FARSCAPE

" Meltdown "

Written by,
Matt Ford



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:
Linda Cropper
Susan Lyons
Mark Mitchell
Xhalax Sun
Sierjna
Mu-Quillis





Guest Stars Reappearing:

Linda Cropper: Returning again as Aeryn Sun's mum, PK Hardass Xhalax Sun. Previously portrayed Xhalax in "Thanks for Sharing" and "Relativity", both from Season 3. Also portrayed the female half of the Plokavian Interrogation team, Fento, in Season 2's, "The Ugly Truth"




Writer: Matt Ford

Who also wrote:

(3:06) " Eat Me ".




Director: Ian Barry

Who also directed:

(3:07) " Thanks for Sharing ".




PRODUCTION CREDITS:
Created by: Rockne S. O'Bannon
Directed by: Ian Barry
Written by: Matt Ford
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: Martin Connor
Costume Designer: Terry Ryan
Second Unit DOP: Danny Batterham
Makeup/Hair Supervisor: Jen Lamphee
Story Editor: Lily Taylor
Production Executive: Robert E. Wozniak
Voice of Rygel: Jonathan Hardy
Creature Shop Creative Supervisor: Dave Elsey
Supervising Art Director: Scott Bird
Visual Effects: Animal Logic



TRANSCRIPT BEGINS






PREVIOUSLY ON FARSCAPE



Teaser opens with standard voiceover by Claudia Black: "Previously On Farscape"

Recapping the tale of Xhalax Sun with clips from "Relativity".

Teaser closes with standard voiceover by Claudia Black: "And now... on Farscape."







COLD OPEN





EXT. Planet Surface.

Crais stalks Xhalax through a thick mist, visibility almost nil.


CRAIS:
Xhalax!



Crais fires multiple shots, pinning her down against a tree. Approaching quickly, he grabs her shoulder and presses the muzzle of the heavy pistol into her throat.


XHALAX:
Go on... do it.

CRAIS:
Believe me... nothing would give me greater pleasure. But, I kill you... and another Retrieval Squad will already be on its way.

XHALAX:
Unless... I report you terminated, in which case you free me here and now and... you disappear forever.

CRAIS:
( angrily ) You forget who is in charge here.



Crais throws her to the ground. Kneeling over her, he holds her by the throat, brandishing the huge freakin' pistol in her face.


CRAIS:
I'll tell you what's going to happen. You go back to High Command. You tell them I can deliver Talyn and Moya. They can have the escaped prisoners. They can even have Crichton, if they want.

XHALAX:
And in return?

CRAIS:
Two things... I want Aeryn.

XHALAX:
Oh, Crais, you're so predictable.

CRAIS:
I want Aeryn! And I want to be a Peacekeeper again!



Crais looks up into the 'camera', smiling indulgently.


CRAIS:
( chuckling ) Is that what you think? Is that what you think happened, Crichton?



Cut to INT. Talyn, the bridge -- John and Crais stand along side each other, each working at one of the forward control consoles.


CRAIS:
You were there.

JOHN:
No, actually, I was busy trying to save Aeryn and Talyn while you were cutting deals to save yourself.

CRAIS:
You know the truth, you know I'll never again be a Peacekeeper.

JOHN:
Never say never again, 007. That's all I know.



The doors slide open and Aeryn enters, walking briskly across the bridge, slowing as she approaches John.


AERYN:
Still no news of Moya?

CRAIS:
Nothing resembling a Leviathan for a million metras.



Aeryn squeezes in between John and the console, but not before giving him a very nice warm smile.


AERYN:
Surely the Peacekeepers will send another Retrieval Squad to come looking for us.

JOHN:
Actually, looking for Crais. So, you really should do the noble thing and jump ship before you get us all killed.

CRAIS:
They're hunting Talyn as well.



Crais zones out a bit, clutching the neural link on the back of his neck with both hands, overcome by an eerie oscillating tone. He staggers backward to stand under the centerpoint.


CRAIS:
I... I... I can't...

JOHN:
You got a problem with your head gear?

CRAIS:
Talyn's signals... confused.



Rygel and Stark arrive on deck.


RYGEL:
What the gletch is happening?

STARK:
Happening at full speed, I can feel it.

CRAIS:
Talyn is fighting with himself.

JOHN:
Crais, pull him back.



John moves to the second console as Rygel, Stark and Crais all move forward, toward the three small forward portals, where a blinding reddish white light is pouring into the bridge.


CRAIS:
I can't control him!



All five peer out, or try to peer out, the forward portals.


JOHN:
Hey, guys, we are flying into a sun!



Cut to EXT. Space -- Already in close proximity [ it fills almost the entire screen ], Talyn rapidly approaches a sun.




END COLD OPEN










ROLL OPENING CREDITS

"My name is John Crichton... I'm lost... an astronaut... shot through a wormhole.... In some distant part of the universe.... I'm trying to stay alive... Aboard this ship-- this living ship... of escaped prisoners-- my friends. If you can hear me... beware... if I make it back... will they follow? If I open the door... are you ready? Earth is unprepared, helpless... for the nightmares I've seen. Or should I stay, protect my home, not show them you exist. But then you'll never know the wonders I've seen."








ACT I





INT. Talyn; The Bridge

All five still stand transfixed by the huge star about to swallow Talyn. Stark's doing his bit, by chanting. John forges a trail to cover Aeryn, pushing Crais back and pulling Stark aside.


JOHN:
Knock it off pop-top. Crais, get on the headset and get us out of here.



John takes position behind Aeryn as the ride gets rougher.


CRAIS:
Talyn's doing everything he can to fight against it.

AERYN:
Against what?

CRAIS:
The suns emitting unusual pulses of radiation, attracting Talyn... and compelling him to fly directly into the sun!

JOHN:
So, uncompel him. Stop him! Knock him out, disconnect him.

CRAIS:
It's too late for that!



Crais works frantically at the control console. Stark's chant drones on in the background as tensions on the Bridge escalate with proximity to the sun; the brightess in the cabin increasing.


RYGEL:
Shut up, Stark!

JOHN:
Talyn!

CRAIS:
Talyn!

JOHN:
Talyn!

RYGEL & STARK:
( screaming )



Cut to EXT. Space -- Talyn, incredibly close to the star, executes as sweeping turn and slowly draws away.

Cut to INT. Talyn; The Bridge -- John and Aeryn look up as the blinding light in the forward portal decreases, fading completely away as Talyn heads outward again.


RYGEL:
What the frell?

CRAIS:
Talyn has pulled away. Saved us.

RYGEL:
And we're supposed to be grateful?

CRAIS:
He's now orbiting the sun... his sheilds are holding but... there are parts of Talyn I can't see or feel.

JOHN:
We're gonna have to do a manual survey for damage.

AERYN:
All right. Crais... you should stay up here in this section. The rest of us will divide up the ship amongst us.



Cut to INT. Talyn -- Corridor. One of Talyn's little red porsche DRD's hums down the corridor. A heavy white mist streams from one of the join seams on Talyn's wall.


AERYN:
Crais, we're on Tier Two.



The DRD settles at the base of two thick black tubes standing in the middle of a corridor junction. The tubes intersect both the floor and the ceiling of the corridor. The DRD continues some 'maintenance work' on an open panel in the base of one of the black tubes. There are other open panels at various levels on the tubes, inside is transparent conduit tubing with requisite flashing red lights. As Aeryn and John approach, carrying a heavy storage locker between them. The open panels emit random sparking and smoke.


JOHN:
I'd say that's the damaged area.

AERYN:
The Secondary Control Node, and... it is...



John and Aeryn place the storage locker on the deck between them.


AERYN:
...completely blown.



Each taking a tube, they set to work.


JOHN:
You know, Talyn has got a hog of a power plant, but he's got a piss-poor electrical system. He sneezes and half of his circuits fry.

AERYN:
He hasn't fully healed from the Retrieval Squad attack.



