TITLE: "PROHIBITED CARGO"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "Farscape"

PAIRING: No specific pairing

RATING: PG-13

STATUS: New.

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed

SERIES/SEQUEL: SEQUEL to "NEVER EASY"

The usual disclaimers apply. No infringement of copyright is intended.

"PROHIBITED CARGO"
A "Farscape" story
Written by Alison M. DOBELL


Captain Reinar ordered another salvo and watched dispassionately as the leviathan began to list badly on the hamman side. "Cease fire!"

He watched the leviathan for a few microts then turned back to the screen. "They have been disabled and are unable to Star Burst."

The heavy clipped voice was precise, the meaning clear. "I hope for your sake, Captain Reiner, that you are correct."

"What do you wish us to do if they refuse to hand over the cargo?"

"Reduce the vessel and its' crew to squag."

The Captain smiled "And if they hand it over?"

A pause. "Then you will let them go. After all, Captain," The dark voice purred with silky malevolence. "We would not want it said that Peace Keepers have no honour."

The Captain chuckled and the connection was severed. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the ship. This was one duty he would have volunteered for without pay.

* * * * *

Crichton was silent. He had nothing to say to Ka D'Argo. There was an old Chinese proverb. *If you can be patient in one moment of anger you will escape a hundred days of sorrow*. That saying was being tested to the limits right now. Crichton did a detour to the maintenance bay to pick up his tools. D'Argo opened his mouth to say something then snapped it shut again. What could he possibly say that would make a difference? His own actions and attitude had fostered the belief that he disliked or even hated Guy. He did not in fact have any feelings about Guy one way or another. His reaction had been purely instinctual with no personal motivation in it whatsoever. He sighed with a heavy heart and said nothing. Knew Crichton would not believe him. Knew also that the more he protested his innocence the more guilty he would seem. So he kept his silence and followed in the footsteps of his friend's ancestor.

When they reached the damaged section Crichton paused and looked at Guy. The gorilla tilted his head slightly and looked at him, one large hand making a single elegant gesture in the air. *What?*

"I want you to stay here, Guy, do you understand?" He made the sign for staying put.

The gorilla actually frowned and began to shake his head. D'Argo was amazed but also impatient. They did not have time for this but he realised this was part of his penance. If he wanted to prove to Crichton that he had meant nothing personal against Guy he would have to walk a very fine line. Even though Crichton did not look at him, D'Argo knew he was aware of every flicker of emotion that crossed his face. He deliberately kept his face as blank as possible.

* * * * *

In command Rygel was staring at the Peace Keeper ship while Aeryn monitored the region, making sure no other ships emerged from Star Burst. Rygel moved his throne a little closer to the viewing screen. Zhaan and Chiana watched in silence, both standing next to the other console. "What are they waiting for?" Said Rygel.

"As far as I'm concerned." Chipped in Chiana. "They can stay like that until the whole Uncharted Territories freezes and Talag crystals make Nogelti mines worthless."

"Be careful what you wish for." Murmured the Dominar darkly.

"If it's a choice between dying rich or dying poor, I'd rather die rich Ryge."

He grunted. "I have nothing against being rich, Chiana, I just want to live long enough to enjoy it."

Privately, Chiana agreed with him.

* * * * *

The conduit was big enough to allow Crichton and D'Argo to scramble along it on their hands and knees but not big enough to stand up in. Crichton kept looking back, anxious for Guy not to panic. "Maybe I should have left him with Pip..." He murmured.

"He would not have stayed." Said D'Argo, breaking his self imposed silence.

Crichton said nothing. D'Argo huffed heavily. Handed Crichton another tool and tried not to burst at the seams. Crichton knew that sound. Knew his friend was like a pressure cooker but he was still mad at him. Serve the dumb Luxan right to feel his anger for once. They worked in silence.
Crichton felt the sweat pouring off him. The enclosed space, the damage to the coolant system, and the fact that every now and then another salvo would rock them and cause Crichton to drop his tools was all helping to make the pair of them even crankier. Crichton heard Guy make a low rumbling moan that seemed to be full of all the sorrow in the world. He paused, wanting to go back and reassure the big ape before it could turn into a wail. D'Argo seemed to read his mind.

"We must finish the repairs first, John."

