Farscape
Episode 10308
"Green Eyed Monster"
Written by, Ben Browder
Directed by, Tony Tilse
Original US Airdate: June 22, 2001
© 1998 Jim Henson Company, Inc.
COLD OPEN
EXT SPACE
CGI of a misty blue planet as seen through the portal which fronts what can best be described as Crichton's 'bunk' aboard Talyn. Anyone stationed aboard a submarine in this or a past life will recognize the entire 'living in a corridor' scenario. For the rest, suffice to say, that as the camera pulls backward 'through' the window, we are graced with a shot of John Crichton, Astronaut, relegated to the tight confines of a much smaller ship, and his quarters are now made up of a single bunk placed in a recessed point of a wall in one of Talyn's Corridors.
John's workin'/thinkin', leaning on one elbow, pen in hand, with notebook open on the bunk in front of him, but he can't concentrate as there is a DRD just above his bunk working away, showering sparks across his shoulders. Irritably glancing up from the notebook, Crichton reads the DRD the riot act.
CRICHTON ( angrily ) Hey, fellas... knock it off, I'm tryin' to work here.
Crichton glances back down to the notebook, but the red DRD attached to the wall above his bunk studiously continues working, ignoring his request. [ Talyn's DRDs are like little Porches compared to Moya's yellow VW bugs. ]
CRICHTON ( exasperated ) Knock it off!
The DRD ignores him, and continues working.
CRICHTON ( muttering ) That's enough.
Abandoning the notebook, Crichton reaches over his shoulder and pulls his pulse pistol holster off a hook on the wall at the end of his bunk [ close quarters living! ], he immediately notes the holster is empty.
CRICHTON ( demanding ) Crais... where is it? ( pause ) Crais!
No answer immediately forthcoming, Crichton extracts himself from his bunk area, standing in the corridor
CRICHTON Yo, Captain!
Crichton 'knocks' insistently on the DRD to gain it's and Crais's attention, and the DRD's 'camera' shifts toward him. Through the DRD's POV, Crichton holds the empty holster up to the lens, angrily demanding this time.
CRICHTON Where is it!?
Cut to Talyn's Command -- Aeryn and Crais and working on systems. Initial shot is close on the Neural Transponder seated at the base of Crais's neck, his finger idly scratches at the side of the link to the Leviathan, Talyn.
CRAIS: ( mildly ) What have you done?
Working at a control station, Aeryn turns to address Crais.
AERYN I've taken propulsion off-line to optimize the energy transfer rate. I'm hoping that it will ease his pain, and speed the recovery process.
CRAIS: Very elegant. You seem to have an intuitive grasp of Talyn's subsystems.
AERYN Well... it just felt right.
Aeryn moves on to another control system, Crais's eyes closely follow her progress.
CRAIS: It is more than right. I can sense his easing.
Crais moves in close behind Aeryn.
CRAIS: Have you given any... thought to my previous proposal?
Aeryn looks up from the console, she's obviously given it, whatever it is, some thought, but whatever her decision is, it's not an easy one.
Cut to INT. Corridor -- Crichton jogs the length of the corridor. Turning a corner he slows to a rapid march, anger writ large on his face. Barely stopping before the closed door to command, he sweeps his hand across the access control, getting only an electronic bleep for his trouble. The door remains sealed.
CRICHTON Talyn, open the door!
Frustrated and angry, he pounds on the sealed door with the flat of his hand, to no result. Attempting the door control again, he gets another beep and a still sealed door for his trouble.
CRICHTON Crais! I know you're in there, play time is over! Open the damn door!
Crichton slams the door with a solid kick.
Cut to INT. Command -- The thump of Crichton's demand for entry reverberates though the chamber.
CRAIS: Meet me later in my quarters, there is much more for us to discuss.
Aeryn moves away from Crais to another control console.
CRAIS: Talyn, open the door.
Obediently the door opens and a much put upon Crichton stalks in.
CRICHTON Hey, you want to mess with me?
Crichton stops inches from Crais, Aeryn turns from the console to observe the ruckus. She seems surprised at his anger.
CRAIS: What seems to be the problem?
Crichton, deep in a long frustrated anger, the disappearance of Winona only the proverbial straw that broke the camels back, is 'in Crais's face', the scar running just above his left eyebrow, red and 'almost' as angry as Crichton.
CRICHTON Keepin' the DRDs over my head workin' 24/7, so I can't sleep!
CRAIS: Repairs to Talyn--
CRICHTON All of the doors locked! the shower ice-cold, so I'm freezin' the boys off!
AERYN John, what are you talking about?
CRICHTON It's not really a problem, but you do not mess with my stuff! Where's Winona?
CRAIS: What?
CRICHTON Wi... non... na!
AERYN His pulse pistol.
CRICHTON My gun.
AERYN Well, maybe Rygel came...
CRICHTON Rygel and Stark have been on recon for more than a day!
CRAIS: John...
CRICHTON ( shouting ) Don't call me John!
CRAIS: Crichton, then. Are you accusing me of theft?
Aeryn glances upward, to converse with the Leviathan.
AERYN Talyn, you've seen them both naked. Perhaps you can tell us who's bigger.
Crais and Crichton turn their gaze to give her the 'eye', then refocus on each other. Crais turns his attention to the Leviathan.
CRAIS: Talyn...
Talyn bleeps to indicate his attention.
CRAIS: In addition to their current duties, please have the DRD's keep an eye out for Mr. Crichton's pulse weapon, he seems to have mislaid it.
Crais eyes Crichton, but Crichton's attention has been 'diverted' to something over Crais's shoulder.
CRAIS: Will there be anything else?
CRICHTON Yeah, hang a left before we hit that moon.
AERYN What moon?
CRICHTON Small one, dead ahead.
Crichton gestures to the portal and moves forward, around Crais. The view from the forward portal displays the flat plane of a ring around the planet Talyn is orbiting. Protruding well above the ring plane is the upper curve of a large 'object'.
AERYN Our orbital plan is well clear of this planet's moons.
Aeryn moves to another control station.
AERYN How could we miss it?
CRAIS: Might have been below the ring plane. Talyn-- get a fix on all orbital objects.
Crichton settles in at the best seat in the house, peering directly out the forward portal as the object closes.
CRAIS: It's changing course and speed-- accelerating.
Cut to EXT. Space -- Simply gorgeous CGI of the large blue/purple cloud streaked planet with a broad expanse of stellar debris forming a ring around it. Well above the ring is a reddish/brown moon. Closer still, seeming embedded in the ring the large 'object' protrudes above the ring plane like a massive hilltop above a mist. Talyn glides rapidly toward the 'hilltop', looking more and more like a ship gliding above a flat sea.
Cut to CLOSE -- on Talyn's Main Cannon, rising and setting in place.
CRAIS: Talyn, remain calm.
Cut to INT. Command.
AERYN Main Cannon is arming.
CRAIS: Aeryn, bring propulsion back on line.
AERYN Working on it-- 20 microts.
Cut to EXT. Space -- Same CGI as before. 'Object' is much closer.
CRAIS: Talyn, focus on propulsion.
Cut to INT. Command -- Crichton is getting a very close 'first look' at the object. Realization slowly dawns across his face. He doesn't look very happy.
CRICHTON That's no moon.
CRAIS: Talyn, focus on propulsion!
CRICHTON That's budong!
Cut to EXT. Space -- bursting from the ring plane, the 'hilltop' rises rapidly above Talyn, exposing many previously hidden 'spires' jutting from the [ what 'face' and 'head'? ] of the gianormous space critter, and what look to be three large green eyes. It's enormous maw opens exposing 'teeth' that look more like jagged downward pointing mountains. Talyn fires at will, his tiny little energy bursts spattering harmlessly. The ship quickly disappearing into the vast blackness of the budong's mouth. *gulp*
END COLD OPEN
ROLL OPENING CREDITS
"My name is John Crichton... I'm lost... an astronaut... shot through a wormhole.... In some distant part of the universe.... I'm trying to stay alive... Aboard this ship-- this living ship... of escaped prisoners-- my friends. If you can hear me... beware... if I make it back... will they follow? If I open the door... are you ready? Earth is unprepared, helpless... for the nightmares I've seen. Or should I stay, protect my home, not show them you exist. But then you'll never know the wonders I've seen."
ACT I
INT. TALYN -- Command
Aeryn, Crichton and Crais pick themselves up off the deck after a rocky ride into the Budong. Everyone shouts over the almost constant sound of Talyn's main cannon firing into the blackness.
CRAIS: Aeryn, propulsion!
AERYN Should be on-line!
CRICHTON It's totally black out there! This big guppy just locked us in!
CRAIS: Talyn, cease fire! Officer Sun, try and override the weapons!
Talyn's cannon fire continues, the muffled shots occur in rapid succession.
