Captain John Wellington was walking the dull, grey corridors of the Vogon ship, his arm around the shoulders of Sky as worked his way through the alien vessel. She would occasionally look up at him and when he caught her silvery gaze, he would smile. She was, he realized, having an effect on him that he had not anticipated. The hurt and the anger that had been coiled deep inside him for so many years was loosening its' grip on his soul. He barely recognized himself from a week ago. They entered the level which contained the cells and stopped at one of the com-pads. John examined the small screen, trying to determine which cell held the other Sjin.
"Got it." He grinned and began moving down the corridor. When they came to the cell that was holding the other Sjin, Sky started to become agitated.
"I should not be here, John Wellington." She stopped before the entrance.
"Why not? What's wrong?" John asked.
"The other Sjin...she is...I should not see her."
"Why not? Explain it to me." John grasped her gently by the arms.
"She is Sjin-Ryu, from the south. I am Sjin-Kai, from the north. We are not supposed to see each other."
"Why not?"
"She is the enemy. It is forbidden for us to speak to each other."
"Oh good. Perfect." He said dryly. "Does that mean you're going to fight each other or something?"
"No. Females do not fight on my world. Only the warriors."
"You can go check on the Squibs and Matradoks if you like." He offered.
"Thank you John Wellington." She turned and skittered quickly away down the hall. John opened the door and the cell looked identical to his former room. There was a fountain in the corner, a bed and a little white alien lying on it. This alien had shock red hair however, and he noticed as she glared at him, icy blue eyes. As her tail flicked through the air he spotted reddish stripes circling the tip. She was about the same height as Sky but a little more fuller figured. Her hips were soft and round and her full breasts were tipped with pink nipples.
John stepped closer to the red-haired Sjin lying on the bed and she immediately backed up into the corner away from him.
"I'm not going to hurt you." He said extending his hands outward. He approached the bed and sat on the edge. He realized this was going to be much more difficult without Sky to help him translate and he dropped his head in thought. How could he convince her he meant no harm? As he looked up into the icy blue stare, she suddenly leapt at him. Her fingers gripped his head tightly and her tail curled snugly around his neck. He instinctively grabbed her waist as she straddled him and could feel her entire body trembling.
John winced as he felt the colours flashing through his vision. He heard the familiar humming sound and then her voice was inside his head.
'You are not here to hurt me?" her voice thrummed through his mind.
"I will not hurt you." He said aloud. Her tail uncoiled from his neck and she released her grip on his head.
"You smell of her." The little alien hissed.
"What is your name?" he asked.
"Meadow." She answered cautiously.
"My name is..."
"Captain John Jacob Wellington, United Colonies Assault Force, retired." She finished.
"That's right. You can call me John."
"What do you want with me?"
"Didn't you pull that from my mind?" he asked.
"No!" she hissed angrily. "I would never steal thoughts." She said as though the idea disgusted her.
"All right. Relax. I meant no offence." He soothed. "I have taken control of this ship. We will be returning to your home world where you will be free to return to your people."
She widened her eyes in surprise. "You challenged the Vogons?" she asked curiously.
"Yes. You won't have to worry about them anymore." He smiled.
She sighed heavily and fell back on the bed. "It will not matter for me."
"What? Why?"
"I will not survive the journey." She closed her eyes.
"She has started the fade." Sky appeared in the doorway. John turned to face her while she clung to the doorway nervously.
"You should not be here B'naith." Meadow hissed, glaring at the blue-haired girl.
"You are fading. There is no one else to perform the ritual. We Sjin-Kai would not dishonour the spirits by letting you fade without ceremony." Sky spat angrily.
"You are Sjin-Kai. You have no honour." Meadow hissed.