Into the Lion's Den

Part 1: Lambs to the Slaughter
The episode kicks off in John's Head. The setting is out of some old B&W WWII movie- it is nighttime and a mcanvas-backed army troop transport truck bumps into view on a rain-slicked road. John and Harvey are being taken to the front lines. They sit in the dark under the trucks canvas back - John's chewing gum - he's as grim as a battle- hardened soldier. But the clone is jumpy and breathing heavily with anxiety. He cringes at the sound of a distant explosion.

Harvey: (pleading) Oh turn back, John!

John: (as he adjusts his battle gear) Shut up, Private. We're goin' in.

Harvey: (he sounds almost weepy) If Scorpius discovers you intend to sabotage his wormhole research - (he takes a deep breath) - he'll kill you, John, and if you perish - so do I.

John: (tough) Thought you wanted to die.

Harvey: Not any more. I want to survive!

John: (flatly) Then follow orders. (chastened by his Commanding Officer's damn-the-torpedoes bravery - the clone, takes a deep breath and pulls himself up by his bootstraps)

Harvey: I'll do my best. (John eyes the clone dubiously) Trust me on that. (suddenly a voice speaks John's name from somewhere far away-)

Aeryn: Crichton- (slowly the black and white movie in John's Head fades and color seeps into his face. The scene shifts to one of Moyas transport pods where he's sitting with Aeryn, Chiana, Crais and Jool) D'Argo and Rygel just reported in from the Command Carrier. Scorpius is sending Marauders to escort us in.

Jool: Or blast us into particles.

Crais: (slightly disapprovingly to Jool) Why is your hair red? (well her hair is always red - but at this moment is a distinctly different shade of red - almost the color of ketchup)

Jool: (calmly - but quite put-out) Because I'm anxious, okay? I don't know why we're doing this. I don't know why I came along. (to Chiana) And I don't know why we didn't jump ship when you said we would.

Chiana: (in a tone that suggests she wishes Jool hadn't brought that up in front of everyone eslse) 'Cos we'd be nowhere near a populated planet.

Jool: You know what? We could've stayed on Moya.

John: Aeryn - turn the pod around. Let's take these two back.

Aeryn: (snapping) Moya is over four arns away.

Crais: And hiding with Talyn by now.

Cut to somewhere in space - Cut arns distant. Moya and her essentially brain-dead child move is slow orbit on the night side of a immense, deep blue planet. The arc of a tiny, dim moon peeks over its horizon. Cut to Pilot in his lonely Den aboard his empty ship as John hails him.

John: (on comm) Pilot? Are you parked?

Pilot: Yes. Moya has towed Talyn to the agreed upon rendezvous point. (he grunts a little as Moya trembles and a sound like wind moaning in her vast interior spaces is heard. The scene shifts between him and those on the pod as they speak)

Aeryn: Pilot? What was that?

Pilot: (sounding physically uncomfortable) Moya is under - great stress.

Chiana: (muttering) She ought to see us.

Pilot: But she assures me she will - endure.

Jool: I hope we can say the same.

Soon after - the pod is surrounded by several of Scorpius' Marauders. These small-crew fighter craft are as blandly utilitarian as VHS cassettes - albeit a lot more threatening with their heavy armaments. Our heroes in the pod watch and wait in tense silence as the fighter detail escorts them on to the vast Command Carrier itself. That great ship - which dwarfs a Leviathan - is in orbit around another blue planet - this one is lighter and glows brightly in the rays of its local sun. John looks anxiously at Aeryn as the pod is guided through the giant forest of weaponry and technical structures that jut horizontally from the front of the Carrier. But Aeryn's expression is blank, her eyes focused on the familiar sights of her former PK home and John returns his gaze to watch as they enter the cavernous portal of the Carriers docking bays.

Within the immense docking area, the pod lowers slowly to its designated parking spot at one end of a long red carpet that's been rolled out for them. The Aisle of Honor is lined with a few dozen PKs soldiers who stand unflinchingly at attention as the pod sets down. They're bare-headed and in dress uniform - each one cradles a rifle at formal ease. John is the first one off the pod - followed closely by his friends. They pause and look down the length of the red carpet to where their host - Scorpius - stands st the far end. He's flanked by D'Argo and Rygel on one side and Braca with his eight-hand man Plint on the other. The half-Scarran now spreads his arms genially and inclines his head in a modest bow-

Scorpius: Welcome.

John and company make no response other than to begin the long walk down the carpet toward the waiting half-Scarran. John's gaze is fixed on his nemesis as is Aeryn's - who follows close behind him. Chiana is more trepidations though and she casts furtive glances at the lines of stone-faced soldiers on either side of them as they pass. Crais too guardedly scans the faces of his former PK crewmen and makes eye contact with a young woman whose short-cropped hair is dark blond - her name is Larell she pointedly returns his gaze without moving from her rigid stance.

As they walk, John brings one of his hands around behind his back - he's wearing the I-yensch bracelet Rygel and Scorpius agreed upon as failsafe measures to ensure seurity - and he murmurs to Aeryn-

John: Let's test the jewelry.

Aeryn: All right.

And with that - she grabs his thumb and wrenches it sharply upwards. John yelps and misses a couple steps as he cringes with pain - and ahead of them Scorpius growls and flinches as well, cradling his I-yensch bracelet-clad left hand. The honor guard wavers and the clicking sounds of a few rife safeties being flicked off is heard. John quickly reassures the honor guard-

John: Just checking.. (both he and Scorpius recover quickly from the test insult and as they come face to face - Aeryn steps aside to stand near D'Argo and Rygel)

Aeryn: (murmuring to the Luxan) Treating you all right?

D'Argo: So far.

