COLD OPEN
( Chiana staggers down a darkned passageway in Moya, she's in obvious distress )
INTERCUT -- Command.
( John works on the navigation system, attendant with bioelectric discharges and half-hearted, half-completed cursing on his behalf )
JOHN: ( swearing loudly ) Son of a...!
( Chiana enters )
CHIANA: Crichton... what are you breakin' now?
JOHN: I'm not breakin' anything. I'm trying to see how our 'quote-unquote' Navigation system 'quote-unquote' works.
CHIANA: You got a microt?
JOHN: Ain't got no time right now, Chi.
( electrical discharge at the console causes John to drop the tool and shake his hand, obviously a 'little tingly' and a bit angry )
CHIANA: I really gotta talk... um...
JOHN: Chi! I do not... have the time.
CHIANA: You don't have the time? ... Okay.
( Chiana wanders out distractedly )
JOHN: ( electrical discharge at the console ) Ah!! You son of a...!!
INTERCUT - Maintenance Bay
( Chiana at a workstation in the Maintenance Bay, uses a lazer cutting tool to slice into her abdomen and remove something that looks like.... a roller blade wheel! The device pulsates, a slow electronic ‘heartbeat’-- slows and, then stops. )
CHIANA: ( sorrowful whisper ) Nerri...
( She raises the device above her head, then slowly lowers her arms. Enraged she smashes a DRD sitting on the workbench with her fist. )
INTERCUT -- EXT SPACE
( The Prowler arcs away from Moya, heading toward a nearby planet. )
INTERCUT -- Command
AERYN: That little... TRALK!
JOHN: Aeryn... we don't know that Chiana stole your prowler.
AERYN: It's gone, isn't it Crichton!?
PILOT: I did not immediately detect her departure because several of my control systems have been 'offline'.
AERYN: She could be thousands of metras away by now.
( D'Argo and Zhaan enter the command deck )
D’ARGO: We found this in the in the Maintenance Bay, it had Chiana's blood all over it.
( D'Argo tosses the device Chiana removed in the maintenance bay to Crichton )
JOHN: ( Catching and eyeing the disk ) What is it?
ZHAAN: I believe it's a life-disk. Some species have them surgically implanted. This creates a permanent 'life-link' between those close to them.
JOHN: Why would she take it out?
ZHAAN: It is no longer functioning. Which means that whoever Chiana was linked to... is dead.
JOHN: Oh man... she was tryin' to talk to me, and I blew her off.
INTERCUT -- Planetside.
( An eerie alien landscape, a dark sky is lit by occasional huge bolts of lightening, the entire surface of the planet is covered by large monuments. Light rain falls and thunder rolls, counterpoint to the lightening. Chiana lurks near the Prowler, slowly moving away from the illusion of its shelter. )
CHIANA: ( whispering ) Come on, you've been in worse places.
( Chiana gasps as she catches a glimpse of someone hiding in the shadows ).
CHIANA: Who's there?! Stop pleeking around! Let me see you!
( Chiana screams as three young males leap out of the darkness and press her shoulders against a pillar )
Male3 ( Molnon ): Sweet Nixa... ( brandishing a knife ) let's mark her.
( Chiana screams as the third male leaps toward her, knife in hand. )
END COLD OPEN
ROLL OPEN 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 lifeforms... 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 -- EXT. PLANETSIDE
( Same ext/ view as during end of cold open. This time it's Crichton taking in the view, as Aeryn inspects the prowler. )
JOHN: So this entire planet's covered in graves?
RYGEL: It's a Royal Cemetery Planet. Haven't you ever seen one?
JOHN: No.
( Crichton turns and continues his search )
JOHN: Chiana!
RYGEL: Well, where did you bury your leaders on Erp?
JOHN: Just... underground. ... Chiana!!
RYGEL: Next to where you lived?! That's disgusting! ( shuddering ) Ugh!
( Crichton discovers portions of Chiana's clothing on a ledge. Leaning over he directs the beam of a large flashlight over the ledge and down. )
AERYN: Well... the Prowler checked out all right. At least she landed it in one piece. Let's go. You can take the transport.
JOHN: No. These belong to Chiana.
( Crichton drops his discovery on a ledge near Aeryn and Rygel and turns to return to where he discovered them, he directs the flashlight beam back toward Aeryn as he walks away. )
JOHN: ... You comin'?
AERYN: ( sighs ) Let's go.
RYGEL: What are you talking about? I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right here!
JOHN: Yeah, like anyone cares. .. Don't rob the graves, Sparky!
( Crichton disappears below ground )
RYGEL: How dare you imply that a Hynerian Dominar would...
( Rygel spies a sparkly bauble on the ground and on prying it up, a panel slides away and a hidden store of sparkly treasures is revealed. )
RYGEL: Yotzah!
INTERCUT - Underground - Royal Cemetery Planet
( Crichton and Aeryn stand mostly still, below ground in a narrow passageway. They both seem quietly perplexed as they direct the flashlight beams, first in one direction and then another. )
JOHN: Does this look familiar?
AERYN: Of course it looks familiar, that's because each of these tunnels are exactly the same.