CRAIS: Talyn, you will desist!
But the disobedient child continues firing.
AERYN It's not working!
The ship lurches and everyone hits the deck again.
AERYN Obviously we hit something.
They all unsteadily resume their feet. Cannon fire has ceased. Aeryn checks the weapons console.
AERYN The main cannon is out, it's damaged.
Aeryn marches around command, checking various systems. Crais stands in the center of the deck, the quintessential Ahab, his ship swallowed by the whale.
AERYN And maneuvering jets are firing.
CRAIS: No, Talyn, no! Do not panic, you're costing us vital time!
Crais is almost as panicky as the ship, Aeryn takes over trying to soothe Talyn.
AERYN Talyn, listen to me. Focus on a single point with your senses. Align yourself with that point and block out all other distractions.
Well, that seems to work as the ship settles slightly, the noise level from Talyn's distress drops significantly. Aeryn strokes the edge of Talyn's ceiling 'display'-- a familiar gesture.
AERYN ( softly encouraging ) Well done, Talyn.
CRICHTON What do we know about budongs?
AERYN Next to nothing.
CRAIS: Live ones are exceeding rare.
AERYN ( checking another console ) We're still moving. We're caught in some sort of electromagnetic current, and we're moving...
CRICHTON ( glancing at the console ) Down, we're goin' down. We're bein' swallowed! We're movin' down.
CRAIS: Talyn, set a course against the current. Officer Sun, options?
AERYN We're incapable of Starburst.
CRAIS: Can we shoot our way out?
AERYN No. The main cannon is dead, we are flying in the dark, and we are still losing ground to this current.
CRICHTON Down. Do we want to be goin' down?
CRAIS: We have no notion of which way is up or which way is down!
CRICHTON Yo, Jonah, we have been swallowed! That is down, and I, for one, do not want to be budong chow!
CRAIS: ( shouting ) You will limit your remarks to something useful,
AERYN No, Crais.
CRAIS: or I will...
CRICHTON Or what?!
AERYN He's right. John is right.
The shouting ceases abruptly, but the tension is thick! Crichton, still hot and slightly panting, turns his glare from Crais and glances toward Aeryn.
CRICHTON Drop anchor.
AERYN Anchor?
CRICHTON Yes, anchor!
Talyn bleeps a comment.
CRAIS: No, Talyn...
Everyone glances up [ why do they always look 'up' when Talyn 'speaks'? ]
CRAIS: ... but only slightly stupid, it might buy us time. Officer Sun, take Crichton, get suited for space. In the armory you'll find a case of taks...
CRICHTON Taks?
CRAIS: ... use the hammond-side access chamber. Mooring points are located on the hull.
AERYN Outside. Yes, sir, I have it. Dropping anchor.
Aeryn marches out of command. Shooting a final glare at Crais, Crichton runs after her, the door closing behind them. Talyn also makes one final comment. [ perhaps something like, "Well, that coulda' gone better." Maybe not. :) ]
Cut to INT. Talyn -- Hammond-side access chamber. Crichton and Aeryn are suited for space. Gorgeous costuming, these EV suits are sleeker, traced with fine white lines [ I'm thinkin' 'Tron' here, but black with white tracings. The tableau Crichton and Aeryn strike in this scene while setting up the 'hardware' for dropping anchor looks so exquisitely familiar, perhaps an homage to another film. Hmmm... ideas anyone? ] Taking one of the 'taks' from it's padded case, Aeryn quickly describes it's function and purpose to Crichton, who also quickly familiarizes himself with the launcher [ the biggest frelling gun yet! ]
AERYN Tak-five torpedoes, handheld. Fusion-bonded rhenium claws... stick, never let go. Cables attach to the rear.
CRICHTON So, we're gonna use this high-grade hardware like a mooring harpoon?
AERYN Unless you have a better idea.
CRICHTON It was my idea, but it'll work?
AERYN Well, the cables are iridium alloy. As long as we hit bone, we should hold fast.
CRICHTON Good. I must be smarter than I look.
AERYN That would be easy.
Cut to EXT. Talyn -- Looking into the access chamber from the outside, Crichton is visible through the circular portal in the chamber exterior door, helmeted and ready for EVA.
CRICHTON All right.
The exterior door opens and Crichton steps into the open doorway, holding the end of the mooring cable, he swings easily into open space.
CRICHTON You know, I'd be... happy to swap jobs, come back in there and work the mooring control panel.
AERYN Forget about it, you can't even operate door controls.
CRICHTON There's a reason for that.
Crichton places the metal ring at the end of the mooring cable over the lower claw of the mooring point just outside the chamber hatchway.
CRICHTON Do it.
Inside the chamber, Aeryn depresses one of several green buttons, activating the mooring control.
Outside the ship, Crichton's fingers are nearly clamped in the mooring claw as it snaps abruptly shut, startling him badly. He eyes the tips of his gloves; being exposed to vacumn is an experience he doesn't seem to care to repeat.
CRICHTON ( muttering ) Damn!
AERYN Your twin got the brains?
CRICHTON No, Crais. He's tryin' to make a point.
CRAIS: ( over comms ) If I may interrupt...
CRICHTON ( muttering ) Damn. Open channel.
CRAIS: Officer Sun, this current is pulling us, 1.2 metras a microt!
AERYN Almost there. You ready?
CRICHTON Do it.
Aeryn activates the mooring controls again, and the mooring clamp snaps shut on the second mooring line ring, again almost taking Crichton's fingers off. On command, Talyn is giving Crais problems.
CRAIS: Do... not... argue!
Back inside the access chamber, Crichton loads one of the tak-torpedoes into the launcher and helps Aeryn, kneeling on the deck, to steady it on her shoulder.
AERYN All right, we don't have visual yet.
CRAIS: Wall range is closing. Zero-point-five metras.
Crichton kneels beside her, holding the mooring line trailing in from the mooring clamp above the hatchway, away from her line of fire.
AERYN I can't see anything yet. I need visual. I need to be able to see the ribs.
From outside the ship, looking into the open hatchway, we see Crichton and Aeryn kneeling just inside the open hatchway, the launching cannon perched on her shoulder. Three mooring clamps, one to the left of the hatch, one to the right, and one just above. Three separate mooring lines trail back into the access hatch, then are coiled neatly on the deck.
CRAIS: Point-one...
AERYN Still nothing. Pitch black.
CRICHTON ( muttering ) coulda woulda shoulda brought a flashlight.
Abruptly the 'wall' of the budong comes into view and Talyn almost simultaneously collides with it, scraping along the wall. Aeryn fires the torpedo as they are both thrown to the deck by the collision. The explosion generated by the torpedo launcher is immense, the muzzle spurting a great gout of flame.
CRICHTON Crais! Whoa!
CRAIS: Navigating against this current is proving to be somewhat... difficult.
The mooring line rapidly 'unreels' from the deck, sucked into total darkness.
AERYN Don't know yet.
Crichton stands, stepping close to the open hatchway.
CRICHTON Soft flesh! We missed the bone! Not gonna hold!
Outside, the mooring line snaps forcefully in the clamp housing, the line showing the rebound that will drag the torpedo directly back to Talyn.
CRAIS: Talyn, reverse jets!
AERYN Release the cable!
Crichton presses the red mooring control. On the outer hull the mooring clamp opens, releasing the cable.
CRICHTON Too late, get down!
Aeryn dives to the floor, John falling to his knees beside her, pulling her down with one arm, they hit the deck just as the rebounding torpedo soars into the chamber, dragging a large yellow hunk of budong flesh. It slams with great force, into the closed airlock door behind them.
AERYN Reload.
CRICHTON Got it.
Crichton grabs a second tak-torpedo from the case, and works on loading it while Aeryn holds the launcher steady.
AERYN Crais, I'm gonna go for a second shot.
CRAIS: Talyn, back to the wall!
Crichton slides the torpedo into the launcher and helps Aeryn hoist it to her shoulder again.
CRICHTON Steady!
AERYN Still... no visual.
CRAIS: Talyn... slower.
Crichton and Aeryn keep intense focus on the absolute blackness outside the ship, deficient human eyes are the first to detect the target.
CRICHTON There it is!
A split second later the wall comes briefly into view again and Aeryn fires the torpedo. They watch tensely as the mooring line rapidly unreels from the deck again, following the torpedo into the darkness.
AERYN ( whispering ) Go, go, go. ... come on.
Nothing happens for long microts. Outside the mooring line attached to the outer hull, snaps taut but there is no rebound. The ship lurches as it is yanked to a stop by a solidly seated 'anchor'. John and Aeryn tumble to the deck again.
CRICHTON Damn!
AERYN Crais, stabilize the frelling ship!
CRAIS: We're holding... swinging towards the wall.
Crichton grabs the third torpedo from the case, sliding it home in the launcher. Heaving the launcher onto his shoulder he takes aim from a kneeling position.