Aeryn crouches to work on a lower panel.


JOHN:
Yeah, I know that... I still say he could use some heavy-duty wiring.



John crouches beside her, also working on a lower panel, both still examining the circuits bare handed. Unnoticed by the pair Talyn's wall starts emitting a pinkish vapor. [ And in a moment that always makes me smile, we start to get a little 'harp music' ] John and Aeryn continue their conversation.


AERYN:
He's still young. He's going to get much stronger as he grows.

JOHN:
Not if he flies into any more stars he won't. How big is he gonna get anyway? Is he gonna be Moya's size?

AERYN:
Well, Crais seems to think so.



A huge spark flies and John winces involuntarily shouting at the minor burn.


JOHN:
Damn!

AERYN:
Here.



Aeryn looks up at the shouted curse. Quickly taking his hand in hers, she brings it to her lips, gently sucking on the small burn on his index finger. She doesn't note John's tiny look of surprised pleasure, and slightly arced eyebrow. She releases his hand, turning back to her work with a word of caution.


AERYN:
Be careful.



John eyes his hand briefly, still a bit confused, but returns to his work as well.


JOHN:
Yeah.



Cut to INT. Talyn -- In Stark's section, he notices a white vapor streaming from a seam in Talyn's wall. As he's examining it, he hears a ghostly voice.


VOICE:
( echoing ) Are you there?

STARK:
Talyn, is that you?

VOICE:
( echoing ) Are you there? Hello.

STARK:
Talyn?



Cut to INT. Talyn -- A DRD hums down the corridor, encountering a shallow, but advancing, layer of white vapor, the DRD turns and hums in the other direction, passing John and Aeryn at work on the Secondary Control Node. Aeryn's kneeling, John sitting with one shoulder against the black pipe.


JOHN: You know, for somebody who used to look down their nose at tech work... you're pretty damn good at this.



Oddly, they don't notice as the vapor pools up around their legs.


AERYN: Well, perhaps people can change.

JOHN: Well, at least some people are smilin' around here these days.

AERYN: Yeah I know. It suits your face.

JOHN: I was talkin' about you.

AERYN: Me? I'm not smiling.

JOHN: Yes you are.



John looks at her, grinning slightly. [ very nice! ] Aeryn smiles at him in return, almost laughing.


AERYN: Pay attention to your work.



Aeryn returns her gaze to her tool and the open panel.


JOHN: Right... focus on the work.



Putting his tool down, John rises to his knees, using a firm grip on her upper thigh to steady himself. [ yeah... that's why he did it... sure. ]


AERYN: And... don't do that.

JOHN: ( smiling ) I'm workin' here... stop distractin' me!

AERYN: I'm distracting you?!

JOHN: Yes. You are always distracting me.

AERYN: Well, then you are easily distracted.

JOHN: No I'm not.

AERYN: Yes you are.

JOHN: I'm not.

AERYN: Oh, really?



Standing to work on another panel, quite high on the node, her arms reaching 'up', leaving around two inches of bare midriff about two inches from John's eyes. John 'appreciates' the view for a moment. [ musical accompanyment... a lovely soft and slow jazz, emphasis on muted trumpet... oooo, yeah! ]


JOHN: Okay, that's a little distracting.

AERYN: And it's something I did?



John nods distractedly, still appreciating that bit of flesh.


JOHN: Could be.

AERYN: What? Something like...



Aeryn turns slightly away from John. Dangling her tool from her fingertips, she 'drops' it to the floor. Still kneeling on the floor, John watches as she 'bends over' to retrieve it.


AERYN: ...this?



Fingers on the dropped equipment, she... lingers. Another interesting view for John, his hand rises slowly, opting instead for a quick slap on leather. Aeryn stumbles forward slightly, chuckling.


JOHN: ( smiling ) You said... pay attention to the work.



Rising to his feet, John tries to get back to work. Aeryn's leaning against the corridor wall, watching him... contrite, but with a slightly teasing smile.


AERYN: You're right. I'm sorry. I won't... distract you any further.



John leans against the conduit, toying with his tool, watching her in return, but only briefly. Putting the tool down, he 'strolls' over to her. Reaching out with one hand he traces his finger along the narrow exposure of flesh between her gunbelt and vest. Drawing closer, he runs his fingers beneath the edge of the vest.


JOHN: You... have problem here?

AERYN: No, I don't have a problem.

JOHN: No?



Aeryn shakes her head slightly.


AERYN: Uh-uh.



John's lips linger a breath away from hers, his hands moving to her hips.


JOHN: You're not distracted?



After only a slight open-mouthed pause, Aeryn nods with emphasis and... they kiss. Aeryn lacing her fingers through John's gun belt, pulling his hips closer with ,of course, the attendant creaking leather sfx. A moment later, Aeryn moans an interesting question.


AERYN: What are we doing?

JOHN: Better question-- why now?



Still kissing, the words as usual, passing with needed breaths. A moment more and John notes the vapor leaking from Talyn's wall just beyond Aeryn's shoulder. She notices his diverted interest, and voices a breathless query.


AERYN: What?



Wrapping an arm around her, he turns her about so she can observe this phenomenon.


JOHN: What the hell is that?



Cut to INT. Talyn; Strategy Room --John enters to find Crais running a sensor over the walls that are also leaking white vapor.


JOHN:
Crais... Talyn is leakin' some kinda-- oh, I see you got it in here too.

CRAIS:
As far as I can tell... the mist is exuding from a dozen points on three tiers.

JOHN:
You know what it is?



John watches as Crais stalks about the chamber, analyzing the mist leaks at several points in the room. [ New stuff: There's a 'tapestry display' against one wall, instead of tapestries it holds very large transparencies... schematics. ]


CRAIS:
Drexim. A synaptic fluid naturally occuring in Talyn's conduits.

JOHN:
Uh-huh. Why is it steaming from the walls?

CRAIS:
When it becomes acidic, it can erode the seals joining the conduits.

JOHN:
That is a beautiful design, Crais. Tell me... is, is this stuff... affecting you?

CRAIS:
No. But it seems to have made Rygel permanently hungry. Has it been affecting you, or Aeryn?



Crais shoots John a stoney glare.


JOHN:
Wh-- what exactly does it do to Talyn?

CRAIS:
When he's in danger, it increases the stimulus. Increasing his response rates.

JOHN:
All right, so it's like adrenaline.



Crais gives John a brief "what?" glare.


JOHN:
Adrenaline in humans, when we get in a tight spot, makes us... fight...



John raises his fists taking a couple of shadow boxing jabs in Crais's direction. Crais's stoney glare narrows to lazer intensity.


JOHN:
...and, uh...



Raising his fists before him, he executes a little 'disco shimmy' [ more boogin' from the erpling! hehe ].


JOHN:
... do other things.



Lowering his hands, he tips his head a bit, maybe a little embarrassed at 'earlier' behavior.


JOHN:
It's not gonna affect us the same way is it?

CRAIS:
Quite possibly. But the effects should be manageable.

JOHN:
Should... be manageable? Look, Crais, before uh, we all go crackers...



John turns briefly toward the door at the sound of a familiar step. Aeryn entering.


JOHN:
Hey, baby, how ya doin'? ...maybe we should get some space suits, masks or something?



Aeryn stands beside John, they turn pointedly toward each other while Crais glares from across the table.


AERYN:
Already thought of that. We're too late. The Drexim's reached the suits and it's made all the seals dissolve.

JOHN:
And what are we gonna do if it increases?

CRAIS:
We ignore it. And we do what we have to do.



On his way out, he turns at the door, glaring at the cozy pair.


CRAIS:
Is that clear?

JOHN:
Oh, aye Cap'n.



Crais stalks out. Aeryn turns back to John, smiling broadly.


AERYN:
( softly ) Yes sir.



Cut to Stark -- Still following the ghostly voice, into subpassages [ yay, first look, similar but smaller, and red ] and finally into a strange looking chamber.


