Title : Save the Child, Part Two : The Twins
Author : Bluey
Rating : NC-17 - Violence.
SUMMARY : Getting out of the siren planet with an additional crewmember, Moya's crew is hailed by a hurt living ship and has to accomodate its crew.
Spoilers : Alternate Reality - all first 3 Seasons (before "Eat me") are used to some point - with some characters not used at all.
Author's Notes : It's the fourth installment in Thäa's saga, part two
If you haven't read the first three Thäa stories, you should know that :
Thäa (Zhaan's lover and Chiana's very intimate friend) is 1,5 meter tall (5 feet tall), and a Féerian, a race with golden eyes and blond hair. Féerian skin look like the colours moving on a soap bubble, rippling from emotions. Thäa is also a Féebanchee, a natural-born healer which uses bio-electricity to heal almost anyone without having to make any diagnostic. She was found on a dying Leviathan and was previously tortured for six cycles by Peacekeepers and one devious inmate. Thäa has been given the power of sharing Unity by Pa'u Shellec, but suffers from chronic amnesia.
Stark hasn't moved from the metal bed while the two identical blue women sits on each side of the working table in the medical bay. One is busy with the microscope while the other looks on, visibly bored.
- Corvinium couldn't have cause paralysis, says Xiox with a little whine to her voice. There's not enough of it in the juice. It would have to be more concentrated.
- Paralysis? asks Zhaan, looking up, frowning. I never spoke of such.
- Then, why isn't he waking up? asks Xiox, pointing to Stark.
- Because I do not want him to wake up, answers Zhaan with an even calm voice.
- You have a strange way of healing, says Xiox, staring now at the Delvian.
- And you seems to know much more medicine than you want to admit, retorts Zhaan maliciously.
- Toxic planet, harsh life, if you want to survive, you can't rely on the Derenians.
- Why did you stay so long?
- As I was saying in the pod, answers Xiox, I was sent to study them, to find out how they survive in such dire conditions.
- Their own government sent you, says Zhaan, more as a statement than a question.
- The High Directory, not the local people. Those, who benefit from the trade of whole ships, want to know why some survive on scraps and even thrive.
- It is understandable, says Zhaan, getting up to get a few bottles from a shelf. Those in power want it all for themselves.
- Medicine… and politics, you have knowledge in many fields, Pa'u Zhaan.
- As you do, says Zhaan, discreetly smiling.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Chiana walks up to Thäa's room and stares in. The Féerian is sitting at the foot of her bed, Indian style, with her clothes on. Her eyes are closed, her breasts heaving from deep, even breaths. Chiana puts her hand on the open grid of the door then changes her mind and walks on silently. At the crossings of corridors, Rygel almost bumps into her. Chiana pushes him off violently.
- Watch where you're going, she snaps at him.
- I knew there was nothing to steal down there, says Rygel, hovering his throne just out of the Nebari's reach. You don't have to take it out on me.
- I'M NOT! shouts Chiana angrily.
- Pilot said we have a guest… he says like he didn't hear her scream at him.
- Yes, a Morphen, says Chiana between clenched teeth. You'll love her.
- What does she looks like? asks the Dominar, smiling.
- We have two identical Delvians, announces Chiana with glee at his sudden sad face.
- Blue, whispers Rygel. One wasn't enough.
Chiana goes away, laughing.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Aeryn pushes her hair off her face with her hand, then looks at it. She has blood on the back of her hand. She touches her temple and winces. She can feel a long scratch. Looking around to be sure no one sees her, she rubs her back on the corner of the transporter door before taking the last box of the crash site pieces from the transport pod, pushing away with her foot a DRD who gets in to clean the spilled juice and blood on the floor. D'argo comes closer and takes the big metal box from her hands. He walks beside her.
- We should put that woman in a cell, he says flatly. No one has time to look after her.
- She'll take care of herself, like we all do, says Aeryn coldly.
- She didn't "save" Zhaan! growls D'argo, she tried her best to help the Milicia capture her!
- I know that, answers Aeryn, with impatience.
- Do you think Zhaan knows it too?
- I'm sure of it, says Aeryn, pushing around some metallic gears on the working table near her prowler.