Rygel: (out of the corner of his mouth) Food could be better. (their murmured conversation is ignored by John and Scorpius though - who have eyes only for each other)

Scorpius: (softly) John Crichton. (then loudly as he announces in a voice for all present to hear) I grant you - John - and your companions - full diplomatic rights, immunities and courtesies whilst aboard this vessel. (he steps closer to John and delivers a personal greeting quietly, with a smile) At last - the rift between us is finally bridged. (he extends a hand to John - who stares grimly at him for a long moment - before reaching out and clasping it in a shake of peace)

The scene shifts to later as Crais and John step into the spartan elegance of the Carriers Captains Chambers. Braca and Scorpius bring up the rear. The receiving area of the chambers are devoid of furnishing except for a long oval console/table whose surface glows with the white and red geometric elements of PK design language. Dark pillars rise into high ceilinged gloom. Beyond these pillars ruddy light glows softly here and there in the more private dining and sleeping areas of the chambers. Crais, John and Scorpius array themselves around the central console whose light illuminates their faces. Braca stands back.

Scorpius: (pacing as he speaks) So tell me John - what finally brought you here? (with mild skepticism) Dominar Rygel claimed you preferred the Peacekeepers to the Scarrans. Any other reasons?

John: (his stance is carefully casual to mask his fear of this creature and bolster his own bravado. His tone is even and businesslike) Moya. Pilot. Aeryn. D'Argo. They've been through hell in large part due to me. It's time I did something for them. Do not - screw with them Scorpius - give them what they want. It's a good deal for you.

Scorpius: (with perish-the-thought-otherwse politeness) Oh - uncontested.

Crais: (in the bold tone of the PK captain he is at heart) There is one thing more we want - Talyn is presently inoperative. He needs to be brought aboard - for a full cognitive system replacement.

Scorpius: (mildly - but betraying some tension) That was not part of the agreement.

John: (bland) So? You called off the retrieval squad - fixin' up Talyn is chump change. (when did he call off the retrieval squad? Before or after they ripped Talyn and gutted Rygel?)

Braca: Bringing a gunship aboard is too much to ask.

Crais: His weapons have been deactivated. Techs will remove them. He will be reprogrammed and set free.

John: No guns no Peacekeeper memories no emotional problems. (no guns? They didn't tell the little guy that part!)

Braca: (shaking his head) What incentive is there for us to work on Crais'- (but he's cut off by John. The human has no fear of this one and moves quickly to put him in his place and maybe let off a little pent-up anxiety of his own in the process)

John: (loudly) Braca you wanna go another round with me? We can take this outside. Talyn's behalf -. Crais can go to hell. This is for me not him.

Scorpius: Granted.

Crais: Then show me to my quarters and get me the project schematics so I can isolate Talyn's design flaws. I'll need a Leviathan specialist. I request Lieutenant Larell.

Scorpius: For ah - any particular reason?

Crais: Only that she's the best qualified. (there's long pause as the two hold each others gaze - no love lost between the pair of them)

Scorpius: Hm. (he nods to Braca, who exits with Crais, before turning back to John) Your shipmates have been invited to refreshment in the ah - Officer's Lounge. Shall we join them?

John: (surly) No - thank you. I came to work.

Scorpius: (eyeing him piercingly) For - or against me?

Cut to the Command Carrier Officer's Lounge. A bar counter with platters of bread and bottles of drink runs along one side of the room whose walls are done in deep PK red and accented by the usual black and white geometrics. As with most PK design the room has a sparse, Japanese feel to it - except for the brutalist primary decoration of the place which is an insignia of a grey, winged beast in a black, red and white circle. PK officers of varying ranks fill the room, some are seated at square tables with red placemats. Suddenly the strident tone of an older, battlescarred man - Lieutenant Reljik - who's sitting with a couple of his buddies, rises above the quiet chatter of the room.

Reljik: (with sour contempt) Full immunity for escaped prisoners! It's frelling madness! We shouldn't be welcoming these criminals - we should be executing them! (as he speaks - the doors to the Lounge swing open and Plint, the tall, shaven-headed, brown-complexioned thug who's Bracas right-hand man escorts Aeryn, Chiana, D'Argo, Jool and Rygel in. The room goes dead silent as everyone turns to stare at them. Reljik and his sour-pussed friends positively glare)

Plint: (to the crew of Moya - perfectly genial but with a hint of mockery in his tone) Make yourselves comfortable.

Our heroes stare back at the unfriendly crowd. Poor Jool somehow manges to look winsomely innocent in her very low leather Wonder-Bustier and ketchup-red hair. Even Chiana takes a step backwards. But Aeryn knows where she is and as the others watch - she paces with great dignity into the silent room and begins to prepare herself a drink. An officer standing nearby whispers a word of contempt to her as he moves away-

PKOfficer: Traitor. (Aeryn ignores him with her usual stony panache and taking her drink, she moves to return to the company of her friends who also now begin to - make themselves comfortable)

Cut to Braca and Crais as they walk down a very dim corridor whose walls are lined with inset horizontal red lights. It looks just like one of Talyn's corridors which were of course designed to grow in the manner of a PK ship. As they walk, Crais finds he's not getting any better reception than the others as soldiers pass him and hiss whispered epitaphs like "Deserter!" and "Frelljik!" at him as they go.

Braca: There's a lot of hostility among the crew. They feel you betrayed them by misusing your command. So do I. (Crais makes no response as he follows Braca and silently endures the insults being heaped upon him by his former underlings)

Cut to Scorpius' Wormhole Research Lab. The half-Scarran hangs off on the sidelines as John is given the grand tour by Project Leader Co-Kura Strappa - the pudgy blue alien with the double row of little spines on his bald head and dark circles around his eyes whose cultured voice is marred by his tendency to pant anxiously. The lab is filled with complex equipment and sophisticated workstations - John takes it all in with little expression.