JOHN: Are we lost?
( Crichton and Aeryn hear a strange ululating sound and dash toward the source -- Aeryn arriving first pulls back suddenly and reaching out, pulls Crichton back as well as he bolts past )
INTERCUT -- Underground - Royal Cemetery Planet
( Aeryn and Crichton carefully peer around a corner and into the adjoining chamber, finding Chiana in Clansman drag [ reddish clothing and reddish spikey hair decorated with daubs of earthy tones which trickle onto her forehead -- it's a museum setting ] hanging upside down between two large swinging blocks of 'concete' ... the moaning sound she is making reverberates against the stones, the waves of sonic force visible as they play across her face, seemingly holding the stones at bay, keeping them from crushing her head as they swing. )
AERYN: What are they doing to her?
JOHN: I have no idea.
AERYN: Do you see any weapons.
( Crichton takes another quick look )
JOHN: No. ... I'll go for Chiana.
AERYN: I'll pin down the others.
( Aeryn fires one shot from her pulse pistol, and as the Clansmen turn, Crichton and Aeryn rush them. )
AERYN: Everybody, down on the ground, now! Move it!
JOHN: Chiana!
( In the ensuing bedlam, Chiana drops from her position, onto her feet and Crichton grabs her arm, but she pulls away roughly. )
CHIANA: What are you doing!? No one's ever lasted more than fifty microts in that thing! I had 'em beat!
( Crichton is almost slack jawed in confusion over Chiana's response to her 'rescue', and one of the Clansmen on the ground moves to stroke Aeryn's leg )
AERYN: I wouldn't if I were you.
( The Clansman on the ground continues to -- handle -- Aeryn, she discourages him with a firm kick )
CHIANA: You had no right to come after me.
JOHN: We were worried about you, so we--
CHIANA: Oh, sweet! Now get the frell out of here!
JOHN: ( slightly angered ) Chiana--
CHIANA: No, Crichton! Now I don't have the time.
( Chiana stalks away. Crichton turns to watch her go. )
MAN: Hey, Ancient...
( Crichton rounds on the speaker, very much on edge-and angry. )
JOHN: Who the hell are you talkin' to? And who are you?
MAN: Molnon.
( Molnon offers Crichton a small cluster of what looks like mushrooms )
MOLNON: Taste?
WOMAN: Look at her!
( Molnon turns to Aeryn, he and the woman examine her closely )
MOLNON: Oh, well... Vyna's amazed by you! Age lines, dead spots. You're historic, Nixar.
AERYN: Historic...
MOLNON: ( laughing ) Let's go Gardas, they're worn out. ( whispering ) Ancients.
( Molnon and the others leave the chamber.... slowly )
JOHN: Did you catch any of that?
AERYN: Not much, except all the "I'm worn out" dren.
JOHN: If you find Chiana, show her this, ask her about it.
AERYN: Ask her yourself.
JOHN: Aeryn... she's pissed at me.
( Crichton tosses the life-disk to Aeryn )
JOHN: And try not to be too angry about the Prowler. -- Be nice.
AERYN: I'm not good at nice.
JOHN: Just don't shoot her.
INTERCUT -- Transport pod approaches Moya
INTERCUT -- Rygel's Quarters
D’ARGO: Okay, Rygel. Take me through this one- more- time. Why did you leave?
RYGEL: I told you! They left me first!
D’ARGO: Pilot lost contact with Crichton and Aeryn several arns ago. Where did they go?
RYGEL: Down. Underground. They went looking for Chiana. Crichton seems to think she might still be alive.
( D'Argo approaches Rygel and pulls a covering off a heaped up pile of treasures Rygel 'procured' from the Cemetery Planet )
RYGEL: You frelling Luxan!
D’ARGO: What is this?
RYGEL: My 'private' property.
D’ARGO: You robbed the dead?
RYGEL: And believe me, it wasn't as easy as it sounds. Now leave me alone.
( D'Argo departs, much disgusted )
RYGEL: That's right. Get out.
( Rygel opens on a smallish box, revealing an ornate 'death mask'. Lifting the mask he reveals the 'face' of a tiny alien creature with a big fat grub crawling inside one eye socket ... eww! )
RYGEL: ( sighs ) Bonus!
( Rygel grabs the grub and pops it into his mouth -- awargh yuch! )
INTERCUT -- Underground - Royal Cemetery Planet.
( Chiana sits dejectedly, drinking from a clay flask. Aeryn enters. )
CHIANA: What do you want?
AERYN: You forgot this.
( Aeryn tosses the life disk toward Chiana, it tumbles near her feet. Aeryn turns to go as Chiana retrieves the disk from the ground. )
CHIANA: It's my brother. Nerri.
( Aeryn turns, and leaning against the wall, prepares to listen )
CHIANA: It's terminated. ( chuckles lightly but without humor ) It means he's dead.
AERYN: I'm sorry.
( ‘Brightening’, Chiana leaps up and bounds toward Aeryn, all energy again. )
CHIANA: Hey, I... I gotta show you around this place. You know what they do if they want you to stay? They make you run through these-these, these rings of fire... like, um, naked... totally naked! And... and, once you go through that, you... you go into the sonic cowl. That's where I just was. Your whole body, it vibrates. It's... you gotta try it.
