Eight Nights On Moya

Author: Lauren (OboeCrazy)
Author's Notes: This was a series of bits I posted first on the SACC e-group.  They are all in dialogue.

The first night of Hanukkah...

"Commander Crichton, what can I do for you?"

"Actually I came here to do something for you, Pilot."

"Didn’t you already fix that burnt out conduit?"

"That? Oh yea I did it. I just have something for you...a present."

"For me? What for?"

"Well, it’s a holiday back on Earth right now...I don’t usually celebrate Hanukkah, but my Aunt always did and so she taught me the basic gist of what the whole thing was about. Too bad I don’t have any candles...anyway I was gonna save these for Christmas, this other holiday that’s later in the year. But seeing as we only have a few days before we go after Scorpy and who knows if I’ll be able to then...well..."

"I’m not sure I understand."

"Back on my planet this time of year...cycle...whatever...it’s spent being thankful for what is good in our lives. And we do that by giving presents to those who are special to us. So here."

"A data recorder?"

"It’s not the recorder, it’s what’s on it. Remember that planet we visited a while ago...the one with the chorus’ around every corner?"

"Sibelius, yes I do."

"Well this one choir had this song going on that...well...here, listen."

*click*

"Ahhhhhhh..."

"...is that? But it can’t be!"

"Kinda sounds like Zhaan singing, huh?"

"It does!"

"I remember you talking about how much you enjoyed her singing, and when this choir started I pulled out the recorder. Figured it’s not as good as the real thing, but it might be nice reminder of Zhaan."

"Thank you, Commander. Moya and I will undoubtedly enjoy this greatly."

"Great. It’s quite long....uh...I think well over an arn or so, so I’ll leave you to your music."

"...Commander Crichton? I regret that I have nothing to offer you in return."

"It’s OK Pilot, you and Moya have already given enough."

The Second Night of Hanukkah...

"Hey big guy, what’s up?"

"Not now Crichton, I’m trying to figure out what this means."

"The flashing light?"

"Yes. Either it’s an indication that the forward shielding is down, or the docking gear is out of alignment."

"Actually it’s a warning that you’re low on food supplement."

"How would you know that?"

"It’s right here in this...well wait, let me back up and explain..."

"Where did you get that book?"

"You remember the library on Baccahio 2? I found this book there, "Ancient Luxian; Language and Culture." I figured it might be helpful in getting this ship to work. So I bribed the Keeper to let me buy it to give to you. You’d be amazed how a bit of money will persuade..."

"You got it for me?"

"Yea. It’s a holiday right now on my home planet, and I wanted to do a little something to celebrate. Humans give gifts to people that are close to them. Uh...you like it, right?"

"It’s exactly what I needed. Thank you, John."

"Hey, no problem. Glad you like it, D’Argo."

The Third Night of Hanukkah...

"Sparky! What’s up?"

"My name is not Sparky, it’s Dominar Rygel the 16th, and what is up is the ceiling."

"You’re just no fun, you know that Ryg?"

"I find little to be amused about in this place."

"Well I have something that might cheer you up. Here, a little present."

"A gift? What for?"

"Don’t be so suspicious, it’s a holiday back on my planet and I’m trying to get into the spirit."

"Well I suppose it can’t hurt...what the frell...you gave me a food cube?"

"It’s not a food cube! It’s a...well...I can’t pronounce what it really is, but I found it on one of the trading stations and it tastes just like chocolate!"

"It’s a food cube, Crichton!"

"It’s not, now try it."

"Well..."

"Try it!"

*munch*

"Dren, this is delicious!"

"Wish I had some real Hersheys, but this was close enough."

"For once Crichton, you’ve risen above your normal lack of intelligence and pleasantly surprised me."

"I’ll take that as a compliment."

Fourth Night of Hanukkah...

"Hey Jool what’cha...gah!...the HELL is that smell?"

"I’m just washing my hair."

"Smells like ten miles of wet dog."

"Would you rather I not wash it and walk around with dirty hair?"

"Damned if you do..."

"What do you want Crichton? Or did you just come to insult me?"

"No no...actually I came to give you something. Here."

"A box? What is this for?"

"It’s what’s INSIDE the box. See it’s a holiday right now on my home planet and we give gifts to those around us. Kind of a way to lift spirits. And we could use some spirit lifting around here."

"Oh...Crichton, it’s lovely!"

"I figured a nice big brush might help tame that mane you call hair."

"It’s wonderful. Thank you. And just what I needed right now."

"Great, glad you like it. I’m gonna leave you and your wet hair alone now...should have gotten an air freshner."

Fifth Night of Hanukkah...

"Hey Aeryn, how’re you doing?"

"I’m fine."

"Really? Is that why you’re kicking the dren out of that bag?"

"I’m exercising."

"You’ve been at it for several arns now."

"It’s a good way of reducing stress."

"Well I was wondering if you wanted to work out with me."

"You’re interested in more training?"