Strappa: I'm delighted to have you assisting us. We've prepared you a-a workstation. (he chuffs proudly - but peers anxiously into John's blank face, desperately trying to gauge this new fellows mood) Tell me what you require - I'll have someone obtain it for you. (they come around a big, sleek computer console with a transparent screen suspended above it and Strappa proudly shows John his desk. It's tiny, down a few steps, in a corner and lined with little blinking screens that wouldn't look too out of place in your average Earth-based medical diagnostic suite. John stares at it for a moment and then jogs down the steps to it)

John: Workstation. (he picks up the little metal stool sitting in front of the desk and jogs back up the steps to Strappas side) Seems limited. (and with that - to poor Strappas horror - he hurls the metal stool into the little workstation which is pretty much obliterated in the resultant electrical explosion. As the pudgy blue alien flaps his hands and dithers, John stalks away, furious at the insult the little workstation represented to him) I don't assist! (but he gets only a couple steps before Scorpius intercepts him)

Scorpius: (reproachful and scandalized) John! The intention was-

John: (cutting him off) Screw you and your intentions Scorp! I do not eat at the kiddie table! Now you either give me the big toys - or you send me home.

Cut to the guest quarters assigned to Crais as he and Braca enter. The quarters consist of two cramped, metal-walled rooms linked by a short tube-shaped passage. Crais walks into the inner room - which is a sleeping area - while Braca waits in the outer room and taunts him.

Braca: Not as salubrious as your previous accommodations. Still - considering the fact you should be in our brig - I suppose you can't complain. (Crais ignores him as he scans the inner room) Don't bother searching for surveillance. You're not that important. (Crais comes back through the tube and stands to face Braca with great dignity - and delivers a seemingly flattering observation in a profoundly patronizing tone that leaves no doubt of the deep contempt in which he holds his former second-in-command)

Crais: Lieutenant Braca. I predicted your rise in this organization. I stand by that prediction. You - are - a consummate Peacekeeper. (Bracas smug expression melts under the imperious gaze of his former Captain - and he turns on his heel and leaves)

Cut back to the Officer's Lounge where conversation has resumed among the crowd - but the crew of Moya is being carefully snubbed. Aeryn, D'Argo and Jool sit around a table. Aeryn's mind seems elsewhere.

Jool: (in a low tone) This is too weird being here. How long were you a prisoner?

D'Argo: 8 cycles.

Jool: (to Aeryn - with real sympathy) And you were born here - grew up within these walls? It must have been awful. (Aeryn starts as Jool addresses her - but her attention is drawn to the table nearby where Reljik laughs suddenly as he wins a game of chance. Aeryn immediately flashes on a scene from her memory. In it - a slightly younger version of herself sits at that very table with her best friend, Henta, and another companion. They're playing the same game. in her memory, Aeryn is raises a fist in mock agony of defeat as Henta yells a victory whoop)

Henta: Yeeeeeaaaaaaahhh!

Aeryn: (laughing, her cheeks almost rosy with pleasure) Ooooohhhh!

Henta: That's just chance.

Aeryn: I'll get it back! (they all laugh and Henta raises her glass to her friends)

Henta: Cheers!

The scene shifts back to the present as Aeryn sits - an outcast in her own home. She has one elbow propped on the table and is leaning her head against her hand. She strokes her own hair wistfully as she watches the cheerful camaraderie of those around her.

Aeryn: (softly) No It wasn't awful. (and while Aeryn sadly recalls her old life - Chiana tries to make friends. Of course she always picks a guy to try and make friends with and her idea of friendliness is a lot like a come-on. It's as if the only way she can feel happy is if she thinks she's sexually manipulating someone. Ya'd think she might learn - but she apparently still has a lot of lumps to take before she gets it. She slides past Reljik, running her hand along his shoulder as she asks-)

Chiana: Room for another? (she makes to sit at the fourth chair at his table -but he lashes out with one foot and kicks it away. D'Argo rises)

Reljik: No.

Chiana: But I have currency - (she walks over and bends over to pick up the chair - her butt pointedly aimed in his direction) - and, ah - other things.

Reljik: (dryly) I don't see anything. (D'Argo begins to pace slowly in her direction - but she's in it too deep with Reljik to notice. She just can't stand his refection - so she tries the charms of her other end on him)

Chiana: No? (she bends over so as to be sure her forcibly pushed-up loomas are right at Reljik's eye level) Look closer. (Reljik stands abruptly to look down on her with a look of revulsion and contempt just as D'Argo arrives)

D'Argo: (laying a hand on Chiana's arm) Chiana - I think we should be moving along. (but she jerks away from him without taking her eyes off Reljik)

Chiana: We're just getting to know each other.

Reljik: I know exactly what you are.

Chiana: Oh?

Reljik: A Nebari tralk. (Aeryn hangs her head as if ashamed to be with this bunch while Chiana mocks the man with a fgasp of eigned horror at his insult. But he's on to D'Argo now too) And a Luxan who took a Sebacean wife and then murdered her. (that gets right up our Luxans nose and he hisses dangerously - Aeryn bolts from her seat and moves quickly to defuse the building hostility)

Aeryn: (quietly) D'Argo we didn't come here to fight.

D'Argo: (softly, without moving or taking his eyes off Reljik) No. No I wouldn't dream of it. (at that moment Braca strides into the room - perhaps alerted by someone that something was going on - or perhaps just sensing it upon seeing the two men standing and staring at each other)

Braca: (severely) Lieutenant Reljik!

