Rated: PG-13 or less.
Notes: Farscraps a series of unfinished fanfics that I've decided to post to the web even though they are incompletes and likely never to be continued.
Title: Rainfall
By Karolyn Gray
The drops spattered the ground, small puffs of dust rising in the heated air. At first just a few, them more and more until the soil was damp enough and no more dust rose from the parched earth. In microts the few sprinkles turned into a drizzle of water, cooling his heated skin and washing away the dirt and grime in muddy rivulets. Water droplets tinged with red streamed from his forehead into his eyes, down his nose, bruised cheek and cracked lips. He ran his tongue slowly over his lips, savoring the taste of water, sweat and blood.
A rumble overhead drew his attention to the darkened sky, a maniacal gleam entering his blue eyes. He began chuckling, the rain now pouring down with such force he could not see more than a few feet around him.
A flash and the sky rumbled again. In that moment his previous pain was forgotten with the rising storm, the past few days didn't matter anymore. The past year didn't matter. Nothing mattered except the rain. The blessed, sweet rain.
“Hooooooyaaahhhhhh!!!!!” He screamed flopping onto his back, laughing-the hysterical edge carrying into the rapidly darkening sky and to the nearby domes that protected those in observance of his actions.
One of those watching from the large center dome raised his hand, waving to the others as the growing wind snapped and pulled at his long multicolored cloak. A joyful cry from the throng washed over the gathered crowd adding their own cries to those of the man who lay alone in the muddy field before them.
Unnoticed by the celebratory crowd, two that had been beside the ornately clothed man moved to a cage in which three forlorn beings watched those around them with varying degrees of anger, interest and concern. Their very clothes were a somber contrast to the brightly attired beings around them. There was no celebratory mood there.
*****
“Aren't you going to get him?” Aeryn demanded, rubbing her wrists where manacles had been moments ago. Another howl in response to the thunder drew her attention the nearly naked man lying in the muddy ground laughing hysterically.
“He has passed the trial. Prophecy has been fulfilled.” The guard stated simply, bowing his head reverentially before departing their cell. Unlike before the doors to their prison were left open.
“Prophecy.” Aeryn snorted with contempt.
“Come, let us retrieve Crichton and depart this place.” Zhaan stated reasonably earning a nod of agreement from D'argo. Aeryn was out of the cell and headed directly for the human before Zhaan had even stopped speaking.
As soon as she left the protective covering of the Observer's deck, Aeryn trotted towards Crichton, ignoring the rain and avoiding the jubilant aliens frolicking around her. In moments she was completely soaked, her hair plastered to her head and neck as she kneeled next to the still laughing human. She didn't like the dazed, too bright look in his eyes as she gently rested a hand on his bruised shoulder. “John?”
That seemed to gain his attention as he stopped laughing and his eyes focused on her. He shook his head, causing Aeryn to pull back at the spray of bloody water droplets from his short hair. A fond grin came to his face, one that did little to hide the look in his eyes. “Aeryn? You're still here?”
Aeryn felt a cold twisting feeing in stomach at the accusatory tone in his voice, the hurt in his eyes as he had thought they had abandoned him to this desolate place. “I'm still here, John. I never left.”
He sat up suddenly, oblivious to his injuries as he grabbed her arms. “I...I thought I was alone. I thought you left me.” He whispered so softly she could barely hear him above the sound of the rain.
“I know. I'd never leave you. Remember? We promised each other.” Aeryn tried to push him back down, grimacing at the blisters and the heat from his reddened skin.
He struggled against her, letting out another whoop as a particularly thunder seem to roll across the heavens above them. She managed to get him to lean into her, the bloody wounds on his back staining her gray shirt with crimson trails as he leaned into her embrace. Just holding him seem to calm his fevered mind as she felt him relax hi her arms, a deep sigh escaping him.
Zhaan and D'argo joined her moments later, having finally extricated themselves from the ever-increasing throng of revelers near the dome. Zhaan began quickly assessing the human's wounds as D'argo did his best to keep the rain from interrupting her work. The entire time, Crichton seemed oblivious, an odd smile on his face and his eyes staring up into the gray clouds above.
“You like the rain?” He asked suddenly, squeezing Aeryn's hand gently. His voice was oddly soft, gentle but with an edge of some unnamed emotion underneath. Zhaan and D'argo exchanged a puzzled look at the question before turning to see Aeryn lean down, a wistful smile on the former Peace Keeper's face.
“You know I do.” Aeryn replied. “It was one of the things I liked best about your Earth.”
