FARSCAPE

" Incubator "

Written by,
Richard Manning



This transcript provided by: FarscapeAlly!
Suggestions for corrections/revisions/expansions are, as always, gratefully accepted.


Starring:
Ben Browder
Claudia Black
Anthony Simcoe
Gigi Edgley
Paul Goddard
Lani Tupu
Wayne Pygram
Commander John Crichton
Officer Aeryn Sun
Ka D'Argo
Chiana
Stark
Crais
Scorpius
Guest Starring:
Tammy MacIntosh
David Franklin
Evan Sheaves
Johanna Kerrigan
Danny Adcock
Amy Salas
Stephanie Jacobson
Dave Shedlowich
Thomas Holesgrove
Sam Healy
Nicholas Bishop
William Zappa
Jool
Lt. Braca
Young Scorpius
Linfer
Co-Kura Strappa
Tauza (Scorpy's 'surrogate' mom)
Nurse Froy
Plint (Braca's PK Henchman)
Wolish (Scorpy's Dad)
Rylani Jeema Dellos (Scorpy's Mom)
Ghebb Dellos (Rylani's husband)
Captain Molayne





Guest Stars Reappearing:

David Franklin: David returns as Lt. Braca, that pinnacle of PK Officer-dom, and Scorpius's constant companion since Bone To Be Wild, well, except for LATP1.

Danny Adcock: Reappearing as the fishy alien member of Scorpius's Wormhole Research Team from "Losing Time", Strappa. Also previously played the wonderfully wacky alien T'raltixx, from Season 2's, "Cracker's Don't Matter".

Johanna Kerrigan: Also reappearing as the lovely bluish talking mime alien member of Scorpius's research team from "Losing Time", Linfer. Jo previously appeared in Farscape as Rorf's mate, Rorg from "Till The Blood Runs Clear" from Season 1, and "Liars, Guns & Money, Part 2: With Friends Like These", from the 'final four' story arc of Season 2.

Thomas Holesgrove: Thomas, having the distinction of being the 'most killed' character on Farscape ( You ROCK, Tommy! ), returns inside the skin of the his fourth Scarran, in a brief cameo as Scorpy's 'dad'. Thomas previously appeared on Farscape as the late Halosian, Tak ( Out Of Their Minds ), the late Scarran, Cargn ( Look At The Princess Trilogy ), the late Scarran, Gahv ( Won't Get Fooled Again ), the late Sheyang, Teurac ( Liars, Guns & Money, Parts 2 & 3: With Friends Like These & Plan B ), the late Diagnosian, Tocot ( Season Of Death ), as well as the late Scarran, Erathran Plonek ( Season Of Death), the late Moordil ( Suns & Lovers), annnnnd the late Colartas Tracker, Vek ( Relativity ).






Writer: Richard Manning

Who also wrote:

(1:04) "Throne For A Loss", (1:08) "That Old Black Magic", (1:19) "Nerve", (2:02) "Mind The Baby", (2:14) "Won't Get Fooled Again", (3:01) "Season Of Death".




Director: Ian Watson

Who also directed:

(1:10) "They've Got A Secret", (1:14) "Jeremiah Crichton", (1:17) "Through The Looking Glass", (1:20) "The Hidden Memory", (2:05) "Crackers Don't Matter", (2:01) "Dream A Little Dream", (2:09) "Out Of Their Minds", (2:15) "The Locket", (3:01) "Season Of Death", (3:06) "Eat Me".




PRODUCTION CREDITS:
Created by: Rockne S. O'Bannon
Directed by: Ian Watson
Written by: Richard Manning
Consulting Producer: Sue Milliken
Co-Producer: Andrew Prowse
Line Producer: Lesley Parker
Supervising Producer: Justin Monjo
Executive Producer: Richard Manning
Produced by: Anthony Winley
Executive Producer: David Kemper
Executive Producers: Juliet Blake
Robert Halmi, Jr.
Brian Henson
Executive Consultant: Rockne S. O'Bannon
Executive Consultant: Carleton Eastlake
Director of Photography: Russell Bacon
Production Designer: Tim Ferrier
Music by: Guy Gross
Editor: Neil Thumpston
Costume Designer: Terry Ryan
Second Unit DOP: Danny Batterham
Makeup/Hair Supervisor: Jen Lamphee
Story Editor: Lily Taylor
Script Editor: Matt Ford
Production Executive: Robert E. Wozniak
Voice of Pilot: Lani Tupu
Creature Shop Creative Supervisor: Dave Elsey
Supervising Art Director: Scott Bird
Visual Effects: Animal Logic



TRANSCRIPT BEGINS

Cut to Research Lab-- a Prowler is being brought in as the research teams stands anxiously about, Braca and Linfer visible through the windows between the main lab and the hangar.


VOICE:
Auto-retrieval sequence complete. Shield levels are zero. Team 3-- prepare to open canopy. Ionized indicators are holding steady at four-lurg-nine.

BRACA:
The pilot still hasn't responded. Another failure.

LINFER:
I can't be. Phase negative shield deployment will eliminate the tissue liquification effect.



Inside the hangar portion of the lab, the two man retrieval team places a ladder against the side of the prowler and pops the canopy. A hot red slime oozes over the edge of the canopy and down the side of the prowler. As an added bonus, one of the retrieval team gets splashed with red ooze as it bubbles violently inside the cockpit.


BRACA:
Tell that to Officer Jedman.

LINFER:
Jedman mustn't have followed instructions! If he didn't recalibrate his phasing prior to exiting the wormhole...

BRACA:
Don't blame the Pilot for your mistakes.

LINFER:
I made no mistakes. I have correctly interpreted the equations from the neuro-chip.



Linfer plucks the tiny blinking neuro-chip from a nearby table, examining it closely.


STRAPPA:
( entering ) Yes, but... those equations are incomplete.

LINFER:
Nonsense. The neuro-chip is designed to locate all the wormhole knowledge in John Crichton's brain.

STRAPPA:
True. However... I had coding section run a cross analysis on the data from the neuro-chip. They found... a hidden region. Strongly encryted.



Strappa runs a holo-display-- a spiraling 'flower-like' stream of indecipherable white symbols.


SCORPIUS:
( entering ) Why hasn't it been deciphered yet?

STRAPPA:
It resists analysis.

LINFER:
It may be meaningless. A mere glitch in the datastream.

SCORPIUS:
Or... it could be the one vital element for wormhole travel!

LINFER:
The one element we lacked is the correct phase progression. And I'm convinced we have that now.

SCORPIUS:
Convinced?

LINFER:
Yes. In fact... I wish to pilot the next test flight myself.

STRAPPA:
As your project leader, I cannot permit you to take the risk!

SCORPIUS:
( impatiently ) Oh, permission granted!



Linfer exits looking quite confident for someone who just had a pilot soupified.


SCORPIUS:
Our time grows short. We have to take risks.



Scorpius leans forward against the table, closely eying the holo-display of the encryted data.


SCORPIUS:
( softly ) This has to be the key.



Turning his head slightly, making a swift decision.


SCORPIUS:
Bring me the neuro-chip.

STRAPPA:
Sir?

SCORPIUS:
The neuro-chip, now!



Strappa scurries away, fetching the neuro-chip.


SCORPIUS:
Braca, summon Nurse Froy, and report to my quarters.



Cut to Scorpius's Quarters-- Scorpius sits on his cot while a lovely female alien with neon blue hair and eyes works on the open cooling chamber on his head. Braca paces relentlessly behind them.


