COLD OPEN
MOYA, Center Chamber
Chiana and Rygel share a cuppa from a steaming bowl. They're both about three sheets to the wind.
CHIANA: This has got to be a first. We're rich... you're miserable.
RYGEL: ( groans ) A fleeting taste of wealth is worse than a lifetime of poverty. Slaves from the Caton Mines are sold in lots of 10,000! To free D'Argo's son, we'll have to pay for them all! There'll be nothing left for us!
CHIANA: Oh, there'll be some... enough to indulge ourselves a little.
Chi flings a friendly arm across Rygel's 'shoulders'.
CHIANA: See... I'm gonna get some Bennigan Fire Silk. ... It's for my bed.
RYGEL: Hah! -- Hah! Everytime I think that there's more to you than a pair of pushed up loomers in a corset -- you disappoint me!
CHIANA: From you? I'll take that as a compliment.
Chi gives him a friendly peck on the cheek.
INTERCUT
MOYA
D'Argo and Aeryn sit somewhere in quiet conversation.
D'ARGO: Last time I saw my son, was the night my wife was murdered. I sent him away to be safe, and... he ends up a slave.
AERYN: And if you hadn't, he'd be dead by now, D'Argo. Peacekeepers despise half-breeds.
D'ARGO: All those vital cycles growing up without me there... I almost hope he doesn't remember me.
AERYN: All he'll care about is that you came back for him.
PILOT: D'Argo, we are now within range of the Caton Mines. If you wish to contact the slavers -- now is the time.
INTERCUT
MOYA, Command
D'Argo enters, addressing an older Sebacean looking male, over on the forward portal viewscreen.
D'ARGO: I would like to bid on Lot Keshu Four.
MAN: Apologies. Lot Keshu Four, unavailable.
D'ARGO: What? Why not?!
MAN: Sold.
STARK: No, that's not possible. That can't be.
D'ARGO: We've missed the slave auction. You're information was wrong!
STARK: I wasn't wrong! I wasn't! My people are in that lot as well.
MAN: Lot Keshu Four, special sale, private buyer, triple price.
Unobserved, Crichton slowly enters Command.
MAN: But other slaves, available.
D'ARGO: I do not want other slaves!
STARK: Who purchased that lot? Tell me!
The image on the forward portal changes to that of Scorpius.
SCORPIUS: John...
Crichton stops behind Stark and D'Argo, his lips move slightly, but he's speechless with disbelief.
SCORPIUS: ...as recordings are so... sadly impersonal... I'll have to imagine what your face looks like now. Etched with failure, I expect.
Well, it's more like stark fear, but good guess.
SCORPIUS: I have Ka D'Argo's son. Surrender to me, or the boy dies.
END COLD OPEN
ROLL OPENING CREDITS
"My name is John Crichton, an astronaut... ...a radiation wave hit, and I got shot through a wormhole... now I'm lost in some distant part of the universe, on a ship-- a living ship, full of strange alien life-forms.... Help me. Listen please... is there anybody out there who can hear me? ....I'm being hunted by an insane military commander... doing everything I can... I'm just looking for a way home."
ACT I
MOYA, Command
CRICHTON: How... H-How did Scorpius find out about Jothee? Stark, you said you didn't tell anyone about the auction.
STARK: No. No, I didn't. The data was stored only on my console. I mean, Scorpius did try to trace the datalink -- during the break-in, but I stopped... him. I mean, uh, I ... think I stopped...
CRICHTON: ( quietly ) Oh, God. We led him straight to Jothee. Stark...
Stark begins to panic a bit, edging backward. Unnoticed, D'Argo continues leaning against a command console, his rage building.
STARK: Jothee wasn't the only slave in that auction lot! ... Thousands of Baniks! My-My own people! They belong to Scorpius now too! You think I wanted that?! ... I didn't ... I didn't ... I didn't ... I didn't ...
D'Argo explodes, tearing the command console from the base, he hurls it across the room, screaming what sounds like Crichton's name.
D'ARGO: John!
Crichton stands slackjawed as the console hits the deck and D'Argo strides toward him, throughly enraged.
D'ARGO: This is all your fault!
Crichton's tone is tinged with anger and disbelief.
CRICHTON: We got your money. We saved your ass!
D'ARGO: Only when you had no other choice! If you had helped me from the beginning, we would've been out of here before Scorpius had even arrived! I can't lose Jothee, not again... not like this.
D'Argo moves to leave, brushing his shoulder roughly against Crichton as he passes.
CRICHTON: D'Argo--
Crichton turns to his friend, wanting to talk it out, but hesitates. D'Argo turns back at the open door.
D'ARGO: Not like this.
D'Argo turns and exits quickly, and Crichton turns about as well, throughly frustrated. Neither note Stark cowering on the floor at the side of the room.
CRICHTON: ( softly ) Frell!
INTERCUT
MOYA, D'Argo's Quarters
D'Argo is hunched over, glaring at himself in the mirror. The image of his son is reflected on the other side of the mirror, mocking him.
JOTHEE: You're pathetic! You keep talking about how much I mean to you. How you'd do anything to get me back. But when it comes down to it, you fail me... again! Like you always do!
D'Argo turns to his 'son', trying to explain.
D'ARGO: I did everything I could.
JOTHEE: Liar! You know what you have to do.
D'ARGO: I can't.
JOTHEE: No. You won't. Who means more to you?
Before D'Argo can answer that question, Chiana arrives.
CHIANA: D'Argo?
She faces him across the room. They are alone, of course.
CHIANA: Hey. I heard what happened.
D'ARGO: You don't understand.
He turns away from her, pacing away a few steps before stopping, and turning back.
D'ARGO: I, ah... I was prepared to give Scorpius what he wanted.
CHIANA: ( softly )...What?
D'ARGO: On the Command... for a microt... I was ready to take Crichton by force and deliver him to Scorpius. It was all I could do to stop myself.
CHIANA: Crichton is your friend...