AERYN: I think you had a little bit... too much to drink.
CHIANA: Don't be like Crichton. Come on, everyone's so lame on Moya. Stay with me. You gotta. Or at least stay for the gathering.
AERYN: And what is that?
CHIANA: Oh, Molnon says it's the draddest. Says it'll blow my mind.
INTERCUT -- Underground - Royal Cemetery Planet.
( Crichton wanders around the passages on the Clansmen's caves. He seems to get a sense that someone is watching him, and turns about a few times trying to see who it might be. Two clansmen [ Molnon and Das ] wander out of a side passage into his view and he walks toward them. Disregarding Molnon as he wanders past, Crichton approaches Das. )
JOHN: Hey, guy. We didn't meet before.
DAS: ( muttering ) It's too late.
JOHN: ( chuckles ) Buddy, what'cha talkin' about?
DAS: The lost people know.
( Das tries to shoulder past Crichton, but he's pressed back. Crichton wants to talk )
JOHN: Hey, hey. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Focus, man. Come on, Focus-- right here.
MOLNON: Das... time to jump Garda.
( Das staggers past John, following Molnon )
INTERCUT -- Underground -- The Gathering Cavern.
( The clansmen gather in a large open chamber. Crichton, disregarding the clansmen on all sides, steps up on to a large protruding stone and peers down, Aeryn joins him and they both appreciate the serious drop, and then glance up to the heights of the ceiling, open to the air, admitting light and sound from the storm still raging outside. Nice closeup on John as someone off camera almost breaks him up-a grin, inappropriate to the solemn atmosphere, appears on his face briefly -- I just love that one! )
MOLNON: New Narl emerges.
( Molnon gestures to a young clanswoman who gently cradles an infant in her arms )
MOLNON: Clans gather... It's time to celebrate!!
( Molnon assumes a jubilant pose, arms arcing upward, the back of his hands almost touching above his head -- the clansmen join him in this gesture )
MOLNON: Way back... the ancients dug the Royal Tombs... but the surface is full! And the Royal's leave. Now we're alone... but we live!
( Molnon repeats the earlier pose, followed by the other clansmen )
MOLNON: Who'll take the stone?
( The clansmen begin a deep humming tone that reverberates throughout the chamber. A clansman steps forward onto one of the flat stones surrounding the pit, then taking another step-- FALLS FORWARD into the abyss! Crichton and Aeryn crouch near the edge and watch his decent while other clansmen also drop into the pit. Before a potentially fatal fall can claim their lives, a net of force gently stops their decent and rebound slightly and land quite gently. Four clansmen complete the drop successfully, and as the humming stops, they execute the earlier pose, complete with a triumphant "Ah!" -- gorgeous! )
JOHN: What the...?
AERYN: Frell... it's a sonic net.
JOHN: You want to explain that?
AERYN: It's a net sustained by their own voices. Peacekeepers use them in aerial combat training, and the sound actually cushions your fall.
( Das and Vyna stand to one side, foreheads pressed together )
DAS: I'm ready.
( Das steps onto the protruding stone, a diving board if you will, and the deep humming tone begins again, and he steps forward falling into the pit. Crichton and Aeryn lean down to watch again. This time, as the jumper falls toward the bottom, the humming tone ceases abruptly and Das's body impacts violently with the floor of the chamber! )
JOHN: Like I said...
AERYN: Frell.
MOLNON: Das!
( All the clansmen assume the 'pose' )
MOLNON: Takes the stone!
( Molnon turns to leave and as the other clansmen file by him, Crichton directs Aeryns attention to Chiana who has hopped lightly onto the ‘diving board’, she peers downward raptly. )
CHIANA: Drad. I gotta do that!
END ACT I
ACT II - Underground - The Gathering chamber.
( Vyna and Chiana sit closely together. Aeryn and Crichton watch her for a bit. Crichton turns to leave as well, but stops before exiting, calling to his crewmate.)
JOHN: Chiana...
AERYN: Leave her alone, Crichton. ... Come on.
( Aeryn herds a reluctant Crichton into the darkened passageway, but determining not to have that, he turns again and tries to push past Aeryn, back into the chamber. )
JOHN: Uh-uh! You know what? We're gonna sober her up and get her out of here right now!
( Aeryn braces one of her arms against the wall of the passage, blocking his access to the chamber. )
AERYN: That life-disk we found on board Moya was her brother's.
JOHN: And he's dead?
AERYN: Yes. I think that's why she likes it down here. I think she's trying to prove that she's still ali--
JOHN: ( tensely ) Aeryn-- when I need a psych report on Chiana, I'll let you know.
AERYN: If you try to force her to leave, she will stay here just to spite you.
Crichton: No. She won't.
( Aeryn drops her arm, unblocking his access to the chamber, and exits abruptly -- John remains where he is, definitely unsatisfied, then looks back to Chiana, who is still 'conferring' with Vyna. He's 'temporarily' ready to wait. )
JOHN: ( sighs and whispers ) Later.