FROY:
Socket in place. Ready to install the neuro-chip.

BRACA:
Is this wise?

FROY:
No.

SCORPIUS:
But, necessary.



Froy carefully places the small blinking chip inside the cooling chamber and cycles it closed. Scorpy relaxes on his bed.


SCORPIUS:
John?



Cut to "Theater of the Mind"; Scorpius-- set in perfect blackness with an obscuring fog all around, illumination is indirect and from above.


SCORPIUS:
( echoing ) John? John are you here?



Turning to locate his expected companion, Scorpy spies him walking slowly out of the darkness and fog.


SCORPIUS:
Oh... so you are.



Wearing the familar black pk garb and long coat, John walks into the open to stand warily across the empty stage from Scorpius. Camera transitions from John to Scorpius as lovely slow fades, each face transposed over the other.


JOHN:
Well, this is different. Scorpy. I must be in hell.

SCORPIUS:
Tell me... what's the last thing you remember?

JOHN:
Ice Planet... Diagnosan-- he was diggin' around in my brain, tryin' to pull your chip outta my-- Aah, n... he screwed up? I kicked it on the table? I am in hell!

SCORPIUS:
No, no, no. The Diagnosan was successful. The chip was removed. And John Crichton... is alive and well.

JOHN:
Then what the hell am I doin' here?

SCORPIUS:
Well, strictly speaking... you are not John Crichton. But for my purposes... you'll do.



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, yot show them you exist. But then you'll never know the wonders I've seen."








ACT I







Theater of the mind; Scorpius


JOHN:
Scorpy, go away. Go home. I do not even want to hear it. I'm sick and tired of havin' people clompin' around inside my head.

SCORPIUS:
This time it's different. We're not in your head at all. We're in mine.

JOHN:
You're head? Well, do youself a favor; kick the habit before it starts. I'm goin' for some air; do not wait up for me.



John turns and marches away, to be almost immediately confronted by Scorpius again.


SCORPIUS:
There's no where to go.



John turns around and walks back the way he came, coming almost immediately upon Scorpius... again. They both sigh disgustedly, John flinging up his hands to push Scorpy away, only to have the apparition dematerialize beneath his hands. With a mildly surprised, slightly frustrated look, John turns around to hear Scorpy's 'explanation.'


SCORPIUS:
I'll explain. I put a chip in Crichton's brain, to download the wormhole equations the Ancients gave him. Some... neural spillover also took place, replicating elements of Crichton's personality in the chip. You'll have to accept it... you are not John.

JOHN:
All right, Scorp. Then, what am I? Bootleg? A ghost? Holodeck Crichton? A wandering soul that ain't got no body?

SCORPIUS:
A duplicate of John's psyche, existing only within the neuro-chip-- and now... within my own mind.

JOHN:
Why?

SCORPIUS:
I need your help.

JOHN:
( laughs ) Man... I'm a-- I'm a voice inside your head. What do you plan on usin' as leverage?

SCORPIUS:
Persuasion. You know so little of me. Let's remedy that.

JOHN:
Let's not and say we did.

SCORPIUS:
My earliest memory...

JOHN:
Oh, God.

SCORPIUS:
Is pain--



Memories of an entrance to life that must be none too sweet as the visions are all tinged by red. A baby wails, a glimpse at a table cluttered with 'medical equipment', a glimpse of a strange alien face as well as another, mostly humanoid but warped face pressed against a hard surface. Less than hapy memories unreel becoming cluttered with other screams and ungentle treatment. Ending on a close of the mostly 'humanlike' face. John and Scorpy become visible 'through' the memory.


JOHN:
What the hell is that?

SCORPIUS:
My first twelve cycles of life.

JOHN:
That's a little too much information. You can keep your memories.



The memory fades away, leaving John and Scorpius alone in the darkness again.


SCORPIUS:
Don't fight it. You'll only prolong it. Now watch.



Cut to memory flashback of the past-- A Scarran female enters a pristinely sterile room. The only occupant of said room, the young tortured lad who was Scorpius, lying on a table, the boy is curled in a slight foetal position, whimpering quietly.


FEMALE:
You will not cry. Sit up.



The female watches impatiently as the boy struggles to rise.


FEMALE:
Sit ... up.



On achieving her goal, he sits looking up to her and she pushes him roughly back.


FEMALE:
Faster.



The boy struggles again to rise.


FEMALE:
Why can't you sit up?

BOY:
( gasping ) It's hot.

FEMALE:
It's at less than optimal temperature. I will make it warmer.



Manipulating a control the female increases the temperature of the room. The walls glow a deep red.


FEMALE:
Do you why you are here?

BOY:
Because I'm weak.

FEMALE:
Why... are you weak?

BOY:
I am partly... Sebacean.

FEMALE:
Because?

BOY:
My father... was Sebacean... forced my mother... to birth me.



INTERCUT



Stellar shot of Moya traversing space, she arcs overhead and moves on.

Cut to INT. Moya -- John works controls at a console in front of the forward portal. Shuffling to the second forward console, tossing and catching a makeshift ball, he manipulates a few controls at that console.


JOHN:
Pilot, the deep space variances are increasing. There is a wormhole around here somewhere. Why don't we double back and triangulate?

PILOT:
Again?

JOHN:
Yes, again. Unless you and Moya have something you'd rather be doing. You want to park and take a nap?



D'Argo enters, John tosses him the ball.


PILOT:
No, Moya is actually enjoying this opportunity for free flight. Retracing the last vector now.

JOHN:
Thank you.

D'ARGO:
Ah, you know... we've been flying around aimlessly for nearly fifteen solar days, John.



D'Argo tosses the ball back to John.


JOHN:
It's not aimless, D'Argo. There's a wormhole out there, I can smell it. Besides, it keeps Moya's mind off of Talyn and the Retrieval Squad.

D'ARGO:
Well, it hasn't stopped me thinking about them.

JOHN:
Yeah, well, what do you want me to do about that? You're the one who decided we should stay away and let them deal with it.

D'ARGO:
Which suits you perfectly, so you can indulge yourself.

JOHN:
Fine, I'm indulging myself. Maybe I'm entitled once in a while.

D'ARGO:
Yeah, once in a while.

JOHN:
You wanna push this, "Mister... Let's Go Find My Son"?

D'ARGO:
Look, it doesn't matter what I think. The point is... that Chiana and Jool really need to get off this ship. They're driving each other insane, they're driving me insane. So do me a favor... indulge them, for once.

JOHN:
The girls... okay. If this vector comes up empty, we'll bag it... and go for some shore leave.



Pausing only slightly to ensure he's seeing real acquiescence, D'Argo nods dourly and walks past John toward the forward control console.


JOHN:
You happy?

D'ARGO:
Very happy.

JOHN:
Glad you're happy.



D'Argo checks some settings on the console.


JOHN:
Hey, look... um... sorry if I snapped.

D'ARGO:
You could use some sleep.

JOHN:
( sighing ) Yeah, you're right. Pilot?

PILOT:
Yes, Commander, I'll wake you the microt Moya senses anything.

JOHN:
You the man.



John walks off command to a long delayed nap.


D'ARGO:
Pilot... let him sleep for 12 arns... don't wake him up, no matter what.

PILOT:
Agreed.



Cut to "Theater of the Mind; Scorpius" -- John and Scorpius stand side-by-side in the darkened space, watching Scorpy's memory unfold.


JOHN:
The home movies are facinating, Scorpy, but why show them to me?