Reljik: (eyes still fixed on D'Argo) We were just getting to know each other. (he turns away. Braca also turns to exit - but Rygel stops him)

Rygel: Ah Braca! Crichton's now arrived - so keep your promises. You owe me a full intelligence report on the Hynerian political situation. (Braca removes a data chip from his pocket and hands it over with a smile)

Braca: Here it is. (Rygel accepts the chip with a pleased exclamation and Braca remembers another thing that he has to tell D'Argo) Ah - and you can undergo your surgery anytime you choose.

D'Argo: That wasn't the only thing I requested.

Braca: We're working on the other thing. (he moves to leave but D'Argo stops him)

D'Argo: Work faster. (Braca exits and at that moment - someone arrives for Aeryn - her old best friend Henta. Henta has sleek, light brown hair that follows the contours of her head and neck. As she comes, she stares at Aeryn with amazement. Aeryn returns the look)

Henta: For the love of Cholek - I heard you were here - but I didn't believe it. (she and Aeryn smile at each other and Aeryn offers her a cup)

Aeryn: Will you have a drink with me?

Henta: (she pauses for a moment before taking the cup - the eyes of the entire room are upon them) Thank you - (there's another pause as she looks down - and suddenly her voice turns bitter and hostile) - but I only drink with Peacekeepers. (and whit that - she dashes the contents of the cup in Aeryn's face and stalks back out as the lounge crowd gasps and averts their eyes. Aeryn spins around, stunned - and watches her old friend leave)

Cut to Scorpius' Wormhole Research Lab where he hovers over John who has indeed been allowed to move over to the adults table. Like a student with a surly attitude, he sits at a large computer console and doesn't deign to even look at poor Strappa who's trying to explain to him what it does. But at least the Wormhole Hero grasps the concepts they're working on.

Strappa: And this colonates the organic residue analyzer which ah- (John finishes his sentence for him)

John: - is tryin' to figure out why your wormhole pilots are turnin' to goo.

Strappa: (discreetly) You know of the - tissue liquefaction effect?

John: Yeah. It happened to Linfer when she tried to defect to Moya.

Scorpius: What did Linfer tell you?

John: Not a lot. She died. (a beat passes before he changes the subject) Tell you what - why don't you pull up her phase progression equations? Let's see how they compare to the stuff your - chip pulled out of my brain. (Strappa looks away, unsettled and there's a long silence as neither he nor Scorpius makes a move. John gives them a gentle verbal nudge) Fellas - open the bag or call me a cab - I cannot work blind.

Scorpius gives Strappa the nod the spiny-headed little fellow brings up a flat representation of the rotating 3-D blossom of wormhole equations on the opaque screen that is suspended over the computer console. John leans forward and peers into the gently twisting matrix of symbols with a look of deep concentration on his handsome face...

Cut to later in the Medical Bay of the Command Carrier - D'Argo has reported there for surgery - surgery to remove the heavy metal rings the Peacekeepers installed around his collarbone for use as restraints. The medical bay is entirely black except for a few red on white geometrics on the doors and the medical equipment itself. The soft hiss of medical gasses underscores the quiet conversation of those present. D'Argo reclines on a procedure couch on an elevated platform reached by a short flight of steps and a Medic is next to him holding what looks like a huge pair of bolt cutters at one of the rings. Aeryn and Jool are there with him - they're wearing silky grey pajamas for sterility in the surgical area. John enters, dressed accordingly. Of course the procedure is being done with conscious sedation so D'Argo is awake and responding.

Medic: (as he clamps down on the bolt cutters) How's the pain? I can increase the anaesthetic mist.

John: You doin' all right big guy?

D'Argo: (he's clearly in some discomfort but too macho to say so) Well enough. (he rolls his eyes pointedly towards the Medic) Only it's taking slightly longer - than I expected.

Medic: (with a bland smile) My apologies. (the ring snaps between the bolt cutters blades and the Medic sets it aside before bending over the Luxan with a big tweezer) These rings weren't designed to be removed. The bone will knit shortly however - (with satisfaction - he extracts the ring and holds it up for D'Argo to see) - and the blood is running clear. You're safe from infection in here. (thus assured that their friend is fine - some unspoken signal passes between Aeryn and John and they descend from the surgical platform) Relax there for a few arns. (D'Argo sits up and turns the broken rings - which are about the size of the rings put through bulls noses - over in his fingers) The grilton mist will help you heal. (meanwhile Aeryn and John take a seat a little ways away from the surgical platform and very quietly compare notes on the mission so far They make no eye contact)

Aeryn: Apparently it's safe to talk in here. Crais says that the mist interferes with their surveillance equipment.

John: Well he should know. It was his boat. (pause) How you holdin' up?

Aeryn: Well, I wish I was elsewhere.

John: Yeah.

Aeryn: Have you decided on a plan? (John shifts uncomfortably)

John: Plan A - was to wipe all their data - send them back to square one. That would work if I could find the erase button.

Aeryn: Mmhm.

John: Plan B... Steer 'em in the wrong direction - except I don't know which way that is.

Aeryn: Mmhm. (she suspected as much)

John: I'm startin' to look at Plan C.

Aeryn: Which is?

John: Forget the whole thing and run like hell before they kill us.

Aeryn: (sharply) Are you serious about that one?

John: No. Just tell the others not to get comfortable.

Aeryn: Trust me they won't.

Cut back to the Officer's Lounge. Reljik and his two friends are the only ones there now. One of his companions is a mustached PK with a lean, hard face. The other is a younger man named Vonk - he has the heavy build of wrestler)

LeanPK: Well that's it for me. (he exits, but the other two stay to nurse their bile and their drinks a bit longer)

Reljik: How the frell can Scorpius allow that Luxan on board? Can't stand Luxans. Never could.

Vonk: Me neither.

Reljik: Looking down his ugly nose at us. Like to wipe that sneer off his face.

Vonk: So would I.