( Crichton turns and exits the chamber )
INTERCUT -- Underground - Royal Cemetery Planet
( Inside another small chamber in the Underground, Chiana and Molnon stand on opposite sides of a flat stone slab, a cloth swathed body lies between them on the stone. )
CHIANA: And what are they gonna do with it?
MOLNON: Soak the skin and harden the bones, and Das can be buried in the gathering dome.
CHIANA: Your best friend's just died!
MOLNON: All die, Nixar. But you're frightened of it. Never knowing when it's going to happen: Should I do this? or do that? Fear Nixar... it overwhelms. Not us. We live. We do what we want. Liberated, 'cause we take the stone. The dead jump the last. I know you get it.
( Chiana edges around toward Molnon's side of the stone slab, he 'pounces' her )
MOLNON: Stay with us, Nixar. Celebrate the stone, it's the second dradest time.
( Crichton appears at the entrance to the chamber, in the background, without entering he watches silently. )
CHIANA: Oh? And what's the dradest?
( Molnon kisses her, and only slightly hesitating, she reciprocates. Crichton continues watching briefly, then moves away silently, cold anger on his face. )
INTERCUT -- INT. MOYA - Rygel's quarters.
( Zhaan is chanting while Rygel reclines on his bed, the death mask over his face! )
RYGEL: Shut up.
( Zhaan continues chanting, Rygel sits up, removing the mask from his face )
RYGEL: Shut up!
( Zhaan chants )
RYGEL: Oh, will you please shut up?
ZHAAN: I'm doing this for your benefit, Rygel.
( Zhaan resumes chanting )
RYGEL: Oh, thank you! Now benefit me elsewhere! I'm trying to sleep!
ZHAAN: Have you ever considered that these items might be protected?
( resumes chanting )
RYGEL: Protected? By what?
ZHAAN: A curse!
( resumes chanting )
RYGEL: Oh, yotz! The only curse here is you! And anyway. If there is a curse, which there's not! It'll just be on me!
ZHAAN: Yes… it will.
( Zhaan departs )
INTERCUT -- Underground - Royal Cemetery Planet
( Inside yet another small chamber, Vyna's staggers about, a large cask barely held with both hands, obviously seriously drunk. )
AERYN: Vyna... I'm sorry about Das.
VYNA: Oh, don't be, Nixar.
( Vyna takes another drink )
JOHN: Should you be doing that?
( John watches as Vyna takes another drink, her exposed translucent abodomen showing the sillouette of the baby she carries )
VYNA: Taste?
( Both Crichton and Aeryn shake their heads, declining to share the drink. Vyna, taking another drink, turns to stagger out of the chamber. )
JOHN: Hey. What were you and Chiana talking about on the cliff?
VYNA: When Narl comes, Chiana wants to jump. I gave her my blessing.
( Vyna exits )
INTERCUT -- Underground, the ‘Sonic Caul’ Chamber
( Crichton and Aeryn enter as Chiana hangs suspended, upside down between the two large stones that make up the 'sonic caul'. She humms the resonant tone that activates the 'sonic net' )
JOHN: Chiana, you got a microt?
CHIANA: Not for you.
( She resumes humming. Aeryn walks in reluctantly behind Crichton and sits, her back braced against the wall, just inside the chamber entrance. Crichton circles around the caul to face Chiana. )
JOHN: All right, fine. You know what? You made your point, and I'm sorry that I ignored you on the ship, okay?
( Chiana drops to the ground, angrily confronting Crichton )
CHIANA: Crichton! Why I'm here-- it's not about you. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not your kid, I'm not your sister, and I'm only your... your tralk in your dreams! So, please, please! Go away!
JOHN: I'm trying-- to help.
CHIANA: I don't want it, and I don't need it.
( Crichton’s eyes cut past Chiana’s shoulder to Aeryn, sitting calmly and silently, then cut back to Chiana. Crichton is a tightly restrained bundle of raging emotions. )
CHIANA: I like it here. I like these people.
JOHN: ( anger building ) Chiana, you realize that nobody here has a clue! They're nothing but stoned monkeys who jump off of cliffs!
CHIANA: ( shouting ) Then you tell me what we're doing on Moya that's so frellin' wonderful!! ( quietly ) Tell me that-- At least they get to live before they die, Crichton. That's what I want to do. You said to me... you said to me, anytime I wanted to jump ship. Anytime I want to leave. Well... see ya.
( Frustrated, Crichton glances back over toward Aeryn. )
JOHN: Feel free to jump in here anytime.
AERYN: It's Chiana's choice, John.
JOHN: Great.
( Crichton moves away from Chiana, stalking quickly toward the entrance, he's seething with barely controlled rage. )
JOHN: That's just great, Aeryn.
( Crichton stops at the entrance, glaring down at Aeryn )
JOHN: You know, I hope if I ever decide to jump in front of a bus, you're not the only one--
( Crichton cuts himself off, realizing his example wouldn’t hold much truth, and glances over to Chiana, who has not turned. Spinning on his heel, still very angry, he stalks away. )
AERYN: Vyna told us you're joining the clan. You really going to jump?