SCORPIUS:
Patience, and all will be clear. The Scarran's name is Tauza. No one else entered, nor spoke to me.



Memory Flashback -- to Scorpius's 'incubator'. The young boy sits sprawled on a low table which serves as his bed, the female Scarran, Tauza, 'briefs' him on his existence.


TAUZA:
With what condition were you born?

BOY:
Sebacean Heat Delirium.

TAUZA:
Also known as 'The Living Death'. Who saved you from it?

BOY:
Scarrans.

TAUZA:
Who... specifically?

BOY:
You.

TAUZA:
Are you Scarran... or Sebacean?

BOY:
Scarran.

TAUZA:
Then you... cannot be weak. Sebaceans are weak. You... must become strong.



The boy's head lowers in despair, likely from knowing what part of the 'briefing' comes next.




Cut to John and Scorpius --


SCORPIUS:
She did teach me strength, and-- assisted of course by the usual Scarran incentives... I was also taught endurance.



Cut to Memory Flashback -- the young boy crawls across the floor toward Tauza, who holds a small cup toward him.


BOY:
Th-thirsty...

TAUZA:
Your liquid is here...



As the boy crawls nearer, Tauza rises from a crouch and backs away slightly, teasing the boy with the contents of the cup.


TAUZA:
... but, you must come and get it. There are Sebacean impurities in your physiology. You must overcome them.

BOY:
Water... please.



Tauza upends the cup, pouring the liquid onto the floor. They boy crawls forward, trying to lap up the liquid from the floor. Tauza grabs the back of his skull in one large clawed hand, lifting his head toward her face.


TAUZA:
You pathetic infant! Never... use that word to me again.



Tauza slams the boys face into the floor.




Cut to John and Scorpius -- John watches the image of the boys face, his own inscrutable but hardened. Scorpius looks away from the memory image, then looks up toward John. Seeing none of the human's inherent compassion on that face he sighs heavily, moving to stand behind John. [ He either places a hand on John back, or John is still flinching at close proximity with Scorpius. ]


SCORPIUS:
A brief respite before we continue.



[ And there it is, one of those slight changes; chin lowering fractionally, eyes slightly less hard... exquisite! Perhaps relaxing slightly anticipating the respite. ] Scorpius looks over John's shoulder at the memory image once more, then glancing back to the human. John's expression remains immutable. [ Scorpy has to be recalling that this is a tough nut to crack. ]




Cut to EXT. Space -- A Prowler drifting in the blackness.

Cut to EXT. Space -- Moya

Cut to INT. Moya -- Command. D'Argo and Chiana rush in, heading to the control consoles. D'Argo on the left console, Chiana on the right console, both viewing the Prowler outside the forward portal.


CHIANA:
A Prowler?!

PILOT:
Yes. Sending a distress signal.

D'ARGO:
Pilot, Starburst away immediately.

PILOT:
No.

CHIANA:
No?!

D'ARGO:
Pilot, this is definately bait for a trap. This is exactly the same way that the Retrieval Squad ambushed Talyn.

PILOT:
Moya detects no other vessels, nor anything that could conceal them. Besides, the occupant of the Prowler is a Relgarian.

CHIANA:
What's a Relgarian?

PILOT:
A species Moya and I trust.

D'ARGO:
What? As opposed to us?

PILOT:
Transmission coming in now.



A visual comms image flashes up on the forward Portal [ There's good trivia nobody's used! ]. It's the bluish mime talking alien.


LINFER:
( over comms ) Leviathan vessel, I am Linfer. ( speaking alien language ).

D'ARGO:
( softly ) Pilot, do not... answer them.

PILOT:
( speaking alien language ).

LINFER:
( speaking alien language ).

PILOT:
Moya and I greet you in return.

LINFER:
May I come aboard?

PILOT:
Of course, deploying the docking web now.



D'Argo snorts in discontent and stalks off the Command, Chiana following.


Cut to Docking Bay -- The Prowler glides slowing through the docking bay tunnel, the docking web anchor gliding just ahead of it.


Cut to Maintance Bay -- D'Argo, Jool and Chiana all stalk in, each armed.


D'ARGO:
Pilot!

PILOT:
I must say again... I truly don't believe this is necessary.

D'ARGO:
Well then, humor us.

PILOT:
DRDs are in position.



The trio stop just before the closed Hangar doors, D'Argo readying his multi-cannon, glances to Chi on his left, then Jool on his right.


Cut to Hangar -- The Prowler, stopped just outside the Hangar doors, a DRD perched just outside the Pilot's canopy, a second glides toward it from the nose of the Prowler. The Pilot canopy pops open, a burst of vapor obscuring the interior for a moment. The DRD raises it's tiny laser; eyestalks curving forward for a better 'view'. The vapor clears, revealing Linfer sitting in the Pilot's chair.


D'ARGO:
( over comms ) Prowler pilot...



Cut to Maintenance Bay --


D'ARGO:
Move towards the Hangar doors, and ah... leave your weapons behind.



Cut to Hangar -- Linfer climbs out of the pilot's chair.


Cut to Maintenance Bay -- The Hangar doors open slowly, revealing the parked Prowler, the Pilot climbing down a short ladder to the Hangar floor. D'Argo takes a cautious inhalation, scenting for anything unseen. Linfer ducks under the Prowler wing, one hand holding onto the wing [ bad move, cause it 'wobbles' a bit-- but maybe it's frailer than it looks. ], a triumphant smile on her face.


LINFER:
I did it!

JOOL:
Did what?

LINFER:
Solved the shielding problem. I knew it'd work. Where's John Crichton?



Linfer takes a few steps toward the trio, still smiling.


LINFER:
I need to speak to him, and to Pilot.



D'Argo smiles indulgently, pointedly not lowering his cannon.


D'ARGO:
Lady... you gotta talk to us first.

LINFER:
You have nothing to fear from me, and much to gain. Tell Crichton... I offer him the secret to wormhole travel.



END ACT I










ACT II





INT. Command Carrier -- Scorpius's Quarters

On the far wall of Scorpius's Quarters, up inside the alcove which contains Scorpy's bed and breakfast, Braca stands facing outward, pacing slightly, on guard, while Nurse Froy attends to the 'sleeping' Scorpius.


FROY:
I don't like these readings.

BRACA:
Are they at critical levels?

FROY:
No, but they soon will be.

BRACA:
Then proceed as Scorpius instructed.



Cut to Theater of the Mind; Scorpius -- John's a little bored and restless with the 'respite'.


JOHN:
All right, Scorpy, pick it up, let's get this story over with.



Scorpius strolls out of the blackness, appearing just beyond John's left shoulder.


SCORPIUS:
Tauza's attempts to teach control, weren't entirely unproductive.



Cut to Memory Flashback -- Scorpy's incubator. The young boy sits at the table, Tauza places a tray before him and walks away.


SCORPIUS:
[O.M.] I discovered my hybrid body... had a unique talent.



The boy looks toward his keeper, her image and his surroundings presented in an infra-red type view of white light deepening to black. An interesting 'gray scale' view.


SCORPIUS:
[O.M.] The ability to percieve energy signatures in living organisms. Each species is different.



A new memory unfolds. It's 'lesson time' in the incubator. The boy sits on a low chair beside the table which also serves as his bed. Tauza stands across the room before the 'blackboard', a vid-screen' displaying an image of 'Sebacean physiology'.


TAUZA:
Still another weakness in Sebacean physiology. Their skin-- it's soft, permeable... easily penetrated.

SCORPIUS:
[O.M.] I soon discovered another trait of energy signatures. They often changed, when the subject was being less than honest.