“Feels good. Huh?” John mumbled, fatigue starting to finally drag him towards much needed rest. His eyes shifted from the darkened sky to meet Aeryn's own. The same wistfulness the others had seen on Aeryn's face now shown in his eyes.
“Yes, it does.” Aeryn replied gently, smoothing down his dampened hair.
“You'd like the summer rains back home. You can just sit there for hours watching and listening, nothing to worry about. Everything smells so fresh, so clean.” John's words trailed off, eyes fluttering closed, as exhaustion finally won out. Thunder rumbled ominously above them.
“It sounds nice.” Aeryn said to no one in particular, her words unheard by the others.
*****
Thunder rumbled in the sky, disturbing the gentle sound of falling rain on the roof, a moment later the sky flashing brightly and more rumbles. Zhaan smiled in appreciation at the light show provided by the lightening as it illuminated the falling drops of water. She inhaled deeply as the wind blew cool air through the open window, bringing with it the fresh, clean smells of water and earth and life itself.
An ever so subtle rustling behind her brought Zhaan around to find John Crichton looking at the slumbering Aeryn Sun seated uncomfortably in a chair alongside his bed. Realizing he had not seen her by the window she watched him closely, trying to determine any effects his recent misadventure may have had.
A sleepy, gentle smile added a childlike quality to his face as he reached out to grasp Aeryn's hand, wincing as his body protested against this movement. Aeryn shifted slightly but did not waken. This reaction seemed to please the human as his smile grew. Shifting to make himself more comfortable, he then pulled Aeryn's hand into his own, closing his eyes.
Though she had no desire to disturb either of them, Zhaan knew she must speak with John before he fell asleep again. Moving forward she gently touched his shoulder relieved that his skin was much cooler than when they had first brought him here, a sure sign that his fever had finally dissipated.
“John.” She called softly.
“Sh. You'll wake Aeryn.” John murmured opening his eyes enough for Zhaan to see the humor in those blue depths.
Zhaan smiled as she realized John had known she was present the entire time, but had chosen to allow themselves the illusion of privacy even if for only a few microts. Resting her palm against his forehead for a moment she nodded.
“So what's the diagnosis, doc?” John asked, earning another smile from Zhaan.
“A little rest and I believe you shall be fine.” Zhaan replied quietly. “I'm afraid any strenuous activity is out of the question for a few days.”
John winced suddenly as if her words only now reminded him of his abused shoulder and back. He grunted softly in agreement. “Yeah, I think I could handle a little rest about now.”
“So could I if you both would mind speaking a little more softly.” Aeryn suddenly put in. Despite her serious look, relief and humor could be seen in her eyes as she squeezed John's hand in unspoken greeting.
“Sorry.” John replied. A loud crackling sound interrupted Aeryn's reply and caused the trio to look towards the window as a roil of thunder sent shudders through them.
“It's raining.” John said simply, leaning back into he pillows, his eyes fixed on the storm with a thoughtful expression.
“Yes. You succeeded. The people here are most appreciative.” Zhaan replied, deciding not to probe into how the human had accomplished this feat at the moment.
“D'argo, Chiana and Rygel are loading the supplies as we speak. I'd say we have at least several weekens of food and supplies. I think you even earned Rygel's gratitude this time.”
John chuckled softly at that, the sound quickly fading. “I wish I could remember what happened.”
“You don't remember what happened?” Zhaan asked, frowning in concern.
John shrugged. “Well, I remember those priests hauling me out of the cell and making me swallow some nasty tasting stuff that makes crawldar taste good.“ John's brow furrowed in concentration. “I remember something about a prophecy, but nothing else.”
“Nothing else?” Zhaan prompted him in the hopes of jogging his memory.
“No nothing.” John paused, flinching as tried to sit up and his back screamed at him to do otherwise. Giving up he lay still. After a long moment he shook his head. “Just the heat.”
“You don't know how you did this?” Aeryn asked gesturing to the storm outside, concerned by the troubled look on John's face. John shook his head his eyes shifting questioningly between the two alien women.
Sensing John's growing alarm, Zhaan sat on the edge of his bed, smiling reassuringly. “We were hoping you could tell us. All we know is that the local priesthood believed you were part of their prophecy to bring back the rains to this land. Some claimed you are a messiah.”
John closed his eyes tiredly. “Great. John Crichton-scientist, astronaut and part time savior.”