He lifted his eyes and actually looked at D'Argo. The Luxan held his breath. Crichton had not exactly forgiven him but neither could he stay mad at him for long. It simply was not in his nature. He was more hurt and disappointed in his friend than anything else. "I know D'Argo it's just that this is all new to him."

"You have made him too dependent on you." Said the Luxan softly.

For a microt Crichton stared at him. Was about to yell at him when he realised with a jolt that he was right. He nodded painfully and made a new connection to repair yet another broken one. "I know, D, I know." He paused and ran some jelfa paste round the repair and waited. When the paste did not bubble he knew he had the seal tight enough. He grunted and dragged himself forward to the next break. D'Argo working next to him, his large hands oddly dextrous and graceful. It always surprised him how such thick enormous fingers could do such delicate work. His skill in making things, his deft playing on the shilquen. Skills he would not have expected of the big Luxan.

"I am sorry for offending you, John." Said D'Argo quietly. He did not look up from what he was doing, letting his attention to the work keep his face averted from Crichton. He did not want to see the blaze of anger and hurt in the human's eyes. "My reason for not wanting Guy on Moya has nothing to do with him personally. I cannot explain it but ever since you decided to bring him I have been ill at ease." He paused and took a deep breath. This time he did turn his head and look at Crichton. "I had this sense that it was a *bad* thing, that no good would come of it."

"Well you got your wish," Said Crichton drily.

D'Argo flushed. "It was *not* my wish. If Chiana had had this feeling you would have listened to her."

It was Crichton's turn to pause. "Yeah, well that might be because Pip would have come to me and told me she had a bad feeling about it. You didn't say a word, D, so don't lay that one on me." He paused. "You wanna stake out the moral high ground you gotta earn it."

For a couple of microts both men fell silent. Working companionably side by side, their hands moving swiftly but surely from one broken and burnt connection to the next.

"There is another thing." Said D'Argo quietly. He sounded almost embarrassed and would not look at Crichton.

"What's that, big guy?"

"I think the ape has feelings for you."

Crichton was so startled he burst out laughing. D'Argo glared at him, offended. The human tried to hold back his mirth. He did not want to face Luxan Hyper Rage in the confines of Moya's conduits, thank you very much. "I'm sorry, D, you just surprised me."

"It is *not* funny, John. You are not compatible species."

He was sure he had heard that wrong. "What did you say?"

"You are not compatible species."

"What has that got to do with anything?"

He sighed as if explaining something to a small child or a particularly slow adult. In D'Argo's eyes both descriptions fitted John Crichton. "I have a child, John. I know what it is to know the bond of parenthood."

Crichton was frowning. Puzzled. "What has that got to do with me and Guy?"

"Everything. Guy is an orphan. He has been kept caged and isolated from his own kind."

The human's face became sad. Thinking of the lonely nightmare that must have been Guy's life before they found him. "Yeah, I know."

"Then you come along and you..." He trailed off, not sure how to put it.

"I what? Save him?"

"Um more than that, John. You take over the role of his parents. His family. His closest friend."

Crichton still did not understand what he was driving at. D'Argo sighed mightily and put down his wrench, his eyes serious. "You must stop being so close to him, John."

"You mean I should ignore him? Why would I do that? Why would I even want to?"

"No, you misunderstand me. You have become everything to Guy. And sleeping with him is perhaps your biggest mistake. You must stop before Guy develops other feelings for you."

The human went bright red. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"I am your friend, John. I know that you think you are comforting Guy, that your presence will reassure him that he is not alone. But he is growing rapidly. He is almost full grown or as full grown as I can tell without knowing his species. He has already become very protective of you."

"Hey, that's natural D..."

"Soon he will become territorial over you."

"Now hold on a microt. I don't think I like the way this conversation is going. We are both male, D'Argo, and apart from being different species there is no way we would have that sort of attraction."

D'Argo shoved his face up close to Crichton's. "John. Do you see any other gorillas on Moya?"

He shook his head slowly. Held his breath.

"Stop letting him share your bed, John, before he wants to share other things with you."

His mouth had gone completely dry. "Guy wouldn't..."

"John, he is an animal. He will have an animal's urgings. The same as any creature reaching maturity will have urgings. He does not have a female. Has no mate. He only has *you*."