TAUZA:
Sebaceans are a deficient breed. Doubtless that's why Peacekeepers wanted to hybridize them... with Scarrans.



Close on the glazed expression of the young boy, his eyes widening slightly at the last words of the Scarran female.


SCORPIUS:
[O.M.] Tauza lied about the Peacekeepers.



Cut to Theater of the Mind; Scorpius -- Scorpius, having circled around behind John, stands facing him, glancing aside at the image of his memories. John 'almost' glances toward Scorpius, before returning his gaze to the memory being replayed.


JOHN:
I'll have to take your word for that.

SCORPIUS:
Oh, she lied.



John turns toward Scorpius, eye-to-eye for a moment as Scorpius expands on his thoughts.


SCORPIUS:
Which only made me more determined to discover the truth about my parentage.



John looks away, slightly pissed [ maybe for allowing himself to be drawn in, even momentarily ].


SCORPIUS:
Of course to do that... I had to escape.



Cut to memory flashback -- Tauza enters the incubator, crossing the room to pick up his food tray. The boy, feigning sleep, rises as the doors close behind her. Using hidden food implements to crack the lock on his cell.


SCORPIUS:
[O.M.] I feigned obedience. Over time... she grew careless. But I did not, and fortunately, my education... included basic technology. I'd often watched Tauza operate the controls, dragging up data for my lessons, and I have an excellent memory.



The boy opens the doors cautiously, peering out into a large empty control room [ the basic design throughout the environment is large scale 'scales', tinged red with black and white highlights ]. Scurrying out of his cell, the boy manipulates controls at an overlarge console, the image of a large vessel appearing on a wide viewscreen.


SCORPIUS:
[O.M.] So, it wasn't difficult to obtain information about my prison. Which turned out to be a Scarran Dreadnought.



Cut to Theater of the Mind; Scorpius -- as the final bits of the memory unfold, the all pervasive reddish tinge of the memory shifting to a blue tinge [ geez, wonder if this is significant? ] as it fades slowly away.


SCORPIUS:
It was passing through a neutral system. I jumped ship... in an evacuation pod, and hid out on a commerce planet.

JOHN:
...and you lived happily ever after. Is this fairy tale over with yet?

SCORPIUS:
Everything I've shown you is true.

JOHN:
No doubt. Scorpy the teenage hero outwits the Scarrans, makes it looks easy-- you goin' for pity or applause?

SCORPIUS:
( angrily ) Neither.



INTERCUT



EXT. Space -- Moya cruises by.




PILOT:
[O.V.] Scorpius... is alive?!



Cut to INT. Pilot's Den --


LINFER:
Yes.



Cut to wide shot -- Linfer and John stand before Pilot's console.


PILOT:
But Crais and Talyn destroyed his marauder.



John climbs up onto Pilot's console, to sit at Pilot's right hands.


JOHN:
Yeah, and Scorpius was elsewhere, laughing at him the whole time. It's another grand Scorpy fake out. I knew the bastard wasn't dead. All right--



John unholsters his weapon, dead aim on Linfer.


JOHN:
Why did he send you?

PILOT:
Commander!

LINFER:
I came to you on my own. Scorpius's obsession with wormholes is making him irrational.

PILOT:
Scorpius is not alone in that regard.



John gives Pilot a brief, tired, 'not this again' glance.


JOHN:
How did you find us?

LINFER:
I correctly theorized that the wormhole we had discovered was part of a nexus of wormholes. I checked several of the systems exit modes... hoping that one of them would have attracted you for study.

JOHN:
So you got lucky.

LINFER:
I would have fled regardless. I'm convinced that whether Scorpius succeeds or fails-- I would be terminated.



Pilot and John exchange a sad but knowing look.


LINFER:
The craft you flew through the wormhole... did it employ phase shielding?



Another silent look between John and Pilot, but John's gettin' uncomfortable holding his weapon on the girl, lowering it slightly.


LINFER:
Well, I assume it didn't. Hence, you are the lucky one. If that wormhole had been unstable in it's rantath flux variance, as most wormholes are, you wouldn't have survived the journey.

JOHN:
How did you survive?

LINFER:
I have developed a unique spectrum of negative phase shielding, which will allow any craft to safely traverse any wormhole. I offer you this knowledge.

JOHN:
At what price?

LINFER:
Moya



John returns Linfer's smile with a slight one of his own, along with a slight shake of his head.


JOHN:
No deal.

LINFER:
I would treat her far better than you and the others have.



Linfer steps closer to Pilot, John sits on the console, his gun held laxly across his knees.


LINFER:
You know my species.

PILOT:
Yes.

JOHN:
I don't, and... I'm the one with the gun.



John gestures with the gun, casually, pointing out his confusion.


PILOT:
Linfer's is a peaceful race of explorers. They use Leviathans to journey into deep space-- areas completely unknown. Something... Moya and I have dreamed of doing.

JOHN:
Pilot... you and Moya'd really consider this?

PILOT:
Moya and I would never abandon you, Commander.

JOHN:
Yes, but given the choice?



Pilot doesn't answer, looking away he clearly ponders the choice. Linfer smiles slightly and John glances back toward her with uncertainty and concern.




Cut to Theater of the Mind; Scorpius -- The 'screen of memory' still a bluish tinged fog. A Command Carrier cruises by as Scorpius continues his relation of his history to John.


SCORPIUS:
After I escaped, I traversed the Uncharted Territories for several cycles. Unable to learn anything of my parents. In desperation... I flew into Peacekeeper space, and surrendered to the first Command Carrier I encountered.



Cut to Memory Flashback -- INT. Command Carrier. Scorpius, decked out in a more 'primitive version' of his containment suit, hands cuffed at his waist, stands before the desk of a PK Officer of some rank. Ranking designations having changed since the time of this memory. This man wears the familiar red/black leather uniform, a black designator patch on his left upper arm, and only three silver bars on the left sleeve, designating the rank he claims.


MOLAYNE:
I'm Captain Molayne, and you're...?

SCORPIUS:
I have chosen the name, Scorpius.

MOLAYNE:
Interesting choice. I've seen the logs of your interrogation. Quite a life you've had... if your testimony is true.

SCORPIUS:
It is.

MOLAYNE:
But there were some questions you... refused to answer.

SCORPIUS:
As I told your interrogators, there are some topics I will only discuss with a Flag Officer.

MOLAYNE:
( chuckling dryly ) A captain's as high as you'll get I'm afraid. You'll deal with me... or with more interrogators. Frankly, I'm a far better choice.



Scorpius stands quietly, briefly contemplating that.


SCORPIUS:
I propose... an exchange of information. I gave you only a summary of my life aboard the Dreadnought. There is much more I can tell you about Scarran behavior, vessel design, security arrangements and so forth.

MOLAYNE:
We could, of course, simply force that information out of you.

SCORPIUS:
Doubtful... and unnecessary. My price is not high. I remind you, I came to you... voluntarily.

MOLAYNE:
All right... what's the price?

SCORPIUS:
I was taught... that I'm the product of a forced birthing... between a Peacekeeper male... and a Scarran female. I believe that to be false. I want to know the truth.

MOLAYNE:
Why? So you can find out... who you are?

SCORPIUS:
To find out... who I should be.

MOLAYNE:
Everything you tell us will be cross-checked...



Scorpy checks Molayne out with his 'scorpy-vision'... apparently Sebacean energy signatures vary through a white to red scale.


MOLAYNE:
If we find you've been feeding us mis-information...