Reljik: You know what might give him a good scare? Have you still got that - thing they - built for you for the battle of Stalaro? (Vonk chuckles wickedly and drains his cup)

Cut back to the medical bay. D'Argo and Jool are lounging on the deep black-tiled, red-grouted bench of a sauna-like room. Just above them, white vapor spills from a square container. The place is quiet and seems deserted but for them.

Jool: I don't like it. I don't trust Scorpius. Are we gonna die here?

D'Argo: What do you mean? In this room, or in a Command Carrier? (at that moment they are joined by a most unwelcome guest - Vonk - who descends the flight of steps from the surgical area to where D'Argo and Jool are sitting. It should be noted that the layout of the Carrier features a lot of staircases)

Vonk: Luxan! (the big PK looks positively gladiatorial. He's shirtless and his naked torso is bound in a heavy leather harness which secures a device that sheathes his right arm from the shoulder on down terminating in a circular saw head whose teeth are particularly deep and jagged. The thing is viciously barbaric - built to terrify and maim unarmed people)

D'Argo: Peacekeeper.

Vonk: Get up!

D'Argo: (as he takes in Vonks sadistic gear) Aw frell.

Vonk reaches for D'Argo with his bare hand but the Luxan leaps to his feet, hissing and slaps the mans hand away. They face off and D'Argo lashes out at vonk with his tongue - but the man is quick enough to dodge its knock-out strike. He then starts his buzz saw apparatus and lunges for D'Argo. A protracted battle ensues between the unarmed Luxan and the PK. One wouldn't think it would take much skill to gut an unarmed guy when you have a bionic arm with a buzz saw where your hand should be - but Vonk is man whose forte is plain old artless brutality and D'Argo is able to repeatedly dodge the saw or hold it off by grabbing its base. Even so - the threat is real and again and again the saw barely misses its mark and strikes the walls or edges of steps sending up showers of sparks as D'Argo rolls away. At one point when D'Argo has the saw stayed - Jool even gets into the act and pummels ineffectually at Vonks bare belly - but D'Argo can't hold the man and Jool narrowly escapes bisection herself. The battle rages up t flight of steps to a platform without railings where the combatants teeter at its edge -

Jool: D'ARGO! (she rushes to pull him back and Vonk begins to lose his balance)

D'Argo: NO! (he reaches for the PKs arm and prevents him from going off the edge of the high platform - but Vonk isn't the grateful type and makes to slash at him with the buzzing saw. D'Argo is forced to let go - and the man topples backwards off the platform. He lands face down on top of his own spinning blade - which is driven hard into body where it shorts out. As D'Argo watches this with the dreadful certainty that this is going to come back to haunt him - Reljik enters with a couple armed soldiers in tow)

Reljik: Don't move. (he comes to peer over the edge of the platform at Vonks sprawled body - then he looks at D'Argo and says disingenuously) Oh dear!

Cut to later in Scorpius' private chambers. Aeryn, D'Argo, John and Jool are gathered while the furious half-Scarran addresses Reljik. He clearly sees right through his officers plan to cause trouble and Reljik stands at attention while his Commanding Officer reams him at point-blank range.

Scorpius: Reljik - if anyone and I mean ANYONE - touches our guests - there will be two executions-- The offenders and YOURS! (Reljik is furious - but also wisely fearful of Scorpius - his eyes move to look at the half-Scarran apprehensively) DisMISSED! (Reljik lowers his eyes and exits the room, Braca eyes him as he goes)

John: Can anybody think of a reason why we shouldn't head straight back for Moya?

Jool: (flatly) No.

Aeryn: We were assured safe passage.

Scorpius: (anxious to appease them and keep John on project) But John - Ka D'Argo - I do apologize. But this will not happen again!

D'Argo: That's right - because I'm taking Jool, Chiana and Rygel back to Moya.

Scorpius: (protesting) Unnecessary!

John: The fewer of us onboard the less likely one of your people is to get hurt. (never mind Moyas people)

Braca: Yes and the less incentive for you to keep your promises.

Scorpius: Those who wish to return may. But-

D'Argo: (interrupting) Speaking of promises...

Scorpius: (firmly, annoyed by this unpleasantness) Braca - give him the file on Macton. (Braca obediently produces a data chip with information of D'Argo's former brother-in-law and hands it to our Luxan)

Braca: Latest activities. Current location. (D'Argo draws a deep breath as he takes the chip)

D'Argo: (murmuring sincerely) Thank you.

The scene shifts to Crais' quarters. He's sitting on his bunk looking at films of the old blueprints for Talyn's design. He rises as he hears the doors of his chamber open and walks into the outer room to greet his guest - the Leviathan Specialist with the close-cropped dark blond hair - Larell. She halts and stands at attention.

Crais: Lieutenant.

Larell: Captain.

Crais: No longer. What were you told?

Larell: Only to assist you as required.

Crais: And are you displeased with this assignment? (he circles around her as he speaks - she remains stiffly at attention, eyes front)

Larell: Why would I be?

Crais: Working with someone who has - lost his command. (Larell breaks her formal stance and whips her head around to face him with the vehemence of true believer)

Larell: Scorpius stole your command! I knew he squeezed you out of power!

Crais: What else do you know?

Larell: That even though you left without a word - I never changed my feelings for you. (she reaches for him and they kiss in a long, passionate, embrace of Wild Military Love. Crais breaks it off abruptly and Larell, her love thus requited - breathlessly spills all) Scorpius - he knows about our past. He put me in the Aurora Chair - found out everything. He said if I didn't spy on you - he'd destroy me.

Crais: Why are you telling me this?

Larell: For the last two cycles - I hated you. It was the only way I could get through it.

Crais: It's as I expected. Everyone who knew me - would be coerced into spying.