D'ARGO: Jothee is my blood. He's my child... all I have left of my wife... Now, why... is that not enough?
INTERCUT
DEPOSITORY
Scorpius, Natira and their combined entourage enter the main reception while Scorpius rails angrily.
SCORPIUS: I do not care for the others. All I need is the Luxan's son. The Banik Slavers can keep the rest.
BRACA: I explained that to them sir, but the Catons have refused to search through 10,000 slaves to locate one. The freighter that we hired is being loaded right now.
AKKOR: Natira did spend a great deal to acquire them. We could accept the surplus and resell them individually to recoup our losses.
Scorpius thwaps Akkor on the chest for his temerity.
SCORPIUS: ...you mean... your losses!
Natiria attempts to placate a very peevish Scorpy.
NATIRA: A poor choice of words. I hardly consider it a loss. Just a small price to keep you happy, and... settle our account.
SCORPIUS: You consider things settled now, do you?
NATIRA: Ah-- Scorpius...
She strokes his cheek tenderly with one blue claw.
NATIRA: ...accept your victory.
SCORPIUS: I haven't got Crichton yet!
Scorpius strikes her hand away and turns back to Akkor.
SCORPIUS: Tell me... were there any Stykera amongst the other Banik slaves?
AKKOR: ( hesitating ) Not... according to the manifest.
SCORPIUS: Well, that's a pity. I could have used a replacement for the one that escaped my Gammak base.
Scorpy turns to Braca.
SCORPIUS: Dispatch a Maurauder... to the freighter, and have the Luxan's son returned here at maximum speed.
BRACA: Sir!
Braca departs swiftly, and Scorpy turns slightly to Natira, addressing her.
SCORPIUS: You can keep the other slaves. Do with them as you will.
INTERCUT
MOYA, Main Corridor
A DRD precedes Aeryn down the corridor as she and Pilot confer over comms.
AERYN: Metal fatigue? -- How serious is it, Pilot?
PILOT: The DRDs found only a few occurrences on this tier. It seems to have been caused by some kind of corrosive that I can neither identify nor account for.
The DRD is parked in front of a small hole burned into the bulkhead hear the floor. Aeryn kneels and peers through the hole.
AERYN: All right, I see it Pilot. If the DRDs can take a sample, then Zhaan can analyze it.
PILOT: I would appreciate it.
Crichton intercepts Aeryn, tapping her lightly on the back, she rises to face him.
AERYN: How's D'Argo?
CRICHTON: Not good. He blames me for losing Jothee -- could be right. So, I've come up with a plan.
Crichton walks away, heading down the corridor and Aeryn follows.
AERYN: Oh, there's a surprise.
CRICHTON: The slaver said that Jothee's lot shipped out on a freighter.
AERYN: Right. Even if we can find it, we could never intercept it.
Crichton pauses in the corridor, driving his point home.
CRICHTON: Aeryn, no-- the point is, is that Jothee's still in transit. He won't get to the depository for a couple of solar days.
AERYN: How can you be sure he's going to the depository?
Crichton pauses thinking, perhaps on how much to say, his voice lowering as if Scorpy might overhear him.
CRICHTON: I know... how Scorpy thinks. He doesn't have Jothee. Which means we still have time. We can beat him.
AERYN: Forever the optimist.
Aeryn walks away, Crichton conceding the point as he calls after her.
CRICHTON: Yeah, well. It's a common human trait...
Following after her, he mutters his caveat under his breath.
CRICHTON: ... in humans with a death wish.
INTERCUT
Unobserved a spider scuttles along the floor of a main passage, entering a hole burned into the bulkhead near the floor. Inside another spider exudes more green acid.
INTERCUT
MOYA, Command
All save Stark are gathered around the Strategy table, Stark sits away from the others, listening in.
CRICHTON: All right, here's the deal: We have minimal weapons and no way to hide from Scorpius. If we're going to surprise him... we've got to get some help.
CHIANA: Help from who?
PILOT: Since entering the Uncharted Territories, Moya and I have been mapping our movements as best we can. We've identified several locations where we might obtain assistance.
CRICHTON: Item one: We need a Blood Tracker.
D'ARGO: The Vocarions. They're the ones who tortured me.
[ Flashback to events from "Til The Blood Runs Clear". The Vocarians 'interrogate' D'Argo.
Rorg: Tell us... where are they? ]
CRICHTON: Yeah, but they'll be able to find Jothee no matter where Scorpius stashes him. Item two: We're going to have to pound our way into the depository. For that we need a Sheyang.
[ Flashback to events from "PK Tech Girl". Aeryn intercepts the Sheyang after he boards the Zelbinion.
Aeryn: On the ground. Now! ]
AERYN: They're not fighters -- They're scavengers and cowards.
CRICHTON: Yeah... who can breathe fire that burns through metal like Kleenex. Three: We need a Tavloid--
RYGEL & D'ARGO: ( simultaneously ) "Tavlek"
[ Flashback to events from "Throne for a Loss". The Tavleks 'hold-up' the crew outside the hangar bay, a firefight ensues.
Zyr: Remain where you are!
Rygel: What do you think you're doing?! Help! Help! ]
RYGEL: They're nothing but barbarian extortionists.
CRICHTON: Their gauntlet weapons are awesome in close combat. And finally, we need the Zenetan Pirates.
[ Flashback to events from "The Flax". The Transport Pod is snared in The Flax.
John: There's something pulling us in!
Aeryn: That's impossible!
Staanz' freight is snared by The Flax.
Staanz: We're caught in The Flax. ]
ZHAAN: The Flax Net.
CHIANA: ‘Flax’ what?
ZHAAN: An electrostatic scan. It instantly disables ships.
CHIANA: And what makes you think all these 'Zeltecs' are gonna help us?
CRICHTON: Cash. These guys are mercenaries. They want money, we got plenty. We get them, we go in hot. We kill Scorpius, and we bring your son back.
Abruptly Stark is standing, staggering toward the table, arms outstretched and shreiking.