D'argo puts the box near her then she starts shuffling things around in it.
- What do you know about Morphens? he asks.
- I don't care about Morphens, answers Aeryn abruply.
She takes out of the box a small egg shape device and push a button on its side. It purrs and a beam of light comes out on top. Aeryn turns the button slowly and a picture becomes clear inside the beam of light. The face of a Delvian appears, a woman, bald, with clear blue eyes and a small quizzical smile on her lips.
- Zhaan? asks D'argo.
- It sure looks like her, says Aeryn, scratching her arm over her vest.
- Is there any sound on this thing?
As he says it, a faint mumbling is emitted from the egg shape, nothing understandable, though.
- It needs a bit more work, says Aeryn, shutting it down.
- It's not Peacekeeper-made, says D'argo, frowning. How many worlds are looking for Zhaan?
+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Chiana comes in the kitchen, looks around, then dashes to the working table. From under a panel on the side, she takes out a bottle of raslak, opens it up and sniffs it. Smiling, she takes a sip, and puts it down on the counter. She takes out the small bottle Zhaan has given her and puts a drop on her tongue. She chuckles and pours the liquid from the small vial into the raslak bottle, shakes it and takes a large gulp.
- For once, Zhaan, she says in an amused whisper, you've made a medicine that doesn't taste bad, not bad at all.
She's startled when she sees Zhaan's reflexion in the pots and pans in front of her. She turns around, and blue eyes stare at her.
- That's liquid, Chiana says, taking another sip.
Zhaan takes the bottle from her hand and moves away. Chiana looks down and sees black boots on Zhaan's feet.
- That's MY bottle! she yells, ready to snatch it back.
Xiox gulps it down quickly, almost choking on the rancid taste, then lets Chiana take the bottle back.
- I should break this in your face! spits Chiana angrily, swinging the bottle near the blue nose.
- Corvinium equaliser doesn't mix well with alcohol, says Xiox, evenly. I just saved your life, you miserable piece of tralk.
- And what are you, stupid two-face bitch? You almost got Zhaan killed, hitched a ride for nothing and now you expect us to deliver you to a destination of your choice?
- Exactly, answers Xiox, as coldly as she can. I lost my sister, Zhaan got no more than a scratch, and the one who almost died… it was by your own hands.
Chiana opens her mouth but a small twitching of Xiox hand changes her mind.
- How I will pay this 'ride', as you call it, is my own business, says Xiox, inching her way to the door ever so slightly. You are not the captain of this ship… by the way… who is captain?
Chiana sees her blink away the dizziness from the very old raslak, and smiles.
- We're all equal around here, she answers slowly. We vote on everything.
- By the way you treat each other… whispers Xiox, trying to stare down Chiana.
- We argue, we fight, nothing's wrong in that, says Chiana.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Thäa opens her eyes and stares at the girl standing at the foot of her bed.
- You're dead, Thäa says clearly.
- That's not a way to treat someone you called in, says the small masked girl, blond curls framing her face.
Without the veil of a Tiarra nun, the girl looks even younger than what Thäa remembered from the Temple. But that was only a mental projection, the girl Thäa saw in the garden was no more than a mental trick. This one looks real but Thäa isn't sure. There's a stale smell coming from the tattered rags, a few bits of lint coming off the torn fabric when the girl moves from one booted foot to the other, so many little hints that the girl is real, this time.
- Pa'u Shellec, says Thäa, stretching her legs down from the bed. I didn't called you.
- You are mistaken, says the masked girl. I am who I am, nothing more.
- Stark said you were dead.
- He should know better, says the girl with resentment in her voice.
- Did we meet before? asks Thäa, becoming more and more suspicious.
The girl sits down, cross-legged on the floor. The pants are torn, and her knees are showing under the brown fabric, pale skin, bruised and scarred. She looks at Thäa's arms, mesmerised at the shimmering colours of the Féerian skin, the patterns, the subtle shades of pinks, blues, greens and yellows.
- No, says the girl all of a sudden. We've never met before, but you need me. Oh, that's right… My name is Maru.
- I've seen you before, in a garden, on a distant planet.