AERYN What are you doing? That one held!
CRICHTON Making sure!
Crichton fires the third tak-torpedo.
AERYN Door!
CRICHTON Crais! Third Tak away!
Aeryn springs to her feet, moving to the control panel. The outer hatch slides closed. Crichton stands to get a better look out the hatch's circular portal.
CRICHTON Whose stupid idea was this anyway?
Aeryn steps in close behind him, both their tense faces visible through the outer portal.
AERYN Yours.
Talyn lurches once more against the double mooring line.
Cut to EXT. Space -- Transport pod enters orbit around the purplish/blue planet. Gliding just above the ring plane. In the distance the large 'lump' is visible protruding above the ring plane.
Cut to INT. Transport pod -- Stark is at the piloting controls, Rygel glides into frame on his thronesled.
RYGEL
What do you mean, they're not here? How can you frell up a simple rendevous?
STARK They're just not here.
RYGEL
Not one of you deficients can properly read a chart. Right, let's call the frellniks.
STARK Remember Aeryn's mother? Aeryn's mother, Retrieval Squad?! Yes, well, she's out there, and she's looking for us. Radio silence keeps us hidden, and alive.
RYGEL
If those toeskas have left us, after all I've done for them...
Stark's eye keeps wandering to the forward portal while Rygel rants, he slowly stands, fearfully glaring out the forward portal.
STARK Oh no. It can't be.
RYGEL
What? What the yotz are you looking at? That lump?
STARK That 'lump'... is a budong!
Stark frantically works at the control panel in front of Rygel.
RYGEL
What are you doing?!
STARK Shutting everything down!
RYGEL
Stop being a welnitz! We can just fly around it. Budongs are harmless. Aren't they?
Rushing around the cabin, Stark shuts down systems as rapidly as he is able.
STARK They're a frelling shipping hazard. Our ships energy fields make us... 'electromagnetic candy'.
RYGEL
I've never heard anyone say that!
STARK That's because they're all dead!
RYGEL
Dead! We're flying out of here.
Rygel starts engaging controls at the panel in front of him. Stark panics, practically diving on top of Rygel from behind, trying to shut down the controls as Rygel reactivates them.
STARK No! No, no-- not the power station! Off-off-off-off-off-off-off!
RYGEL
I am the eater! Not the eatee!
Stark clings to Rygel's back as he rapidly shuts down the controls. Just outside the forward portal, the budong rises from the ring surface like Atlantis from the depths of the ocean. Stark's eye 'bugs' and his mouth hangs open. Rygel expels a weakly horrified gasp.
The budong's massive mouth closes before it injests the pod, and lowers back into the ring surface. The pod is buffetted by intense pressure currents, the ship gliding dangerously past and through the jutting spires of the budongs hide.
Moving on, the budong leaves the transport and it's contents generally unharmed, and silence decends inside, broken only by the familiar squealing hiss of Rygel passing gas.
RYGEL
( high-pitched voice ) Can we... please re-start the pod now?
Stark's lone eye 'rolls' and the look of long sufferance is precious to behold!
Cut to INT. Talyn -- Command. The doors open and Aeryn, still in her EV suit, enters.
AERYN Cables are holding.
CRAIS: Yes, good. It was well done.
AERYN By everyone.
Aeryn unzips the front of the EV suit jacket.
AERYN It's warm in here.
CRAIS: Aeryn, ah. There is something we need to discuss.
AERYN How to get out of this animal.
CRAIS: Indeed.
AERYN Crichton will be up here shortly.
CRAIS: What we have to discuss does not concern him. I have engaged privacy mode, and I wish to speak solely with you.
Cut to EXT. Corridor -- Command. Crichton sweeps his hand over the door control, it beeps but the door does not open. [ typical ] With a sour look, he resorts immediately to slamming a fist against the door to signal his strong desire to enter, but comms crackle to life, aborting his attempted entry before his hand reaches the door.
CRAIS: ( over static filled comms ) Crichton, meet... ... my quarters.
CRICHTON Crais, your comms are fritzing. Where?
CRAIS: ( broken transmission ) Meet me... in my quarters.
CRICHTON ( mutters ) Quarters.
Crichton heads away from command.
Cut to INT. Command.
CRAIS Because of what has passed... between us. I wanted to wait... for you to make up your own mind in your own time. But, events have led us to a new situation.
Cut to Crais Quarters -- Crichton enters. [ and too weird, the doorway is your standard rectangular thing. Mom! I'm home! :) ]
CRICHTON Crais! No, of course, not here.
Crais's quarters are VERY nice, the large outer chamber set as a meeting area. A strategy table, back lit with nice PK red and white design, dominates the outer chamber. A smaller inner chamber contains a large comfy looking bed. Crichton circles the table restlessly, his mood, as it has been throughout, sour and angry.
CRICHTON Tell me he's got pumps in the closet, or an inflatable Scorvian, or Winona.
One of the backlit panels on the table flashes to the accompanyment of a pulsating whine, and Crichton's attention is drawn to the small PK chip lying there. He picks it up and the pulsating ceases.
CRICHTON PK vid chip.
He continues to circle the table, waving the chip in the air, contemplating.
CRICHTON Home movies? Oh, I really shouldn't.
He slips the chip into a reader on the table and activates it. The camera pans UP from the table, so we can watch Crichton watch the show. [ rewind moment ] He has a gorgeous smirk on his face as he waits for the show to begin.
A holo-display winks to life above the table, showing Aeryn and Crais enter Talyn's command.
AERYN Well, you can have anything you want. Anything.
CRAIS Aeryn Sun, are you offering yourself?
The close on Aeryn in the holo gives an opportunity to see her in close up, and watch Crichton's reaction to this interaction between the former Peacekeepers.
AERYN You can take what you want, Crais, and I won't stop you.
Cut to INT. Talyn's Command -- Aeryn and Crais continue their 'current' conversation.
AERYN Listen, Crais. I'm not prepared to remain on board Talyn...
Aeryn heads to the door, and Crais follows her.
CRAIS Let me finish.
AERYN under these circum...
Aeryn stops and Crais passes her. He stops but does turn back toward her. It is very warm on command, and Crais is sweating in the heavy long sleeved black uniform he wears. Raising one hand he swipes randomly at the sweat beading his brow.
CRAIS Perhaps it would be best for ah... Perhaps it would be best for you to see me as I am.
Reaching to the throat of the heavy black jacket he's wearing, he turns back toward her, upzipping the jacket.
Cut to INT. Crais's Quarters -- Crichton watches the video recording. The display fast forwards in the semi-darkness of the room, first showing a close of Crais lying on his bed, then pulling back to show a woman kneeling over him, her long dark hair tumbling loose down her back.
Crichton's jaw clenches, but his expression otherwise, remains exquisitely blank.
Reaching out, Crais caresses the woman's waist, as she lifts both arms to raise her hair off her back.
Standing almost perfectly still, fingers slightly curling, Crichton continues to watch events as they occur on the recording.
The woman turns, facing the camera, the recorded image of her eyes seem to meet those of Crichton's, whose feelings at this point are expressed only in the most minute movements of his head and the deadly stillness of his steel blue eyes. The woman in the recording is Aeryn.
END ACT I
ACT II
Int. Talyn -- Corridor
Crichton slowly walks the length of the corridor, head slightly bowed. He walks as if on a uphill course. Turning into the corridor leading to command he stops and lifts his hand to sweep it across the door controls, but the door opens unexpectedly, giving him access without request.
Inside, Aeryn and Crais are startled by his sudden appearance and Crichton takes in a view which, under the circumstances, looks a little too much like Crais and Aeryn wishing he hadn't shown up when he did.
Dropping his hand, Crichton steps into the open doorway.
CRICHTON Sorry I'm late. What did I miss?
Crais answers without turning toward him.
CRAIS We were just discussing how best... to resolve our predicament.
Crais walks away from Aeryn, but the snap and zip of him securing his jacket is quite audible.
CRICHTON Really.
AERYN Um-hm.
CRAIS Yes. Yes... Talyn has completed his scan of the budong.
Aeryn looks very concerned and perhaps even afraid, but she successfully restrains herself from telling John what she's worried 'about'.
CRICHTON Right, have him whip up a hologram.
Crichton walks onto the bridge, maneuvering around Aeryn, glancing at her briefly. Walking between her and Crais, he circles underneath 'Talyn'. Glancing up, his eyes scan the area before dropping back to Aeryn who returns his brief glance with a tight, and very uncomfortable, smile.
CRAIS Not necessary. I have a direct link. We are moored in a passageway above the stomach. The budong has too much mass to scan it's length successfully, but I believe we can navigate the digestive tract.
CRICHTON And what about... gizzards, stomach acids, bowel obstructions?