VOICE:
( echoing ) Can you hear me?

STARK:
Talyn?

VOICE:
( echoing ) Can you hear me? Are you there?

STARK:
I know how you're feeling, Talyn. I saw you-- I felt you wanted... to die.



A doorway swings open, revealing a new chamber, Stark peers in cautiously.


STARK:
What is this, Talyn?

VOICE:
( echoing ) Please...



The voice closer now, Stark whips about screaming in terror, the ghostly image of a woman just above him.


STARK:
Who are you?!

WOMAN:
You can see me! I am Sierjna.

STARK:
( gasping and sputtering ) This room... this room... I haven't seen this room before.



The womans form drifts toward the floor, slowing solidifying, becoming tangible. An alien female, pale skin, with white hair tumbling well past her shoulders. Perhaps a tinge of blue in skin and air.


SIERJNA:
But you can see me, and hear me?

STARK:
Yes, of course I can. You're there in front of me.

SIERJNA:
I am? Full formed? Visible?! ( speaks alien language [ yeah, definately time to see "The Last Unicorn" again ] ) You can help me!



The woman grabs him arm, but he leaps back in fright.


STARK:
Wh-What, what do you want? This room... this room... this room...

SIERJNA:
I seek the Pilot.

STARK:
I've never seen this room before.

SIERJNA:
I may say the same about this ship. In part, it appears Leviathan, and yet... not.

STARK:
The ship is Talyn, it is a hybrid. It is part Leviathan, part gunship.

SIERJNA:
Then where is the Pilot? He should be here.

STARK:
There is no Pilot. There has never been a Pilot.

SIERJNA:
There is always a Pilot. But... never one who could see, hear, feel me... until now.



Sierjna takes Stark's hand, placing in gently on her chest.


STARK:
How did you get on board this ship?

SIERJNA:
I... I Kanished. You were in my zone.



[ I'm hopelessly laughing through the rest of this... she knished... LOL! ]


STARK:
In your zone? I don't understand. How did you get on board this ship?

SIERJNA:
Cycles ago, I came from Delfarion. One microt I was on my ship, and then not. I'm trapped outside my world for so long trying to get back. But I float here unable to free myself. I board a Leviathan, then another, then another. Only to find myself unseen, unheard, by all aboard. Until now, where at last I am given form. Finally I find those who can help me. Please! Only you can save me!



Cut to INT. Talyn; The Bridge -- The forward portals are drenched in white hot light.


CRAIS:
As I suspected... Talyn is overproducing Drexim due to the stress he's under. The radiation pulses are still compelling him to move towards the sun.

AERYN:
He is resisting, barely. We're maintaining orbit and we're not getting any closer.

JOHN:
We're not getting any further away either. How do we pry this boy loose? Can we stick cotton in his ears?

AERYN:
Crais is there a way to filter out these pulses?

CRAIS:
His shields are linked to his sensors to inform him of ambient conditions.

JOHN:
So, cut the link.

CRAIS:
That would blind him.



Pacing idly around the bridge, John hovers near Aeryn, following wherever she moves.


JOHN:
Get him some sunglasses-- blue blockers.

CRAIS:
Perhaps we could recalibrate his shields, to block out that one pulse spectrum.



John lingers just behind Aeryn's shoulder.


AERYN:
Well, we might be able to if the shield overrides were functioning.

CRAIS:
Where's the fault?

AERYN:
Secondary control node.



An alarm blares.


CRAIS:
Talyn-- intruder!



All three spin about, weapons drawn. Talyn's interior gun lowers from the ceiling, panning toward the intruder who passes 'through' the closed entrance door. They silently hold aim as a very strange looking alien dude examines his surroundings. The guy, complete with molten rock lookin' face and jutting rock shaped 'horns', decked in red robes, looks like the proverbial demon outta hell [ Mu-Quillis ].


MU-QUILLIS:
I want to help you

JOHN:
They all say that.

MU-QUILLIS:
This unusual vessel... is it... a Leviathan?

JOHN:
Who wants to know?

MU-QUILLIS:
I am Mu-Quillis. You are in great danger. If this is a Leviathan, you must abandon ship immediately.

AERYN:
Why?



Mu-Qullis approaches, mere inches from the business end of John's pulse pistol, it doesn't seem to bother him.


MU-QUILLIS:
Your ship has been caught by a siren star. Inevitably it will succumb. Like the 83 Leviathans that have already died here.



END ACT I










ACT II





INT. Talyn; The Bridge --




AERYN:
So, this sun has claimed over 80 Leviathans?



Aeryn & John have already secured arms, but Crais is still ready to blow 'Molten Man' away.


MU-QUILLIS:
Yes. Please... get to your lifepods while you still can. I don't understand how this vessel has lasted this long.

CRAIS:
Talyn is a hybrid Leviathan, built for combat, with much tougher sheilding.

MU-QUILLIS:
And weapons, I see. Who built it?

JOHN:
How 'bout you tell us first... how did you get here? You just beamed in.



Mu-Quillis continues his investigation of the bridge, walking between Crais and Aeryn, toward the forward portal Aeryn keeps herself between Mu and John.


MU-QUILLIS:
I transmuted. I'm something of a hybrid myself. Able to switch between a matter, and an energy state. That's how I can exist in the star's corona.



John squints slightly in the the increased light as he keeps his eyes on Mu-Quillis, but his arm wraps itself around Aeryn's waist.


AERYN:
So, you live here?

MU-QUILLIS:
I find the unusual spectrum of the siren star quite... pleasing.

JOHN:
Or maybe you just like watching Leviathans dive in and burn up.

CRAIS:
Perhaps you cause them to do so.

MU-QUILLIS:
The siren star's pulse radiation is a perfectly natural phenomenon. It's not my fault... that it attracts Leviathans to it.



Mu-Quillis walks back, past Aeryn and John. John's arms hold Aeryn to him firmly, while her hands stroke his arms. They both watch Mu-Quillis's progress carefully, Aeryn even more carefully keeping herself between John and Mu-Quillis.


MU-QUILLIS:
I try to warn them, as I'm warning you. But until now... they have always perished before I could do so.

CRAIS:
I don't believe you.

MU-QUILLIS:
How severely damaged are you? How closely did you approach before it pulled away?

CRAIS:
And I don't like all these questions. Leave the ship.

MU-QUILLIS:
I'm only trying to help.

CRAIS:
Get off the ship, now! Talyn!



Talyn's gun rotates, pointing at Mu-Quillis again.


MU-QUILLIS:
You'd be wise to listen to me.



Crais, then Talyn open fire. Mu-Qullis flies backward, 'transmuting' through the door again, and disappearing, the door opens a moment later. Still on edge, Crais holds his aim on the door.


JOHN:
Damn, Crais, you're gettin' a bit trigger happy.

CRAIS:
I ordered him to leave. He wouldn't obey.



John still stands behind Aeryn, his right arm wrapped around her waist, her right hand holding his in place. John's extended left arm meets Aeryn's at this wrist... it's kind of like he's holding a guitar or other fine stringed instrument, except she's holding him as well. They 'officially' can't seem to keep their hands off each other, although they don't seem to notice it.


AERYN:
So, you killed him? What if he was trying to help?

JOHN:
Cat lives in the corona of a star, Crais. You think you're going to take him out with a couple of pulse blasts?

CRAIS:
He's gone for the moment, we've bought some time. Let's us it. Get back to the conduit.



John and Aeryn exchange a brief look.


JOHN:
Yes, Dad.



Aeryn leads as they depart the Bridge.




Cut to EXT. Space -- Talyn in near orbit to the firey star.




Cut to INT. Talyn -- Stark and Sierjna reclining on ... something, she's practically laying on top of him.


SIERJNA:
We must fly away, quickly, before he discovers I am here.

STARK:
Who?

SIERJNA:
Mu-Quillis, my savior-- my captor!

STARK:
A being like yourself?