Maru smiles, her left eye sparkling as she does so. Her skinny hand goes to her black mask and touches it slightly. Thäa notices the dirt under the uneven fingernails, the reddish scar on the back of her right hand, and just under the edge of the undershirt sleeve, the deep indentation on the wrist, like someone who has worn manacles for too long.
- She looked like you, says Thäa, becoming ill at ease.
- Pa'u, you say… yes, very old Delvians can do that, take the memory out of your mind and make it real, says Maru dreamily. I hope that Pa'u pictured me better than I am. Memories do that, you know… oh yes, that's your problem… lack of memories.
- Who told you? asks Thäa, bending down to be closer to the girl.
Maru's brown eye widens in surprise as she answers :
- You did.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Stark opens his eye and looks around. Sensing she's being watched, Zhaan turns to him, smiles, then comes to his side to help him sit up.
- How are you feeling, Stark? she asks warmly, her slender fingers barely touching the mask in a protective caress.
Stark looks at her then turns his head from side to side, muttering : It's not right, it's not right…
- What is it? Zhaan asks.
Stark shuts up, and with his mouth still open on his last word, he looks beyond Zhaan's shoulder, staring into the distance.
- She shouldn't be here, he whispers.
Zhaan bows her head down.
- We do not choose where we are, she says, enigmatic as ever.
Stark looks worried as Zhaan helps him to his feet.
- I feel better now, he says with a wan smile.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Xiox puts the empty bottle of raslak on the kitchen's counter without turning away from Chiana. It is evident she doesn't trust the Nebari, and with cause. Chiana is starting to feel the effect of Zhaan's medicine, and she's defiant more as a show of force than from a real need.
- You won't be allowed to stay, she says, eyeing the Morphen.
- I don't want to, sighs Xiox impatiently. I've never been so close to slaves, and I don't like it.
- WHAT! yells Chiana, insulted.
- I'm not talking about you, answers the fake Delvian with an amused smile. Those two are sickening, so much show of pity, like they wouldn't be able to survive on their own… which I guess they wouldn't. They're both from sturdy races, but they have weak minds, and their ability…
- What do you really know about them races? cuts in Chiana, looking suspicious.
Even if the face is identical to Zhaan's own, there is something different about this blue smile. Chiana's hates it, not only because this unknown woman has stolen Zhaan's identity, but she tries so much to be an obnoxious snob, it is blatantly evident she's trying her best not to be trusted, or even liked.
- If you don't know, Xiox starts with an annoyed drawl to her voice, Baniks are stubborn, dim-witted brutes who are at their best in mines and plantations, doing what they do, tedious manual labour. As for Féerians, they are childish under-developped little pests who own their life to the simple fact that they look cute and vulnerable. They're barely tralks; they see themselves more like... toys.
- Where did you find such pearls of wisdom? asks Chiana, unphased and even amused by that bleak description.
- It is common knowledge, sighs Xiox, crossing her arms on her breasts, over her lab coat.
Chiana has this strange thought that Xiox didn't need a lab coat, since Stark wasn't contagious, and not even bleeding when he came into the lab. Chiana wondered during a few microts about this coat. Did Zhaan asked Xiox to wear one, or did she don it on her own volition? And why… to look even more like Zhaan?
- You know so much about common, says Chiana, sneering.
- Why do you hate me? asks Xiox with a real gentle voice, like she has been truthfully hurt.
- Hate? asks Chiana back, looking vaguely menacing. That's too much to ask.
- You don't trust me, sigh Xiox. It is understandable. If it hadn't been your friend's kindness, I would have been torn to pieces by the Milicia.
- It would have been a quick death, whispers Chiana, staring at the blue eyes. I don't call your present situation an improvement.
Chiana ends up laughing and leaves the kitchen as Xiox glares at her, not sure if she should be insulted or scared.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Thäa looks at the back of the strange girl. That Banik seems much younger than herself but when she opens her mouth, she speaks with words of a much older person. They are walking slowly in a narrow, dimly lit corridor. Thäa has no idea where she is, and has never set foot in this part of Moya before. The smell is peculiar, a mix between a dying flower and freshly cut red meat. The texture of the walls is different too from the dark golden brown Thäa is used to see. Those stronly incurved walls have pink and red streaks going from ceiling to floor and the creases have a wet, shiny appereance.