AERYN Budongs are very large structures.
CRAIS And... Talyn is designed for intense combat. We should pass through.
CRICHTON You know what, I-I-I may have... swallowed a-a quarter once or twice, but this seems to me to be a little bit different. Can we not find an alternative... use an alternative orifice? A blowhole or something?
CRAIS Not according to our scan.
CRICHTON So, according to... your scan... a-assuming this budong is not constipated... you ( laughs ) you wanna fly out the ass? And-and Talyn can do that? He, ah, he's like, he's not gonna freak on that plan?
AERYN Not with help.
CRICHTON What help?
Crais moves away from Crichton and stands beside Aeryn.
AERYN I have decided to take the neural interface with Talyn.
CRICHTON ( grimly ) The hand of friendship? ... I see. I thought Talyn was designed for one captain only.
CRAIS We have devised a modified transponder for insertion.
CRICHTON Yes, I bet you have. So you, ah, two, three-- you three are uh, gonna be one. And ah, anything I can do to help?
CRAIS At the moment, no. Nothing.
CRICHTON Exactly.
Crichton heads out of command, walking between Crais and Aeryn.
CRICHTON It's a good plan.
As he exits the chamber, Aeryn shoots a glance at Crais.
Cut to Ext. Corridor -- Crichton strides purposefully away, Aeryn follows.
AERYN Where are you going?
CRICHTON You heard the man-- nothin' for me to do.
Aeryn follows at a rapid pace as he continues to walk away.
AERYN John, wait.
CRICHTON Aeryn, you do not want me there.
AERYN I-I do want you there.
CRICHTON Why? To throw rice? Forget about it, I've seen my share of hardware insertion. I'm not watchin'.
AERYN It's been modified.
CRICHTON Yeah, I heard that.
AERYN Less invasive; it's-it's safer.
John stops walking and wheels about to face her, he's losing his grip on reason, his anger taking complete hold.
CRICHTON Yes it's new, it's improved it's the Finger of Friendship, $19.95! But wait kids, there's more!
AERYN What's the matter with you? This is the right thing to do.
CRICHTON For who?
AERYN For all of us. He needs my help to control Talyn to get us out!
Crichton takes a couple of deliberate paces back toward her, his voice lowering to a feigned calm.
CRICHTON Aeryn, do what you have to do.
AERYN I will.
CRICHTON Fine, but do not sugar coat it for me. "Right thing to do," my ass.
AERYN And what's that supposed to mean?
CRICHTON It means... that you do things... the way you want to, when you want to, with who you want to do them.
AERYN It's got nothing to do with what I want!
That feigned calm bleeds quickly away, seething anger replacing it.
CRICHTON It's always about what you want! So, yes, walk back in there and let Crais stick a spike in the back of your neck--
AERYN Listen to me!
CRICHTON It'll be a brave new universe, Aeryn. You and Crais, you can finally rejoin that Peacekeeper family you've been pining for from the moment we met!
AERYN You have got this so--
CRICHTON ( shouting ) Just don't pretend to me... that it wasn't what you always wanted!
Her mouth almost drops open in shocked surprise.
AERYN You finished?
He may be a little surprised himself, but his anger is unspent.
AERYN You're right... I don't want you there.
Aeryn turns and sprints back down the corridor, disappearing around the far turn. Crichton watches her go, his anger not letting him call to her.
Cut to INT. Transport Pod -- Stark continues manipulating controls on the console, the interior of the pod is draped in shadows.
STARK I know you think I'm overreacting... but I'm not. I'm keeping us alive! A budong is a killing machine, death incarnate. Five cycles I spent on a budong mining operation. Thousands went in, none came out. And those budongs were dead! This one's very much alive.
RYGEL
( mumbling )
Stark turns in the direction of Rygel's mumbling and a panning shot to Rygel in his throne sled shows that his hands are tied and he's mumbling because a large bronze cloth has been shoved into his mouth.
STARK What's that?
RYGEL
( mumbling through the cloth )
Stark moves angrily toward him.
STARK My mother sucks what?!
Stark rips the cloth out of Rygel's mouth and he's promptly smothered in a heavy stream of thin greenish projectile vomit. Unfortunately his mouth was open at the time and he has to spit out some of the vomit before he can speak [ augh! ].
RYGEL
You heard me.
STARK What have you eaten!
Rygel wipes a dribble of vomit from his lower lip while Stark babbles and drips vomit from ALL over!
STARK Uh-uh-uh-uh! Oh, I think I'm going to...
RYGEL
( grinning ) Waste funnel's in the back.
Rygel chuckes as Stark scurries past him, heading toward the waste funnel.
RYGEL
I love that trick.
Cut to INT. Talyn -- A distorted image of Aeryn's face is reflected on the surface of the closed door to Command. Approaching the closed door, Aeryn glances back the way she came before turning back to the door.
Cut to INT. Talyn's Bridge -- Crais stands, his back to the door when he hears it open. Turning he looks up to see who has entered, a slight gratified smile appears on his face.
Cut to EXT. Corridor to Talyn's Bridge -- John sprints around the corner and runs to the door, sweeping the door control. The door doesn't open.
CRICHTON Talyn, open the door. Please.
Crichton turns to face the door, his distorted image reflected back to him.
CRICHTON Talyn, open the door.... please!
John sighs softly and eases himself down to sit just outside the closed door.
CRICHTON ( softly ) Damn... idiot.
John lowers his head slowly, covering his eyes with one hand.
Cut to INT. Talyn's Bridge -- Aeryn kneels on the floor in front of Crais, as he explains what is about to happen.
CRAIS There will be pain. It will pass. Try not to control Talyn's systems too quickly, he was an infant when I joined with him. His will and his ways are much stronger now. Accept him for what he is, and he will welcome you.
Crais sets his hand gently on Aeryn's shoulder.
CRAIS This is a moment we have long waited for, Aeryn.
Aeryn reaches up with one hand, and lifts her braided hair off the back of her neck. Talyn's 'Hand of Friendship' rises out of the deck behind her.
CRAIS Are you certain?
Aeryn nods, and the long thin cable which is the hand, hones in on it's target, four tiny red leads pause and hold for a moment before launching forward. As the neural transponder hits home, Aeryn's head snaps backward and she screams in pain. She falls forward, catching her balance with one hand on Crais's shoulder. Holding a tight rein on the pain, she gasps as in her minds eye she greets Talyn-- one image after another running through her mind as Talyn's experiences replay, ending in Starburst. Her pain passes, and an unbelieving smile appears as she looks up to Crais.
AERYN He is beyond beautiful.
Crais returns her smile.
CRAIS Welcome to our world, Officer Sun.
Cut to INT. Corridor -- Crichton walks slowly away from command, turning at the whirring sound of a DRD. The DRD stops, humming quietly as it's camera remains focused on Crichton. John glances away from the DRD, his eyes scanning, looking for 'other' eyes before shooting a last glance at the DRD. He turns and walks away.
Cut to INT. Talyn's Bridge -- Two tiny red lights on the small 'modified' neural transponder, blink happily from it's new home on the back of Aeryn's neck. Her eyes are closed in concentration. It's lesson time.
CRAIS Reach out with his senses. What do you see?
Cut to INT. Corridors -- a minds-eye view between Talyn and Aeryn, the view ramps speedily down the short corridor.
AERYN Passageways.
CRAIS Now. Focus on a specific object...
Cut to INT Corridors -- the view speeding down several short corridors, taking turns at high speed...
CRAIS The door...
...then slowing and stopping outside the door to command.
CRAIS Good. Now, open it.
The door snaps open and her minds eye view gets a glimpse of Crais standing on the bridge, seeing herself standing beside him with her eyes closed. Her minds eye view speeds forward again, seeming to run into herself. Aeryn gasps and her eyes fly open, vertigo hits and she steps backward trying to prevent a fall. Crais grabs her arm, steadying her and chuckling as a pleased teacher would, at the performance of a talented student.
CRAIS Very good. You learn fast. I'm tempted to say that you've had enough for today, but circumstances being what they are...
Aeryn composes herself and closes her eyes again.
CRAIS ... imagine... you wish to speak with someone... someone far away.
The bleep of comms opening at the communications console is followed by a static filled voice.
RYGEL
( over comms ) For yotz sake, answer if you can hear, faddicks!
Opening her eyes in surprise, Aeryn tilts backward slightly and Crais grasps her arm again.
AERYN ( surprised ) I did that!
CRAIS You aligned your comms with long-range scan. As I said... you learn very fast.
RYGEL
( over comms ) Hello out there, anyone, come and get me off this stinking pod!
CRAIS Dominar, you're back from recon.
RYGEL
Well of course I'm back. Where the yotz are you?
CRAIS We are somewhat... inconveniently tethered inside a budong.
RYGEL
( over comms ) Inconvenient?