ZHAAN: Stark! What's wrong? What's wrong?
Stark collapses to the deck, his arms outstretched toward Crichton, screaming what sounds like his name.
STARK: John!
Crichton edges warily behind Aeryn as they watch Zhaan attempting to comfort Stark as his screams taper off, leaving him gasping and shaken.
STARK: ...gone... dead. All dead. All dead. I failed them.
Zhaan shushes him, quietly cradling his head in her arms.
AERYN: What are you talking about?
ZHAAN: The Baniks... they're gone. He's a Stykari. He's... he's attuned to the dying. He knows.
AERYN: Scorpius killed the slaves?
ZHAAN: Yes.
D'Argo looks up, alarmed.
D'ARGO: Jothee is among them.
CRICHTON: D'Argo--
Crichton pauses, his eyes closed in thought, channelling Scorpy again.
CRICHTON: Jothee's not dead... Scorpius did not allow that to happen. You have to trust me on this. We can get your son back. And we can kill that cadaverous son of a bitch, but we have to do it now.
INTERCUT
MOYA, Hangar Bay
POV is into the Hangar Bay from Moya's exterior doors. The Prowler, a Transport Pod and Farscape One, lift from the Hangar Bay deck and launch out the open doors, the Prowler soaring left, the Transport vectoring out of the bay to the right, and Farscape One following temporarily on the trail of the Prowler, exiting the hangar bay doors and into open space. ( Awesome CGI! )
Piloting the Farscape One, Crichton has a few last directions for those aboard Moya. Zhaan, Stark and Chiana listen from Command.
CRICHTON: Zhaan, we've got one solar day -- two, tops. If I'm not back by then, tell Scorpius where I went.
D'Argo listens over comms at the controls of the transport pod.
CRICHTON: He'll trade that for Jothee.
ZHAAN: Understood, John. May the Goddess be with you all.
Piloting the Prowler, Aeryn has a small knowing smile at Zhaan's last message.
Onboard Farscape, Crichton's 'visitor' is crawling through his head again.
CRICHTON: (::"You're almost there, John. You're almost there..."::) Okay, Leatherface. Your turn.
Wedged in behind the Pilot's seat, Scorpy sits just behind Crichton's right shoulder.
SCORPIUS: You never cease to amaze me, John.
CRICHTON: ( grinning ) Man, that's 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'! That's a classic!
SCORPIUS: You weren't supposed to be able to initiate a conversation with this neural clone.
CRICHTON: Yeah, kind of sucks having someone inside your head. Doesn't it?
SCORPIUS: No matter. The task is almost complete. It wasn't easy. There are vast areas of your brain that are filled with nothing but... gibberish.
CRICHTON: That would be High School. Like it or not, Scorpy... I know how you think. We're sharing now... and that's how I'm going to beat you.
SCORPIUS: Perhaps you only believe that, because that is what we want you to think.
END ACT I
ACT II
DEPOSITORY
AKKOR: Sir, the Luxan's son is returning on your Maurauder, but due to delays identifying him on the freighter...
SCORPIUS: Don't give me excuses! Do you think Crichton is simply going to surrender himself to me?! I will not give him one microt more than is necessary to formulate his plan. Is that clear?!
BRACA: Sir. I'll inform you the moment the boy arrives.
Akkor and Braca depart.
NATIRA: Calm down...
Natira attempts to soothe Scorpy again.
NATIRA: ...you'll have an accident.
SCORPIUS: My coolant system has advanced considerably... since the original surgery.
NATIRA: Mmm. Not enough to prevent this 'Crichton' from almost killing you. Why do you want him so badly?
SCORPIUS: He destroyed my Gammak base.
NATIRA: Revenge? He's not a Scarran. You wouldn't waste your hatred on anything else.
SCORPIUS: This is why I can't have you around. You know me too well.
NATIRA: Without me, you'd still be the same angry hotheaded young creature I took in so many cycles ago.
SCORPIUS: Without me... your head... among other things, would be a trophy on the wall at Peacekeeper Command.
NATIRA: See. We were made for each other.
And, ew... Scorpy moves in for some Scarran kissin'... all teeth and growls.
INTERCUT
MOYA, Cargo Bay
Inside the darkened Cargo Bay, Chiana creeps about with a huge frellin' flashlight, she's soon discovered by Rygel, who hovers in behind her, carrying something that looks like a tiny crowbar.
RYGEL: Oh. Checking on our treasure? Or are you helping yourself?
CHIANA: The way I see it? Beating you to it.
RYGEL: How dare you! I... hmm. 50-50?
CHIANA: All right. But just enough so no one notices.
Chi cuts through the seal on a crate with a welding torch.
CHIANA: Yeah. It's always nice to have a little something tucked away when all hezmana breaks loose.
She lifts the lid, revealing a total lack of contents.
CHIANA: Empty.
A large hole in the bottom of the crate marks the 'ingots' point of egress.
RYGEL: What the frell! It's gone!
CHIANA: Someone's beaten us to it!
RYGEL: But who? Crichton's too... 'honorable'.
CHIANA: Well, Aeryn's too dull.
RYGEL: D'Argo's too... ah...
CHIANA: Say it.
RYGEL: Simple?
CHIANA: Well, yeah, but he's not a thief.
RYGEL: Someone is. We've been robbed.
The quiet is broken by an loud rasping sound.
CHIANA: Did you hear that?
RYGEL: It sounded like... tearing metal.
The sound is repeated, louder, and Chi screams as she plummets through a hole in the deck, landing solidly on her back on the floor of the deck below.
Sitting up, slightly breathless, Chi notices dozens of spiders crawling on the deck and walls.
CHIANA: Ryge? Get down here!
As the spiders move toward her, she ignites the welding torch, fending them off. Before the sweeping flame, they scuttle rapidly away.
Rygel pokes his head into the hole in the ceiling, peering down at Chiana and chuckling lightly.
RYGEL: I trust you're well?
