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"Wow, they actually sort of look like Cardassians with smooth flesh," John muttered, gazing out of an access duct grid by the landing pad.  "But the color is different...sort of reddish tan and the bone ridges are very prominent over the nose and next to the ears."

"What is a Cardassian?" Aeryn queried, whispering next to him.  "Do they use this Star Destroyer you mentioned?"

John laughed softly and shifted a bit.  Aeryn was practically sitting on his knee in the cramped quarters of the access duct and his leg was falling asleep.  Aeryn pulled herself up to accomodate him.  He squirmed around, only to have her end up more or less in his lap when they finally settled, as they were both trying to get a clear view of the landing pad.  They watched D'Argo and Zhaan speaking to two Narjaain warriors next to the Narjaain shuttle. The shuttle was a much smaller version of the larger ship which was looming in space just to Moya's starboard side.

"So," Aeryn prodded, "what is a Cardassian?"

"Um," John whispered, "alien characters on an old television show.  Sci fi."

Aeryn's brow furrowed slightly.  "What nonsense is that?"

John chuckled.  "Never mind.  I don't think the translator microbes could handle this one."

"Probably just as well," Aeryn mumbled.  She tensed suddenly.

John felt her stiffen and he looked over her shoulder.  One of the Narjaain had just shoved D'Argo.  "Oh, this is not good," John said as he watched D'Argo point his Qualta blade at the larger Narjaain.  "That guy is really big."

"It might be time to come out of hiding, Crichton," Aeryn said, the smile implicit in her tone.

John imagined he could feel the adrenaline starting to pulse in Aeryn's body. She was really itching for a fight.  He put a hand on her shoulder. "Steady, Aeryn.  Just wait," he whispered against her hair.

She ignored him, her eyes hungrily assessing the situation below...

D'Argo hissed and brought up his Qualta blade after the Narjaain male shoved him.  "That was foolish...Narjaain."

"More foolish of you to point your weapon at me, Luxan," Adaair replied, moving away from D'Argo and pulling a long sword from a scabbard belted at his waist.

"That's quite an arsenal you have," D'Argo returned, running his eyes up and down Adaair's body.  Two double-pronged daggers were strapped to Adaair's left leg and a Peacekeeper pulse rifle was resting against his right side. "Don't tell me," D'Argo rumbled.  "Battleprizes?"

Adaair laughed, the ridges above his nose drawing upward.  "The rifle is from the last Peacekeeper I killed."

D'Argo felt Zhaan place her hand on his shoulder.  The Narjaain named Svarstaan did the same to Adaair.

"We do not wish to fight," Zhaan interjected.  "As we told you, there are no Peacekeepers aboard this leviathan.  She is freed."

Svarstaan smiled good-naturedly.  "We do not wish to fight either."

D'Argo growled.  "Then why did he push me?"

Svarstaan smiled again.  "Adaair is a bit...hot-headed when Sebaceans are the topic of discussion.  When he was a child, he witnessed his mother being tortured by a Peacekeeper."

"I have little love for Peacekeepers myself," D'Argo replied, lowering the Qualta blade.  He raised his free hand and emphasized his point by fingering one of the restraining rings that were attached to his collar bones by his Peacekeeper jailers.  "Why would we lie to you about having them aboard?  If any were here, I would kill them myself."

"No doubt," Svarstaan said, eyeing the restraining rings.  "We are sorry to have disturbed you.  However, we would appreciate a tour of this leviathan."

D'Argo narrowed his eyes.  "We told you..."

Zhaan tightened her grip on D'Argo's shoulder.  "It would be our pleasure. If you will come with me, we can work our way up to the terrace..."

Aeryn and John watched D'Argo and Zhaan lead the two Narjaain warriors out of the docking bay.  By this time, John's arm was clamped around Aeryn's waist, holding her back from the grid.  She was practically ready to kick it out of its bolts to lunge at the Narjaain.

"Aeryn," John said, "we might be here for a while.  You have to-"

"What?" she spat.  "Wait here for them to find me?  I'd rather die fighting than die like a trapped rodent."

John gritted his teeth, trying to be patient.  He understood her need, but... "Aeryn, we  might not need to fight at all.  Let's.  Just.  Wait."

"And do what?  It'll take over an arn for them to tour all of Moya."

"We can tell ghost stories."