CHIANA: I might.
INTERCUT -- Underground passage.
JOHN: ( shouting ) Molnon!
( A clansman enters the passage, passing Crichton )
JOHN: Yo, Bob... Marley... you seen Molnon?
( The clansman does not respond. )
JOHN: ( muttering ) Forget about it. I'll find him myself.
( Crichton stops in the passage, exhaling with disgust )
JOHN: ( muttering ) Molnon.
( Standing still and quiet in the passage, Crichton detects someone nearby again. Taking a quiet step backward, he lunges into the dark recess of a side passage and pulls someone forcefully into the light. )
FEMALE: No, please don't!
( Crichton's hand slides across her face, scraping skin, as she struggles and whimpers. Surprised, he lets her go and steps back. The figure is a young woman in a cloak which doesn't quite mask a diseased face. )
JOHN: Wrong person. S-sorry. Didn't mean to hurt you... You've been following me... why?
FEMALE:: You... old...
( Crichton cocks his head slightly, a "not this again" look on his face. )
FEMALE: And still you live!
JOHN: What's your name?
FEMALE: Janixx
( Janixx turns away from Crichton, trying to hide her face )
JOHN: What happened to you?
JANIXX: This happen to all of us, at 22 cycles, if we do not take the stone. Gardas and Nixars here, do not like seeing this. So we go away, hide. Make ourself lost.
JOHN: Lost? You're one of the lost people?
JANIXX: ( nods ) Das say he knew why this happen. He say cliff has answer.
JOHN: What are you talking about?
JANIXX: I lost, must stay lost.
( Janixx runs away. Crichton contemplating her words, notices a fragment of skin on his hand, and recalls scraping it from her face a moment ago. He examines it closely. )
INTERCUT -- Underground. Yet another small chamber.
( Crichton stands across from where Molon is sitting, a low stone bench between them. Crichton leans forward casually, resting his crossed arms on his upraised thigh, his foot braced against the bench. )
JOHN: You must be pushin' 22 cycles, huh, Sport? The end must be near for you, whether you take the stone or not.
MOLNON: ( chuckling ) You been talking to the lost people. You true smart.
JOHN: Yeah, well, it's easy to jump when you know you're gonna die. Chiana's not gonna die. Why drag her into this?
( Molnon again displays the small bundle of 'mushrooms' )
MOLNON: See this? Three lobes gets you high. One gets you dead -- Never know which one.
( Giving up on 'casual' John angrily roughly grabs Molnon by the arm holding the four lobed 'mushroom' )
JOHN: ( angrily ) Are we having a failure to communicate here?
MOLNON: I-I-I'm not gonna talk... til you taste. ( chuckles )
( Crichton takes the proferred item from Molnon's hand, and following a cursory examination, selects a lobe and bites it off, rolling it idly on his tongue. Molnon watches-stunned surprise evident in his face. Crichton standing erect, chews the lobe, and eyes Molnon cooly -- that look doesn't last beyond swallowing, as the content of the 'shroom begins to have it's effect. Molnon watches, grinning. )
JOHN: Ooh, man.
( Crichton wavers on his feet and falls back, landing hard on the ground, his breath rushing out. Molnon watches with a wide grin as Crichton eyes the remaining three lobes -- chuckling quietly )
MOLNON: Now, since you taste, I talk. The only thing worth having is a Narl, and I want one.
( Crichton struggles to focus on Molnon’s words. )
MOLNON: But I'm scared that if next I take the stone it claims me. So, Chiana takes my place. She takes the stone.
( An enraged Crichton lunges forward, succeeding in startling Molnon into pulling back. Intense rage and the drug he’s consumed conspire to slur his speech. )
JOHN: You son of a bitch! You had your time, you leave Chiana out of this! Just let-her--
MOLNON: ( laughing ) She wants to fly! I tell you true.
( Crichton surges to his feet, unsteady legs holding him upright, barely. )
JOHN: ( gasping ) I'm going to tell her-- the-- truth. ( slurred ) Truth.
( The effect of 'lobe' hits full force and it's tripping time as vision and auditory become blurred and s-l-o-w-. )
MOLNON: Only if you remember, Garda, and you won't remember.
JOHN: I'm going to remember!
( Crichton flips out-- the Three Stooges-all of them-on acid, complete with flashbacks of the most recent death he's witnessed. Brain on overload he collapses. )
END ACT II
ACT III -- Underground
( Close on Crichton's eye as it wanders aimlessly, and unfocused. POV pulls out as Aeryn enters, ducking through the low entry. )
AERYN: Crichton.
( Crichton's unresponsive, sprawled on the ground, the now three lobed 'shroom discarded nearby. )
AERYN: Crichton... whoa!
( Aeryn crouches over him, slapping him lightly on the face to bring him around. He grunts and his eyes roll back as he tries to sit upright. )
AERYN: Here... what-what happened to you?
( She tries to help him to stand, but he can't make it; and he settles for sitting up. )
JOHN: I had a... pissing contest with Molnon. I won... I think.
AERYN: ( worriedly ) It doesn't look like it.
JOHN: Yeah... Yeah well, I got some information.
