was entering the hanger. "Brennik," her father called. "Take Aeric back to his quarters."
She obeyed as well as Aeric had, but she did grab his arm and guide him to an inconspicuous corner. D'Argo stood in front, Qualta Blade ready and was flanked by John on his right side with Winona and Chiana on his left with a pulse rifle. They were as ready as they were going to get.
The ship that landed was badly damaged and it was surprising the crew had lasted as long as they had in such heap. A gangplank descended and two Sebacean men emerged from inside, "We're unarmed."
Brennik could only stare. He was beautiful! His honey blond hair was long and pulled back into a braid. His eyes were the same blue as her fathers, creased with laugh lines. And that smile stopped her heart. Or maybe it was the leather. Suddenly she understood her mother's preference a lot better, because if her mom thought the same things she did seeing that rear-end encased like that... no wonder she'd fallen for dad. The man caught her eye and winked, seemingly knowing what she was thinking. She cursed herself for going pink and she cursed her father for keeping her so sheltered.
Vaguely, she heard D'Argo instruct Chiana to search the two men and became aware of the other man that had arrived. He was slightly taller than his companion, with thick dark hair cut raggedly, as if it had been hastily hacked off by a knife. His eyes were dark brown, the left adorned by a thin scar than descended the length of his cheek and tapered off at his ear. He looked as if he didn't know how to smile. He was dressed in the same fashion as his brother and if she were to admit it to herself, he was just as impressively built.
The dark one seemed to be in charge and addressed D'Argo. "My name is Sethya and this is my brother Tean. We run a cargo ship and were attacked by a band of raiders. We managed to escape, but as you can see, we are badly damaged. If we could have transport to the nearest commerce planet, we will gladly reimburse you for your time and inconvenience."
"Unfortunately," D'Argo answered "we cannot take you directly to your destination for several solar days - the time is indeterminate. We have other pressing matters we are attending to that take precedence."
"We will endeavor to be of any assistance for as long as it takes."
"What is your cargo?" Her father spoke for the first time.
"We no longer have any."
"Don't mind if I check it out, do you? I've been told I have trust issues."
"I would expect it. Tean, show him anything he wishes."
John jumped up on the gangplank. "All right, Val Kilmer, give me the grand tour." Tean raised an eyebrow, but led the way inside the ship.
"Chiana, escort Sethya to the Center Chamber for refreshment."
"Aye, Aye captain!" She remarked sarcastically before sending a sexy grin to Sethya. Her weapon remained ready, but she was flirtatious enough as she led him away. "So, it must be interesting running a cargo ship. You probably see all kinds of new people and things."
Brennik wanted desperately to find an excuse to join her father and Tean, but now was not the time. She needed to return to Sundance. Maybe she could ask Chiana for a few tips later. The Nebari always seemed to get along well with men. She cursed her father one more time for raising her so in such a secluded place, and left to join her mother. She had time. They wouldn't be leaving for several solar days.
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"I need to administer a sedative," Brennik told her mother apprehensively.
"Why?" She asked nervously.
"We are at the planet and transporting you could be dangerous."
"Very well," she agreed reluctantly.
Brennik waited until her mother fell asleep and then called out to her father. "It's all right. You can come in now."
Instantly Crichton was in the room. Without wasting time he gently lifted the sleeping woman into his arms and headed for the hanger. "Aeric, we're on our way. Are you ready?"
"Everything is set for takeoff," he answered over his newly acquired comms.
True to his word, when Crichton and Brennik arrived, the transport pod was ready with Aeric and the two new arrivals. Sethya and Tean weren't given a choice whether or not they wanted to go. No one trusted them enough yet to leave them aboard with just Noranti and no one was willing to stay behind to guard them. Brennik was thrilled at the opportunity to show off her skill in front of Tean, and as she led the transport away from Moya, D'Argo followed with Chiana in Lo'Laan.
The thrill lasted only for several microts before her face drained of all color. "D'Argo, I'm getting three large ships on my sensors, locked on my position and ready to fire."
"I see them. Prepare for evasive maneuvers. I will attempt to intercept."
'Evasive maneuvers'? What the frell kind of 'evasive maneuvers' was she suppose to implement in a TRANSPORT POD?!
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"Commander Crichton." Aeric woke to Pilot's voice drifting across they hallway.
"What is it pilot?" The man's voice sounded weary and unburdened by sleep.
"Captain D'Argo is requesting your assistance on command."
Aeric could hear the sounds of someone hastily getting out of bed and getting dressed. "What's going on?"
"A disabled ship has appeared on Moya's sensors. Their environmentals are at dangerous levels and there are signs of life. But they are not transmitting an emergency signal."
"Then they must have their problem under control. Why are we stopping?" Crichton's voice faded slightly as he hurried down the hall. Aeric scrambled to follow. There was no way he was going to miss this. He stumbled into Command just in time to see Chiana staring the view-screen and hear Crichton arguing with D'Argo. "Every time we pick up hitchhikers it turns out badly."
