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<-- BROWNFINGER Part 1
Grand B’hwa
Crichton landed the heavily modified Farscape in a huge hanger designed for off-world tourists coming for the gambling, the beaches, and the sun. After securing the module in a convenient-to-get-the-frell-away bay, and paying dearly for it, he began to look for a private shuttle to take him to the hotel.
John made his way to the private shuttle stand and tried to mingle with the crowd. He became aware of someone very close to his back. He spun around, his hand on Betsy (he missed Wynona, but what could he do?) He faced a stunning creamy white woman with the blackest eyes carrying a rather large and heavy suitcase, looking frustrated and in need of a friend.
“Let me help you with that.” John Crichton offered. “Were are you headed, perhaps we can share a shuttle.”
“Thank you, but it’s no bother really. I can manage.” The two-tone lovely replied, cocking her head to one side. “I wouldn’t mind sharing a shuttle. I’m going to The B’hwa Gardens.”
“That’s exactly where I’m going. I insist I help you with this suitcase!” Crichton grabbed the offending suitcase and helped carry it to the curb where he muscled his way to a Shuttle driver. “Come on get in….” Crichton hesitated, realizing he didn’t know her name, and this was one lady he was planning to know.
“Chiana” the damsel-in-distress replied while entering the shuttle. She looked at him quizzically while Crichton sat down beside her and told the driver their destination.
“The name is Crichton, John Crichton.” He flashed Chiana his most winning smile as he introduced himself.
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“Ah Crais, good to see you again.” Crichton met Crais by the Grand B’hwa’s
pool and outdoor gaming area. There were many people from all parts of the galaxy swimming, diving, basking and enjoying the fine weather and surroundings. There were several boards of Tadek set up for people to enjoy. Only one was being used.
“See that man over there playing Tadek? This is the third solar day that he has won big time against his mark, a rich Depository owner who is able to cover his losses.” Crais pointed to an unusual looking man, fully covered in black leather, despite the heat, with a very pale and pitted complexion. A nurse hovered by his side.
“So that’s Brownfinger. What is wrong with him? Why does he need the nurse?” Crichton noted several things about Scorpius Brownfinger, not the least of which he was probably the ugliest man he had ever seen.
“He’s an impossible hybrid, half Sebacean and half Scarran. It should have been impossible because Scarrans thrive on heat and Sebaceans suffer the living death with too much heat.” Crais sloshed his drink with his index finger. “You see that round disk above his ear with the red buttons?” When Crichton nodded Crais continued. “It’s actually a cooling device that accepts some type of refrigerant to keep his brain cool. The woman standing behind him is his nurse. He wears that thermal suit always to maintain the correct body temperature.”
“Good to know his major vulnerability.” Crichton turned his back to Brownfinger and scanned the hotel windows. He saw a glint from one of the windows and followed its line of sight directly back to the chap playing against Brownfinger. “I have to check something out, Crais. I’ll check with you later.” Crichton headed for the hotel lobby.
“Crichton! Don’t assume Brownfinger is vulnerable. He is always well defended.” Crais left.
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Crichton suspected Brownfinger had a scam going that involved an accomplice in his room. He purchased a bottle of the finest bubbly (not Champagne, but close enough for the UT) he could find. He went to the front desk and asked for Brownfinger’s room number. After a bit of haggling, he managed to convince the functionary that he needed to deliver the gift in person and obtained the room number. No surprise that it was on the same floor that he had seen the momentary glint from a spying device.
After he found the room and knocked on the door he heard a woman’s voice say, “Who is it?” faintly from within. John response of “Room Service” brought the sound of movement from behind the door. He put the bubbly bottle down in front of the door and stepped to one side, his back against the wall. The door opened and there was a pause before he saw a creamy white arm reach out and grab the bottle by the neck. “Chiana!”
At the sound of Crichton’s voice, Chiana jumped and almost dropped the bubbly. “John, you startled me. Howja find me?”
“Are we going to stand in the hallway or are you going to let me in?” John stepped half in and half out of the room.
“Come in, come in. I gotta get back to work. Just close the door behind you.” Chiana rushed back to the window. She then spoke into the device set on the windowsill. “He is going to move the Mn’tak to the cudron.” Chiana turned around to find John standing directly beside her. “I have to work. If Brownfinger doesn’t get the moves he’ll kill me.”
“So that’s how he wins at Tadek.” By now John was sitting besides Chiana and nibbling on her ear.
“Stop it! I gotta work!” Chiana pulled away from John. “Later.”
John put his finger on Chiana’s pure black lips and spoke into the device, “Brownfinger, you won’t be able to cheat anymore. You will have to let your opponent win back all he lost.” John switched the device off.
John Crichton and a giggling Chiana took the bubbly back to his room.
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“Aaahummm! John that was wonderful.” Chiana snuggled up against him and dozed off.
John lay with his arm wrapped around a sleeping Chiana trying to decide what to do next. He still didn’t have the information he need about Scorpius Brownfinger. Chiana knew very little about his operations. She only knew what was requested of her, though she admitted she tried to learn more but Brownfinger was extremely secretive. The one fact he was able to learn was about Furlow. Brownfinger kept a personal guard whom you didn’t want to cross. John gently extricated his arm out from under Chiana and threw a robe on. He heard a noise. He was knocked unconscious while reaching for Betsy.
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Several arns later John regained consciousness. It was dark. He turned on the lights and found Chiana laying in a brown puddle in the tub where nearly her entire body was covered with the same brown substance. It was odorless and had a slightly rubbery feel to it. John put his fingers against Chiana’s neck to feel for a pulse; it was faint, but it was there. John saw his hand was clean when he withdrew it. He called Bialar Crais.
“Crais! You have to come here immediately. It’s a long story and I need your help.”
“I’ll be there in five hundred microts.” Crais disconnected.
* Why do they refuse to translate minutes? It would be so much simpler. * John thought.
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“We have to hurry to get this Chocolate Body Paint off before she suffocates.” Crais said.
“I didn’t know it was chocolate. How do you get if off? I’ve tried everything and it doesn’t yield.” John said.
“Saliva breaks it down. Hurry! We have to lick her. Once we get a hole started we will be able to peel it off.” Crais knelt by Chiana and started licking the chocolate. John followed suit.
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“So that’s how Brownfinger is able to transport chocolate without paying for it. He paints his girls and leaves their faces and hands exposed so they don’t suffocate.” John said.
“I was going to mention the body paint before. Honest, I was! I didn’t because I didn’t think it was important.” Chiana had recovered quite pleasantly. She slowly came to while two men were licking her frantically. “I’m hungry. Can we get something to eat?”
The thought of eating anything made Crichton’s stomach turn. “Uh… I’m not hungry. Why don’t we bring something in for you to eat? Crais?” Crais nodded in agreement.
“I can’t go back to Brownfinger and I can’t stay here. Help me please.” Chiana said.
“I’ll bring you back to headquarters. I’m sure D’Argo could use someone like you on our team.”