- Where are we? asks Thäa after a long while.
- Almost there, answers Maru in a whisper.
- We're not supposed to be here, aren't we? asks Thäa, accusingly. We've just met, I take you to your word and you're going to get me in trouble.
Maru turns on herself so quickly, Thäa almost ends up in her arms. To keep her balance, the Féerian puts a hand on the wall, and it's really wet, almost slimy. Her unease is already showing, the soap-bubble colours of her skin making ripples and curves ending in circles. Maru looks at the bare arm, the only part of Thäa visible under the light of the torch she's carrying.
- I can't lie, says Thäa, visibly crossed. My skin betray me if I try to lie.
- The Hynerian could teach you.
- You know Rygel? asks Thäa.
Maru starts walking again to avoid the question. They come out in a vast chamber, where dozens of cables not unlike those under Pilot are floating everywhere, from the ceiling down to small cavities in the curved walls. A DRD comes to the women and bips lightly.
- If we weren't accepted here, says Maru with assurance, this little guy would already have made it clear.
The walls in the room are pinkish and moistier that the walls of the corridor.
- Is this what I think... says Thäa, desperately trying not to touch anything.
- Sexual organs are half a metra away, behind me, says Maru matter-of-factly. This is more... a brain thing.
- Are you completely farhbot! exclaims Thäa, exasperated. You brought me all the way to Moya's brain to recover my own memory! It's...
- This is the only thing that could trigger your memory back without ill effect, says Maru.
- I prefer to take my chances with Zhaan, says Thäa, turning around.
Maru moves to block her way, her left eye shining bright under the torch's glare.
- Your Delvian hand-held mate hasn't reached the sixteenth level, hasn't she? asks the young Banik. You don't have to answer. She would have helped you way before that if she had been able to do it.
- She knows of one who's higher than that, retorts Thäa with confidence.
- The one that gave you the gift of Unity? asks Maru, smiling coyly. Why hadn't she done it, then?
- I didn't ask, say Thäa, her skin soft ripples telling the Banik she's saying the truth.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Zhaan reaches Command at the same time Rygel does, and she slows her stride to let him pass before her. When she comes close to D'argo, he audibly sniffs her and smiles.
- We were waiting for you Zhaan, he says warmly.
- How do you know she's not Xiox, asks Aeryn, from one of the consoles.
- Luxan nose, answers Rygel, hovering between Chiana and the farthest console where Zhaan is standing.
- What is the urgency, Pilot? asks Zhaan, looking at the indicators.
- Moya has detected a distress signal at the edge of her short range scan, he answers while pushing one of the big buttons in front of him. It comes from a Gargantuan, a female, not much older than Moya is.
- The signal is faint, says Aeryn, looking up at Pilot. It could be an automated beacon.
- Is there any signs of life from the Gargantuan? asks Zhaan.
- She doesn't seem to be responsive to Moya's calls, but she's alive, says Pilot.
- Maybe the comms are frelled up, says Chiana. It happened to us many times.
- Pilot, do you detect life signs? asks Zhaan, typing very fast on her console.
- Three, says Pilot coldly, but you already know that.
Zhaan bows her head then looks to the others.
- We should investigate, says Aeryn, nodding in her direction.
 |
- Could she fit inside Moya? asks Zhaan, turning again to Pilot.
- No way, growls Rygel. You're not thinking of getting any frelling ship in here simply because she has a cough or a toothache. What about her passengers? Who is giving a single thought about what they might think of being pulled in like that? They'll have weapons and...
- A Gargantuan has no weaponry, says Pilot.
|
- We can handle three, says D'argo. A Gargantuan is a living ship, like Moya. I don't think Moya will let her die.
- We are already heading in that direction, says Pilot. We will reach her in... half an arn.
- Enough time, says D'argo already exiting the room.
- No vote, then? asks Chiana playfully. Only Rygel is against it, ain't he?
- Why am I the only one who can think clearly? Rygel asks.