( Crichton tries for his feet again. With much struggling, grunting and tugging they manage to get him to his knees, clinging to her legs. )
JOHN: There's more... I know, I-I uh... I uh... I uh.. I think I convinced him, to get Chiana not to jump.
AERYN: That's good. That's, that's great.
( Crichton lets go of her legs and carefully bracing himself against the stone bench, retrieves a small squarish black and silver box from inside a small black case. )
JOHN: Listen. I need you... to go back to the transport pod.
( Hands the box to Aeryn. )
JOHN: Take this tissue sample-- I got it from the lost people-- scan it up to Zhaan. See if we can find out what-what's killing these kids.
( Crichton pushes himself upright and, taking the small black case, staggers away from Aeryn toward the chamber entrance. )
AERYN: Where- where are you going?
JOHN: To see if this... ( grunts )
( Crichton staggers backward slightly after whang'n his forehead against the low hanging chamber entry point. Now that's comedy! hehe )
JOHN: ... Excedrin headache was worth it.
( Crichton staggers away. )
INTERCUT -- 'Sonic Caul' chamber
( Close on the med-kit as Crichton pulls an injector from it's place and picks up one of four small yellow Nashtin cleansing pills, and pops it in his mouth. Chiana arrives, bubbling with enthusasim )
CHIANA: ( shouting enthusiastically ) Crichton!
JOHN: ( wincing equally enthusiastically ) Whoa! Whoa... not so... so loud.
CHIANA: ( giggling ) Those Morna... they have a real kick to them, don't they?
JOHN: ( laughs weakly and nods in agreement ) Mmm.
CHIANA: Hey, umm... Molnon told me what you talked about.
( Crichton is surprised, but very pleased. )
JOHN: He did?
( Crichton and Chiana both laugh and smile. )
JOHN: That's fantastic... That is fanta-- let us get the hell out of here then!
( Crichton turns back to the med-kit ready to gather his stuff and get the hell out. )
CHIANA: Oh, no. I'm not leavin'... I'm jumpin'.
( Angry again... Crichton slams the med-kit shut. Chiana jumps, startled. )
JOHN: What?!
CHIANA: Come on, don't frell with me... you, you understand...
JOHN: Chiana... I know that you like Molnon. But he is using you. He only wants you here so you'll do the jump and he won't have to.
CHIANA: No he's not. I want to jump... I have to.
JOHN: Okay.
CHIANA: ( whispering ) Okay.
JOHN: ( whispering ) Okay.
CHIANA: ( whispering ) Okay.
JOHN: You want to jump.
CHIANA: ( whispering ) Yeah.
JOHN: But whatever you want... you cannot want to die.
( Tears roll unheeded down his face as Crichton cradles Chiana's face in one hand, while the other glides down to his belt, grasping the injector he’s placed there, and easing it up under her jaw. )
JOHN: Well, maybe one day... you'll understand.
( Chiana stands close, head tilted up, expecting something else, but gets the injector pressed to her neck instead as Crichton delivers a tranquilizer. Chiana gasps and staggers away, then turns, hand pressed to her neck looking at Crichton. He has the grace to look somewhat guilty. )
CHIANA: You frellilng... you frelling can't... you gotta let me...
( Chiana staggers back toward Crichton )
CHIANA: ... gotta let me fly... You gotta let me fly!
( Before she can collapse, Crichton takes her arm, and bending slightly, he pulls her across his back and shoulders. Adjusting her across his shoulders he resolutely makes his way to the chamber entrance... just as Aeryn arrives. )
AERYN: What... what are you... doing?
( Caught red-handed, unconcious Nebari flung across his shoulders. There's only one thing he CAN say. )
JOHN: Oh, I think it's pretty self-explanatory.
AERYN: You're not going anywhere.
JOHN: Yes, I am.
AERYN: No, you're not.
JOHN: She wants to jump! She wants to kill herself!
AERYN: You can't take her like this.
JOHN: Yes I can!
AERYN: No, you can't.
JOHN: I ca... Aeryn! What the hell is wrong with you? You are the pin-up girl for 'Frontal Assault'! ( shouting ) You should be dragging her back to the ship yourself!!
AERYN: Crichton, just... listen to me, will you? If Chiana really wants to, she's going to find a way to kill herself, and maybe not here, or now. So you have to let her work through this on her own. You cannot take her back to Moya like this.
( Resigned, Crichton carries Chiana to the back of the chamber and lays her down on a fur covered bench. He gently straightens her limbs, and sits beside her, stroking her arm gently. )
JOHN: ( quietly ) How did you get so insightful?
AERYN: I understand loss.
JOHN: So do I.
( Aeryn and Crichton exchange a long look. )
JOHN: Did you... scan the tissue sample up to Zhaan?
AERYN: ( sighs ) Yes, I did.
JOHN: Thank you.
( Aeryn’s not pleased by his thanks. )
JOHN: Well, let's get her on the 'dog and bone'.
AERYN: ( nodding ) Whatever that means, Crichton.
INTERCUT -- Moya -- Rygel's quarters, newly decorated.