Aeryn heard the smile in John's voice and barely suppressed a smile herself. She relaxed slightly.  She had to admit, she liked to hear his stories.  She sighed.  "Very well.  Tell me one.  But it had better be good."

"Okay," John said, relieved that his distraction was a success.  She was right.  It would have to be a damn good story.  "There once was a man named Ebenezer Scrooge..."  John relaxed his hold on Aeryn's waist as he began to tell the story...

*****

"...and so Scrooge and the Grinch decided to never ruin Christmas again.  The End."  John grinned at Aeryn's wide-eyed look of disbelief.

"That was the most bizarre-" Aeryn began.

"Okay, so I took a little creative license," John interrupted.  "But I thought that Tiny Tim meeting all the little Whos in Whoville and turning the Grinch and Scrooge into Christmas-loving fools was a nice touch."

"Yes, it so warmed my heart," Aeryn laughed sarcastically, relaxing against John's shoulder.  "Next time, I tell the story.  Remind me to tell you about the time when this Peacekeeper got hold of some Hynerian marjoles and-"

There was a flash of light and Aeryn's voice was cut off.  She slumped against John's chest.  John's eyes widened with horror as another flash arced into the grid.  He could only watch the accompanying sharp flash of light as it struck his forehead.  His head lolled against Aeryn's cheek.

******

Aeryn stared straight ahead at the pacing Narjaain warrior.  The one named Svarstaan.  He kept looking at her oddly.  Their eyes met for the what? Tenth?  Twentieth time?  His eyes spoke of hate.  Visceral hate.  And hunger. He had told her when she had woken that she was a battleprize for his general, that he would get his own treasure for bringing the general such a fine specimen.

Aeryn waited for Svarstaan to make another turn.  Once his eyes were away, she turned her attention to Crichton.  He was still unconscious, lying next to her on a long orange seat with his head bent at an awkward angle near her bound hands.  She could only hope that he was still out because he had been hit after her.  She had already thought of the worst case scenario: that his human anatomy had been overwhelmed by the shot and he would slip into a coma. His breathing appeared strong.  His color normal.  But still.  She almost thought that if her hands were not bound, she could reach out and touch him...to will him awake.  Svarstaan had forbidden her from talking to Crichton; he had promised to kill John on the spot if she dared to speak. She had complied, but she was left feeling very alone.  She could easily guess what 'battleprize' meant.  If only she had that pulse rifle hanging on the wall next to the door...

Crichton groaned.

Aeryn looked up at Svarstaan.  He had heard Crichton also and swung back towards them.  He crouched in front of John's face and waited for the human to open his eyes.

"Why are you looking at him like that?" Aeryn asked, trying to sound casual.

Svarstaan glanced up at her.  "You would do well to speak only when spoken to."

Aeryn glared back.  "If this is some sort of antiquated 'women don't speak unless spoken to' dren-"

"Silence," Svarstaan snapped.  "Take my orders seriously or pay the consequences."

"Oh, frell," Aeryn muttered.

Before Aeryn knew it, Svarstaan jumped out of his crouch and loomed above her, poised to strike her with the back of his hand.

"You.  Wouldn't.  Dare," Aeryn said in a low voice, "strike a battleprize...would you?" the corner of her mouth curled up in a wry smile.

Svarstaan eyed her and lowered his hand.  "No."  He caught her satisfied smile.  "Not until I have permission."

Aeryn jutted her chin forward slightly and was silent.  Her gamble had paid off.  Svarstaan was a loyal warrior; he wouldn't dare to break the rules of his culture.  She lowered her eyes and looked at Crichton again.  She frowned.  He appeared to be smiling, but his eyes were still closed.  < He's awake > she thought.  < He has a plan >.  She suppressed her urge to groan and looked at Svarstaan again, carefully keeping one eye on Crichton.

Aeryn's concentration was rewarded only microts later when Crichton's legs swung outward, catching Svarstaan in the abdomen.  The large Narjaain warrior fell back against the far wall of the shuttle and uttered a growl as he slipped to the floor.  Aeryn sprang into action and leapt at one of Svarstaan's daggers, which had slid from its holder when Crichton's body made impact.  The movement was awkward with her feet bound, but she managed to turn her back and reach for the freed dagger on the floor.  She quickly cut the thin bonds from her wrists then from her ankles.

Aeryn turned her attention to Crichton then.  After kicking Svarstaan, John had fallen to the floor, but he had managed to jab the Narjaain with his feet again.  While Svarstaan struggled to get up, Aeryn cut Crichton's bonds and nodded to the stolen pulse rifle hanging next to the shuttle door.