SCORPIUS:
I will be executed as a spy.

MOLAYNE:
Hold out your hands.



Molayne removes the cuffs.


MOLAYNE:
We've correlated what you told us so far. The pieces fit... we know what happened. The Scarran lied to you.



Molayne's energy signature does not vary with that last statement, Scorpy closes his eyes, relief apparent on his face.




Cut to Theater of the Mind; Scorpius -- Scorpy continues his tale as the blue tinged memory of his meeting with Molayne fades slowly away.


SCORPIUS:
The good captain told me about a Leviathan full of Sebacean pioneers... on it's way to colonize a planet in the Uncharted Territories. It was brutally attacked by a Scarran convoy... and all the civilian passengers slaughtered. One Transport Pod managed to escape and make a planetary landing. These next images are not memory...



Cut to Data Reconstruction Memory -- Gorgeous CGI of planetary surface.


SCORPIUS:
[O.DRM] ... but reconstruction, based on the logtapes that Captain Molayne shared with me.



The planet surface is very earthlike, in an unearthly beautiful way. Rolling grassy hills rising to several peaks and a lake plateau in the distance. Overlying all is blue sky with puffy white clouds, a small flock of white birds over a distant waterfall. The gorgeous lake plateau spills into lower elevations, forming another, greater waterfall in the distance. Panning right, a golden transport pod has set down on a hilltop. Standing at the base of the steps, a blonde Sebacean male stands surveying his surroundings, a pulse pistol in his hand. Turning he mounts the steps.




Cut to INT. Transport Pod -- A blonde Sebacean female [ Rylani ], stands at a console recording a log as the male [ Ghebb ] enters. [ And... too bad, they are both wearing a similar loose garb-- of a pale green shade. ]


RYLANI:
... reached the planet and managed to land the pod at approximately mid-sun.

GHEBB:
What are you recording?



[ Oh, god ] Ghebb puts the pulse pistol down in the Pilot's seat, walking across the cabin to a forward control console.


RYLANI:
A complete log. And a distress call with locator vectors. Do you think I should transmit it?

GHEBB:
No. The Peacekeepers don't care about us. Why tip off the Scarrans that we survived?

RYLANI:
You can't blame the Peacekeepers for what happened. They didn't warn us; we were travelling outside their patrolled space.

GHEBB:
They didn't warn us that we might run into a Scarran massacre.

RYLANI:
Don't you think they would've if they had've known?!

GHEBB:
Even if they suspected it, they should have provided escort.

RYLANI:
If this sector was dangerous, then we shouldn't have come at all!

GHEBB:
How the frell were we supposed--



Seeing her frightened face, Ghebb sighs and reaches out to her, drawing her into his arms. Cradling her protectively, resting his chin on her shoulder.


GHEBB:
I shouldn't take it out on you.

RYLANI:
This was supposed to be our home.

GHEBB:
Well, we're here.

RYLANI:
No tools, no supplies, no grain seed. Just one pulse pistol and... whatever's in this pod.

GHEBB:
Like real pioneers.



Cut to some later time -- Ghebb and Rylani asleep on the Transport Pod floor. In the silence the Pod door opens. Ghebb starts awake, hearing the door open and 'someone' entering. Raising his head, he see's a large Scarran [ Wolish ] ducking slightly to enter the cabin. Grabbing the pulse pistol he shouts a warning.


GHEBB:
Rylani!



They both leap to their feel, Rylani cowering behind Ghebb. Ghebb fires six shots, all hitting home, but ineffectively. Roaring in displeasure, the Scarran lifts his right claw, unleashing the 'mind-melter'. Rylani dives aside, but Ghebb screams as he is burned alive, Rylani shrieks in terror.


RYLANI:
( screaming ) No! Ghebb, no!



Screaming in anger, she leaps up, attacking the creature viciously, but it grabs her slim throat, holding her off effortlessly.




Cut to Theater of the Mind; Scorpius -- The story is definately getting to John [ and I'm gettin' a little squirmy as well ] as the final moments of the data reconstruction memory unfold.


SCORPIUS:
The pod was found... containing one corpse. A male Sebacean... but no trace of the female.

JOHN:
Rylani, that was her name?

SCORPIUS:
Yes. Rylani Jeema Dellos.



Cut to Memory Flashback -- Scorpius, slogs through the tall grasses of the planet's rolling hills, toward the transport pod.


SCORPIUS:
[O.M.] Born on New Heather... disappeared on a Motak 4 colonization flight. Age 22 cycles.



Scorpius stops outside the steps of the pod, panting heavily, his breath steaming in the air. His gloved hand gently cupping a strange red flower growing beside the open craft.


SCORPIUS:
[O.M.] The Peacekeepers didn't bother to salvage the Transport Pod. Captain Molayne told me where to find it.



Cut to INT. Transport Pod --


SCORPIUS:
[O.M.] Apparently, nobody had touched it... in at least ten cycles.



Scorpy's hand cruises gently over the cobweb covered controls of the craft, here and there, touching where his mother's hands may have touched.


SCORPIUS:
[O.M.] Or so I thought.



His touch triggering an obvious trap, the pod door swings shut sealing him inside, a recording playing.


TAUZA:
( recorded voice ) The pod is sealed... do not attempt escape.



Scorpius slowly loses conciousness, his enraged growl fills the cabin.




END ACT II










ACT III





Theater of the Mind; Scorpius --




JOHN:
Scorpy, why would momma Scarran go to all that trouble to recapture you.

SCORPIUS:
Well, setting a trap on a transport pod wasn't that much trouble. I should have forseen it. I deserved what came next.



Cut to Memory Flashback -- Scorpius returned to his incubator, lies prostrate on the table, the large coolant pack by his head. Tauza pulls the really long cooling tube from the pack, then gives him an injection in the neck. He wakes gasping.


TAUZA:
Too feeble to conquer your own deficiencies without help.



Tauza tosses the red tube into a trash receptacle on the floor.


TAUZA:
You are Scarran, or you are nothing. We tried to make you one of us. How could you reject that for a lesser species?



Tauza increases the heat in the chamber, the red glow intensifying over Scorpy's cowled face.


TAUZA:
Give me a full account of your actions since your escape. Begin... with all Peacekeeper encounters.



Scorpy struggles with the pain of the increased heat, but says nothing. Flicking the control, Tauza engages a beam of intense white light over Scorpius, he screams in agony in the microts until she shuts the light off, then falls back, panting, on the table.


TAUZA:
Tell me.



He says nothing, bracing himself for what is to come. She flicks the light on again-- another agonized scream.




Cut to INT. Command Carrier -- Scorpius's Quarters. On the bed, Scorpius struggles weakly in his dream, the memory causing him some discomfort. Nurse Froy scans him with her instrument.


FROY:
It's time to bring him out of it.

BRACA:
No.

FROY:
The readings are now critical.

BRACA:
What he's trying to achieve is even more critical. He'll survive.



Scorpius pants and grimaces in pain on the bed.




Cut to Memory Flashback -- Scorpius slumps back on the table, gasping in pain.


TAUZA:
Tell me.



Without waiting for him to even attempt to tell her squat, she turns up the lamp again. He howls in agony.




Cut to Theater of the Mind --


JOHN:
All right, all right, enough already! Scorp-- take five!



The memory fades abruptly, Scorpius is having trouble separating himself from his memories. He grunts and pants in remembered pain.


SCORPIUS:
Apologies, John. Apologies... always easy to get lost in one's memories.