Larell: I don't hate you.

Crais: I don't hate you either. (she gasps as he grabs her and they again embrace enthusiastically. Now Larell doesn't seem like Crais' type except maybe for the Superior Officer Worship - but perhaps that's enough for now...)

Cut back to the Wormhole Research Lab where John is back in front of the opaque screen. Strappa stands on the other side of the console - they can both see what's being displayed. The images flashing by on it this time are of web-like structures.

John: These are design specs right?

Strappa: It's our latest approach - to create an external field that stabilizes a wormhole before entry.

John: (softly - to Strappa he sounds impressed but the real emotion is incredulous apprehension) You're using this entire ships hull as a wave repeater.

Strappa: Yes, the-the ships mass itself acts as a multiplier. (a little wistfully) If we knew the sub-harmonic formulas, we could find the right resonance pattern. (he suddenly makes a nervous little alert sound as he sees Scorpius coming up the flight of stairs behind John)

Scorpius: No progress?

Strappa: (his response is punctuated with slot of anxious gasping) Uh - not as yet. So far we haven't been able to - to postulate any further equations. (he finishes lamely as Scorpius paces around the console. John just sits there with his head bowed into one of his hands) No.

Scorpius: (deadly) Why - not?

John: (annoyed, he pushes himself away from the console) Because - we keep being interrupted.

Scorpius: (impatient and paternal) I'm sorry John - but we must move faster! The equations we need are in here. (he taps John's head to emphasize his last 3 words and the human bolts to his feet to confront the half-Scarran)

John: Don't touch me. (there's a pause) Locked away. I can't get at 'em.

Scorpius: (softly - as mistrustful of John as John is of him - and a good deal less afraid) Well perhaps you're holding back.

John: (reproaching Scorpius for his impatient temerity) Grasshopper - you tried to snatch the feather from my head- (but Scorpius is not one to be chastised and he talks over John's patronizing speech cutting him off)

Scorpius; You should let me- LET ME FINISH! (in the sudden silence - he and John stand nose to nose as he whispers vehemently) You may well be making every conscious effort - but subconsciously - you may still believe - that I will misuse the wormhole technology.

John: (with innocent flippancy) You say you're only after Scarrans, I'm cool with that. Long as it's true.

Scorpius: It is. (he raises his hand to show John something in his palm) Maybe I can prove it to you.

John: What's that?

Scorpius: Excerpts from my file. Documenting my life before I joined the Peacekeepers. (he steps away from John and lays the chip down the computer console)

John: Uh-huh - what's that gonna tell me?

Scorpius: (as Strappa stares at the back of his head and gulps) Why I despise Scarrans.

The scene shifts to later - back in John's Head. He's viewed Scorpius' personal data and has now come to speak with the neural clove of the half-Scarran who's squatting in his brain. It's Reality Check Time. The setting Is still the B&W WWII movie. The troop truck has reached its destination and is parked amid creates of supplies as the pair of soldiers it carried here rest for a moment. The sound of artillery fire is nearer now and the sporadic light of exploding artillery shells illuminates their faces.

Harvey: (brightly) Scorpius' data chip made for interesting viewing don't you think John?

John: (contemplative) The Scarrans - are they really the threat he claims? Or is he just out for revenge? What do you think?

Harvey: I share his intellect - but not his passions nor his fears. Yes - my assessment would be more objective than his. And I concur with him - (with conviction) - the Scarrans - pose a threat to ALL our species! (a bomb explodes in midair very nearby - and the clone continues - a gallant cheerleader now as he pats his hosts back reassuringly) Cheer up John! Scorpius has shown his biography to very few! He must be trusting you now.

John: Yeah... (guiltily) Yeah that's interesting - considering I've been lying to his face.

Harvey: (also a little guiltily as he adjusts his helmet) Uuuhhh - I've managed to uh - normalize your energy signature. Scorpius can't detect you're lying! (all the cheery companion again - he may agree with Scorpius but he really doesn't give a rats beyond John's survival) We may yet survive this John! Hoo-gaaaahhhh! (John just stares back at this creature - the essence of amorality - and perhaps wonders how much of it belongs to Scorpius and how much of it belongs to himself)

The scene shifts to sometime much later. Talyn has been brought to the Command Carrier. It's testemony to the enormity of the Carrier that Talyn actually fits inside its docking bay - even at his present size which is perhaps a quarter of Moyas bulk. Crais and Larell stand looking up at the mutant Leviathan whose presence indoors is weirdly incongruous. Braca and a contingent of troops are rightly wary of this sleeping dragon in their midst.

Larell: Oh... He's magnificent.

Crais: Braca - stand down. He's harmless. His weapons have been deactivated.

Braca: And I'm to take your word for it?

Larell: (sharply) Take my word Lieutenant. That ships biologics are on minimal auto-support. All its other systems are dead.

Crais: (to Braca) Care to board Talyn and see for yourself? (but Braca isn't thrilled with that idea either and just eyes his former Captain. Crais heads for Talyn and Larell moves up beside Braca)

Braca: And he believed your confession?

Larell: Yes. He trusts me completely. (she follows after Crais)

Cut to elsewhere on the Command Carrier as it orbits the bright blue plant amid a swarm of Marauders. Aeryn's showing John around in the name of snatching another private conversation. She leads him to a hatchway through which can be seen a broad expanse of grass and a statue of an adult whose arms rest protectively upon the shoulders of a child. The air is misty and the curved girders that form the high ceiling of the vast room can be seen high above. PK soldiers mill about on the grass - but this is no park for the enjoyment of space-dwelling folk. A Public Address system calls military exercises to begin -" Group Leader Desden - trials commence in 10 microts. Re-form and execute..."

John: This is nice.