RYGEL: Now this is what a Dominar's chamber should look like. Hung with the blood-stained trophies from my conquests!
( Suddenly the items stolen from the Cemetery Planet begin falling from the walls. Rygel's screams and the remaining items suddenly drop to the floor. Leaving only the 'death mask' leering at Rygel from it's place on the wall. )
RYGEL: This cannot be real. Yes... I know what's happening.
INTERCUT -- The Gathering Chamber
( Crichton sits on one of the protruding 'diving' rocks, Aeryn is stretched out on her stomach on another, arms stretched out over the pit with a scanning device in hand. )
JOHN: Talk to me, Zhaan. What have you got?
ZHAAN: John, the readings from the tissue samples do indicate long term radiation exposure.
JOHN: Yeah, I thought they might.
ZHAAN: But according to your readings-- the radiation level is only 76 trads.
JOHN: Is that high or low?
AERYN: Low, I would have thought.
JOHN: Huh. -- Is that too low to make somebody sick?
D’ARGO: Yes. But, Pilot thinks that the cliff chamber your describing may be acting as an amplifier, which would increase the exposure.
AERYN: I imagine that would be why they all die at 22 cycles.
ZHAAN: I believe it would.
JOHN: Maybe Das figured that out. You know. Maybe he knew if the Clans moved out of the caves, they'd stop dying so young.
AERYN: They wouldn't have a reason to -- take the stone.
JOHN: Thanks, guys-- we'll all be back up real soon.
ZHAAN: Goddess be with you, John.
( Rygel hovers into command and confronts Zhaan and D'Argo -- a very smooth seque from planet to Moya, yeah Mr. Woods! )
RYGEL: Curse, my mivonks! I know what you're up to, and it's not going to work.
D’ARGO: What are you talking about?
RYGEL: It's you that's making everything in my chamber cursed! But I'm not returning any of it... no matter what you do! I'm keeping it all, you hear me?! Everything!
INTERCUT -- Underground
( Vyna's chamber. Vyna screams and gasps on her bed. Overhearing her screams, Aeryn and Crichton run in. )
AERYN: Do you need help? Can I get someone for you?
VYNA: Oh, don't touch me! We give birth alone ( gasping ) as our clans prepare for the gathering.
JOHN: Yes, and somebody has to do the bungee without the rope, except this time it's our friend jumping.
VYNA: ( groaning ) Oh! It's too late, Garda. Now go! Leave!
AERYN: Listen, Vyna. We know why you all die young here.
JOHN: It's radiation. -- We think that Das knew it too. He knew that there was a way to stop the jumps.
VYNA: ( whimpering )Das... oh, my poor Das.
AERYN: Vyna, if you move out of these caves and up on to the surface, you can all live longer lives. Your child can too.
JOHN: We need you to talk to the clans. If they hear it from you, they'll believe it. No one ever has to jump again.
VYNA: ( screaming ) Molnon didn't make Das jump, Garda. The rules of the clan did. Das understood. In the final, Das scoped that truth!
JOHN: You let him die?!
VYNA: ( gasping ) No! He took the stone. He'll live forever now. ( screams ) Look at you! You're old! You're worn out! Now go! Just go!
( Crichton and Aeryn leave, Vyna continues to scream, and adds some tears as well. )
INTERCUT -- The Gathering Chamber
( Crichton and Aeryn enter, the clans are already gathered. Chiana stands out on one of the rock platforms, looking down into the pit. She's eager to fly. )
JOHN: Chiana... Don't.
END ACT III
ACT IV -- Underground - The Gathering Chamber
JOHN: Listen to me. All of you! There's radiation in the rocks. That's what's killing the lost people. That's what's killing all of you.
MOLNON: Garda doesn't understand. He's old!
JOHN: That's right. I'm 'old'… and you can be old just like me.
MOLNON: I don't want to be ancient, Garda.
JOHN: ( shouting ) Move to the surface, live as long as you can!
MOLNON: The surface is for the Royals and their Tombs.
( Molnon hisses and points at the meddlesome intruders-- the clansman behind Molnon moves toward them, but Crichton and Aeryn whip out the old shootin' irons and draw down on Molnon and the Clansman. )
JOHN: You think Janixx has it bad. Wait til you see what this does to your face.
CHIANA: Crichton, get the frell out of here! This is about me--
JOHN: Chiana, shut up! And don't move another step!
( Crichton steps up onto the platform behind Molnon. Taking him by the shoulders he presses him toward the edge of the drop, staring down into the depths... manic Crichton is back! )
JOHN: Ready, boy?! There's your stone. What do you say? Wanna take it together? ( whispering ) Tick. Tick. Tick. Times running out.
MOLNON: Garda doesn't understand...
( Crichton seems mezmerized by the drop as Molnon twiches in his grasp. )
MOLNON: We want the stone!
( Molnon's arms sweep up, the backs of his hands almost touching over his head. The movement pushes Crichton backward. The other clansmen imitate their leader. )
JOHN: Oh you think?! Let the clans decide. ( shouting ) Let the clans vote!
MOLNON: The clans will vote. ( chuckles ) What they scope... I'll follow.