- Moya has the final decision, says Zhaan, barely turning her head to look at him.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+
- It won't hurt, I assure you, says the Banik girl, taking Thäa's hand in her gloved one. You touch her and you let Moya heal you.
- Why nobody thought of that? says the Féerian, still resisting the pull.
- Do they know Leviathans that well?
Thäa sighs, remembering that Pilot was learning as he went, guessing half of it and hoping that each one of his decision wasn't his last.
- Toubray has regenerating capacity very few can surpass, says Maru in a soft, caring voice. Moya is still young, so it may take a while but have no fear, you won't hurt her, and she won't hurt you.
Thäa's hand touches the soft, wet fold of Moya's living tissue, and curls her fingers around the nerve cable. It vibrates under her palm, and her skin colouration responds by little flickers of soft green, from the wrist up to her elbow. Maru looks at that strange reaction and smiles. Thäa smiles too, as the nerve pulsates in accordance with her own bio-energy, amplifying it, modifying it. The wet cord goes from whitish pink to a darker shade, and the other nerves around the two young women start changing colour too.
- A normal reaction, whispers Maru. I've seen it before.
The same DRD, that had kept watch over them since they came in, comes closer and hums as he extends a little black arm to Thäa. She looks down to him, curious but not frightened.
- He wants a part of it, she giggles.
She slides down to one knee, still keeping her fingers wrapped around the nerve, touching without the slightest pressure. The little black arm of the DRD waits up in the air and Thäa's free hand goes to touch it. Nothing happens and Thäa looses her smile.
- What were you hoping for, sparks? asks Maru, glancing at the DRD.
- Maybe, sighs Thäa, standing up again.
- There won't be any sparks when you go home either, says Maru, coming closer.
- I don't remember home, says Thäa, eyes closed.
Some more nerves coil down around Thäa, but she doesn't see them. They surround her, touching ever so slightly her tunic, turning a darker pink as they do. When one touches her bare arm, she opens her eyes. In a few microts, she's totally hidden under the coils, only her face still free.
- What's happening? asks Thäa in a dreamy voice.
- Are they too tight, asks Maru, smiling reassuringly.
Thäa giggles a bit, then sighs audibly.
- Tickles a bit, but no, not tight, only warm and tingly.
- Then all is good, says Maru.
- How long...? asks Thäa in a very faint voice.
- However long it takes, different for each species.
- Never done that with a Féerian? asks Thäa, a slight concern in her voice.
- Even twins have a different time response, says Maru quickly.
- I might fall asleep, sighs Thäa, closing her eyes again.
Maru nods, smiling.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+
In a single row, Aeryn, D'argo, Zhaan and Chiana wait for the door to open to the docking bay. Rygel has come but he stays a few paces behing those bearing arms. When the door opens, the Hynerian backs up a little, to correct his angle to the Gargantuan door and put himself out of a direct line of fire.
- Pilot, have you contacted them? asks D'argo, keeping his Qualta blade at the ready.
- The message has been received, says Pilot. I can't reach their pilot, but Moya tells me... they have a different communication system, something... non-organic.
- No pilot? asks Zhaan, Aeryn and D'argo at the same time.
In the clamshell, Pilot looks down at his console then blinks as he lifts his head.
- It seems they don't need one.
- A Gargantuan with no pilot, it's unheard of, says Aeryn.
- I am sure the Peacekeeper Command Center would love to hear that, says Zhaan, her voice cold.
- Leave your weapons behind and show your hands as you come out! says D'argo with his loud booming voice echoing in the large cargo bay.
The door of the Gargantuan opens halfways with a screeching sound then stops. A skinny hand waves in the opening as the little docking ladder slides down and touches ground.
- Cover me, says D'argo, taking a few steps toward the little greenish ship, his Qualta blade at the ready.
The hand becomes a thin arm, then the whole body becomes visible. A tall, thin green creature takes a step outside the ship, a long flowing purple fabric covering all its body except the arms. The drooping loomas are visible under the thin layer of purple gauze on its chest. When the creature takes a second step, a long thin tail with a pointy tip crosses its path.