SIERJNA:
No, not like me, another species. He inhabited this star before I came. When my Leviathan perished, he kept me from dying. He claims that he saw me and had to save me. He says that he's in love with me, but I don't love him and I never will! He murdered my ship and all it's passengers!

STARK:
He did that?!

SIERJNA:
He's still doing it!



Sierjna leaps to her feet and paces away nervously.


SIERJNA:
That's why he's here. To lure Leviathans to their doom!



Stark leaps to his feet.


STARK:
Why?

SIERJNA:
He was contracted to... by the Patriqu-ro, a race of ship builders who see Leviathans are competition. The more Leviathans disappear...

STARK:
...the more ships they can sell.

SIERJNA:
Yes!

STARK:
That's monstrous!



Panting, Stark steps through the open doorway, into the subpassage, comming to pass along the intel.


STARK:
Crais! Crais! Talyn is being lured into the sun by...

CRAIS:
( over comms ) By a creature named Mu-Quillis.



Cut to Crais --


CRAIS:
( raging ) I know that, Stark! What I need to know is how to break free!



Cut to Stark -- who looks to Sierjna for answers.


SIERJNA:
I don't know. I don't know how he's doing it!

STARK:
( comming ) Sorry, I can't help you.

SIERJNA:
We must break away!



Sierjna drags Stark back into the room, clinging to him as her hysteria grows [ nuttier contest: Stark or Sierjna? ].


SIERJNA:
You don't know what it's like. To, to be trapped forever in the light of the sun! Not to be able to feel, to touch! Your only companion a monster! Take me away from him! I want to walk on a planet again! I want to breathe its air, I want to drink its cool water! Give me back my life!

STARK:
I can't... you've already passed beyond life. Sierjna, you perished with your shipmates. Mu-Quillis trapped your soul between realms.

SIERJNA:
I'm... dead?



Stark nods.


SIERJNA:
Oh, no. No, that's not true, I-- you can see me, you can touch me!

STARK:
Sierjna, I am a Stykera with certain talents. I can help you cross over to the next level.

SIERJNA:
To death. No. No, I'm alive. I'm here. I'm real again!

STARK:
You can never be real again in the way you wish. I can only... release you.

SIERJNA:
I don't believe it. You, this ship, you brought me back. I'm whole again, I won't give that up!

STARK:
Come with me.



Cut to the Conduit -- John & Aeryn, back at work


JOHN:
God-like aliens. Man, do I hate god-like aliens. I'll trade a critter for a god-like alien anyday.

AERYN:
No, no, we'll be all right as...



Aeryn makes the mistake of glancing at John, and can't... stop. [ Cue soft sexy jazz ]


AERYN: ...as long as we stick together.



John's focus is lost as he struggles to 'concentrate' on work instead of Aeryn. No work is gettin' done.


JOHN: Right, just not too... close together, 'cause...



Aeryn looks down briefly, nodding understanding.


AERYN: Right, yeah. Yes. I, I know... I...



John's gravity 'pulls' Aeryn toward him. Leaning in she gathers a bit of the left sleeve of his black t-shirt in her teeth and 'pulls' on it... hard. Helplessly, John's head turns toward hers. Foreheads touch and caress, gliding gently together. Aeryn releases her grip on the shirt and two pairs of lips hover close. Aeryn gasps out breathless words of warning.


AERYN: We're gonna, we're gonna... die... die, die, die, die, die, die, die, if we don't get the conduits fixed.



Aeryn turns resolutely yet unhappily away, putting some distance between them.


JOHN: Yeah, right!



John moves away as well, until they are on opposite sides of the conduit.


JOHN: Focus! Eyes on the task. Remember the mist. The mist is not your friend.

AERYN: Right. Bad mist.

JOHN: Naughty mist.

AERYN: Ooh.



Cut to Rygel -- Hey, Talyn version of Center Chamber. He's propped in front of a table littered with the remains of various types of foodstuffs. Guy's a messy eater. He's groaning, stomachs grumbling.


RYGEL:
Oh. That's... that's... that's... ( burps & farts ) better. But even for me, this is a bit excessive. ( chuckles )



Stark enters.


STARK:
Rygel? Rygel, can we talk to you?

RYGEL:
( high-pitched voice ) Stay back, unless you... ( chuckles ).

STARK:
I'm back, I'm back.

RYGEL:
( farting ) Ooh! What do you want?

STARK:
I... We... just wanted to know...

RYGEL:
"We"? What are you talking about? Have you gone totally fahrbot? Who's "we"?



Stark looks back, Sierjna can be seen standing in the doorway just behind him now.


STARK:
You see? It is as I said. I am the only one who can see you.

RYGEL:
Stark, I'm too sick to witness one of your hallucinations!

SIERJNA:
That can't be true, that-- Sir!



Sierjna rushes to Rygel's side [ this is a classic, where the heck is her tall pointy hat with veil? ]


SIERJNA:
Noble sir...

STARK:
Sierjna, don't. He can't hear you. He can't see you.

RYGEL:
Mm, yes, but I can see you, you crazy nitmik. Who are you talking to?

STARK:
Only I can see you. Only I can hear you. Only me.



Stark places his arm comfortingly over her shoulder.


STARK:
I will take care of you. I promise.



Rygel watches Stark walk out with his 'invisible friend', his arm sticking out in mid-air.


RYGEL:
Right. That's done it. He's gone... he's totally ( farts ) insane.



Cut to Corridor --


SIERJNA:
No, please! No, no... this can't be true!

STARK:
I told you. You are Zy-limbron; not alive.



Mu-Quillis 'transmutes' into the corridor behind Sierjna.


MU-QUILLIS:
I've come to take you home.

SIERJNA:
No. I won't go with you.

MU-QUILLIS:
Of course you will. You can't stay here.

SIERJNA:
I can. I have found someone who can help me.

MU-QUILLIS:
You know better than that. This ship is doomed. Like all the others, it will be drawn into the sun, and all on board will perish. You will come back to me.



As Mu-Quillis advances, Stark rushes in front of Sierjna.


STARK:
No! Not this time. I can free her! I am Stykera! I have the energy!



[ overwrought much? ] Stark makes a grand gesture to his mask, makin' like he'll remove it any second. Mu-Quillis isn't much impressed.


MU-QUILLIS:
Sierjna, please... come with me.

SIERJNA:
No... no, I remain here, with Stark.

MU-QUILLIS:
If that is what you wish.



Mu-Quillis transmutes outta the house.




Cut to Conduit -- John and Aeryn introduce the concept of 'conduit sex'. Crouching on opposite sides of the conduit, focused intensely on completing the work. They work quickly, almost... frantically. A DRD finishes work on a transparent conduit on the floor and humms away.


JOHN:
( chanting ) The mist, the mist, resist the mist... resist the mist.



[ Cue Soft Sexy Jazz ]




Cut to John --


JOHN: Are you done?



Cut to Aeryn --


AERYN: I'm almost done. I'm really close.



Cut to John --


JOHN: Close?



Cut to Aeryn --


AERYN: Nearly there.



Cut to John --


JOHN: God, I love you.

AERYN: I love you too.



Cut to Aeryn --


JOHN: Tell me when you're done.

AERYN: I'm... nearly done.



Cut to John --


JOHN: Tell me when you're finishing.



Cut to Aeryn --


AERYN: ( grunting ) I...

JOHN: Yeah?



Cut to John --


JOHN: Yes?



Cut to Aeryn --


AERYN: Almost.



Cut to John --


JOHN: Yeah?



Cut to Aeryn --


AERYN: Last one. Finished!



Tossing tools down, two irresistable objects collide. Aeryn leaps into his arms as they meet halfway. Turning he props her against the wall, and ... they kiss. One single kiss-- and Talyn rumbles, the ship rocking unsteadily under their feet.


AERYN:
Frell...

JOHN:
( softly ) Yeah.

AERYN:
No, no, no... I mean, bad frell!



John nods in sudden understanding, placing Aeryn on her feet they bolt down the corridor.