CHIANA: I asked you... for help!
RYGEL: What the yotz were those creatures? They looked like...
CHIANA: They looked like our money! Our money's alive!
RYGEL: You realize what the means.
CHIANA: They're eating the ship!
RYGEL: Yes but-- we're poor.
INTERCUT
EXT. SPACE
The Farscape One approaches orbit of a large reddish planet.
INTERCUT
PLANET SURFACE
Crichton walks from lush, oddly colored vegetation into the remains of a ruined structure. A campfire burns at the edge of the ruins. A large cairn of stones laid inside a circle of stones dominates the center of the ruins.
Noting the approach of someone, Crichton conceals himself.
A cloaked figure enters the ruins. Unfurling a small square rug from beneath his arm, he spreads it on the ground and kneels, bowing his head, chanting quietly.
Unnoticed by the quietly chanting figure, Crichton slowly approaches, unholstering his weapon.
CRICHTON: Howdy Bekhesh.
Quickly, Bekhesh looks up at Crichton.
CRICHTON: Meet Wynona.
Crichton brings the weapon down hard, knocking him to the ground.
CRICHTON: Lights go out. Gauntlet comes off.
Crichton kneels beside the unconscious body. He pulls back the sleeve of the cloak revealing an arm wrapped in brown cloth, the cloth shows the typical bloodstained puncture marks from the gauntlet, but the gauntlet itself is not present.
[ Flashback to events from "Throne for a Loss". John's 'shoot-out' with the Tavleks.
John: Freeze! ]
CRICHTON: Unless it's already off.
INTERCUT
Again awake and alert, Bekhesh kneels, his hands bound behind his back.
BEKHESH: I told you. I no longer wear the gauntlet. I'm not a creature of violence any more.
CRICHTON: That's good.
Crichton pushes Bekhesh forward, checking the security of the Peacekeeper handcuffs that secure his prisoners hands behind his back.
CRICHTON: I don't believe you.
BEKHESH: I don't care. A lifetime of killing and extortion takes it's toll.
CRICHTON: Yeah, especially on those you kill and extort.
Crichton retrieves a large scroll from the ground and gives it a cursory examination.
BEKHESH: Yes. But also on myself, during a hostage raid we captured a Priest. A Disciple of the Writ of Turu, he refused to eat or sleep. All he would do, day and night, was preach, whether anyone was listening or not. I executed him. But I kept his writ. I don't know why. One day I started reading, and... they were words of peace, but they made me feel... better. Then one day, I took off my gauntlet and I threw it away!
Crichton sits on the stone dais beside Bekesh, eyeing the scroll, not genuinely listening.
CRICHTON: I still don't believe you.
BEKHESH: Well then kill me. Or let me go!
CRICHTON: I need your gauntlet.
BEKHESH: No! It's a tool of destruction!
CRICHTON: That's why I want it.
INTERCUT
MOYA, Zhaan's Lab
Zhaan examines a piece of 'melted' deck.
RYGEL: Well? How bad is it? Are we in danger of a hull breach?
ZHAAN: Of course we are. Those creatures eat metal.
PILOT: Zhaan, they're devouring Moya's sense filaments. She's trying to endure the pain, but it's growing.
ZHAAN: Brave Moya.
RYGEL: Can't you flush them out... or... or suffocate them?!
PILOT: I trapped several creatures in a bulkhead and opened it to space, but they were too firmly entrenched to expel. And the vacumn didn't affect them at all.
RYGEL: Well, do something!
Zhaan angrily tweaks Rygel's earbrow.
ZHAAN: I can't do any more until I have a specimen to study. Chiana is trying to capture one now. Now, if you can't make yourself useful, Rygel, I suggest you leave!
INTERCUT
MOYA, Main Passage
Chiana stalks a spider with a large awkward weapon. Stepping out of concealment she fires a large blob of blue goo at the spider, the shot falls short, splattering the deck with blue gunk.
CHIANA: Frell!
Adjusting her aim, Chi steps closer to her prey.
CHIANA: This is your last warning shot!
Firing again, the goo again falls short of her target.
INTERCUT
MOYA, Zhaan's Lab
Just behind Stark, Rygel hurls a startling accusation.
RYGEL: This is your fault!
STARK: My fault? My fault!? This is your fault! You were on the inside. You stole the wrong container!
RYGEL: With the device you gave me. I did precisely what I was supposed to. I was heroic!
Zhaan intervenes between the two.
ZHAAN: Shut up, both of you! The fault lies with all of us. We brought those creatures aboard. Moya is suffering because of us.
INTERCUT
Coming in close enough for the short range of the weapon, Chiana struggles to hold the bulk of the weapon up, aiming at a spot on the wall.
CHIANA: Now little fella!
Firing at point blank range, the backsplash of the 'goo' hits her right in the face. But she is triumphant nonetheless.
CHIANA: Zhaan? Zhaan, I think I got one!
ZHAAN: Thank Ka'halaan. Bring it here immediately.
Chiana pants heavily as goo drips from her face.
CHIANA: Ah... soon as I can.
INTERCUT
EXT. SPACE
A slowly rotating vessel hangs in space.
AERYN: Attention Sheyang vessel.
INTERCUT
Piloting the Prowler, Aeryn extends her offer, to whoever may still be aboard.
AERYN: This is not a hostile approach. I come with an opportunity for profit. Please respond.
She receives no response from her communication.
INTERCUT
INT. SHEYANG VESSEL
Aeryn enters via a heavy airlock door that slides closed behind her, she carries her weapon out and at the ready. The interior of the ship is in ruins as she moves from the corridor into a chamber. A single survivor sits across from her, green blood coating his chest and dripping down his arm.
TEURAC: So. You've come to finish me.
AERYN: Who attacked you?
TEURAC: It was swift. Unprovoked.
AERYN: And where's the rest of your crew?
TEURAC: Abandoned ship in evacuation pods. As leader I stayed behind to guard their escape.
AERYN: That's very noble of you.