Cut to INT. Transport Pod --
RYGEL
Kiss my mivonks. Stark... get out here. Stark thinks he's some kind of budong expert.
Stark reenters the pilot chamber, still not finished cleaning himself up.
STARK What? Oh, you're loose!
RYGEL
Not half a loose as Chiana. Now listen, I've got Talyn on the comms. They're stuck inside the budong.
STARK ( gasps ) Inside!? No.
CRAIS ( over comms ) Not for long.
Cut to INT. Talyn --
CRAIS We hope to pass through the digestive tract shortly.
Cut to INT. Pod --
STARK No! no-no-no! You-you can't! It's stomach is an inferno! Nothing ever comes out of a budong alive!
Cut to INT. Talyn -- The ship lurches against the mooring lines.
CRAIS Talyn...
Cut to INT. Transport Pod -- Stark is in full hysteric mode.
STARK It's stomach burns at five-thousand klances.
Cut to INT. Talyn -- also in full hysteric mode, repeatedly pulls against the mooring lines, Aeryn and Crais stagger.
STARK ( over comms ) Anything that goes in comes out...
RYGEL
( over comms ) Shut up!
Cut to Pod -- Rygel, somehow knowing that hysteria is contagious tries to quiet Stark, as Aeryn and Crais try to quiet Talyn.
STARK ...liquid ore!
RYGEL
Shut up! Shut up!
Cut to INT. Talyn -- Crais and Aeryn are hanging on with both hands as Talyn continues his attempts at freeing himself.
AERYN Talyn!
CRAIS Calm yourself.
AERYN No, Talyn...
CRAIS Talyn, do not panic!
Cut to INT. Pod --
STARK You're dead! You're dead already!
Terrified panic reigns on both vessels, as Stark rants, ignoring Rygel, over comms Aeryn and Crais's impotent words to Talyn continue. Rygel takes action and yanks the comms circuit, yelping in pain as he gets a nasty shock.
Cut to Talyn -- The ship rocks constantly, as Talyn pulls against the mooring lines.
AERYN We've lost the pod signal.
CRAIS Talyn, calm down now! Aeryn...
AERYN Yes?
CRAIS Is manual override in place... for the mooring?
AERYN Yes!
CRAIS Stay at that control, do not let Talyn release!
A high pitched whine from Talyn and Crais collapses to the deck with a shout of pain.
AERYN Crais?! Talyn what are you...? What have you done to him?
Crais rolls on the deck, both hands clasped to his head, groaning in pain.
AERYN ( shouting ) John, get up here now!
END ACT II
ACT III
INT Talyn -- Corridor
Crichton runs through the passage, using hands on walls to moderate the turns, and runs onto the bridge.
CRICHTON What went wrong?! What happened?
AERYN I'm not sure, Talyn was screaming to be released and then Crais was trying to reason with him, and he--
Looking around the bridge, Aeryn notes a significant absence.
AERYN Where's Crais?
CRICHTON I thought he was with you.
AERYN Talyn, where's Captain Crais? He was. Talyn, listen to me...
CRICHTON You didn't see him leave?
AERYN Oh, well-- I was busy! Talyn! He's not responding.
CRICHTON Houston, we have a problem. Didn't you take the transponder?
Aeryn nods, her eyes closed in concentration.
CRICHTON Then use it.
Cut to INT. Passage -- Minds eye view, as Aeryn's view is swept rapidly through the ship, passage after passage [ it's a total 'Evil Dead' moment, speeding camera and eerie 'swooping' noises included ], until the eye catches up with Crais, running into the access chamber.
AERYN I see him. Access Chamber. He's trying to release the cables.
CRICHTON What? Why?!
AERYN I-I don't know.
CRICHTON Well, can you stop him?
AERYN Wait, I... ye-yes, I can keep the cables secure, but I... I can't leave this override panel. It's the only advantage I've got.
CRICHTON Fine. I'll go, you give me your gun. You hold him off.
AERYN Listen--
CRICHTON ( shouting ) Aeryn, your gun!
Aeryn hands him the weapon, butt first, he takes it and bolts from the chamber.
AERYN Listen, he's got...
But he's gone before she can finish.
Cut to Corridor -- Crichton running at full speed.
CRICHTON Aeryn, get ready to open the access chamber door.
Cut to Command -- She nods, manipulating controls.
AERYN I'll try.
Cut to Access Chamber -- Crais's finger presses a green release button on the mooring control panel.
Cut to Corridor -- Talyn lurches under the sudden release of one of the mooring cables. Crichton staggers in the corridor, rebounding off one of Talyn's pylons and going down on one knee before recovering.
AERYN ( over comms ) Crais has released a cable.
CRICHTON One more and we're budong manure!
AERYN ( over comms ) I can't stop him, and Talyn is resisting.
Crichton arrives outside the access chamber door, sweeping his hand over the door controls to no result.
CRICHTON ( shouting ) Aeryn, the door!
Crichton repeatedly sweeps his hand over the controls.
Cut to Command -- Aeryn abandons the console controls, concentrating instead on the neural link, her eyes closing.
AERYN I'll try.
Cut to Corridor -- Aeryn/Talyn minds eye view races through the corridors.
Cut to Corridor -- Crichton pounds on the chamber door portal with the butt of the pulse pistol, through the portal Crais waivers before the controls.
Cut to Access Chamber -- Crais with his eyes closed as well, opens them, his hand wavers over the buttons of the control panel, not pressing the one which would tend to doom them all.
Cut to Command -- Aeryn focussing on her neural link.
Cut to Corridor -- Aeryn/Talyn minds eye view races through the corridor, turning a bend they 'see' Crichton standing in front of the access chamber door, taking aim through the portal. The minds eye view races up to him and through the portal.
Cut to Access Chamber -- Looking 'out' into the corridor, Crichton aiming the pulse pistol, about to 'take his shot'. The door slides open abruptly, surprising him. He steps through the door, both hands gripping the pistol.
CRICHTON Crais!
Crais still waivers before the control panel, his gaze shifting slowly toward Crichton in the doorway.
CRICHTON Get your fat, hairy ass away from the mooring controls.
Crais turns fully toward Crichton, he looks like *hell*, barely in control of himself.
CRAIS ( panting ) I see you've found a weapon. What do you intend to do with it? Shoot me?
CRICHTON That's one option.
CRAIS Of course it is. We've come full... circle, John Crichton. Now you want to kill me.
CRICHTON And then don't make my day.
Cut to Command -- Aeryn listens in on the coversation via her neural link with Talyn.
CRICHTON ( over link ) Step away from the panel.
CRAIS ( over link ) I can't.
Cut to Access Chamber --
CRAIS Talyn won't let me. He doesn't believe the Banik. He wants to fly free. You'll have to shoot me.
Crais lifts his hand to the panel. Immediately, adjusting his aim only slightly, John snaps off the shot, the blast striking the wall just below the panel. The flare from the blast throwing Crais, screaming, to his knees.
CRICHTON You see, Crais. I don't have to kill you.
CRAIS ( gasping ) I wish... you had! Talyn!
Crais screams in agony, ripping his black PK jacket off to reveal a collection of ugly lesions. Shocked, Crichton stands staring down at Crais.
Cut to Command -- Aeryn reacts to the pain Crais is feeling, through the neural link they all share.
AERYN Talyn! stop it, now!
Aeryn turns away from the control panel.
Cut to Access Chamber -- Eyes closed, screaming in agony, Crais reaches out blindly with both hands.
CRAIS Kill me!
Cut to Access Chamber -- Crais's screams continue as Aeryn looks around frantically. Spotting an 'option' she unzips her vest, pulling it off and wrapping it around some loose cabling on the floor.
Cut to Access Chamber -- Crichton stands agape, watching Crais howl in pain.
CRICHTON Aeryn, what the hell is goin' on?!
Crais falls to his back, his shrieks of pain unabated.
Cut to Command -- Kneeling on the floor, Aeryn heaves against the cables, ripping them loose to the accompaniment of showering sparks. She turns, holding the bundle of cabling before her.
AERYN Talyn, please!
Talyn means a bit of business here, and won't brook Aeryn's interference, his interior gun lowers from the ceiling and takes aim at her. Aeryn means business as well. Lifting the loose ends of the cable to Talyn's upper 'dish' she slams them against it. The electric feedback throws her across the room. Crais's screams die as the room fades to black, Talyn's systems powering down.
INTERCUT
INT. Crais' Quarters.
Crichton crosses the room, a small vial in his hand, clicking the vial open, he waves it under Crais's nose.
CRICHTON Wake up, Bialar.
Crais wakes abruptly, although he's a bit disoriented.
CRAIS Talyn...?
Crichton walks away, tossing the vial on the bedside table next to an emergency lantern.
CRICHTON Aeryn knocked him cold.
CRAIS Where is she?