Cut to INT. Command Carrier -- Scorpius's Quarters. Scorpius has quieted on the bed, Froy's instrument is less 'excited' as well.


FROY:
Readings are back within tolerance.

BRACA:
He survived. He always survives.

SCORPIUS:
That's true.



Braca comes to instant attention at the sound of Scorpius's voice. Scorpy sits up on the bed, Braca and Froy lending some assistance.


SCORPIUS:
I will stop now. For the moment.



Cut INT. Command Carrier -- Research Lab 1. Strappa, in something of a state, surrounded by two members of his Research Team.


STRAPPA:
I don't care! Check all the access logs again!

SCORPIUS:
For what?!



Strappa looks up, very startled, Scorpius has returned, flanked by Braca, and backed by Braca's flunky, Plint; your basic, big, dark eyed, square jawed, muscle. [ Plus... he's a cutie! ]


STRAPPA:
Sir. Linfer's Prowler can't be found. We think... we aren't sure... but, ah.... We're checking now.

SCORPIUS:
What?

STRAPPA:
She may have had access to certain restricted data files before she left. Which may... or may not, mean...

BRACA:
You think she intended to defect?

STRAPPA:
As I say... we-we aren't sure.

SCORPIUS:
Well, find out.



Strappa nods nervously. Scorpius gives him one of his best growls, eyeing him coldly before leaving. Braca and Plint have a few words while Strappa watches nervously.


BRACA:
Get some answers. If Strappa doesn't move fast enough... give him some extra incentive. Clear?

PLINT:
Quite clear... sir!



Braca departs while Plint takes a few menancing steps toward poor 'ol Strappa. [ and man, he's a menacing lookin' dude! ] Strappa whirls about, urging his staff to greater efforts.


STRAPPA:
Keep checking! Keep, keep checking!



INTERCUT



INT. Moya -- Command

All four of the mobile crew are on the Command deck. It's options discussion time.


JOHN:
I hate to break it to you guys, but Moya and Pilot are for it.

CHIANA:
Sounds more like they aren't against it. That's not the same thing.

JOOL:
You're actually considering handing Moya over to a stranger?

D'ARGO:
A stranger who works with Scorpius.

JOHN:
She ditched Scorpius.

D'ARGO:
Well, claims she did.

CHIANA:
I believe that part.

JOHN:
There you go.

CHIANA:
It's this deep space explorer dren I don't believe. I, I think she just wants Moya so she can put some Starburst in between her and Scorpius.

JOOL:
Even if we were to agree...

D'ARGO:
Which, we don't.

JOOL:
...what happens to us?

JOHN:
With wormhole tech we can drop you anywhere you wanna go. Home... if you want.

CHIANA:
( softly ) Oh, great.

D'ARGO:
That's if... you can get it to work.

JOHN:
We're gonna test it first, and until it works... all Linfer gets is a guest room.

CHIANA:
Just what we need-- another guest.

JOOL:
( scoffing ) Didn't you come on board... as a guest?

JOHN:
That's the point. We're all guests here, and if Moya wants to go...

D'ARGO:
( cutting in angrily ) Can you stop pretending this is anything other than your idea. This is exactly the attitude that got Zhaan killed.


[ Ouch, everyone felt that. ]


JOHN:
That's low.

D'ARGO:
( rising to leave ) Too bad.

CHIANA:
D'Argo!

JOOL:
Leave him alone.

CHIANA:
Leave me alone!



D'Argo leaves, and Crichton's pissed now, also shouting.


JOHN:
Terrific... this is what we're arguing about?! The chance to stay cooped up together? You know, if I was Moya, I wouldn't want us here.



John stalks out. Chi watches him go, scowling angrily [ but it's fairly funny. ]




Cut to INT. Moya -- Guest Quarters. Outside the closed cell door, Jool appears. Engaging the controls she enters as the doors hum open, holding a tray. She walks across the room, placing the tray on the table. Linfer's back is to her, sitting in front of the large, oddly shaped mirror. [ the reflective surface of these mirrors is 'not' as good as it used to be. ]


JOOL:
I brought you some food. The others are still arguing. That's what we do best around here.

LINFER:
It no longer matters. I was wrong.



Jool turns toward her, starting badly, a whimpering moan escapes her as she spies Linfer's reflection in the mirror. Mime makeup seems to be melting down the right side of her face. Turning toward Jool, we see that indeed her face 'is' melting.


JOOL:
What is that?

LINFER:
Start of tissue liquification. Induced by exposure to rantath flux in the wormholes. Apparently my spectrum of phase shielding was only sufficent to delay its onset. I request a favor.



Cut to EXT. Space -- The Prowler departs Moya's hangar bay, driving hard into space.




Cut to INT. Moya -- Command. John bolts in, Jool stands quietly at one of the forward control consoles.


JOHN:
How the hell did she get loose? Pilot-- get that Prowler back here!



Cut to INT. Prowler --


LINFER:
Pilot, thank you for granting my request. I'm sorry we won't travel together. Taka hi... Taka ho.



Linfer engages a few controls, an alarm sounding abruptly.




Cut to EXT. Space -- The Prowler fragments on a powerful internal explosion.




Cut to INT. Moya -- The blast illuminates the interior of Command briefly.


JOHN:
Pilot, you let her go?

PILOT:
Correct.

JOOL:
She was dying.

JOHN:
Well, we might have helped her.

PILOT:
The offer was made, she refused.

JOOL:
She said the cellular breakdown was irreversible. There was nothing we could do.

JOHN:
So... you just let her... fly away and blow herself to bits.

PILOT:
Correct, again.

JOHN:
That's a beautiful decision, man.



John turns to leave, but Jool has had it with his attitude.


JOOL:
It's funny how you only support Pilot only when you both want the same thing.

JOHN:
That's crap, Jool.

JOOL:
( angrily ) Truth is never crap.



John turns and walks out.




Cut to INT. Command Carrier -- Scorpius's Quarters. Scorpius enters, accompanied by Braca, Froy already there to do her business.


SCORPIUS:
We have no other choice. Do not interfere...



Scorpius sits on the edge of the bed.


SCORPIUS:
...unless absolutely necessary.

FROY:
But, sir--

BRACA:
Quiet.



Scorpius sighs heavily, closing his eyes, slipping into 'sleep', he slumps to his side on the bed.




Cut to Theater of the Mind; Scorpius -- John Crichton sits in the darkened space, low lying mist all around, as Scorpius slowly approaches.


SCORPIUS:
I have shared these memories... for a reason. To show you what Scarrans are like!

JOHN:
Preachin' to the choir, Scorpy. I got no love of Scarrans.

SCORPIUS:
Then, help us! Scarrans far outnumber Peacekeepers. Without superior weaponry... we will be crushed!

JOHN:
You wanna kill them, they wanna kill you. I do not see a helluva lotta difference.

SCORPIUS:
You let me finish... I'll show you the difference.



Scorpy walks into the blackness behind John. With nothing better to do, John rises and follows him, mist swirling in their wake.




Cut to Memory Flashback -- Scorpius struggles weakly on the table.


SCORPIUS:
You lied about my parents.

TAUZA:
Yes... to secure your allegiance. To make you hate Sebaceans... as you should.



Scorpius struggles onto his elbows, glowering up at Tauza.


SCORPIUS:
You failed!

TAUZA:
You defy me? Then see how easily Sebaceans break down and... beg. See your... deplorable heritage. Behold... your parents.



Tauza slams a clawed hand down on a control, playing a data recording for Scorpius.