- I am Shavir, head-mistress of the Scrovar Guild of Merchants, says the tall green creature. I come in peace... and in great need of help.
D'argo lowers his Qualta blade, and the other lower their pulse rifles too. Only Aeryn keeps her hand close to her pulse pistol as she steps closer.
- Whimpering old dranit, growls a voice from within the ship.
The man steps out, limping.
- We were in a particle storm, says Shavir, like she hasn't seen him come out. It wasn't my first, but this one was particularly strong and long lasting. We suffered some...
- How long ago since the storm? asks Aeryn taking a step in his direction.
- Three solar days, answers the man. I'm Eech'ro, Classified Exporter of non-perishable edibles.
The bald man with a very bad case of acne and long dropping ears, pushed her companion aside and climb down the four steep steps, looking down, then up to D'argo. He's no taller than Chiana, but everything in him speaks of power and control.
- We had... some problems in that storm, says Shavir, coming down slowly to her companion's side.
- Some, woman? growls the wart man, not looking at her. Everything is frelled, navigation, communication, life support, amniox flux... even the kronite shavings caught fire in the lower tiers!
- Where was that storm? asks Aeryn.
- Barely out of Hynerian Controlled Space, says Shavir. I have to admit I was so anxious about these rumors...
- What rumors? asks Rygel, so suspicious, his eyes close to a slit.
- We know you can keep the pirates out of your own space, Your Highness, says the merchant, pushing Shavir aside. And we are truly grateful about your hospitality... but outside your territories, there are rumors of very agressive pirates. We were looking out for them, maybe looking too much for ships, we totally ignored the particle storm coming our way.
Xiox comes in the docking bay, walking slowly like she saw Zhaan do, and bows like a Delvian in front of the visitors. Eech'ro takes a look at her, then his eyes move to Zhaan and then back again to Xiox.
- I am Pa'u Maady, she says in a voice very similar to Zhaan's own.
- How long was that? asks D'argo, not caring a bit about the effect Xiox has on the small man.
- We've been drifting away since... the day before yesterday, says Shavir, gathering her long robe to put an arm's lenght between her and her companion.
- Three whole days, no more, no less, says Eech'ro, taking a step sideways to close the gap between Shavir and him. The convoy should be easy to detect. Those ships aren't going fast, and if your Pilot saw us, as small as we were, looking out for fourteen Galaxmar cargo ships should...
- You said Galaxmar ships, says Pilot, appearing on the clamshell. Yes, they should be easy to detect if they are still within our range.
Eech'ro smiles and grabs his companion's arm.
- May we get you something to eat, says Rygel, offering to lead the way.
The other looks on, then Aeryn and D'argo decide to follow them. Chiana stays behind, between Xiox and Zhaan.
- Can you guess what Rygel thinks about, Hyneria or food? chirps the Nebari.
Zhaan turns around and goes to the four step ladder. Chiana runs after her.
- Aren't you curious about that man? she asks. He was limping low and trying hard not to show it.
- He is not hurt, says Zhaan, turning halfway to smile at Chiana. Asking him about his health would have been a grave insult.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Chiana followed Zhaan into the small ship, glad to have a reason to inspect it, even if she's supposed to look for a living being. She hopes to find valuables, small things she could put away discreetly, but she still looks in all rooms, opens all doors and listens to the smallest sound that would indicate the presence of that third life Moya has detected on board. She does it because she gave her word to Zhaan, and she gave it to gain easy access to the ship.
When Zhaan turns a corner to access another tier, Chiana goes the other way. No need to double check every nook and cranny and the faster they go, the best chance any hurt person would have... if there is a third person. From what Aeryn enquired while they were going to the mess hall, Eech'ro is adamant on that subject : there is no third person on board, not even a stowaway, because most of the ship had no living support for more half a cycle.
- Zhaan, did you find anything? asks Chiana, rummaging through a storage cabinet.
- I have gained access to the control room, says Zhaan, looking down at the different keyboards in front of her, then she looks up, tapping on the keyboards.
The console hums, then the screen lights up.
- Chiana, I can see you on the screen, says Zhaan.
 |
Chiana straightens up quickly, looking around for a camera.