Crichton quickly complied and grabbed the weapon.

"Nice to have you awake," Aeryn said, nodding at John.

"Nice to be awake.  That was quite a stun gun they hit us with," John replied rubbing his forehead for emphasis.  "I'm glad the effects didn't last too long."  He gripped the pulse rifle uncomfortably in his hands.  "Now let's say we have Adaair, or whatever his name is, taxi us back to Moya."

Aeryn reached for the pulse rifle and began to say, "That's a good idea," but she cried out as a white flash of light hit her arm.   The dagger leapt out of her hand.    "Oh, frell."  She turned her head towards the door that lay between the cockpit and the passenger chamber they were in.  Adaair was standing in the threshold with a small, metal rod in one hand and a pulse rifle in the other.  The pulse rifle was trained on Crichton.

Adaair grinned, showing a mouthful of blunt white teeth.  He moved behind John and poked him in the spine with the rifle.  "That's a good what, Officer Sun?" Adaair taunted.

Aeryn ignored the question and eagerly eyed the pulse rifle.  "How do you know my name?"

"Your situation has been known to us these last few monens," Svarstaan answered, beginning to rise.  His eyes were smoldering.  "I can now understand what Bialar Crais is after.  You two will make valuable battleprizes.  Taraviaan will enjoy knowing that he plucked you right out of space before Crais did."

"What do you have against Crais?" John asked.  He looked at Svarstaan.  "No, wait a minute, I can probably guess."

Svarstaan's eyes changed color.  They gleamed red and he said angrily, "Crais is no longer an element in our pursuit.  At least for now."

"What does that mean?" Aeryn asked, not really wanting to hear the answer.

Svarstaan and Adaair looked at each other.  Neither answered.

"Tie them up again," Svarstaan said to Adaair.

Aeryn met John's eyes for the first time since their capture.  He looked as frightened as she felt.

*****

Aeryn felt Crichton's shoulder against her own.  He was warm.  She wondered just how long either of them would stay that way.  These Narjaain were serious about this abduction.  Crichton's body jostled against hers as the shuttle began its descent through the upper atmosphere of the blue planet they had been approaching for the past arn.  From black to dark blue to blue, they passed through the layers of atmosphere into a final lower tier thick with swirling blue and white clouds.  Aeryn imagined she could feel the cold through the outer shuttle doors as the ship glided over ice-capped mountains. At least she could be reasonably sure this was a cool planet.

"Welcome to Reimmat," Svarstaan said.  "You won't have to worry about the heat delirium or Living Death here," he added, "unless, of course, you don't cooperate."

Aeryn had avoided looking at the Narjaain warrior since their fight.  She felt compelled to look at him now.  "Well, I'm sure you've gathered by now that I'm not the cooperative type."  She felt John nudge her with his elbow. He was still warm.  She wanted him to stay that way.

Svarstaan laughed softly.  "This man is wiser than you, Officer Sun.  I'll venture a guess and say that he'll probably live longer than you."

"If you can call captivity 'living'," Aeryn retorted.

This time John swung his head towards her.  He shook it vehemently.

< Frell, he looks scared > Aeryn thought.  She refrained from goading Svarstaan any further.

John locked eyes with Aeryn.  < She's mocking them.  It's going to get her killed > was the thought uppermost in his mind.  Hell, it was all he could think about since he had woken up.  They wanted her for a freaking battleprize for god's sake.  He shook his head again.  He guessed that it had not yet occurred to her that he was more afraid for her than he was for himself.

Aeryn met John's intent gaze.  < Do not be afraid, Crichton > she willed him with her mind.  She didn't dare speak to him...yet.  < This isn't your time to die.  Or mine.  We will survive this >

"You can speak to each other at will when we make planetfall," Svarstaan interjected, knowing he was interrupting some sort of silent communication. "It will matter little then.  But when you are in the presence of the general or his officers, do not speak to each other."

Aeryn threw Svarstaan an exasperated look.  So far, she was not particularly impressed by the battle-worthiness of these Narjaain.  They seemed to be mostly talk, little action.  But she knew that putting that to the test might be a mistake as well.  She and Crichton could only hope that their friends on Moya would find a way to rescue them or that they would find a means of escape themselves.