JOHN:
Mr. Sun still wants Talyn.



Cut to the Bridge -- Aeryn and John enter, joining Crais. Mist is steaming from seals alllll over the place.


JOHN:
Crais! What's with the rumble?

CRAIS:
The radiation pulses have intensified and changed!

JOHN:
How the hell could that happen?

CRAIS:
I don't know! But they have, and their still changing.



Aeryn mans the second console, John hangs back... thinkin'.


AERYN:
Shield overrides are working. I'll try and block out the pulses.



Cut to corridor --


SIERJNA:
Listen-- I know that sound! He's luring your ship back to the sun!

STARK:
No...

SIERJNA:
You'll be killed! All of you! I've seen it before, over and over.

STARK:
Sierjna!

SIERJNA:
Every time! Mu-Quillis was right. He's all I have. I'm going to be trapped with him forever!

STARK:
Listen to me! I won't let that happen. I have a plan!

SIERJNA:
A plan?

STARK:
Come on.



Stark drags Sierjna into the subpassage.




Cut to the Bridge --


CRAIS:
I can't change Talyn's course. His compulsion is stronger than ever.

AERYN:
The pulse spectrum is shifting too quickly. I can't block it out.

JOHN:
The Pied Piper's found a new tune.



[ Cue lovely 'pipe' music... uh, flute? ]


CRAIS:
Explain.

JOHN:
Natural phenomenon, my ass! Mu-Quillis is generating these pulses.



Problem solved, John approaches Aeryn again, turning toward her, his head tilts in as if to snag a lingering kiss. [ aw... but they cut to Crais... poo ]


CRAIS:
How?

JOHN:
Uh... orbiting boom box. He's, uh... whistling out his butt. How in the hell should I know?! The point is... we gotta find the source, and we-we gotta squish it. I'm on scan.



John turns away, almost pushing away from Aeryn with both hands on her shoulder. Crais glares at her and she looks back a bit contritely it seems.




Cut to Subpassage -- Stark leads Sierjna quicky through the passage while chanting softly.


STARK:
A plan, a plan... save Talyn, a plan...



Stark leans over the console they were lounging in front of earlier.


STARK:
Talyn, I will lead you away from danger.

SIERJNA:
What are you doing?

STARK:
This is a Pilot's station. Maybe I can control Talyn from here, guide him away from the sun.



Stark climbs over the low console. One leg over the console, a conduit wire shoots out, wrapping around his leg and dragging him into the shallow alcove behind the console. Stark gasps in terror as another conduit wires impales his leg.


SIERJNA:
Stark!



Cut to Bridge --


JOHN:
Hey, guys, I think maybe I got somethin' here.



Talyn rumbles heavily and the console lights go out.


AERYN:
What the frell just happened?



Cut to the Den -- Stark continues whimpering in terror as more wires grapple his legs and torso. Abruptly his head drops forward and his arms stop flailing, his body is pulled down below the level of the console.


SIERJNA:
Stark!



Cut to the Bridge --


JOHN:
Who pulled the plug?! Crais?



Crais reaches for his neural link, the tell-tale lights are all dark.


CRAIS:
Talyn? My transponder's dead too, I can't hear him.

JOHN:
Aeryn, overrides.

AERYN:
Gone, everything's out.

CRAIS:
Talyn, where are you?!



John tries to activate a auxilliary panel, no effect.


AERYN:
Nothing's reponding. Talyn is gone.



Cut to Den -- Stark is hauled aloft in a very deftly concealed flying rig [ if nothing else, this is good for trivia ] Hovering... yes, hovering [ bobbin' an' weavin' ] in mid-air in the Pilot's alcove. A mass of conduit wire hang from his waist and legs, completely concealing them. [ "I'm nobody's puppet!" hehe ]


SIERJNA:
Stark? Stark, can you hear me?

STARK:
( groaning ) Talyn... Talyn, I am part of you now. I can sense all of you. I can guide you!

SIERJNA:
Stark! Hurry! The sun!

STARK:
Yes, the sun.... Talyn, you will turn away. You must turn away!



Cut to the Bridge -- In the dark chamber, Crais, John and Aeryn watch the intense glow in the forward portals fade away.


JOHN:
Talyn is turning.

CRAIS:
How?



Cut to Den --


STARK:
Everyone! We're saved! We've done it!



Cut to Bridge --


AERYN:
Who has done what?

STARK:
Talyn and I. We've escaped from the sun!



Cut to Den --


STARK:
And we've saved Sierjna from Mu-Quillis!



Stark glances around the den, noting a significant absence. Sierjna... she musta knished outta there.


STARK:
Sierjna? Sie... Sierjna?! Oh, no! We must have gone too far! She... she couldn't stay with us!



Cut to Bridge --


JOHN:
Stark, what in the living hell are you talkin' about?!



Cut to Den --


STARK:
We must go back! Must find her!



Cut to EXT. Space -- Talyn, in a high orbit around the sun




Cut to Bridge -- Crais shields his eyes as the light in the forward portal intensifies.


AERYN:
He's turning again.

CRAIS:
Stark? Are you controlling Talyn?



Cut to Den --


STARK:
Yes, yes.



Cut to Bridge --


STARK:
I must, I must, I must...



Cut to EXT. Space -- Talyn turns toward the bright star and heads in again.




Cut to Bridge --


JOHN:
Yo, Astro. Calm down and tell me... what the hell is goin' on?



Cut to Den --


STARK:
It's very, very simple. I am now Talyn's pilot! And we are flying back into the sun!



END ACT II










ACT III





INT. Talyn; The Bridge




JOHN:
What do you mean, you're Talyn's pilot? Talyn doesn't have a pilot.

STARK:
( over comms ) He does now.



Cut to the Den --


STARK:
I've bonded with him. Formed a neural link. Joined with him in the den.



Cut to the Bridge --


AERYN:
What den?

STARK:
( over comms ) Can't speak now. Searching for Sierjna.



Cut to the Den --


STARK:
Must find Sierjna.

CRAIS:
( over comms ) Stark!



Cut to the Bridge --


CRAIS:
Stark, you release control of Talyn at once!

JOHN:
Good 'ol Stark. Count on him to jump right and wig right out.

AERYN:
How could he have bonded with Talyn?

CRAIS:
Talyn must have developed a rudimentary Pilot's Den.

JOHN:
Crais, I thought you bred out the need for a Pilot in Talyn.

CRAIS:
We tried to, but Leviathan biology is complex. Enough linked genes must have remained for Talyn to grow a vestigial Pilot facility.

JOHN:
Like... an appendix?

AERYN:
Wait... where is this Den?

CRAIS:
Mostly likely somewhere below Tier Three. If I can't restore the overrides, I'll go find it myself.

JOHN:
Fine, you do that, get his hands off the wheel. We're gonna do somethin' else.



Aeryn grins like a school girl on the way to Prom as John drags her off command by their linked hands.




Cut to the Den --


STARK:
Sierjna...



Cut to Corridor -- Aeryn and John rapidly approach the conduit again.


JOHN:
Which one is guidance?



Aeryn points to a transparent conduit wire inside one of the higher open panels.


AERYN:
That one.



John unholsters Winona and blasts the guidance control.




Cut to Den -- Stark whimpers as power fluctuates.


JOHN:
( over comms ) Hey, Stark, didja feel that?

STARK:
No, no... I, I can't, can't maneuver!

JOHN:
( over comms ) That's right.



Cut to Corridor --


JOHN:
You might want to hit the brakes. We just took out your steering.



Cut to Corridor -- Stark howls, thoroughly enraged.




Cut to Bridge -- Sparks fly from various panels, and mist steams from the walls, it's a frell job. Crais stalks about working on various consoles.


CRAIS:
Talyn! You listen to me! I know you can hear me! You're taking the wrong option! You will kill us, and you will kill yourself!



Crais stalks off the Bridge.




Cut to Corridor -- John and Aeryn slowly circle at the junction, their right arms intertwined.