Aeryn glances around the ruined room, her tone belying her words.
TEURAC: You said you had an opportunity for profit.
INTERCUT
PLANET SURFACE
Two Vocarians run down a dirt path framed by lush green vegetation. From their panic... someone must be tracking the Blood Trackers.
Around a curve in the trail they pull to a sudden stop, faced by a Luxan Warrior, Qualta Blade at the ready.
RORF: Spare my female. Please! She bears my children.
On the back trail, D'Argo spots a Peacekeeper, he fires 'between' the heads of the Vocarian pair, taking the Peacekeeper down. A second Peacekeeper also appears on the trail. D'Argo shouts a warning and the Bloodtrackers duck.
D'ARGO: Down!
D'Argo unleashes another blast from his rifle, taking the second Peacekeeper down with ease. D'Argo cocks his head slightly, eyeing the backtrail pointedly before raising his rifle to ready position, he looks down at the Vocarians.
D'ARGO: Come with me.
D'Argo turns and stalks away without a backward glance, the Vocarians stand and follow, the male assisting his very pregnant mate.
INTERCUT
SHEYANG VESSEL
Aeryn finishes applying a field dressing to Teurac's wounded arm. ( Trivia for free: The dressing is purple.)
TEURAC: So, you're going to attack a Shadow Depository.
AERYN: That's the plan.
TEURAC: Very well. I will help you.
AERYN: You can barely help yourself. Look at you. You're weak. You're all used up. And you're no use to me.
Aeryn retrieves a small case and turns to leave.
TEURAC: No use?!
Roaring mightily, Teurac unleashes a small fireball. Aeryn leans backward slightly, easily evading it. She glances at the point of impact, then back toward Teurac, her expression neutral.
AERYN: I've seen bigger.
Teurac pants wearily.
TEURAC: I can do better.
AERYN: You'll have to.
INTERCUT
Bekhesh chants quietly. Tired of waiting, Crichton crosses to him and kneels at his side.
CRICHTON: You know... pretty soon you're gonna start jones'n for that gauntlet really bad. I'm not leaving here without it.
Bekhesh chants louder.
CRICHTON: Bekhesh? I got all the time in the world.
INTERCUT
DEPOSITORY
Braca and Akkor examine Scorpy's new 'acquisition'.
AKKOR: A Luxan-Sebacean hybrid?
BRACA: Despite Peacekeeper Command efforts to keep the bloodlines pure, there seems to be a few more of them every cycle.
Entering unobserved, Scorpy startles his flunky.
SCORPIUS: Have you got something against hybrids? Hmm?
BRACA: No, of course not. Not at all.
Braca and Akkor make themselves scarce.
SCORPIUS: Ka Jothee, is it?
JOTHEE: What the frell are you? Some kind of mutant?
NATIRA: His mother was a Sebacean. She was raped by a Scarran. Did the Luxan rape your mother too?
JOTHEE: No.
SCORPIUS: Your father abandoned you to a life of slavery. Is it his lineage you hate the most?
JOTHEE: My mother was murdered by her brother. Does that answer your question?
SCORPIUS: So you... hate Luxans and Sebaceans -- equally. How very interesting.
JOTHEE: You bought 10,000 slaves, just to get me? What do you want?
SCORPIUS: From you, nothing. But your father-- would give me something I want very much. Pray to your Luxan mystics... that he loves you still.
INTERCUT
INT. TRANSPORT POD
D'ARGO: Why are the Peacekeeper's Termination Squad after you?
RORF: We were hired to find some of their deserters. But, once we discovered my mate was with child... we decided to discontinue the hunt.
D'ARGO: And you kept the payment.
RORF: Well... only half. We did half the work!
D'ARGO: You are a good torturer. Are you as good at tracking?
Rorf gives D'Argo a toothy grin, and turns to his mate.
RORF: Show him.
RORG: ( sniffing ) It would be easy to overlook the scent of Hynerian and Delvian beneath the musk of Nebari on you.
D'ARGO: Will you help me?
RORF: No, we...
RORG: Yes! You saved our lives. We are obligated.
RORF: I will not desert you!
RORG: The Peacekeeper hunters are dead. There are caves nearby. I will be safe there to give birth. Our children will live. Because of him. If we can help restore his child, we must! And... we could use the currency.
INTERCUT
MOYA, Zhaan's Lab
Zhaan tests an eradication method on Chiana's captive spider. The spider, encased in a clear box does no more than emit a bit of smoke.
RYGEL: Oh! The heat's not affecting it at all! You said they ran from your blowtorch!
CHIANA: I said, "maybe" they did.
ZHAAN: I'll increase the heat.
After a moment the spider bursts into flame and melts.
ZHAAN: Oh no.
CHIANA: What's wrong? It's dead.
Stark, focussed on Zhaan's experiment, becomes abruptly distracted and distant.
ZHAAN: It took too much heat to kill it, Chiana. Moya could never raise her interal temperature that high.
STARK: ( muttering ) Evil.
ZHAAN: There are over 2,000 of those creatures on board. We could never kill them one by one like this. I must find a way to deal with the total infestation.
PILOT: Zhaan, it's Scorpius. He wants to talk to D'Argo.
RYGEL: He's found us!
CHIANA: We're dead.
ZHAAN: I will speak to him, Pilot.
The transmission from Scorpius is projected on the clamshell.
SCORPIUS: Where's Ka D'Argo? Where's Crichton?
ZHAAN: They have no reason to trust you. You tried to sabotage our ship. Why would you honor any exchange?
SCORPIUS: Sabotage?
RYGEL: Don't play stupid you butcher. Your metal eating money...
SCORPIUS: I will speak to Crichton and D'Argo now.
Stark steps in front of Zhaan, distracting Scorpius from his demand.
STARK: Speak to me.
SCORPIUS: Stark.
STARK: Yes. Your favorite food for the Aurora Chair. You murdered my people, Scorpius. Thousands of Baniks as if they were nothing. And all for one boy -- well go ahead and kill Jothee if you want, because he means nothing to me! You're not getting Crichton!!