CRICHTON She's on the bridge, patching up systems. She'll be here in a little bit, but before she gets here, if Talyn wakes up...
Crichton pulls a chair up, and picking up Aeryn's pulse pistol from the table, he straddles the chair, resting his forearms over the back of the chair.
CRICHTON ... you and I are gonna have a little Q&A.
CRAIS Put that weapon away.
Crais rolls over, facing away from Crichton.
CRICHTON No, you might be right, I might want to kill you.
CRAIS Ask your questions.
CRICHTON You and Talyn-- what the hell is goin' on?
CRAIS Cybernetic bleedback. My sores and lesions are physical symptoms.
CRICHTON You want to expand on that? Talyn did that?
CRAIS ( profoundly weary ) In times of stress... our emotions, our desires, can merge... and Talyn can gain a degree of control over me. Resistance... causes pain.
CRICHTON Clarification... Talyn controls you?
Crais's silence affirms the truth in Crichton's conjecture.
CRICHTON Crais... you just set up Aeryn for the same problems you're having.
CRAIS No, her transponder is limited. She will not be harmed by Talyn.
CRICHTON You... cockroach.
The quiet vehemence in his voice is only overshadowed by the eerie fact that his eyes DO look green for a split second. [ or maybe that's just me! Hey, mostly this show is about 'affective moments'! ]
CRAIS The choice was Aeryn's. Are we finished?
CRICHTON No. ... I keep hearing that you've changed. I think... weather changes. And we just keep making the same mistakes.
Carefully, Crichton places the pistol on the table beside the bed.
CRICHTON Remember why you're alive.
AERYN ( entering ) Crais.
Aeryn's sudden entrance elicits an almost guilty glance from both parties. Crais pulls the black blanket up to cover the lesions on his bare shoulder. Crichton stands, lurking uncomfortably in the background. [ good lord, what IS he thinking? ]
AERYN Are you all right?
CRAIS I'm alive. How is Talyn?
AERYN I overloaded his beta channel. Knocked him into sleep mode. He may have a mild headache when he comes around in a few arns.
CRAIS You surpass yourself Officer Sun.
AERYN I wouldn't want to try it again. I don't think he knew what I was doing this time.
CRAIS Well, we must ah, wake him. The sooner...
Crais struggles to rise, but he's far too weak.
CRICHTON Whoa, whoa, hang on. Don't we want to figure out what we're gonna do first?
AERYN You're no use to us dead. You rest.
CRAIS ( weakly ) I have to get to the bridge.
AERYN No, rest! You're not going to make it out the door in your current condition.
CRAIS I must get it to the bridge.
Crais can't make it off the bed, he hits the floor softly.
AERYN Why doesn't anyone ever listen to me?
Aeryn kneels beside him. Crichton plucks her pistol off the table, handing it to her butt first.
CRICHTON I'm gonna check the cables. Don't shoot him unless you have to.
Cut to INT. Transport Pod -- Stark plucks bits of vomit from his jacket while Rygel mutters quietly to himself.
RYGEL
Is the budong far enough away? Yes. Is it watching us? Mm-mm-mm... No. Well, let's power up and escape while we can.
Chuckling, Rygel starts powering up systems.
STARK That's it!
Rygel turns away from the console, spying what Stark has on his fingers.
RYGEL
That's 'vomit'!
STARK No! That's it!
Stark comms Talyn.
STARK Aeryn, Crichton, Crais! I see it-- a plan!
Stark comms again.
STARK Aeryn! Crichton! Crais! Why don't they answer?
RYGEL
Because they're dead.
Stark spies a missing component in the control console in front of Rygel.
STARK Give it to me!
RYGEL
What?
STARK You pulled the comms relay circut. Give it to me!
RYGEL
Get back! They are dead, and we are leaving!
Rygel pops the comms relay circuit into his mouth and swallows it.
RYGEL
Now, be a good little Banik and help me power up this pod.
Stark howls and leaps on Rygel, shoving his hand into the Hynerians mouth. The struggle intensifies as Rygel clamps down on Starks arm.
Cut to INT Talyn -- Aeryn approches the Access Chamber door. She peers in through the circular portal-- hmm... she looks peeved. Sweeping her hand over the door control, she enters. The outer corridor is lit, but John, working on the mooring control panel with his little bleeping/flashing tech instrument, must do his work by emergency lighting only.
CRICHTON Cable's fine. Mooring control is totally buggered, but we should be able to cut loose if we have to.
AERYN What's your problem?
Crichton glances at her briefly.
CRICHTON Shouldn't you be with Crais?
AERYN He's sleeping. Answer the question.
Abandoning his work on the mooring control, Crichton moves to stand opposite Aeryn, the emergency lantern between them, throwing a lovely blue light over both of them.
CRICHTON Aeryn, I am... doing everything I can to get us out of this absurdly large space monster. I am doing the good little soldier bit. What else do you want from me?
AERYN I want you to stop acting like a drannit.
CRICHTON You know what? I have no idea what a drannit is.
AERYN No, don't play dumb with me. That hasn't worked for over two cycles, John.
CRICHTON Aeryn, I am dumb! I don't understand you half the time, and I have no idea what a drannit is!
AERYN Fine! Forget the drannit!
CRICHTON Fine! Screw the drannit!
The argument is cut off before it can really get hot, by the ghost of a lovely smile from Aeryn. Crichton has inadvertently said something humorous. Lucky guy!
CRICHTON What?
AERYN You really have no idea what a drannit is, do you?
[ oh man, I'd give any number of kissing moments for just one moment like this! ] John almost answers her smile with one of his own, he really doesn't want to know the answer now, but he's gotta know! [ LOL! ]
CRICHTON ( softly ) What's a drannit?
Ah, and there IS a slight smile in exchange for her own. But the moment ends, interrupted by Stark's voice.
STARK ( over comms ) Vomit... come in please... vomit.
CRICHTON Stark. You're still here.
Cut to Pod --
RYGEL
Oh, wonderful... they're alive. Now you can torture them with your inane dribblings.
STARK I know how we're going to get you out of there. Vomit!
Cut to Talyn --
CRICHTON & AERYN ( simultaneously ) Vomit?
STARK ( over comms ) Rygel and I are going to feed the budong--
Cut to Pod --
STARK over feed the budong ice--
RYGEL
Ice!
STARK from the plants rings.
RYGEL
Beautiful, Stark. They can now die laughing.
STARK Wait, wait, wait. There's more. You're going to have to dump some of your cesium fuel.
Cut to Talyn -- Aeryn shoots John one of her patented doubtful looks.
AERYN Our fuel.
STARK ( over comms ) Yes.
CRICHTON Dude. Cesium and water, and ice is water, make exploding water.
Cut to Pod --
STARK Yes. The explosion should make the budong vomit, and you can ride out on the--
Cut to Talyn --
STARK ( over comms ) wave of the vomit, in front of the vomit.
AERYN Stark, give us a moment.
Aeryn and John give each other doubtful looks.
Cut to Pod --
STARK ( whispering ) They're going to say yes.
RYGEL
No. Sebaceans are ugly, not stupid. They know that cesium fuel and water do not react without an ignition source. They'll say noooo.
Rygel snifs emperically at the sound of his own pronouncements, or maybe it's the sound of the comms channel opening again.
RYGEL
Here it comes.
AERYN ( over comms ) Stark, we're going to have to say no.
RYGEL
( chuckles ) See?
STARK You can light the cesium with-with Talyn's cannon.
Cut to Talyn --
CRICHTON Talyn's cannon is out of commission.
STARK ( over comms ) But we-we have to have a really big explosion!
Cut to Pod --
STARK You must have some kind of something that explodes or something!
Cut to Talyn --
AERYN No. The main cannon is out, and I've launched all the Ta--
Aeryn's gaze slides to John.
AERYN Oh.
CRICHTON "Oh," they had warheads.
AERYN "Oh," I disarmed them.
CRICHTON You really should tell me these things. How big?
AERYN Big enough.
CRICHTON Stark...
Both Aeryn and John turn to look out the outer hatch portal.
AERYN We have an ignition source.
END ACT III
ACT IV
Int. Talyn -- Corridor
Aeryn bolts down the corridor, running into Crais's quarters. He's still out, on the bed.
AERYN Crais. Crais, wake up!
Cut to EXT. Talyn -- The Access Chamber door slides open revealing Crichton suited for space.
CRICHTON Budong eats, you guys dump the cesium, I set the bomb and free the cable... we all fly out.
Crichton drifts free of the ship into open space, following the mooring cable.
Cut to INT. Talyn --
AERYN I'll talk you through the procedure to arm the warhead and release the cables.
CRICHTON ( over comms ) Then we're on the clock?
AERYN Yes. You can delay the detonation by five hundred microts.