Aeryn: It's Planetary Terrain Reconstruction. Combat training. There's about 40 on the ship. (as they walk deeper inside the PTR it becomes indistinguishable from a real planet landscape. The setting is parklike, sunny and pleasant. PK children yell as they play fight)

John: Look, Scorpy thinks that - Scarrans are - Public Enemy #1. They want to wipe out all the lesser species - is that true?

Aeryn: That's what we were taught.

John: Great. And what if the Peacekeepers - never develop wormhole tech? What if that's the only way to keep the Scarrans at bay?

Aeryn: Well they'll have to find another way to repel the Scarrans. But that's not your problem. You should be focusing on what you came here to do.

John: Yeahyeah I know I know - it's just... It's just goin' so damn slow. (pause) The stuff in my head. (again perhaps to avoid the appearance of being too chatty, Aeryn barely looks at him, her eyes never stop roving the landscape) You know what? I could be here for a while. Maybe it's best if you don't stay. (she snaps her head around to look at him - but the blankly grim look an her face never changes)

Cut to Moya, who's drifting alone now over the distant, deep blue planet. On her Command, D'Argo hovers near the troublesome shipmates he herded back home for safekeeping. Chiana, Jool and Rygel are watching a recording of a Hynerian news broadcast as a newscaster intones grandly.

HynerianReporter: ...And calls for Dominar Bishans abdication have spread to 4 of the primary home worlds. (Rygel and Chiana chortle with glee)

Rygel: By the Hynerian Gods! Orrhn wasn't lying! Bishan's in disfavor! Hah! Hah! Hah! If I returned - I could muster up an army! Incite an uprising and restore myself to power! (the sound of his voice takes on a strangely hypnotic tone for Chiana as she suddenly staggers to her feet - caught up in another of her visions) I can see it now. The serried ranks of my supporters - "Rygel! Rygel! Rygel!-" (but Chiana interrupts his ambitious fantasizing as she fretfully moves away from him and Jool)

Chiana: Pilot - Pilot what's wrong?

Pilot: (cut to him in his Den as he speaks) With what? All systems report normal function.

Chiana: (slurring a bit with anxiety) Nonononono - (there's a long pause while she pants with terror before telling her awful premonition. D'Argo and Jool seem spooked by her behavior) - you were screaming. I-I had a vision! Y-you were screaming!

Pilot: But there's nothing wrong. (he looks down at his Console as an alert begins to sound and says with alarm-) Ships approaching! Peacekeeper ships! (on the Command, D'Argo lunges for one of the Command Consoles, followed closely by Chiana and Jool)

D'Argo: A Marauder and two Prowlers! Approaching fast!

Jool: Another retrieval squad?

Chiana: Frelling Scorpius!

D'Argo: Starburst now Pilot.

Pilot: Yes - prepare for immediate starburst.

And with that - the blue-white light of starburst ignites at the reactor plates at the ends of Moyas long, curving tails and begins its crawl forward over her body as she comes about. In Pilots Den the same white light percolates up like lightning from the pit beneath his station - but before starburst can he attained - a huge plume of orange fire from the PK ships nearly envelops her, as if using her own starburst energy against her. She lurches violently and Pilot screams and convulses as everything goes dark.

Cut to the semi-darkness of Talyn's silent Command. Crais is lost in his own quiet reverie while Larell looks around - unlike Crais - she needs a flashlight to see her way.

Larell: (with an appreciative sigh) This ship is amazing! (Crais grunts agreement. She continues lustily) I understand why you took control of him! (Crais grunts absently without looking at her. She lays a hand on his shoulder to get his attention) The - the neural interface - what was it like?

Crais: A thousand different sensations all at once.

Larell: Yet you're willing to give him up?

Crais: No choice. Ultimately - Talyn would not be commanded.

Larell: (coy) Ultimately - neither would you.

Crais: My inability to take orders is why I am no longer a captain.

Larell: Do you regret leaving the Peacekeepers?

Crais: Sometimes. What I regret most of is that I didn't - try to take you with me.

Larell: I wouldn't have gone. (pause) Not then.

Cut to the Command Carrier hangar bay where Prowlers are parked. Aeryn approaches Henta who's doing some maintenance on hers.

Henta: (surly) What do you want?

Aeryn: I want to talk to you.

Henta: Do you have something to say?

Aeryn: Where should I start?

Henta: What happened?

Aeryn: Am I a traitor? Well that depends upon your definition.

Henta: Define it how you like. You're the one who left. (she walks away from Aeryn)

Aeryn: (pursuing her determinedly) Well no I didn't have a choice in that. Crais decided I was irreversibly contaminated and he threw me out!

Henta: (she turns back to face Aeryn, clearly feeling betrayed and bitter) And then he turned renegade and he got thrown out. You could have come back.

Aeryn: It was too late then.

Henta: (incredulous) You think you didn't have a choice?

Aeryn: I didn't want to come back.

Henta: (her voice is husky with tears) Then you are a traitor.

Aeryn: (blandly) A deserter perhaps.

Henta: (still fighting tears) Can you tell me why?

Aeryn: (after a moments pause) If you really want to know. (but they're interrupted by an announcement over the PA system)

PASystem: Alert - all cannon crew and Prowler pilots report to stations. A captured Leviathan is being escorted to docking area. (Henta quickly moves to obey, leaving Aeryn standing alone amid the general rush to stations)

Outside the Carrier a familiar bronze Leviathan is driven slowly through the Command Carriers forest of weaponry and technical structures amid swarms of small PK fighter craft. The scene then shifts to the Wormhole Research Lab where John and Strappa work on either side of the opaque screen.

Strappa: (reminiscing sadly) Linfer suggested this formula. I - disagreed.

John: You two argue alot?

Strappa: (he stands up to emphasize his point) She was a great mind and a... a tragic loss.