Stark lifts the edge of his mask, the light of his energy spilling out, disrupting and terminating the transmission.
END ACT II
ACT III
MOYA, Zhaan's Lab
Chiana and Zhaan, both shocked and angered by Stark's actions, take turns expressing it to him.
CHIANA: What the frell were you thinking?!
ZHAAN: You just condemned D’Argo’s son to death!
Stark tries his best to explain himself.
STARK: Look… Scorpius thinks I’m mad… he-he won’t blame you… he-he needs Jothee. He won’t kill him.
Stark slides away, edging back from Zhaan and Chiana.
STARK: I-I know Scorpius. I do. We can’t let him know that Moya's in trouble. He’ll come after us. And if he smells advantage, to him it’s the scent of victory.
CHIANA: If Jothee dies, I will not wait for D’Argo. I will kill you myself!
Ships power fluctuates, lights dimming and brightening randomly.
RYGEL: Pilot? What’s happening?
PILOT: Energy failure! Tiers 5 through 9. The creatures have infiltrated the power conduits.
RYGEL: So? Do something about it. Use the DRDs, that’s what they’re for!
PILOT: I’ve tried! They’re eating the DRDs as well.
ZHAAN: How long before they break through the hull, Pilot?
PILOT: I don’t know. But unless we destroy them soon, the internal damage may be irreparable. Moya may die.
INTERCUT
DEPOSITORY, Natira's Quarters
Scorpy and Natira engage in a little, uh... recreating... yeah. Recreating. ( Sorry, that's the best I can do.... it's just TOO creepy! *shudder* )
At the climatic moment, Scorpy's rod chamber POPS open, the rod sizzling hot.
SCORPIUS: Well… that brings back memories.
NATIRA: Does it hurt as much as it used to?
Scorpy reclines on the couch while Natira fetches a fresh 'rod'.
SCORPIUS: The sensation is, ah… well, more complicated than pain.
NATIRA: You’re much more patient than I remember. Why aren’t you hunting down the thieves on the Leviathan?
SCORPIUS: Well, that would be a waste of effort. Crichton... will come to me.
Natira straddles Scorpy, replacing his rod.
NATIRA: How’s your nurse?
SCORPIUS: Recovering. At any event, the currency that was stolen belongs to you-- yet, you seem strangely unaffected for the loss. Tell me, what did you really put in my storage containers?
NATIRA: Karack Metalites.
SCORPIUS: Oh.
NATIRA: While dormant, they look like Borinium ingots. But they’re actually burrowing creatures. They consume metal in their natural environment.
SCORPIUS: And you intended to destroy my Marauder. Kill my crew, killing… me.
NATIRA: Yes. You wouldn’t have respected me otherwise.
SCORPIUS: How commendable. Very fortunate I was robbed.
NATIRA: Mmm.
SCORPIUS: Now tell me: These ‘Karack’ creatures. Will they destroy the Leviathan?
NATIRA: Eventually. For a vessel that size, it should take at least eight solar days. Rest assured. The Leviathan is dead.
( "Creepiest Romantic Couple"? *shudder* )
INTERCUT
PLANET SURFACE
Crichton paces along the top of the remaining wall of the ruins. Bekhesh is in obvious discomfort.
CRICHTON: Hey Bekhesh, buddy. How ya feelin’? You’re lookin’ kinda crappy, you know - that gauntlet would fix you right up. Where is it?
BEKHESH: I can’t tell you. The Writ of Turu says allowing another to inflict harm is an act of violence itself. - I’m trying to make up for the things I’ve done!
CRICHTON: You want to end violence? You want to serve peace? Then help me! Help yourself. Where’s the gauntlet?
BEKHESH: Please! Let me go! I need to have it!
Bekhesh involuntarily looks toward the large cairn of stones. Crichton's gaze follows his and he moves immediately in that direction.
Standing before the cairn of stones, Crichton's boot lashes out, kicking the stones apart. They tumble across the dais, the gauntlet falling free and landing at Crichton's feet... he fetches his prize from the ground.
BEKHESH: Hey! That’s mine!
Bekhesh rushes Crichton, hands still secured behind his back. Crichton draws his weapon, aiming for a clean head shot. Bekhesh stops.
BEKHESH: Put that on, it’ll kill you.
CRICHTON: You forget… I’ve worn a gauntlet before. Remember?
BEKHESH: That was over a cycle ago. I’ve tripled the dose since then. All right then, put it on, and I’ll strip it from your corpse in three arns. - You want the gauntlet - you take me with it.
CRICHTON: Why should I trust you?
BEKHESH: You said there was currency in it for me - lots of it.
CRICHTON: What about your great reformation?
BEKHESH: It’s easier to reform when you’re rich.
INTERCUT
MOYA, Pilot's Den
ZHAAN: You’re feeling Moya’s pain…
PILOT: What I feel… Moya feels a thousand times worse.
ZHAAN: Pilot, I think I’ve found a solution. I want to flood Moya’s affected areas with adrexan vapor. After she has absorbed it into her body, you… you’ll be able to ignite it electrically.
PILOT: Ignite?!
ZHAAN: Waves of heat will course through her body, then flames. The creatures will be destroyed.
PILOT: You’d burn Moya?
ZHAAN: To save her.
PILOT: No! There must be another way!
ZHAAN: I haven’t given up hope of trying to fine one. And I won’t! But if we run out of time, Pilot… you must believe me. This may be Moya’s last hope.
PILOT: The Builders put our fates in your care, Zhaan. Whatever you decide, we will abide by it.
INTERCUT
EXT. SPACE
A Transport Pod departs Moya.
RYGEL: Now that we have reached Zenetan territory, I have a task to perform. And while it pains me to leave you at such a critical juncture, I will not shirk my duty. The Zenetan Pirates await. Good luck, and farewell!
INTERCUT
MOYA, Zhaan's Lab
Zhaan and Chiana adjust several canisters.