JOHN:
Come on, Stark, talk to me. We can work this out.



Cut to Den -- Stark's still pissed. He's working on another option.




Cut to Corridor -- A DRD hums into the mist filled corridor, Aeryn watches it over John's shoulder.


JOHN:
Yo, Astro... talk to me.



Both hands around Aeryn's waist, he releases her gunbelt, dropping it to the floor, his hands running down her hips. Aeryn's left hand wanders to John's waist, then glides down the upper curve of his buttocks. [ o. m. g. ! ]. John bends over, working on the strap that secures the holster to Aeryn's thigh while the DRD edges closer to the couple.


JOHN:
We can work it out... Lava boy is not your friend... I am.



While he's bent over, Aeryn slaps him firmly on the butt [ a loud 'slap' on leather ]. Looking up, she notes the DRD, it's lazer aimed at them. Quickly, she unholsters Winona as the DRD unleashes a pulse blast, cleanly missing John ( cause he's bent over) and blasting the conduit. With another excellent use of hip, Aeryn shoves John ( still bent over) to the cover of the wall, and blasts the DRD with the purloined pistol.


AERYN:
You okay?

JOHN:
Yeah. Yeah, I'm, I'm all right. Thanks for watchin' my backside.

AERYN:
Couldn't help myself. Stark-- you listen to me now. You try anything like that again, and I will personally take you to the other side!



Cut to the Den -- Stark groans in frustration




Cut to Crais -- Crais stalks down a corridor, pulse pistol in hand. Stopping before a closed door, he passes his hand over the control-- twice-- and is denied entry.


CRAIS:
Talyn, I am trying to help you! All the lower decks are sealed off. I can't get into the Den to free you from the Banik Slave!



Cut to Den --


STARK:
That's it, Talyn. Bypass the primary guidance system. That's it, careful! We don't want them finding out what we're doing.



Cut to Crais --


CRAIS:
Talyn, you listen to me! I am trying to save you! Talyn!



In utter frustration, and in a towering rage, Crais blasts the door ineffectually, the pistol bleeping plaintively, low on charge.




Cut to Corridor -- Aeryn and John sit back to back, braced against the wall at the corridor junction. Aeryn guards one approach; John, two others. The mist pools around them, covers the floor of the corridor, and more mist pours out of a seam on the wall just above their heads. They keep glancing back at the other as they talk... never a good thing in the presence of 'the mist'.


JOHN:
Hey, Stark... talk to me. You gettin' lonely up there? You like bein' alone?

AERYN:
Don't think he's listening.

JOHN:
No.

AERYN:
But it's not good to be alone.

JOHN:
No, it's not. Maybe we should go find him.

AERYN:
And leave these conduits unattended? He'll up send another DRD to repair it all.

JOHN:
Yeah, and lead us like a moth to the flame.

AERYN:
Let Stark make the first move. You know what he's like. He doesn't have much patience.

JOHN:
Right. We have, uh... all the time in the world; no need to rush.



Aeryn turns her head, getting a good look at John [ cue soft sexy jazz ]. John's watching one approach, and getting comfortable, sliding down the wall to sit on the floor. Aeryn adjusts her position, one hand on his shoulder, as she 'gets comfortable'. John's eyes fix on her, uh... vest, as she slides onto his lap, facing him, her eyes still fixed on the corridor over his shoulder.


JOHN: You comfortable?



John stays busy by softly caressing her bicep with his lips. He is so 'not' doing his job.


AERYN: Mm-hum.

JOHN: Aeryn, this is the mist talkin'.

AERYN: I like what it's saying.

JOHN: ( softly laughing ) So do I, but we gotta... we gotta focus.

AERYN: I'm doing my job, corridor is all clear.



John tilts his head up, and her head curves down, their lips lingering just a slight distance away. Voices softly husky.


JOHN: So it's just you and me?

AERYN: Just you and me.



Cut to Den --


STARK:
Slower... slower. Turn... that's it. Mustn't let you get too close. Just close enough.

SIERJNA:
Stark? Stark!



Stark howls in victory as Sierjna 'knishes' in, resolving from a mist.


STARK:
Sierjna!

SIERJNA:
But you got away, you were free!

STARK:
I came back for you!

SIERJNA:
No, no, you're risking everything!

STARK:
Nothing else matters! I told you I would save you, and I will. Even if it takes my own life!

SIERJNA:
Stark...

STARK:
I will take you... I will walk you to the other side. Do you trust me?

SIERJNA:
Mu-Quillis will kill you.

STARK:
Do you trust me?!

SIERJNA:
Yes.

STARK:
Are you ready?

SIERJNA:
I'm frightened.

STARK:
Don't be frightened. No need. Come closer.



Sierjna approaches and kneels on the console. Stark holds out his hand and she places her palm against his.


SIERJNA:
I'm ready. Thank you.

STARK:
( chanting in an alien language )

SIERJNA:
I will find you in the next life.



Stark lifts his mask slightly, the golden light of his power pouring out and over Sierjna. Nothing else happens. Stark looks at a bit of a loss, replacing his mask, cutting off the light.


STARK:
You're still here.

SIERJNA:
I have neither moved... nor changed.

STARK:
It's not working... why is it not working?



Cut to Center Chamber -- Rygel moans over the last bits of food, his body grotesquely swollen. Crais enters.


CRAIS:
Are you still eating?

RYGEL:
( groaning ) Oh, stop me, Crais. Make me stop! Shoot me! Do something, please! Here, here, tie my hands! Yes!

CRAIS:
I need your help.

RYGEL:
No. No, no, no, no. Tie my hands, now... or I'm going to explode.



Rygel's body makes an alarming noise, hmm... maybe he actually will explode.


RYGEL:
( groaning ) Oh, this is all your fault! This is your gunship. Peacekeepers designed it and you can't control it!



Crais stalks around the table places his pistol against Rygel's gut.


CRAIS:
I can control you now!

RYGEL:
You press that into me and I'm going to vomit all over you!

CRAIS:
Stark is a mutineer.



Crais circles back around the table.


RYGEL:
He's also out of his frelling mind. Came in here and had a conversation with that wall.

CRAIS:
Must be the mist making him see things. Rygel, Stark has taken control of Talyn. He must be flushed out so I can take back command.

RYGEL:
Well, go ahead.



Rygel turns again, surveying the remains of his feast. Eyes seizing on a particular tasty object.


CRAIS:
I need your help, slug!



Before Rygel can snag the bit of food, Crais pushes it away with a clatter of crockery.


RYGEL:
Please, let me eat that little piece, please!

CRAIS:
Now you listen to me. Talyn has sealed all the entrances to his den. But maybe you, being so small, can slip through a ventilation duct.

RYGEL:
( laughs ) Look at me, look at my stomachs! I'm not slipping through any ducts!

CRAIS:
I am your Captain!

RYGEL:
You're not my captain!

CRAIS:
This is a direct order!

RYGEL:
Dream on!

CRAIS:
If you don't obey my orders...

RYGEL:
Yes, this mist isn't affecting you, huh?!

CRAIS:
If you do not obey my orders, right now, and go into the pilot's den and flush out the Banik, I will shoot you as a mutineer!

RYGEL:
( gasps) As you wish.



Rygel glances one way, and then another, making sure they're alone. Crais looks around too, completely sucked in.


RYGEL:
( whispering ) Crais... come here.

CRAIS:
Why?

RYGEL:
( whispering ) Closer... this is a secret.



Crais bends down, but with a warning.


CRAIS:
If you try anything...

RYGEL:
( whispering ) Closer...



Crais brings his ear close to Rygel who, in a familiar heavy weight move, sinks his teeth into Crais's ear. Crais screams in pain and Rygel speeds off, laughing, in his throne sled. One hand pressed to insulted ear, Crais snaps off a wild shot at the retreating Hynerian.


CRAIS:
Rygel!



Cut to Den --


STARK:
I don't understand it. You, it, it should have worked!