Cut to EXT Talyn -- Crichton pulls himself easily along the mooring cable, heading toward the torpedo warhead.
AERYN ( over comms ) But if you are outside the ship when it goes off...
CRICHTON I'm toast.
AERYN ( over comms ) Stark?
Cut to Transport Pod --
AERYN ( over comms ) We're waiting on you.
STARK Yes!
RYGEL Aah!
Stark scurries to the pilot's seat.
STARK Electromagnetic candy!
Cut to EXT. Space -- The pod accellerates, altitude dropping to the surface of the ring plane. Below the pod a huge green 10 pointed 'star' rises rapidly toward the surface of the ring plane... The pod is dwarfed by the size of it.
Cut to INT. Pod --
RYGEL You flew across it's eye!?
STARK I had to be sure it would follow.
RYGEL Well, it is, and it's gaining!
STARK This pod could never outrun a budong! We just want it to eat, 'cause we're candy!
RYGEL Candy! You've killed us all, you trankass! Mother always said I'd die from incompetance.
Stark leaves the pilot's chair, moving to the control station, standing beside Rygel, working the controls while Rygel continues to rant.
RYGEL I finally know what she meant. That's why we keep people like you chained in the first place! Your entire race--
Without glancing toward his companion, Stark lashes out with one fist, knocking Rygel cold.
STARK Shut up!
Rygel slumps against the console, Starks sole wild eye remains focussed on the front portal.
STARK We're candy!
Cut to INT. Budong -- Crichton reaches the end of the mooring line, and the tak-torpedo buried in the ribs of the massive creature.
CRICHTON Okay, I'm there.
Crichton hangs in the void [ BB; winning the flying harness olympic event by a mile now. Looks like they have a 'new and improved' harness... so maybe BB will still be able to father children after Farscape! :) ], he runs one gloved hand over the wall of the budong.
CRICHTON Man, you guys should see this ugly sticky-flesh. Kind of like my Aunt Ruth's special jello.
AERYN ( over comms ) Can you access the panel?
CRICHTON Ah.... yeah, gimme a second.
Flipping the small access panel open at the base of the torpedo, he reveals four tiny lights, all illuminated, all but one; blue.
CRICHTON Yeah, got it.
Cut to INT. Talyn -- Aeryn marches toward the bridge, Crais following as best he can... he still looks a bit out of it.
AERYN Right, don't press the green button yet, that arms the warhead. Blue keys the cable release. Crichton, ready for the sequence? Don't frell this up.
Cut to INT. Budong --
CRICHTON Aeryn, gimme some slack.
Cut to INT. Talyn -- Aeryn and Crais enter the Bridge, she 'kinda' misunderstands his last comment [ well, maybe. ]
AERYN I'm on maneuvering jets. Crais, can you start waking Talyn up?
CRAIS Talyn is already awake!
AERYN What? John?
Cut to INT. Budong --
CRICHTON Hey, Stark, you ready yet? I'm stuck out here in Spamland.
Cut to EXT. Space -- The budong, risen above the ring plane, chases after the pod, it's huge mouth open. The ice that forms the ring 'pours' into it's mouth.
Cut to INT. Pod --
STARK Yes. Sort of...
Cut to INT. Budong -- Crichton breathing is slightly labored, his hand poised over the control panel, listening impatiently to Stark babble over comms.
STARK ( over comms ) No, no, no...
CRICHTON ( quietly ) Come on.
Cut to INT. Pod --
STARK No, no, wait!
Cut to INT. Talyn --
AERYN Why isn't he communicating? John? I need you to put a hold on what you're doing, I need you to wait. His comms aren't--
Aeryn looks around the bridge, startled as systems power up.
Cut to INT. Budong -- Stark continues babbling over comms.
STARK ( over comms ) Uh, no, no...
CRICHTON ( muttering ) Ah, give me a break.
Cut to INT. Pod --
STARK Oh, yes! Now, do it now! Do it now!
Cut to INT. Budong --
CRICHTON Damn, gotta love that boy's confidence.
Crichton presses the green key, arming the warhead.
CRICHTON Warhead armed, 500 microts and counting.
Cut to INT. Talyn -- the vessel shudders slightly.
AERYN We're moving.
CRAIS Talyn...
AERYN John, answer me.
Cut to EXT. Talyn -- The slack in the mooring line is taken up, the line going taut at the mooring clamp.
Cut to EXT. Budong -- Crichton at the wall of the budong.
CRICHTON Releasing cable... now.
Crichton presses the blue key, releasing the cable. The tension in the line causes it to whip at high speed, away from him.
CRICHTON ( cursing ) Mother!
Crichton drifts away from the wall, trying to follow the cable as it it drawn rapidly away from him.
CRICHTON ( shouting ) The cable, Aeryn!
Cut to EXT. Space -- The budong closes on the pod.
STARK Aeryn, Aeryn! We can't outrun the budong much longer, you should have dumped enough fuel--
AERYN ( over comms ) Not now, Stark.
Cut to INT. Talyn --
AERYN Talyn, Crichton is outside the ship.
CRAIS He already knows. He's been awake for some time, and moving into position for the fuel dump.
AERYN He's doing what?
CRAIS He's leaving Crichton behind.
AERYN He-he can't.
CRAIS He correctly fears being too close to the point of detonation.
Closing her eyes, Aeryn places one hand to the back of her neck. Minds eye view races through the corridors of the ship, to the viewport on the Access Chamber door. The view through the portal shows the door to space standing open. Aeryn's eyes fly open in shock.
AERYN Talyn just spaced John.
She gasps quietly as her shock gives way to fear.
Cut to EXT. Talyn -- Mooring line in hand, Crichton moves hand over hand toward the outer door to the Access Chamber.
CRICHTON ( panting ) Aeryn, can you read me?! Can you read me?
Reaching the mooring clamp below the door, he places one hand on the doors edge.
CRICHTON ( panting ) O-kay... I'm at the hatch... comin' in!
The door slides closed as Crichton pulls himself up. The entry blocked, Crichton howls in frustrated anger, pounding on the portal with closed fist.
CRICHTON ( screaming ) Open the door!
Cut to INT. Talyn --
CRAIS I never thought... I tried to warn... Talyn never... trusted Crichton.
AERYN What are you talking about?
CRAIS Crichton's not a Peacekeeper, he's not a Sebacean.
AERYN So?
CRAIS So, he finds him offensive! Perceives him as a threat!
AERYN To whom?!
CRAIS You. He wants to protect you.
AERYN M... ( pacing away ) John is only dangerous to himself!
CRAIS I tried to persuade Talyn that he was wrong about Crichton.
AERYN Well then, persuade him now to go back and get him!
CRAIS He cannot be coerced, he will do as he wants. I can do nothing!
AERYN Don't you lie to me, Crais. This is not about what Talyn wants. You have taught him everything he knows. This is about you, me and John.
Cut to EXT. Talyn -- Standing, braced inside the recess of the outer hatch, John attempts reason with Talyn.
CRICHTON Hey, Talyn. I've been reviewin' this situation. Aeryn's pretty pissed at me, but... she kinda likes me.
Cut to INT. Talyn --
CRAIS Talyn, prepare to dump 70% of our cesium.
AERYN No! Talyn--
CRAIS Aeryn--
Cut to INT. Talyn -- Access Chamber, outer hatch portal.
CRICHTON Crais-- well... he hates me, but he's not stupid. He knows if he kills me that Aeryn would do the math, and his shot at domestic bliss would be cut off along with his balls.
Cut to INT. Talyn -- Command
CRAIS I regret... losing Commander Crichton. He was an honorable man. But we need you here now!
Cut to EXT. Talyn --
CRICHTON That leaves one suspect. ( shouting ) Open the door, you souless, tinheaded, adolescent pig!
Cut to INT. Talyn --
CRAIS Crichton is gone... you've seen it.
No longer certain of that, Aeryn places her hand to the neural transponder again. Minds eye view races through the ships passages, ending at the portal of the inner door to the Access Chamber. The outer door still stands open to the blackness of space.
AERYN Talyn, show me...
The view fluctuates wildly in her mind, before settling on the open door to space again.
AERYN The truth...
The picture fluctuates again, this time settling on a closed outer hatch door, Crichton's helmeted face visible in the portal, silently looking in. Talyn, playing games again, shows her an earlier picture of Crichton screaming in fury. Aeryn's eyes open, her hand slowly lowering.
AERYN ( softly ) Peacekeeper lies.
CRAIS I'm...
Aeryn runs past him, pushing him aside.
AERYN So you should be.
CRAIS Aeryn!
She bolts from the bridge without a backward glance.
STARK ( over comms ) Aeryn! You have to do it now!
Cut to INT Pod --
STARK You have to dump the fuel now!
Cut to INT. Talyn -- The bridge.
CRAIS Yes, Stark, 200 microts are left, I concur.