CHIANA: You always know when to run.
Fiddling with a container, Chiana yelps as the cannister releases a sudden jet of vapor.
CHIANA: That’s cold!
ZHAAN: Be careful, child. Adrexan vapor is highly volatile.
CHIANA: Sorry. Are we really going to burn Moya?
ZHAAN: Do you think I want it to come to this?
PILOT: Zhaan, the canisters in Maintenance Bay Four are ready.
ZHAAN: Thanks. Pilot, have you sealed all the affected areas?
PILOT: Yes. It’s almost one-ninth of Moya’s total body.
ZHAAN: Release the vapor.
INTERCUT
MOYA, Main Corridors.
A white vapor rolls down vacant corridors... vacant except for the infestation of spiders.
INTERCUT
PILOT'S DEN
PILOT: It’s done. The vapor will be fully absorbed in less than nine arns.
INTERCUT
ZHAAN'S LAB
ZHAAN: Good. That gives me enough time.
INTERCUT
EXT. SPACE
The Transport Pod flies through an expansive 'junkyard', and hey... there IS another Luxan Assault Piercer... just like Staanz said there would be.
RYGEL: I am Dominar Rygel the Sixteenth, requesting an audience.
A transmission from the Zenetan, Zelkin, is projected on the clamshell in the Transport.
ZELKIN: Most beings do not seek out the Zenetan Pirates.
RYGEL: I have a business proposition regarding your Flax Net. I will speak with Commander Kcrackic.
Zelkin glances to the side, backing away slightly as someone 'new' steps in front of him, a familiar image fills the clamshell.
DURKA: Kcrackic no longer commands here. Nor is he, in fact, alive.
RYGEL: Durka?
[ Flashback to events from “Durka Returns” and “PK Tech Girl”.
Durka: Hello, Rygel. ]
DURKA: I now control The Flax.
INTERCUT
EXT. SPACE
The Transport is ensnared in The Flax. (STOCK CGI: The Flax)
DURKA: Welcome back, Rygel.
Rygel whimpers, his earbrows flattened, completely terrorized.
END ACT III
ACT IV
TRANSPORT POD
Zelkin and Durka, now aboard the pod, listen to Rygel's 'proposition'.
RYGEL: So your, ah… Flax Net will simply be used to ensure our escape. There is little risk and, uh, great reward for your participation.
DURKA: An interesting proposal. When the ship you abandoned me in was snared in the Zenetan's net. They were little more than a gang of petty cutthroats. Under my direction, I have turned them, and The Flax, into a tool for power and profit.
RYGEL: Is that a “yes” … or a “no”?
Durka kneels in front of Rygel, grabbing him roughly by the throat.
RYGEL: ( whimpering ) We had a truce!
DURKA: When I am finished with you… Dominar… death himself will pray for you!
Strangely, Rygel's confidence reemerges, his earbrows coming up slightly... Durka looks a bit surprised as well.
RYGEL: Hmm. I thought you might say something like that.
From beneath his robes, Rygel jams the pointed end of a power conductor against Durka's chest. Durka screams as he is throughly fried, then drops to the floor. Rygel examines the tip of the power conductor and chuckles. His good humor is interrupted by the sound of Zelkin's weapon being brought to bear.
Rygel turns to Zelkin, whose grim look turns to a slight smile.
ZELKIN: I liked your proposal.
Rygel and Zelkin chuckle most unpleasantly together.
INTERCUT
MOYA, Zhaan's Lab
Chiana enters to find Zhaan still working frantically on a device on her table.
CHIANA: Zhaan, what are you waiting for? The vapor was absorbed an arn ago!
ZHAAN: There must be another way, Chiana... perhaps a crystal resonator. We can shatter them with sound!
PILOT: The creatures are nearing Moya’s propulsors, Zhaan. If the creatures consume those systems, we’ll be dead in space, there’s no more time!
ZHAAN: On our way, Pilot.
INTERCUT
MOYA, Pilot's Den
ZHAAN: Pilot, I will take as much of your’s and Moya’s pain as I can…
PILOT: No! It will overwhelm you!
ZHAAN: I will take that chance.
STARK: I will stay by your side.
CHIANA: Zhaan. You have to do it now.
ZHAAN: Ka’halaan help us.
Zhaan crawls up onto the console, placing both her palms on Pilot's head.
ZHAAN: Pilot, ignite the vapor.
Pilot touches a single control, igniting a firestorm throughout Moya's passages. Both he and Zhaan scream in agony.
PILOT: ZHAAN!!!!
INTERCUT
INT. FARSCAPE
Bekhesh is wedged in behind Crichton, he must be bored cause he can't resist flipping Crichton's switches.
CRICHTON: Uh! Don’t touch that.
Turning slightly in the pilot's seat, Crichton watches as Bekhesh flips the switch back. With one last backward glance, Crichton returns his attention to piloting the module.
CRICHTON: You know, flossing could help you with that gingivitis.
Bekhesh sighs heavily.
CRICHTON: Whoa.
Recovering from the strength of Bekhesh's breath, Crichton looks up and out the forward portals, noting something odd on approach to Moya.
INTERCUT
EXT. SPACE
Moya drifts slowly, a small section on her port side just behind her 'fin', is aglow in the darkness.
CRICHTON: Pilot? What the hell’s going on over there?
INTERCUT
MOYA, Pilot's Den
On Pilot's console, Stark cradles a silent and quivering Zhaan in his arms. Pilot is also silent, quivering with shared pain.
CRICHTON: Pilot? You guys okay? Pilot!
INTERCUT
Crichton watches a large glowing area on Moya's starboard side, he's almost frantic with worry.
CRICHTON: I’m seeing flames on Moya!
INTERCUT
Still comforting Zhaan, Stark attempts to quiet Crichton's fears.
STARK: ( softly ) It’s all right, Crichton.
INTERCUT
Onboard Farscape, Crichton's concerns are not alleviated, anger replacing them.