Talyn shudders heavily as Mu-Quillis transmutes into the Den.


MU-QUILLIS:
Let her go.

STARK:
If we try again.

MU-QUILLIS:
Nothing will happen. Why do you think she never crossed over in the first place? What do you think is keeping her between the realms? Me, my power. You had your chance to escape. You might have saved your ship, your crew, your own life, but you returned!

SIERJNA:
You have me back, Mu-Quillis. You can let them go!

MU-QUILLIS:
No. It is not for me to make that decision. My task is set. This ship will continue to the sun. Sierjna... come with me.



Sierjna approaches him slowly.


STARK:
No, no!

MU-QUILLIS:
Sierjna...

STARK:
Don't do it!

MU-QUILLIS:
Oh, you must.

STARK:
Wait, Sierjna! Don't go!



Mu-Quillis transmutes out, taking Sierjna with him [ or maybe he transmuted and she knished... who knows... hehe ]


STARK:
Oh, no, no... Talyn, please! Fight it, fight it! Turn away!



Cut to EXT. Space -- Talyn, turned directly toward the sun, heads in.


STARK:
[O.V.] Turn away please, Talyn! No!



Cut to Corridor -- Crais, stalking down the corridor, stops and leans against the wall.


STARK:
( over comms ) Talyn, please! Turn away!

CRAIS:
( screaming ) Stark!



Cut to Den --


STARK:
Everyone... I'm sorry.



Cut to Center Chamber -- Rygel's back eating again.


STARK:
( over comms ) Talyn is once more being drawn into the sun.



Cut to Crais --


STARK:
( over comms ) The lure is stronger than ever, and Talyn can't fight it...



Cut to Den --


STARK:
...and I can't stop him. So, I suggest...



Cut to Aeryn & John -- kissing, of course...


STARK:
( over comms ) ...you prepare yourselves for peace.



John & Aeryn look up for a bit, listening.




Cut to Den --


STARK:
Because I have failed you. And we're all going to die.



END ACT III










ACT IV







John and Aeryn, on the floor of the corridor now, John stretched out underneath Aeryn, completely lost in each other. Both down to just black shirts and leather pants [ when's John gettin' a black tank top, huh?! ] The mist pools around John as they continue to kiss, caress, nuzzle and just generally crank the heat to max.


AERYN:
All we can do now is wait.

JOHN:
I'm not letting you go.

AERYN:
I'm never letting you go.



John buries his face in her neck, his hand on the back of her neck. Eyes closed and very appreciative, Aeryn chooses the moment to come to her senses. Her eyes open.


AERYN:
Wait a microt.

JOHN:
What?

AERYN:
This is wrong.



Aeryn leaps to her feet, retrieving her pistol belt from the deck. John's still on his back, eyes closed, hands raised, but he's coming around as well. They're both fairly breathless.


JOHN:
( groans ) God, the mist... the damn mist is messing with our heads.



Aeryn's got her vest back on and is 'adjusting' her tank as John rolls to his knees, slowly collecting himself.


AERYN:
That's why we're giving up.

JOHN:
I'm not giving up!



John pulls on his vest while Aeryn secures her pistol belt around her hips.


AERYN:
I never give up.

JOHN:
Okay...



John stands, retrieving his gunbelt from the deck.


JOHN:
...I'm gonna go to the bridge, I'm gonna tear it apart, I'm gonna find something.

AERYN:
Okay... the same with Crais and Stark.



Aeryn steps in front of John, and they 'hover' over each other again, wrapping up the plan.


JOHN:
You tear 'em apart, Baby.

AERYN:
All right, listen...

JOHN:
Huh?

AERYN:
I don't want to lose you either, can we definately get back to that later?

JOHN:
Oh, God, I love you.

AERYN:
I love you too.



John pulls her close, wrapping his left hand around her waist. Taking his head in her hands she kisses him passionately before 'bolting' down the corridor. John watching her go, his expression somewhat glazed, bobs his head, nodding emphatically-- with his 'whole' body, then motors quickly in the other direction, gunbelt still hanging from his right hand [ -- ooo, but he's having problems picking up speed. hehe ]




Cut to Subpassage -- Aeryn darts into the subpassage, finding Crais still pounding on the sealed door.


AERYN:
Crais... what are you...?

CRAIS:
I can't get in! Talyn will not comply with my orders! And the Drexim... has obviously driven him insane!



Crais pounds on the door again with the butt of his pulse pistol.


AERYN:
Blast your way in.



Crais turns to Aeryn, struck by the brilliance of the plan, extending his hand toward her urgently.


CRAIS:
Yes! Give me your gun!

AERYN:
( cautiously ) Perhaps... not.

CRAIS:
( raging ) Do not question my decisions! I am your captain! And I order you...!



Crais whips his pistol up, aiming at Aeryn. Aeryn gives Crais a 'very' funny "who the frell do you think I am?" look. [ LOL! ]


CRAIS:
( raging ) I am your captain!



Aeryn snorts a derisive laugh and runs off, pony tail swaying.


CRAIS:
( raging ) I order you!



Turning away in frustration he begins pounding on the door again.




Cut to the Bridge -- John runs in, brushing past the opening doors.


JOHN:
All right, Phantom. New tune for the opera.



John frantically flips levers on a narrow wall mounted console.


STARK:
( muttering over comms ) Sierjna's gone. I failed her... failed Talyn, failed Aeryn, failed you, Crichton.

JOHN:
Yes, and you have failed gloriously, Stark!



Moving to a wall mounted console across the bridge, John flips more levers, his frustration rising to manic levels as each effort fails.


JOHN:
And I want you... to fail again! I want you to give me control of the consoles! I want you to give me some control!

STARK:
She came to me for help. Many do, but... I could have done more.

JOHN:
Stark!



John leaps to the comms console, looming over it.


JOHN:
I... am coming to you for help. You are gonna give me control, or I am gonna rip off the other side of your damn face!

STARK:
There's nothing you can do, Crichton. We are gonna be lured into that sun and we are all going to die inside there.

JOHN:
That's because the bastard... is lurin' us in, Stark! Okay?! He's got bait, and we can cut bait. We got a mother of a cannon! So, I want you to give me back control...! I was zero'n in on the damn power source when you turned out the lights!

STARK:
You remember when we met?

JOHN:
You wanna take a trip down memory lane?! Stark!



John makes that memorable 'gesture' -- right, left, right, left, right, left -- he's 'completely' manic.


JOHN:
My side! Your side! My side! Your side! My side! Your side!

STARK:
I tried to help you then, but I failed. Scorpius put a chip in your brain, I failed.

JOHN:
Stark! Blow the damn Aurora chair! Let's talk about the good times, huh?! Do you remember Zhaan, Stark?



John makes another familiar gesture, hands sweeping over and encircling his head a couple of times... very Zhaan-like... if you count incipient insanity.


JOHN:
Let's talk about Zhaan.

STARK:
I tried to help her, but I couldn't.

JOHN:
Well, she would piss on your grave right now. You wanna know why?!

STARK:
( mumuring ) My soulmate.

JOHN:
Because, Aeryn... is my Zhaan. She's my Zhaan in every way. I love her, and I would die for her and you know what... Stark?! You're killing her!

STARK:
( muttering ) What... me?

JOHN:
You're killing her, you freakazoid psycho bastard! You are killing my Zhaan!



Well, that definately worked, Stark snaps out of his 'we're all doomed' mindset, concentrating again on controlling Talyn.


On the bridge the tell-tale lights on the deck illuminate, panning forward to aft, each set of lights switching on sequentially. Camera pans up from the aft portion of the bridge, showing John silouetted against the light of the sun still pouring through the forward portals. John walks forward as Aeryn enters.



AERYN:
Hi.



Meeting between the forward consoles, she leaps into his arms, wrapping her legs around his hips, his hands holding her up.


JOHN:
Hi.