( Somewhat satisfied, and very shaken, Crichton releases Molnon and backs slowly away, stepping off the platform. )
CHIANA: Are you satisfied?
JOHN: Chiana, I'm just trying--
CHIANA: You can't... help me.
INTERCUT -- Moya -- Rygel's quarters.
( Rygel cowers against the wall in his quarters )
RYGEL: They're just trying to scare me. Get me to cut them in. Well, they can forget about that! It's not going to work. ( gasps ) Who's there?! ( whimpers ) Yotz! There's nothing wrong with any of this, nothing! You hear that?! I am Rygel the 16th! You can't scare me.
( A set of very pretty jeweled... well... darts, start moving all on their own right in front of Rygel. )
RYGEL: All right. All right. I'll take it back, all of it. I promise. Just make it stop.
( The 'jeweled darts' fly up and bury themselves in the wall around Rygel's head. )
RYGEL: Pilot. Is the transport fueled?
INTERCUT -- Underground passage -- Royal Cemetery Planet.
JOHN: Yo! Molnon. How'd the vote go?
MOLNON: You got no idea, Garda. No idea. All the clans. Every one, voted to stay. To keep jumping. ( chuckles )
JOHN: What? They didn't believe the radiation was killing them?
MOLNON: They don't believe... they know what's killing them. I'm rechanting the gathering, they want the stone. I've already told Chiana. I've given her a head start. It's gonna be drad.
( Molnon turns and glides away )
JOHN: Molnon, wait... please... just wait... just…
( Molnon turns back and Crichton decks him - hard -- with one singularly assertive left to the jaw. Crichton grimaces and shaking his hand slightly, turns and walks away. )
JOHN: Why does it always end in tears?
INTERCUT -- The Gathering Chamber -- Royal Cemetery Planet.
( Crichton enters the chamber, and sure enough Chiana is there alone, posed near the edge of one of the 'diving' stones. )
CHIANA: Hey, old man.
JOHN: Chiana--
CHIANA: Don't come any closer.
JOHN: I won't.
CHIANA: The clans voted?
JOHN: Yeah.
CHIANA: And they're gonna stop jumping?
( Crichton sits wearily on the edge of the opposite 'diving' stone, watching Chiana as she contemplates the pit. )
JOHN: No. They voted to keep jumping. They want to die. I just can't believe that you want to die.
CHIANA: I never had any courage. As a kid, Nerri gave me everything. I just-- I just followed him.
JOHN: You've shown me courage plenty of times.
CHIANA: I've just gotta do this, Crichton.
JOHN: And if you die?
( Chiana turns around, back to the pit and starts humming a deep tone that reverberates through the chamber. Crichton watches on, he radiates dread wrapped in fear. Chiana slowly drops over the edge of the rock and falls backward into the pit... Crichton leaps to the edge of the cliff, staring downward, watching her fall. The humming is continuous and bone rattling. She falls away from him rapidly, the stone rushing up to catch her. As the stone floor is nearly reached, the 'sonic net' halts her fall, she rebounds and lights gently on her feet. )
JOHN: ( shouting exhultantly ) Chiana!!! You did it!!
( Crichton leaning far out over the cliffs edge, raises one hand, fist clenched in victory, saluting her. )
JOHN: ( shouting ) Woo hoo-hoo-hoo!!!
CHIANA: I did it?!
JOHN: Woo!!
( Crichton and Chiana both laugh as Crichton continues to cheer her. Finally he takes time to breathe, and still smiling -- clasps one hand to his chest over his heart, exhaling heavily, practically shuddering in his relief, he lowers his head to the stone. )
CHIANA: I did it!
( Chiana strikes the clansmen's pose, back arc'd arms outstretched with wrists almost touching over head. )
END ACT IV
TAG -- Planetary Surface - Royal Cemetery Planet
AERYN: It's been three arns, John.
JOHN: Just give it a few more microts, okay?
( Chiana crouches on the stoney ground of the planets surface, she has shaped a shallow hole and places the life-disk inside the hole, covering it carefully. )
JOHN: Lately... do I seem... a little... crazy to you?
AERYN: What do you mean, "lately"?
JOHN: Well… I ate one of Molnon's mushrooms. One in four gets you dead.
AERYN: Was that supposed to get Chiana out of here more quickly, John? You eating a mushroom?
( John just gapes at her, surprised. Nearby, Rygel grunts and groans and he works to replace the stolen treasures. )
AERYN: Rygel, we're out of here in 90 microts, with or without you.
( Aeryn stands and walks toward the prowler. )
RYGEL: I'm going as fast as I can.
( Crichton walks over to Chiana and kneels behind her. )
CHIANA: Hey, old man.
JOHN: Hey, little girl. ... You okay?
CHIANA: Yeah. You know... Molnon was right about one thing. The jump... was incredible. You should have tried it.
JOHN: Nah, I'm too old.
( Chiana places her hands over the spot where the life-disk is buried. )
JOHN: It's time to go.
( Crichton helps Chiana stand, and together they take one last look at the many tombs on the planet surface. )
CHIANA: Let's get out of this dead place.
END
ROLL CLOSING CREDITS
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