Cut to the past as the recording plays [ I'm guessing, directly into the poor guys brain ]. The incubator doors slide open, and Wolish enters. This time the prisoner held inside is Scorpius's mother, Rylani. She's terrified... crying and whimpering pitiably.


RYLANI:
Please... help me!



The doors slide closed behind the Scarran.


RYLANI:
Please... please!



Everyone gets the creepy crawlies as the Scarran only moves closer, uh, stroking her hair with one claw. Scorpius howls as Rylani screams.


RYLANI:
No!



Cut to Tauza and Scorpius -- released suddenly as the data recording ends, Scorpius drops back and rolls onto the floor. He lies on the floor, prone, gasping and [ something we never dreamed we'd see ] begins weeping as Tauza watches.




END ACT III










ACT IV





Theater of the Mind; Scorpius

John stands silently, watching the stilled image of the screaming Rylani. Scorpius steps close behind his left shoulder. Scorpius turns his eyes from the stilled image of the woman was was his mother, to John. Watching him closely, looking like he actually comprehends what john might be feeling at that moment.


SCORPIUS:
We're nearly finished, John.



Cut to Memory Flashback -- Scorpius struggles to one elbow, gasping heavily as Tauza approaches.


TAUZA:
You are the product of a Scarran male, and a Sebacean female. The mating process shattered her fragile psyche. During the gestation she pleaded... for death.



Scorpius reaches up, releasing himself from the cooling pack on the table by pulling the tubing from the connection at the side of his head [ accompanied by a comical, cartoon-like, 'popping' noise... what the heck was that about? ].


SCORPIUS:
You killed her!

TAUZA:
Your birth was... difficult. You killed her.



Struggling to contain himself, and failing, Scorpius scurries on hands and knees to the trash receptacle in the floor. Hanging his head over the opening he vomits into it.


TAUZA:
In 90 other such matings... the Sebacean female and her offspring perished. You were the only one we saved.

SCORPIUS:
Why?!

TAUZA:
To find out if Sebacean genetics could serve us.



Unnoted by Tauza, Scorpius retrieves the long cooling rod tube from the trash bin, sitting up, his back to her.


TAUZA:
But we now realize that Sebaceans have no value... even as breeding stock. Instead, the Sebacean race will be... eradicated.



Scorpius snaps the cooling rod in half, concealing it from her as she continues her egotistical rant.


TAUZA:
You will further that objective, by telling us all you can about Peacekeepers.



Scorpius pants heavily, feigning great weakness.


SCORPIUS:
Can't speak... thirsty.

TAUZA:
Ah...



Tauza turns her back on him, going to fetch ... what, a cuppa water? Scorpy takes the advantage, and leaping up, jumps on her back and drives the two pieces of cooling rod into her eyes. Tauza growls in pain, falling to her knees, Scopius landing on his backside. Rolling onto her back, she kicks Scorpy across the room. In a total Exorcist moment, she rises from her back, to stand upright before him, cooling rod shards still protruding from her eyesockets [ what? and this was rated PG for what? ], unleasing her mind-melter blindly. Scorpy ducks and grabs her arm, deflecting the beam across the room. Givin' her a good 'chop' on the back of the neck, she falls forward onto his bed. Taking the opportunity, he wisely retreats, engaging the controls to open the doors. Alerted by the sound she turns, but he knocks her back against the table. Retreating into the main room, Scorpy engages a control, converting the interior lighting of the incubator from red to blue [ cold I'm guessing ], as abruptly her 'mind-melter' ceases to work. The doors slide closed between them. Scorpius watches through a window as the temperatures inside the chamber drop, and Tauza collapses.






Cut to Theater of the Mind; Scorpius --


SCORPIUS:
After my previous escape, the Scarrans... should have instituted some rudimentary security on their transport pods, but they hadn't. Scarran hubris... their primary failing.

JOHN:
You bailed again.

SCORPIUS:
I sent out a locator signal, which enabled a Command Carrier to overtake and destroy the Scarran Dreadnought. The Peacekeepers... were most appreciative.



Cut to Memory Flashback -- Aboard the Command Carrier, Scorpius meets with Captain Molayne again.


MOLAYNE:
First Command has responded to my request. Given your... unique status and clear loyalties... you are hereby exempted from all purity regulations. So... if you haven't changed your mind...

SCORPIUS:
Captain Molayne... I tender my application for Peacekeeper service.

MOLAYNE:
Excellent...



Molayne offers Scorpius his hand, and they shake hands briskly. [ What's that John said in TTBRC? ]




Cut to Theater of the Mind; Scorpius -- as the memory fades away.


SCORPIUS:
Through faithful service, I quickly advanced in rank, and created a special task force to develop wormhole techology.

JOHN:
Sweet move. Join the army, get them to pay for your pet project.



[ Say, isn't that sorta what John did? ]

Scorpius places one hand on John's shoulder, turning him about to face him.



SCORPIUS:
You think I want wormholes to betray Peacekeepers, and to conquer the universe myself? I don't want power. I want revenge.



Sighing, Scorpius gather's John to him. With one arm slung across John's shoulders, Scorpius walks them out of the darkness, back into the open expanse of mist.


SCORPIUS:
I want to wipe out the Scarrans before they wipe us out! My people, yours, your friends. Everyone you care about.



John stops, facing Scorpius [ a lovely close two-shot ], closer than he'd ever willingly born.


JOHN:
I've already lost... people I care about, because of you. Where is my revenge, Scorpy?

SCORPIUS:
I've done what I thought necessary. You're entitled to despise me for it, but nonetheless, you and I have a common enemy-- Scarrans. They plan to exterminate the Sebaceans, but they won't stop there. Nor with Luxans, Delvians, Baniks, or a thousand other lower life-forms. They'll stop... when they're the only sentient species left. And if they discover wormhole technology before we do... the galaxy is theirs. And eventually, John, they will find earth. Your race is defenseless. They'll be raped and slaughtered unless you help us.



[ uh oh, he may be getting to him. It's a scary moment. But, man it's really hard to tell for certain what's he's feeling... dang it! And in this lighting, let there be no further doubt. Wayne's eyes are a pale color. Hazel or blue. ]

Scorpius turns from John, the spiraling flower of the encrypted data blooming before them.



SCORPIUS:
These are the wormhole calculations the Ancients left in your mind. We can't decode them. You can.



John steps slowly toward the spiraling data, standing in front of Scorpius.


SCORPIUS:
Go on, unlock it. Give us the weapon we need... to defeat the Scarrans.



John reaches out with his left hand... index finger reaching toward the centerpoint of the spiral. [ It's that 'creation' gesture we saw him do before in LT. Cool! ]


JOHN:
Scorpius... it's not mine to give away. You remember what the Ancients told me?

SCORPIUS:
John?

JOHN:
"If you're not smart enough to discover it for yourself... you're not smart enough to use it wisely."



John's hand, at the center of the spiral, closes in a fist. The data exploding and evaporating before Scorpius's eyes. Scopius gasps as the data slips away.




Cut to Scorpius's Quarters -- on the bed, Scorpius pants wildly.


FROY:
His temperature's climbing, he's in danger.



Cut to Theater of the Mind; Scorpius --


JOHN:
Well, thanks for the... slide show. Gotta go.



John turns and walks casually away. Scorpius is still in wide eyed shock, his head whipping about as he notes John's 'departure'.

As John walks away, he's confronted by a very peeved Scorpius.



SCORPIUS:
No, John, you cannot leave!

JOHN:
I'll find my own way out.