*****

Zhaan  slowly opened her eyes, feeling warm breath on her face.  She started and sat up, nearly slamming into D'Argo's wide forehead.

D'Argo braced Zhaan's arms with his hands and looked into her eyes.  "Zhaan, are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm fine," she answered.  She looked around.  They were in Command. She moved to stand up.  A wave of dizziness forced her to stay down.  D'Argo braced her again.  "Well, I suppose I'm not completely healed..." her voice faded and her eyes widened, suddenly remembering.  She gripped D'Argo's arms. "Aeryn... John...Where are they?"

D'Argo looked at her.  His eyes darkened.  He tightened his hands on her arms.  "They were taken.  I've only just woken up myself.  The Narjaain stunned us with some sort of device."

Dismay contorted Zhaan's face for a mere microt before her features smoothed over and she replied, "We need to help them, D'Argo.  Do you know where they were taken?"

"I can only guess they were taken to the planet."

"Yes...they were."

D'Argo and Zhaan turned their heads towards the source of the voice.  Rygel was posed in the entryway to Command, standing, no thronesled in sight.  He looked distressed.

"What do you know, Rygel?" D'Argo asked, a growl implicit in his voice. Instinctively, he had a hard time trusting the Hynerian monarch.  "And where is your chair?"

"One of those despicable Narjaain dismantled it.  The yotz said I was no threat, but I'd have to walk to find the rest of you."

"So," D'Argo said impatiently.  'What of Aeryn and John?"

"I told you already.  They were taken to the planet we passed two arns ago."

A chattering noise from behind caused D'Argo to turn around.  Several DRD's were entering Command behind Chiana.  He looked at her.  "Just thought you would drop in?"

Chiana ignored the remark and said, "The toad is right.  They were taken to the planet.  I heard them talking about it.  Nice cold place.  Reimmat. Aeryn should be right at home there."

Zhaan tilted her head, containing her annoyance.  She said quietly.  "It will not help the situation to have the three of you arguing."  She turned to D'Argo.  "We must ask Pilot if he and Moya tracked the Narjaain shuttle."

As if on cue, a DRD chugged quickly into the room, it's black antennae quivering.  It appeared to be damaged.  Pilot appeared on the clamshell shaped holo projector.  "The Narjaain caused damage during their departure, as you can see."  He nodded at the damaged DRD.  "Moya and I attempted to contain the two warriors...to stop them from taking Officer Sun and Commander Crichton.  But we only managed to be damaged ourselves.  The Narjaain carrier held us in their own docking web until the Narjaain shuttle was clear.  Then they released us and moved off.  Apparently, they do not see us as a threat, since they released us and did not harm any of you.  I...think...it's meant as an insult."

"Do you know where the shuttle went, Pilot?" Zhaan asked.

"One moment, please," Pilot replied...  "Yes, the shuttle was on a direct course for the western hemisphere of the planet...Reimmat.  It traveled north to a mountain range and landed in a small valley.  I'll give you the exact coordinates."

"Thank you, Pilot," Zhaan said.  She turned to D'Argo.  "Some of us will need to take the transport pod down to the planet."

"Agreed.  But I suggest that you remain behind.  Delvians are also valuable battleprizes...females especially.  In fact, it makes me wonder why they didn't take you."  He looked at Chiana.  "You stay here also."

Chiana grinned.  "Aw, and I thought you didn't care."

D'Argo's lip curled upward.  "I don't.  I just don't trust you."

Chiana rolled her eyes wildly and shrugged.  "Suit yourself.  I have better things to do anyway."

"What the hezmana do you mean?" Rygel grumbled.

Chiana shrugged again and strolled out of Command.

"That child is dangerous," Rygel said.  "Mark my words," he added with a soft grumble.  "Now, I'll need help with repairs to my thronesled."

"Your chair is the least of our worries, Rygel," Zhaan replied, a gentle, apologetic expression gracing her features.  "Once we have John and Aeryn back-"

"Mmmm," Rygel's throat rumbled.  Without a further word, he shuffled as quickl y as possible out of Command.

D'Argo looked at Zhaan.  "I think this is what Crichton means when he says that this is just one of those days?"

Zhaan merely smiled.

"I suppose I'll have to go to the planet alone."

"It's dangerous, D'Argo.  In truth, I would go with you, but I still have my doubts about Chiana.  I should stay here."

"Agreed."  He put a hand on Zhaan's shoulder.  "Do not worry.  I will find them."

On to part three
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