Cut to INT. Pod --
CRAIS ( over comms ) Talyn, initiate the fuel dump now.
Cut to INT. Talyn -- Aeryn, suited for space-- helmet in hand, bolts down the passage to the Access Chamber door. Through the inner hatch portal, and the outer hatch portal, she can see Crichton standing outside, braced on the hatch recess. She kicks the inner hatch door savagely.
AERYN Open the frelling door!
The door fails to open, turning to the door control, she passes her hand over it, the control bleeps but the door still won't open. Angrily going for the neural transponder, she tries to override Talyn, succeeding only in playing tug-o-war with him as the door snaps open and shut an inch or two, again and again.
AERYN ( demanding ) Open it!
Cut to INT. Talyn -- Bridge
CRAIS Talyn! I recommend you do as Officer Sun requests!
Cut to INT. Talyn -- Outer Access Chamber Door.
The door snaps shut again. Failing in that tactic, Aeryn turns back to the portal, she and Crichton watch each other silently across the space of the Access Chamber.
CRAIS ( over comms ) Detonation in 80 microts.
Turning away from the portal, fear and despair fairly washing over her, her mind scrambling for a plan, any plan, within a microt she has one. She's hesitant, but only slightly, her resolve building as she speaks to Talyn.
AERYN Talyn... I want you to share something with me... before he dies.
Cut to Bridge --
AERYN ( over comms ) You can taste something that is denied to Peacekeepers.
Cut to Outer Access Chamber Door --
AERYN Something that you will never know.
Reaching up, she clasps the neural link in her hand. Closing her eyes... an image of Crichton outside the outer door is transposed over Talyn's circular 'control' in command. Crichton presses his fingers to the portal, whispering her name.
CRICHTON Aeryn...
AERYN Can you feel that...? Good. Talyn... that is what it is to need someone. You don't need me... you never will.
Cut to Bridge --
CRAIS Aeryn... no!
Cut to Access Chamber --
With a grunt of pain, Aeryn rips the neural transponder from her neck. Talyn rumbles, and the ship rocks heavily, reacting to the sudden disconnection. Crichton gasps, struggling to retain his hold on the hatch recess.
Cut to Bridge --
CRAIS 10 microts!
Cut to EXT. Space --
The budong closes on the pod, ice particles streaming into it's mouth.
Cut to Outer Access Chamber Door -- Crichton panting heavily, his eyes locked on the inner chamber door.
Cut to Inner Access Chamber Door -- Aeryn watches through the portal, her eyes locked on John's. Microts remain before detonation.
Cut to Bridge -- Close on Talyn's control deck... loud warbling from Talyn in the final microts.
Cut to Outer Access Chamber Door --
CRAIS ( over comms ) Five,
Cut to Inner Access Chamber Door --
CRAIS ( over comms ) Four,
Cut to Outer Access Chamber Door -- The outer door slides open.
CRAIS ( over comms ) -- three,
Crichton steps inside quickly.
Cut to Inner Access Chamber Door -- The door slides open, Aeryn turns back to see Crichton on his knees, safely inside.
CRAIS ( over comms ) two, one!
Aeryn steps inside, kneeling beside him, hands on his shoulders.
CRAIS ( over comms ) Detonation!
Inside the access chamber, Aeryn and John are tossed to the deck by the force of the blast. On the bridge, Crais also goes down.
Cut to EXT. Space -- Flames erupt from the budong's mouth, Talyn rides the crest of the gigantic cloud of flame as the budong forefully ejects the burning substance.
Dropping rapidly through the ring plane, below the massive form of the budong, Talyn glides to safety, the pod following swiftly after.
Cut to INT. Pod -- In an excess of relief and glee, Stark grabs Rygel and kisses him repeatedly on the back of the head.
STARK Yes, yes, yes, yes!
RYGEL I... knew it would work.
Stark realizes he's kissing a toad and gently releases Rygel.
Cut to INT. Talyn -- Bridge
CRAIS Talyn... docking web, on that pod...
Cut to Access Chamber -- Crichton and Aeryn kneel, facing each other again. As if she cannot believe she's actually doing it, Aeryn slides the faceplate of Crichton's helmet, up... the better to see him. Crichton watches her quietly, looking like a guy who may or may not be glad to be alive.
CRAIS ( over comms ) And set a course... away from here.
END ACT IV
EPILOGUE
INT. Talyn -- Crais's Quarters
CRAIS I wish you would reconsider.
AERYN My life has been filled with doing what others think is right. For me... for now... this is right.
Aeryn places the small modified transponder on the strategy table, Crais picks it up.
CRAIS Before you go...
Crais picks up a small PK vid chip from the table.
CRAIS This contains various surveillance logs. I believe... Talyn showed them to Crichton. Have you seen them?
AERYN No.
CRAIS Perhaps you should. Some of the entries are very... creative.
Crais hands the chip to Aeryn.
Cut to INT. Talyn -- Passageway aka Crichton's 'Quarters'
Crichton sits on the edge of his bunk, one foot tucked under his leg, his eyes fixed on some distant point. Hearing a familiar step, he glances down at the notebook perched on one knee... pretending to work.
AERYN I see you found Winona.
John glances toward the hook at the end of his bunk, then back down to the notebook.
CRICHTON DRD had it.
Aeryn pauses, watching him quietly, he studiously ignores her, 'working' on the notebook. Aeryn walks slowly past him. He glances up quickly as she moves by, then quickly back down to the notebook.
AERYN Have you seen....
Tossing the PK vid chip on the gray blanket beside him.
AERYN ... this?
CRICHTON Yeah.
AERYN ( nods ) When did you see it?
CRICHTON Aeryn, I'm not your boyfriend, I'm not your husband, I'm not your anything; you can do what you want.
Crichton plucks the chip from the blanket and tosses it down the corridor. His eyes return to the notebook, but a deep, unsteady sigh, displays an almost shattered calm. Her back braced against the bunk, she turns her head, looking at him intently.
AERYN It's not real. You know that... don't you? The uh... the last part. Talyn... altered the image.
Crichton looks up slowly from the notebook, still very much afraid.
AERYN I never... recreated with Crais.
A hard swallow, fending off a rush of emotion, he's taken a bad scare.
AERYN Not that it should matter.
CRICHTON ( softly ) It does.
The ground still isn't under his feet, he can't look at her, and she's looked away from him.
AERYN It never did before... See, uh... ( smiling ) I had this life. I liked it, it had rules... I followed the rules... and that made everything right. And then you come along and you frell everything up. This strange human, with... arrogance, stubborness...
CRICHTON Dumb.
AERYN Let me finish.
He's recovering from the worst scare of his life, and is seeing how much he's scaring her.
AERYN You saw the recording, and you didn't say a word. You are like a plague, John Crichton, and you have ruined my life.
He can't take his eyes off her now, and she can't look at him.
AERYN And yet I just... keep coming back.
She sighs heavily, looking down, and he watches her silently.
AERYN ( choked voice ) You could talk now.
Oh, man... love and compassion meet in John Crichton's eyes.
CRICHTON ( softly ) Let me show you something.
Ducking under the low ceiling above the bunk, he stretches out along the width of it, reaching out to her.
CRICHTON Come here, I'm not gonna bite.
Sighing, she takes his hand and crawls onto the bunk. Stretched beneath the low ceiling, they look out through the long narrow portal that borders the width of the bunk. Crichton pages back through his notebook, selecting a page and smoothing it flat.
CRICHTON This is a star chart.
He points at the symbols drawn on the chart.
CRICHTON These are the names I give the stars.
Aeryn glances out the portal, then down to the 'star chart'. Her response is predictably pragmatic.
AERYN They've already got names.
CRICHTON Yeah, I know, but... Mintaka Three sounds... boring to me. Anyway, that's Hewey, Louie, and Dewey.
Crichton points out the stars in question on the chart.
CRICHTON You see that one?
He taps a symbol at the center of the chart.
CRICHTON That's that star right there... the bright one.
Pointing out the portal, he indicates the brightest star in their view, centered between them in the portal.
CRICHTON That's my point of reference-- my guide-- and it always becomes the center of my chart.
The star pulsates as Aeryn watches it, listening to his words.
CRICHTON I always name it Aeryn.
She turns to look at him, silent for a moment.
AERYN You say it's your guide?
CRICHTON It's my one constant.
Lifting his hand, he gently strokes her face.
CRICHTON Would you like to name some stars?
AERYN There's a lot of them.
CRICHTON And we could take our time.
Slowly, they are drawn together, and their lips meet in a tender kiss. Crichton's stellar guide pulses more brightly at that moment. Exquisitely beautiful effect, as the joined lovers fade into the constellation reflected on the portal, until nothing but the constellation remains. Bravo!
FADE TO BLACK
ROLL ENDING CREDITS
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