CRICHTON: Stark, there are flames on Moya!
INTERCUT
Chiana enters the half open door to Pilot's Den, slowly crossing the bridge to the console, she's stunned and quiet.
CRICHTON: That is not all right!
CHIANA: John, we started the fire on purpose.
CRICHTON: What?!
CHIANA: We had to… just come aboard. I’ll explain it to you.
INTERCUT
Pilot extends one trembling claw to Chiana. She takes it in her two hands, pressing her cheek to it.
CRICHTON: Chiana, just tell me: Is everybody okay over there?
CHIANA: Yeah… I think so. Everyone, but Moya.
INTERCUT
MOYA, Main Corridor
The fire has dissapated, leaving a blackened ruin in it's wake, the structures of Moya's once gleaming walls are warped and hang in oddly formed globs.
Crichton and Aeryn walk the still smoking corridor, attempting to evaluate the horrendous damage.
AERYN: Moya’s in so much pain, she can’t even starburst.
CRICHTON: Will she heal?
AERYN: Pilot’s not sure.
They pause at an opening into what was once Zhaan's quarters. They watch silently for a moment before moving on, allowing Zhaan to mourn in private.
CRICHTON: Our money did this?
AERYN: We did this… and since we have nothing to pay the mercenaries… do you think they are going to want to help us?
Aeryn stops in the corridor, looking gravely uncertain and worried. Crichton walks on a few more paces, before stopping, his back to Aeryn.
AERYN: Scorpius is going to kill Jothee…
Crichton's gaze wanders over the damaged vessel. From her place in the corridor, Aeryn fails to see the fearful resolve in his eyes.
CRICHTON: No he won’t.
INTERCUT
MOYA, Center Chamber
Bekhesh chants in that way we've already come to be irritated by.
RORF: Hey! Hey, frek face! Hey, you! Stop that ridiculous mumbling!
Rorf thumps Bekhesh on the back a few times, and the Tavlek/loid whatever, turns on him. Stark jumps between them, holding them apart.
STARK: Uh, uh, you’re not here to fight each other.
RORF: The Tavleks raided our village.
BEKHESH: That is why I asked your forgiveness.
RORF: Well, so-
TEURAC: Tavleks are treacherous scum! Criminals!
Chiana pounces angrily on Teurac.
CHIANA: So’s everybody on this ship! You are being paid to work together!
RYGEL: That’s right...
Rygel's soft voice interrupts the bickering mercenaries, his voice followed by a soft thump as Durka's disembodied head rolls across the deck toward them.
RYGEL: ...and that’s what we do to people who don’t.
CHIANA: Good work, Ryge.
RYGEL: You’re here to do a job. Start acting like professionals...
The Zenetan, Zelkin, standing beside Rygel's hover chair, brings his weapon to bear to emphasize Rygel's point.
END ACT IV
EPILOGUE
MOYA, Corridor
D'Argo and Aeryn walk from the corridor into the Maintenance Bay.
D'ARGO: Where would Crichton have gone at a time like this?!
AERYN: I don’t know, but he hasn’t exactly been himself lately.
D'ARGO: Well, I want him confined to his quarters!
AERYN: I’ll see to it, but you know, he’s been trying to help you.
D'ARGO: Always just too late.
They cross the Maintenance Bay toward the Hangar doors.
INTERCUT
EXT. SPACE
A Transport Pod approaches Moya, entering the open exterior starboard side Hangar Bay doors.
INTERCUT
MOYA, Transport Hangar
Brown boots, rather than black, decend the Transport Pod stairs as the Hangar Bay doors open. Stepping down from the Transport pod, the 'newcomer' crosses into the Maintenance Bay as D'Argo and Aeryn approach.
JOTHEE: Father?
D'ARGO: Jothee. Jothee! It’s you, it’s really you!
D'Argo gathers his lost son into a vigorous bear hug, lifting him off his feet. Aeryn hangs in the background watching the reunion.
JOTHEE: Father! You’re choking me.
D'Argo sets his son back on his feet. He tenderly pulls the hood of Jothee's cloak off, for a better view of his son. Love in his eyes is tinged with pain as he spies a severed tanka and unthinking strokes it gently. Jothee winces slightly.
D'ARGO: Everything you’ve been through, so many cycles… I’m sorry
JOTHEE: Not your fault.
D'ARGO: I never stopped thinking about you… trying to find you… I almost lost hope.
JOTHEE: I didn’t. I knew you would come for me.
D'ARGO: My son. My son!
D'Argo looks toward Aeryn, wanting to share his joy, she smiles for his happiness. D'Argo turns back to his son, finally asking an important question.
D'ARGO: How did you escape Scorpius?
JOTHEE: He let me go.
A brief but deathly silence falls.
D'ARGO: ( softly ) … he what?
Aeryn steps forward hesitantly, her smile slowly evaporating, a fearful look replacing it.
AERYN: W-why?
D'ARGO: Oh, no.
INTERCUT
DEPOSITORY
Crichton stands silently, alone with his fear as Scorpius approaches from behind. Scorpius circles slowly in front of his 'prey' who stands unmoving before him, thumbs hooked though his belt, affecting a relaxed pose.
SCORPIUS: Hello, John.
Crichton shoots Scorpius a cold and angry glance before looking away.
CRICHTON: You want the wormhole technology… I want your implant out of my head. … So, finally, the rift between us is not so great. You do what you got to do.
His cold gaze returns to Scorpius.
CRICHTON: You win.
Scorpius circles behind Crichton again, resting both hands on his captive's shoulders he inhales the scent of defeat and terror with a satisfactory sigh.
SCORPIUS: As if there was ever any doubt.
Inhaling the heady scent of victory once more, Scorpius walks away, one hand trailing across his shoulder. Crichton does little more than flinch, but his repressed terror is absolutely palpable in the air. He has indeed lost as he confronts his greatest fear, alone.
TO BE CONTINUED
ROLL ENDING CREDITS
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