"So you feel we should abandon them to die?"
"No. I'm just saying, let's be careful. We've only got two more arns to reach the diagnosian. We need to get there as soon as possible."
"I haven't forgotten our goal John, nor the urgency of it. But it was you who taught me about compassion. We will bring them aboard and keep a close eye on them. Agreed? Pilot, bring them aboard."
The three friends unholstered their weapons as they left the room, all held at high ready. "Aeric," Crichton called over his shoulder. "Go wait in your chamber."
Frell that! He was going with them.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Brennik caught up with them just as the group was entering the hanger. "Brennik," her father called. "Take Aeric back to his quarters."
She obeyed as well as Aeric had, but she did grab his arm and guide him to an inconspicuous corner. D'Argo stood in front, Qualta Blade ready and was flanked by John on his right side with Winona and Chiana on his left with a pulse rifle. They were as ready as they were going to get.
The ship that landed was badly damaged and it was surprising the crew had lasted as long as they had in such heap. A gangplank descended and two Sebacean men emerged from inside, "We're unarmed."
Brennik could only stare. He was beautiful! His honey blond hair was long and pulled back into a braid. His eyes were the same blue as her fathers, creased with laugh lines. And that smile stopped her heart. Or maybe it was the leather. Suddenly she understood her mother's preference a lot better, because if her mom thought the same things she did seeing that rear-end encased like that... no wonder she'd fallen for dad. The man caught her eye and winked, seemingly knowing what she was thinking. She cursed herself for going pink and she cursed her father for keeping her so sheltered.
Vaguely, she heard D'Argo instruct Chiana to search the two men and became aware of the other man that had arrived. He was slightly taller than his companion, with thick dark hair cut raggedly, as if it had been hastily hacked off by a knife. His eyes were dark brown, the left adorned by a thin scar than descended the length of his cheek and tapered off at his ear. He looked as if he didn't know how to smile. He was dressed in the same fashion as his brother and if she were to admit it to herself, he was just as impressively built.
The dark one seemed to be in charge and addressed D'Argo. "My name is Sethya and this is my brother Tean. We run a cargo ship and were attacked by a band of raiders. We managed to escape, but as you can see, we are badly damaged. If we could have transport to the nearest commerce planet, we will gladly reimburse you for your time and inconvenience."
"Unfortunately," D'Argo answered "we cannot take you directly to your destination for several solar days - the time is indeterminate. We have other pressing matters we are attending to that take precedence."
"We will endeavor to be of any assistance for as long as it takes."
"What is your cargo?" Her father spoke for the first time.
"We no longer have any."
"Don't mind if I check it out, do you? I've been told I have trust issues."
"I would expect it. Tean, show him anything he wishes."
John jumped up on the gangplank. "All right, Val Kilmer, give me the grand tour." Tean raised an eyebrow, but led the way inside the ship.
"Chiana, escort Sethya to the Center Chamber for refreshment."
"Aye, Aye captain!" She remarked sarcastically before sending a sexy grin to Sethya. Her weapon remained ready, but she was flirtatious enough as she led him away. "So, it must be interesting running a cargo ship. You probably see all kinds of new people and things."
Brennik wanted desperately to find an excuse to join her father and Tean, but now was not the time. She needed to return to Sundance. Maybe she could ask Chiana for a few tips later. The Nebari always seemed to get along well with men. She cursed her father one more time for raising her so in such a secluded place, and left to join her mother. She had time. They wouldn't be leaving for several solar days.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
"I need to administer a sedative," Brennik told her mother apprehensively.
"Why?" She asked nervously.
"We are at the planet and transporting you could be dangerous."
"Very well," she agreed reluctantly.
Brennik waited until her mother fell asleep and then called out to her father. "It's all right. You can come in now."
Instantly Crichton was in the room. Without wasting time he gently lifted the sleeping woman into his arms and headed for the hanger. "Aeric, we're on our way. Are you ready?"
"Everything is set for takeoff," he answered over his newly acquired comms.
True to his word, when Crichton and Brennik arrived, the transport pod was ready with Aeric and the two new arrivals. Sethya and Tean weren't given a choice whether or not they wanted to go. No one trusted them enough yet to leave them aboard with just Noranti and no one was willing to stay behind to guard them. Brennik was thrilled at the opportunity to show off her skill in front of Tean, and as she led the transport away from Moya, D'Argo followed with Chiana in Lo'Laan.
The thrill lasted only for several microts before her face drained of all color. "D'Argo, I'm getting three large ships on my sensors, locked on my position and ready to fire."
"I see them. Prepare for evasive maneuvers. I will attempt to intercept."
'Evasive maneuvers'? What the frell kind of 'evasive maneuvers' was she suppose to implement in a TRANSPORT POD?!