- What do you see? she asks, closing the door of the storage cabinet very slowly.
- You are half a metra from the nearest cargo bay, says Zhaan. I suggest you do not open that door.
- What's behind it? aks Chiana, curious as ever.
|
- Eleven thousand drashik of compressed patac flour, says Zhaan, thankful that the comm badge can't picture her smile. The containment unit is indicating loose particles. At least, one of the unit has a leak.
- Frelling Patac! swears Chiana, disgusted. Why would they need that dren?
She turns back and heads in Zhaan direction, running to put as much distance as possible between the ill-reputed flour and herself.
- Have you found out what's replacing the pilot, yet?
- I am in front of it, says Zhaan.
She turns her head just in time to see the awe on Chiana's face.
- What's.... that.... draass? whispers the Nebari, dumbfounded.
In front of her, a big white box with cable exiting on three sides, a whole console with seven different keyboards and a viewscreen on top, that is the only system on which the crew have to rely on to keep contact and control of the Gargantuan.
- I swear I won't change our Pilot for that! exclaims Chiana. Is it... sentient?
- Not even remotely, sighs Zhaan.
Chiana looks around.
- This doesn't look like Pilot's den either, she says. Shouldn't it be... behind that thing.
- Correct, says Zhaan touching the wall with open hand. This is not part of the Gargantuan. It can be taken down without harming this gentle beast.
Chiana smiles maliciously.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Rygel takes another helping of stew and gets back to the table. D'argo looks at him and faintly growl, but Rygel doesn't respond.
The green female, Shavir, has eaten almost a whole plate of stew, while her bigger companion had taken only a few bites of his own plate. He tries to hide the fact he's not really eating by talking a lot.
- Patac isn't the best cargo to shuffle around, but it pays good, he says, keeping his spoon full even though he had it in hand for more than a hundred microts.
- It's not truly edible, says D'argo. Many would even consider it toxic.
- It's only a matter of processing, says Eech'ro. You boil it once to get the dye out and you use that. Then you take the cakes and grind them, boil them again then mold them in little balls. You deep fry those, add spices and flavo'rinds and... that's it, you have a cheeper food than food cubes and many races crave them.
- What kind of spice? asks Aeryn, suspicious.
- Every race has its favourite, says Eech'ro, smiling.
- The dye, it's the red the Peacekeepers use for their uniform, isn't it? asks Xiox, who is the only one not sitting at the table, but looking down from above Aeryn's shoulder.
- They are not our only clientele but they have a good share of our half-cycle deliveries, says Eech'ro, putting the spoon down.
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- Fourteen Galaxmar cargo ships worth of patac flour, that's a lot, snickers Rygel between two mouthfuls. And you can deliver those quantities twice each cycle?
- Among other goods, yes, says Eech'ro with assurance. But for that, we have to get back to the convoy as soon as possible.
- The DRDs are working on the Gargantuan as we speak, says Aeryn, taking away her own plate. Pilot, what is the evaluation of the damages at this moment?
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She has turned her head toward the clamshell, and Shavir turns halfway out of her seat to look at it. Pilot comes online, looks at the green face then at Aeryn who tries to scratch her arm discreetly while the others look on to Pilot.
- There's hull damage on treblyn side, says Pilot, looking solely at Aeryn. Toxic waste is being cleared out from seven compartments while Zhaan is fixing the neural malfunctions.
- No! exclaims Eech'ro, getting up. Don't you dare touch the neural connections!
Shavir pats his hand to shut him up, and when he pulls his hand out of the way, she grabs his own sturdy tunic and forces the man down on his seat.
- I am so sorry, Eech'ro says, smiling sheepishly. Our navigation system isn't standard, and it might be difficult to adjust if anyone turns it off by mistake.
- Zhaan? asks Aeryn through the comm. badge.
- We are not questioning your competence, says Shavir, bowing her head.
- We need to be out of here the microt the convoy is spotted, you know that, says Eech'ro, pushing his untouched plate out of the way.
Aeryn closes the comm. badge.
- Too much interference from the DRDs, she says. I can't reach Zhaan right now.
She turns to Pilot, which has waited patiently for her to resume their conversation.
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