"Oh my gawd...." Crichton closed his eyes as D'Argo's words sank in.

"When males begin to have these urgings they seek outlets. Who do you think he will want to experiment with? Who has he formed the closest bond to?"

Satisfied that he had made his point, D'Argo picked up his wrench and got back to work. Crichton opened his eyes and tried to hide the fact that his skin was burning. "I'm planning on making him his own bed anyway." He said in a numb voice.

"Don't plan it John, do it."

Crichton nodded then chuckled softly. D'Argo gave him a suspicious look. "When Pilot called to tell us we were under attack I sat up so quickly the frelling bed broke."

D'Argo's eyes were sober and wise. "Then you will never have a better time to sort this out."

He nodded. "I'm hearing you loud and clear, D." He paused. "Did anyone ever tell you that you have a really warped and twisted mind, D'Argo?"

His friend grinned at him. "Be glad that we are friends, John."

He opened his mouth to ask him what he meant by that when another salvo hit them blowing out half the connections they had just repaired. The lights in the conduit flickered and went out and a terrible creaking sound suddenly developed into a loud crack. D'Argo yelled, pain in his voice. Crichton was flattened as the ceiling of the conduit compressed. Being smaller than D'Argo, Crichton was able to wriggle flat on his belly but the Luxan was stuck, pinned down by the collapsed conduit. Crichton activated his com. "Pilot! Hey, Pilot, we're trapped down here!"

There was no response. He tried again, yelling until he was in danger of going hoarse. No response. "Frell, the coms are down too."

When D'Argo did not respond he crawled over to him, reaching out in the darkness but unable to tell how badly he was hurt or whether he had been simply knocked unconscious. The lights flickered again then stayed on a weak low illumination. Crichton could have kissed Moya. He knew the leviathan was trying to help them, obviously aware of their predicament. He tried to
free his friend but it was impossible. Then he heard a cry, so like a human cry of panic and of pain that his heart lurched. "Guy!"

The gorilla roared back.

"It's okay Guy," Shouted Crichton, trying to sound calm though he felt anything but calm. "We're gonna get outta here."

The mournful cry that echoed back did not sound convinced.

* * * * *

"Prepare to board the leviathan!"

Lt Cragg looked a little surprised. "Sir?"

Captain Reinar smiled. "Yes, lieutenant. We are going to board the leviathan and relieve those on board of the prohibited cargo that is rightfully ours."

"But our orders were..."

"I know what our *orders* were but they are not our aims, lieutenant."

Lt Cragg frowned. His Captain took a few steps closer. "This cargo is a universal contaminant. Do you know what that means?"

His second in command had gone very pale. "Yes, sir."

"It means that anyone who even *thinks* of harbouring it will be deemed *irreversibly contaminated*."

"Then why don't we destroy the leviathan, sir? Cargo and all?"

The Captain allowed himself a cold smile. "How much do you know about High Command's special projects, lieutenant?"

He shook his head. "Nothing, sir."

"Exactly! But I know this cargo is very important to High Command. If we can return it to them intact we will be able to ask for any duty we wish. Do you know what that means, lieutenant?"

Lt Cragg was grinning now. His panic gone as he realised what his Captain was saying. "No more working the Uncharted Territories."

"Finally, we will be able to get out of this backwater squag hole and return to the front line. I do not intend to be a Captain all my service, lieutenant."

His second nodded. "I'll lead the boarding party myself, sir!"

Captain Reinar watched him go and looked at the image of the damaged leviathan on his screen. He could not wait to acquire her precious cargo.

* * * * *

Chiana picked herself up off the floor of command. She had a cut on her cheek but was otherwise unhurt. Zhaan had managed to hang on to the console as had Aeryn. Aeryn knew it was bad. Her connection to Pilot through his DNA told her the bad news before Pilot could voice it.

"The connections that were repaired have been broken again, all but a few are burnt out. Some of the conduits have collapsed..."

Aeryn's eyes widened with alarm. "Which ones?"

Pilot looked up on the monitor with concern. "We have lost contact with the tier the Commander and D'Argo are on."

Aeryn was about to race off to check on them but Pilot's next words froze her in place.

"Moya has received another transmission from the Peace Keeper vessel."

"Play it." Said Zhaan.

They turned to the screen, the Dominar floated down so he could see it as well.