Zhaan chuckled at his self-deprecating tone. “Well, whatever you may be today has benefited us all. The people are content, we have regained our freedom, and we shall soon leave this place to continue our journey.”
“Guess things aren't too bad then.” John agreed.
“Still, I do wonder...”
Wonder about what?” John asked, opening his eyes at Zhaan's puzzled tone.
“Something you said while you were still in your fevered state.” Zhaan said.
Curious, John sat up, ignoring his protesting back. “What did I say?”
Zhaan looked over at Aeryn who nodded as if agreeing to some unasked question. “Much of what you said did not seem to translate well, but I believe the phrase you used was 'apes with the knowledge of the gods'. What did you mean by that?”
“Apes with the knowledge of the gods?” John asked. Shaking his head. “Got me on that one. Anything else?”
“Too much to remember and none if it seemed to make sense.” Aeryn replied. “Although one was rather...poetic.”
“Poetic, huh?” John asked in disbelief.
“That is how D'argo described it.” Zhaan noted.
“So let me hear it.” John demanded. Aeryn shrugged and complied.
“Two moons of fire glow with the heat of a winter's night.”
“What the hell's that supposed to mean?”
Aeryn shook her head. “You tell us.”
“That's it?”
“The rest was lost in translation.” Aeryn replied sheepishly.
“Oh.” Was John's only reply as he lay back again, watching the storm. After a moment he spoke. “You know it sound almost like cold fusion.”
“Cold fusion?” Zhaan asked.
“Um. Cold fusion.” Pausing for a moment he tried to remember what little he knew of the phenomenon and break down the concept as simply as possible. “You take ordinary hydrogen and a form of hydrogen called deuterium bring it together with metals, such as titanium or nickel to create energy without all the radiation from a typical thermonuclear reaction. Electricity is used as the initial catalyst to get a nuclear reaction started.”
Seeing the two women exchange a glance, John sighed to himself. He wasn't sure they understood what he was saying and couldn't think of any simpler way of explaining a field completely out of his expertise. “Um. Forget it.” He waved his hand with a small smile.
“I believe I know what technology you speak of, though I know of no species that uses such a power source as their primary energy source.” Zhaan cocked her head to the side with a curious expression. “Do your people employ such an energy reserve?”
John, who'd been staring out at the rain shook his head as he realized Zhaan had asked him a question. “Huh? Oh, no. Well not yet anyway. A few scientists developed cold fusion some years back, but they were no where near practical use.” He chuckled. “Hell, some of scientists don't even think cold fusion is real.”
“How strange.” Aeryn said. “Such a resource would never be wasted by the Peace Keepers.”
“Well look at the source. We are talking humans here.” John replied with a grin, earning a nod in return.
A knock at the door ended any further discussion as D'Argo slipped into the room, carefully peering out into the hall he had just come from before closing the door once more. “There is a problem.”
“What is it?” Zhaan asked.
“Targev has warned me that we should leave quickly, before the celebration ends.”
“Why? They seem quite happy at their...miracle.” Aeryn inquired, able to keep her own derision of their beliefs from her tone.
The Luxan shrugged in return. “All I know is Targev stated that once his followers are over their initial joyousness at their 'saviors' benevolence... “ D'Argo cast a long look at the human laying in the bed as he continued. “...they may not allow him to leave here. Or us for that matter.”
“They have what they wanted. What could be served keeping us here?” Aeryn wondered aloud.
“In case their 'savior' is needed when the rains stops gain.” John answered, earning a surprised look from the Luxan.
“How did you...?”
“Just a hunch.” John replied with a sad shake of his head.
“You act as if you know what these people will do, John.” Zhaan noted gently.
“Well if they're anything like my own, the Peace Keepers are going to be the last thing we need to worry about.” Seeing his companions puzzled expression, John shrugged, throwing the blanket off of him as he glanced out at he storm. “Humans sometimes destroy what we believe in. I don't intend to become a martyr out here in the Territories.”
“Neither do I.” D'argo replied as Zhaan passed John a strange bundle of brown clothing.
She smiled apologetically as she gestured to a small pile of stained and bloody rags on a nearby table. “I'm afraid your clothes did not fare as well as you during your quest.”
Unraveling the bundle, he could tell the clothes was a size or two too large for his frame. It was better than nothing but boxers. “Beggars can't be choosers.” He muttered, quickly donning the loose trouser and tunic, appreciating their soft, almost cotton like feel on his skin.
“A wise saying. Are you ready?” D'argo growled out, cracking the door open slightly to peer into the hall.