"No no...not like that. I think I’m still sore from a few months ago. Come on, I’ll show you."

"Why are we going to your quarters?"

"Here, sit. I’m gonna teach you to play chess."

"This is that game you were playing with yourself before."

"Yea."

"I thought...I’d asked before but you never...I didn’t think you wanted to teach it to me."

"Well I was having Scorpy problems at the time. And I’m sick of playing with myself. And...well..."

"Crichton?"

"It’s a holiday back on Earth right now. Usually people give presents to the people they...care about...for eight nights. I really couldn’t think of an object you’d enjoy, but I know you were interested in this game. And I figured...well..."

*pause*

"I’d love to learn how to play cheez."

"That’s chess."

"Chess."

"Yea, and I’m sure you’ll be kicking my ass by the time I’m done teaching you."

"I have a good teacher."

Sixth Night of Hanukkah...

"Crichton."

"Crais."

*pause*

"Was there something you required, Commander?"

"No...yea...I just have something for you."

"What is this?"

"It’s a speech, written a long time ago by a famous author on my home planet. I once had to memorize it and it just stuck. Anyway it’s a holiday back on Earth, and I’ve been giving out presents...this is for you."

"Thank you Commander. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it."

"I’ll just leave you to it then."

(excerpt from "Henry V" by Shakespeare)

Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let pry through the portage of the head
Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it
As fearfully as doth a galled rock
O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,
Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean.
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit
To his full height. On, on, you noblest English.
Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof!
Fathers that, like so many Alexanders,
Have in these parts from morn till even fought
And sheathed their swords for lack of argument:
Dishonour not your mothers; now attest
That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you.
Be copy now to men of grosser blood,
And teach them how to war. And you, good yeoman,
Whose limbs were made in England, show us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not;
For there is none of you so mean and base,
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'

Seventh Night of Hanukkah...

"So it’s finally my turn, huh?"

"Hey Chiana. Guess you heard about my gift giving."

"I was getting worried you’d left me out."

"Well you have been naughty instead of nice...but this isn’t Christmas. How could I forget my favorite Nebari?"

"Crichton, I’m the only Nebari here."

"You wana nitpick or you want a present? Here, this is for you."

"Ohh...a coat?"

"Not just any coat...look at the length, with a full soft fur lining..."

"It is very nice..."

"I’ve just noticed you tend to wear very little, and some of the planets we visit are very cold. So I got you something comfy that’ll cover you...I mean completely cover you."

"Ooo! It is soft! Thank you!"

"Woa! Hey Pip, watch that flying tackle thing! It’s fun but you’ll poke an eye out or something."

Eighth Night of Hanukkah...

*click*

"Hey Dad, Happy Hanukkah. Yea yea...I can tell you’re thinking, "What’s he mean Hanukkah?" I know we don’t usually do that unless Aunt Maddy drops by. But we’re headed out to stop Scorpy and...well...I just didn’t know if I could wait till Christmas. We might not have that much time.

"Anyway everyone seams to like their gifts. I especially enjoyed showing Aeryn how to play chess...might have been the first relaxed arn between the two of us since she came back. And even though there’s not much room left on this last tape I’m just letting myself talk as long as I want tonight. So I guess I already got my presents this holiday season.

"I really miss you Dad. I miss sitting in front of the fire with the family, listening to Grampa going on about old war stories. I miss walking under the stars, the only sound the snow crunching under my feet. I miss eggnog, and fresh baked cookies, and chocolate...I mean the real stuff, not that almost-close stuff I got Rygel...I even miss those potato pancakes when Aunt Maddy was over. But mostly I just miss you."

"Crichton?"

*click*

"Hey Aeryn, come on in."

"You’re leaving another message for your father, I can come back."

"No no no...come on in. The machine doesn’t have a pause button for nothing."

"I thought you’d be in your quarters."

"Yea, well the Terrace appealed to me more this evening."

"Because it’s the last night of that holiday you’ve been giving gifts for."

"Yea."

*pause*

"This is for you."

"What..."

"We all helped buy it. Although Chiana helped by ‘borrowing’ your recording device for a few arns."

"Explains why I couldn’t find it..."

"We did get quite a few offers for it. It’s considered quite the antique to some dealers. But we finally found someone who could replicate some of those tapes you use."

"Aeryn...this is...I wasn’t expecting anything."

"Neither were we."

"This is enough tapes to last quite a while. Thanks Aeryn, you have no idea what this means to me. I gotta go thank everyone..."

"Of course."

"...in a minute. Stay here a sec...uh...microt..."

*click*

"Hey Dad, I just got my own present from the crew. Some extra blank tapes, so now I can talk as long as I want. I know earlier I was saying how we might not have that much time left, what with Scorpy and all. But this is kinda nice that if we do make it out of this alive I can look forward to sending more messages from the final frontier. I guess that’s two of the best gifts friends can give...time and hope."

*click*

"Come on Aeryn, I’ve got some friends to thank."

The End