He turns to the side so we can get a good full profile of this lovely couple, Aeryn's ponytail swinging [ gotta love that ].


JOHN:
I... got some control back ( grinning ) let me show you.

AERYN:
I love it when you take control.



Turning again he sits her on one of the forward consoles, their arms still wrapped around each other. That LOVELY smile still on his face.


JOHN:
That's the Drexim talking.

AERYN:
No, it isn't.



[ Significant look. God, I love these tiny moments! ]


AERYN:
I can manually prime the cannon.

JOHN:
I'd love to see that.

AERYN:
Talyn's cannon.

JOHN:
I'm stoked, not stupid. Do it.



He sets her on her feet and she moves to the weapons console.


AERYN:
We've only got one chance with it, John. We're too close to the star, we've got one chance.

JOHN:
Whoa, whoa, whoa, hey, check this out!



Reaching out without looking, he draws her into his arms, showing her a holo-display above the control console [ circles, lines and a square... where's the arrows? ]. Pointing at a smaller circle within a square.


JOHN:
A throbbing pulse of energy coming straight into your living room. I got it!



[ hey, a line from Batman; Joker to Two-Face. heh. ] Aeryn moves quickly back to the weapons console.


AERYN:
Stark, are you still there?

STARK:
You're just like Zhaan in so many ways.

AERYN:
If you say so. I am going to manually prime the main cannon. Crichton has located a target. Please prepare Talyn to fire.

STARK:
Would Zhaan approve of this use of violence?

AERYN:
She's speaking through me now. It is her wish.



Aeryn shoots John a look, turning to her he grins wickedly and she gives him that "he is so nuts!' look, eyebrows comically arched.




Cut to the Den -- Stark definately IS nuts. With this validation from Zhaan, Stark concentrates on preparing the cannon to fire. Sierjna 'knishes' in at the last minute [ hehehehe ]


SIERJNA:
No. You're risking everything.

STARK:
You're back!

SIERJNA:
You're too close, don't do this for me!

STARK:
I'm not. Mu-Quillis has Talyn mezmerized.



Cut to the Bridge -- Mu-Quillis kni... er, transmutes in again. It's Grand Central Station!


MU-QUILLIS:
Stop what you're doing!



John whips around to face the intruder, hand dropping to holstered pulse pistol. Aeryn turns as well, but soon turns back to finish preparations for undoing the bad guy.


JOHN:
Is there some kind of stupid alien quotation book you guys use?

MU-QUILLIS:
A deal between us can be brokered.

JOHN:
Lava boy, you are losing!

MU-QUILLIS:
A compromise assures your survival.

JOHN:
Again with the quote book. Hey, quote me on this-- We're gonna blow up your fuse box.

MU-QUILLIS:
I will release my grip on your vessel.



Aeryn moves to stand beside John, her hand also on the butt of her holstered pulse pistol.


AERYN:
And in return?

MU-QUILLIS:
Go away.



Aeryn and John turn to look at each other, John grins and laughs sardonically.


JOHN:
Wow, he's gonna give us our freedom in exchange for his.



They both turn back to Mu-Quillis [ eerie! ]


MU-QUILLIS:
Leave us to our own.

AERYN:
What about other Leviathan's you'll encounter?

MU-QUILLIS:
Why should that concern you?



Aeryn and John turn to each other again, this time Aeryn smiles and laughs lightly.


AERYN:
That was the wrong answer.



Aeryn turns back to the console, John shoots Mu-Quillis a brief look.


JOHN:
Sorry.



Turning, dismissing Mu-Quillis, John follows Aeryn to the console.


AERYN:
Stark...

STARK:
Talyn, it is time!

MU-QUILLIS:
Power down your weapons! I can offer you better terms.

JOHN:
( grinning ) Damn, smokey, you can't argue with a woman.



The view zooms in on the view of the edge of the sun as seen through the forward portal, then 'through' the portal, zooming in on the sun as Talyn's cannon fires. The energy pulse races toward it's target, hitting with a massive explosion that blooms to a huge blue mass.


On the bridge Mu-Quillis howls, and looking like he's been subjected to a rapid temperature change, turns blue as he groans...



MU-QUILLIS:
Sierjna!



...and 'shatters'.




Cut to the Den -- Sierjna weakens, leaning against the console. Stark loosens his mask, beginning a chant in an alien language, his left palm extended toward her. Reaching out, she places her palm against his. Lifting the mask, his energy covers her and she slowly fades away.




END ACT IV










EPILOGUE





Ext. Space; Talyn

Talyn hangs in space, no sign of the sun.


CRAIS:
[O.V.] This apparatus was not designed



Cut to Int. Talyn; The Den -- Stark sits on the console while Crais 'releases' him from the many 'connections', severing then with a big frelling PK Pocket Knife.


CRAIS:
for any species but a Pilot's. What you did was beyond foolish, Stark. Hold still.



Crais slices through a connection and Stark, lips pale with shock and/or blood loss, groans in pain.


STARK:
You cut me!

CRAIS:
You moved.



Crais slices through another connection and Stark groans again.


CRAIS:
Talyn is now off limits to you. All functions, all programs, all controls.

STARK:
I know.

CRAIS:
You know nothing.

STARK:
I know how he feels, what he thinks. About everything... about you.

CRAIS:
( chuckling ) Talyn was not of his right mind. Anything you think you experienced...



Crais lifts the huge blade before Stark's eyes to emphasize his point.


CRAIS:
... must take that into consideration.

STARK:
I know.



Crais adjusts the distance of the blades edge, bringing it closer to Stark's neck.


STARK:
Even if you slit my throat... I will still know.



Crais severs another link, sawing through the cable.




Cut to the Bridge -- Rygel sits nearby, moaning in discomfort, as Aeryn works on the control consoles. No sign of the mist, bridge looks pretty near pristine.


AERYN:
Most of Talyn's internal systems are back on line, and his Drexim levels have returned to normal.

RYGEL:
( moaning ) I wish my levels were returning to normal.

AERYN:
Next commerce planet, you are restocking the galley. You ate everything.

RYGEL:
( moaning ) I never ever want to even look at food again.



Rygel hovers out, groaning unhappily.


RYGEL:
Must go to chamber. Need sleep. Vomit.



John enters, and turns to watch Rygel make his miserable exit. Turning to Aeryn he walks to a wall console, leaning against it, he watches her move about the bridge.


JOHN:
How's it goin'?

AERYN:
He's recovering well. He's a remarkable vessel.

JOHN:
Speaking of... remarkable vessels.

AERYN:
How is the secondary control node?

JOHN:
I got a chain gang of DRDs workin' on it. Everything will be up and runnin' in a couple of days.

AERYN:
We were very lucky.



Aeryn moves to walk past him, moving toward the door.


JOHN:
Well, I think that, uh...



Reaching out he intercepts her, halting her midway. She stops, smiling slightly as he slowly circles around from behind. [ cue soft slow sexy jazz... emphasis on muted trumpet ].


JOHN:
...fate... would have brought us together anyway.



Standing face to face now, their lips curl into warm smiles.


JOHN:
You know... Crais is gonna be cuttin' Stark free for about an arn...



Lips hover, a teasing flirtation, fingers interlace and separate.


JOHN:
Rygel's gonna take at least that long-- He's got three stomachs.



They share a slow, warm kiss. As they kiss, her hand guides his to the side, her hand presses his against the door controls. [ and whoa, tiny hand! ] With a muted bleep, the doors slide closed.






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

Matt Ford's strength : Meltdown : aeryncrichton : 07/15/01
er... she "knished"? : Meltdown : Sojushisan : 07/14/01
LOL! Sorry, Matt!
Captain H. Reviews : Meltdown : CaptainHornblower : 07/15/01
WAS MELTDOWN SEXIEST EP EVER? : Meltdown : CaptainHornblower : 07/15/01
Episode Review : Meltdown : Farscape Weekly : 7/17/01
Farscape Fantasy, Click on "Photo Gallery" for pics





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