John turns about and walks away again. Shortly confronted by an even angrier Scorpius. The darkness is backlit by two frelling huge red lights.


SCORPIUS:
You must retrieve it!

JOHN:
Scorpy, I'm off the clock.



John turns and walks away, yet again.


SCORPIUS:
John!



Cut to Scorpy's quarters -- on the bed Scorpius pants heavily, in serious distress.


FROY:
We have to intervene.

SCORPIUS:
Retrieve...



Grabbing her arm, Braca prevents Froy from giving Scorpy some kind of injection.


BRACA:
Not yet, he's onto something.

SCORPIUS:
Data...!



Cut to Theater of the Mind -- Scorpius howls as he snags John by the throat, hauling him onto his toes. John wobbles slightly, his voice choked and strained. Scorpius, by his visage, is enormously pissed!


JOHN:
Whoa-- Scorpy... you're gettin' kinda warm to the touch. You should take a break and calm down.



Cut to Scorpy's Quarters -- Scorpy pants rapidly, while Froy and Braca argue about how to proceed.


FROY:
The neural stress is killing him.

BRACA:
Not yet.

FROY:
I'm removing the chip.



Froy moves between Braca and Scorpius, Braca yanks her roughly away, pushing her aside.


BRACA:
I said, keep away from him.

FROY:
My duty is to Scorpius!



Braca knocks her out with a single back hand fist to that lovely little beauty mark above her lip. She drops to the floor in a swirl of blue hair.


BRACA:
So is mine.

SCORPIUS:
I will...



Cut to Theater of the Mind --


SCORPIUS:
...not let you leave!

JOHN:
Do you think... that neural clones go to heaven? Well, wherever I wind up... when I see your momma... I'll be sure to give her your regards.



John executes a 'very' smooth pantak jab, knocking Scorpy onto his backside. Looking up from the ground, Scorpy watches as John dissolves... vanishing in a swirling mass of pixels.




Cut to Scorpy's Quarters -- screaming in frustration and pain, Scorpius sits abruptly facing a very startled Braca. Scorpius continues panting rapidly, the cooling rod chamber on the side of his head spiraling open.

Braca is terrified almost to inaction as red ooze dribbles from the open chamber. Sparks flying from the chamber startle Braca to action. Reaching out cautiously, Braca grabs hold of the red tube. He screams in pain as his burned fingers yank the tube out, throwing it down violently [ it bounces back into view in a 'most' comical fashion ].

Scorpius screams incoherent directions, and Braca reaches into the chamber-- pulling out the neuro-chip. Braca takes a moment to examine it closely, but it is dark, no longer flashing. With an angry look, Braca throws it down. Braca presses a button on the cooling rod container, a blue rod pops out and he catches it mid-air [ tense but movingly funny moments! ], and then struggles to quickly place the blue rod. He engages a control and the chamber spirals closed. Scorpius, feeling some relief, ceases panting, his eyes almost closing.





Cut to Theater of the Mind; Scorpius -- Still on his back in the mist, the red glow slowly pales to blue. Looking around carefully, Scorpius calls out.


SCORPIUS:
( echoing ) John? ...John?



END ACT IV










EPILOGUE





INT. Moya -- The Center Chamber.

John sits having a solo cuppa. Bottle cuppa came from looks suspiciously like the one that D'Argo got so wasted on in Suns & Lovers. Cripes, John's in a hideous mood-- drinkin' alone. D'Argo makes a timely arrival. [ The scene is like dueling deep voices... how do they 'keep' them voices?! ]


JOHN:
If you are here to give me another lecture go away.

D'ARGO:
Well, if you are going to be as sour as an unmated flibisk, I will go away.

JOHN:
What the hell's a flibisk?



Picking up the bottle, D'Argo takes a seat beside John.


D'ARGO:
A flibisk, a flibisk... it's a, uh... ten-legged creature about this big ( makes the appropriate gesture indicating a creature not bigger than, say, a rabbit ), very tasty, if prepared right. But, if you prevent it from mating... it gets very disagreeable.

JOHN:
Hell, who doesn't.



D'Argo pours himself a cup. Taking the cup in both hands he slams it's base against the tabletop, spilling an appropriate amount, before taking a nice noisy drink.


JOHN:
You ever think we've been on this boat way too long?

D'ARGO:
Constantly. But so far, all the other alternatives have been worse.

JOHN:
Well... here's to that changing.



Taking his cup in one hand, John slams it's base against the tabletop before drinking the remaining contents.


JOHN:
You know, Scorpy's still out there. He's workin' on the wormhole tech, and he's a lot further along than I am.

D'ARGO:
He hasn't found it yet. And Linfer was wrong.

JOHN:
But Linfer found us. And if she can, Scorpy can.



Cut to EXT. Space -- The Command Carrier cruises by in the blackness of space, accompanied by the requisite Maurauders and Prowlers.




Cut to INT. Command Carrier -- Captain's Quarters. Sitting in his big chair, Scorpius dictates remembered portions of the data to Strappa, who takes the data down in what's been referred to as a PK Palm Pilot. [ gotta love it. ]


SCORPIUS:
Voken nine, exponent nine, devera four... three... one. Equivalence mastered, nine, palonic square... equivalence interval, nine. Volker hypercube... brathmatic. Six... lurg... one. That's everything I recall... it's incomplete... but it should be enough to put us on the correct track.

STRAPPA:
It certainly will, sir. I, I can already see solutions to, to several previously unknown variables.

SCORPIUS:
Then resume work.



Strappa grins in his toady fashion, closes the 'palm pilot' and leaves. Braca entering on his wake.


BRACA:
Sir...



Braca stands erect before Scorpius who toys with that pebbled sphere that seems to make it's way around quite a bit. One of the odd flowers from Scorpius's memory of the planet where his mother was captured, rotates in a display in the left foreground.


BRACA:
Cybernetics section verifies, the neuro-chip's circuits were... destroyed by the heat.

SCORPIUS:
It doesn't matter. We may now have the data we need.

BRACA:
Will that be all, sir?

SCORPIUS:
For the moment.



Braca turns about to leave. Scorpius calls him back.


SCORPIUS:
Lieutenant?



Braca turns and steps back to stand in front of Scorpius.


SCORPIUS:
Your... recent performance... has been exemplary.



Braca looks down briefly, practically blushing like a school boy... allowing himself a small smile.


BRACA:
Thank you, sir. I was concerned that I'd made the wrong decision.

SCORPIUS:
Nurse Froy made the wrong decision. Yours was correct under the circumstances.

BRACA:
Thank you, sir. I hope my conduct continues to find favor.



Braca turns and makes a clean departure. Scorpius sighs slightly, his eyes closed. When they open, they settle on the flower. Standing, he crosses the room, stopping to watch the flower closely [ and OMG children, is that an actual 'smile'? ], reaching out, he strokes the petals gently.






FADE TO BLACK












ROLL ENDING CREDITS













For your amusement & total body immersion:
Check Out the Following Reviews/Episode Synopsis & "CIL" for:
" Incubator "
at the scifi.com "Farscape" Bulletin Board

Some small observations : Incubator : OboeCrazy : 07/14/01
Capt. H. Reviews : Incubator : CaptainHornblower : 7/14/01
A plague on both their houses (spoilers) : Incubator : David_Falkayn : 7/14/01
Bama's Observations : Incubator : BamaGirl : 7/17/01
Episode Review : Incubator : Farscape Weekly
Farscape Fantasy, Click on "Photo Gallery" for pics





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