"This is Captain Reinar. Your leviathan has been disabled. Prepare to be boarded."

No sooner had the words left his lips and the screen gone black than they heard the sound of something docking. Aeryn's eyes widened. "Frell!"

She turned and ran, Chiana going with her. Aeryn yelled over her shoulder to Zhaan, "Zhaan, go and see if you can help John and D'Argo."

Zhaan nodded and looked at the Dominar. "Stay here Rygel, we must have someone on command."

The Dominar nodded. "Yes, now go Zhaan! I have no intention of spending my last remaining cycles in a Peace Keeper cell."

"Nor I."

Then Zhaan was hurrying out of command.

* * * * *

Crichton could feel his eyes smarting. The air was getting thin and the heat almost unbearable. He was coughing, his chest heaving as he fought to get much needed air into his lungs. He knew D'Argo could go without air longer than he could but would have been more assured if he knew how badly he was hurt. Then to his surprise he felt a hand on his leg start dragging him backwards. What the...? His head was in a spin, dizzy with lack of oxygen. Only when he finally emerged from the collapsed conduit into the corridor did he begin to revive. There was air in the corridor. Not as much as he would have liked but enough to stop him passing out. He heard a quiet sorrowful noise and opened his eyes. It was Guy. He was upset but brightened visibily when Crichton opened his eyes. He was making a hand sign that Crichton had to watch more carefully as it was repeated over and over again. Tears pricked his eyes. Guy thought he had reached him too late.

"It's okay Guy," He said gently reaching out to put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm fine but I don't know about D'Argo. I can't get him out."

The gorilla peered back down the conduit as if understanding every word Crichton said. Maybe he did understand. Maybe the sign language was not for Guy's benefit but for Crichton's. Guy looked at him and made the sign for *hurt*, turning it into a question about D'Argo. Crichton nodded and sat up carefully. Before he could stop him, Guy was crawling back along the conduit. Crichton felt a microt of panic. He did not want to lose D'Argo but he did not want to lose Guy either. He peered down the conduit to watch the gorilla's progress. He saw him stop as he reached the mass that must be D'Argo. The gorilla crouched into a tight ball then slowly began to straighten. What the hell was he doing? There was a loud creaking, the sound of strain and stress in Moya's structure. Hezmana, Guy was steadily lifting the conduit ceiling off of D'Argo.

"Way to go Guy!" Said Crichton. Quickly he scrambled back along the conduit on his belly until he reached the fallen Luxan, grabbed his feet and began pulling. The Luxan was a lot heavier than he was and it was hard work but he did not know how long Guy could hold the ceiling up. It seemed to take forever to get back to the corridor but at last he pulled his friend free of the conduit and into the relative safety of the corridor. Crichton stuck his head back in the conduit. "Come on, Guy! D'Argo's out."

He heard the gorilla make a noise of aquiessence then heard the strain of the conduit as Guy flattened himself and crawled back out. "Great job, Guy."

The gorilla made a sign for *friend* and hugged Crichton then looked down at D'Argo, an expression of great sorrow on his face. Crichton checked the Luxan over to see if any bones were broken. He could see no injury, no broken skin, could feel no damaged limbs. That meant he had simply been knocked out. He began to shake the Luxan. "D'Argo, wake up! We can't stay
here."

Just then a voice he did not recognise reinforced his statement. "No, you cannot!"

He spun round but was thrown back by pulse fire. He could hear Guy's roar of rage but blacked out before he could see what was happening. Lt Cragg smiled at his clash troops and waved a hand at the enraged gorilla. "Subdue the beast!"

Two of the men carried an energy net. With practised ease they advanced on Guy. He held his ground, standing protectively over Crichton and peeling back his lips to reveal all his teeth, ready to rip his enemies to shreds. But he never got a chance. They threw the net and encompassed him. The net singed his fur then delivered a tremendous jolt. With a surprise of pain and alarm the gorilla dropped like a stone completely unconscious.

"Hurry." Said the lieutenant. "The sooner we are off this ship the better I will like it."

The men nodded and all helped to haul the heavy but insensate primate down the corridor to their transport. By the time Aeryn and Chiana reached Crichton and D'Argo, the Peace Keepers had taken off again and were on their way back to their vessel.

* * * * *
end