John: (quietly) Yeah I really didn't get a chance to know her - but I liked her. (there's a pause while Strappa smiles, revealing a neat row of tiny sharp teeth) You - obviously liked her. (Strappa nods and lowers his eyes) That's good. (John leans back in his chair and gestures at the screen) This is wrong.

Strappa: Do you see a flaw in her extrapolation?

John: Just a hunch. (he rises and borrows a pen from a guy walking past Strapppa) Excuse me. That's not right. But - (he stands close to Strappa and writes something on his hand that only the little blue man can see) - there is - another way to go. (at that moment - Aeryn hurries in)

Aeryn: Crichton! They've captured Moya.

John: (muttering) Scorpius- (he sprints off)

Cut back to the Command Carriers gargantuan hangar bays as Chiana, D'Argo and Jool are led in as prisoners. Reljik is on duty and still stinging from Scorpius' earlier threat, strides up to the soldiers escorting them in with a sharp demand-

Reljik: What is this? Scorpius gave orders that this-

But he's cut off by a woman who now enters behind the crew of Moya - Commandant Mele' On Grayza. She appears to be Sebacean and she's a Peacekeeper but her hauteur is all she has in common with any other PK we've met so far. She's a beautiful woman with brilliant blue eyes and short, but luxuriant dark brown hair. Her eyes and her full lips are colored with complimentary shades of silvery pink and lavender. Instead of a uniform she's clad in wide legged black pants under a short black top styled like a robe with a stand-up collar accented by black palettes. The edges of the robe front is lined with fine, silk-like fabric of pristine white and the whole affair is open almost to her waist. The white fabric provides bare coverage for her breasts. She's clearly a woman out to flaunt herself and create a sensual impact - along with the usual PK intimidation tactics.

Grayza: I gave orders. (there's a pause as she studies Reljik) Lieutenant Reljik isn't it?

Reljik: (at attention and very submissive) I am honored you remember Ma'am.

Grayza: Thrice decorated by High Command if I recall correctly.

Reljik: You do Ma'am.

Grayza: (sweet, demure and very dangerous) Would you be so good as to watch over these prisoners for me?

Reljik: (very quietly) Ma'am. (Grayza moves off, leaving him standing there looking like a whipped dog)

Cut to Aeryn and John as they try to make their way through the dark, narrow corridors of the Carrier. Coming to a junction - they find their path blocked by Plint and another soldier.

John: Move.

Plint: (smoothly) A security lockdown is in effect - Priority Velka-9. No one is permitted- (but our heroes exchange a glance - and then attach Plint and his buddy - effectively removing them as obstacles for the moment)

The scene shifts to Scorpius' private chambers where he, Grayza and a Luxan envoy are not having a collegial meeting.

Scorpius: (furious - but cool as he paces around the smugly smiling Grayza) What have you done? This Gammak Project - is under my authority!

Grayza: Your authority is not absolute - Scorpius. Let me introduce Kor Tosko, Special Luxan Ambassador. (Tosko is an older Luxan - not as burly as D'Argo but otherwise sharing his general characteristics)

Tosko: The Luxans have signed a defense agreement - with the Peacekeepers. I have been sent to promote other such alliances. But half the planets I visit fear Peacekeepers.

Grayza: The other half laugh at us - for our simple inability to capture a handful of escaped prisoners whose exploits are becoming legendary.

Scorpius: (harshly) Why should we care what insignificant systems think?

Grayza: We're uniting - as much of the Uncharted Territories as possible. To improve our bargaining position with the Scarrans.

Scorpius: (incredulous) The Council intends to negotiate?

Grayza: A truce is being explored.

Scorpius: (with urgent fury) A truce won't prevent an invasion! As a show of weakness - it may even hasten one!

Tosko: Hence the alliances - to show strength.

Scorpius: (frustrated and hardly able to believe these peoples foohardiness) SHOWING STRENGTH IS USELESS! MY PROJECT WILL GIVE US STRENGTH!

Cut back to Aeryn and John sprinting through the Carriers halls - armed with Plint and the other soldiers weapons now. As they turn a corner they're stopped by a shout from behind them - Braca - his own weapon trained on them.

Braca: CRICHTON! STOP! (Aeryn and John turn and Braca, seeing they're armed - puts his palms up and allows them to take his gun. Not that he would shoot John anyway, who's still connected to Scorpius by the I-yensch bracelet)

Aeryn: Where is Scorpius?

Braca: (sounding almost regretful) He didn't capture Moya.

John: Like hell he didn't - Moya turned herself in?

Braca: It wasn't Scorpius. Let him explain - let me take you to him.

John: What a good idea. (John grabs him and off they go)

Cut back to Scorpius' private chambers where his meeting with Grayza continues.

Grayza: (coolly) Even if these chimerical wormholes of yours had some military value - now is not the time to provoke the Scarrans. The very existence of this project imperils a truce.

Scorpius: (with conviction) The very idea of a truce - imperils every Sebacean! (quietly) I know Scarrans - I understand them more than you ever will. (he snorts) Appeasement? (with contempt) Suicide. (and with that - the door of the chambers flies open and the meeting doubles in size)

John: In you go! (Braca is shoved into the room and our heroes storm in behind him - guns at the ready. Scorpius wearily sits down) HEY HOPPER! LET 'EM GO! Or I will - kill you - bracelet or no bracelet!

Scorpius: (anxious to appease the intellectual property) Calm down John - calm down! Moya and your friends are unharmed.

Aeryn: Well we'd like to see them.

Grayza: (calmly) You can't. I've taken them into custody. (John startles and keeping one gun on Scorpius - whips up the one he took off Braca and holds it on her)

John: (very quietly as he eyes this new one with deep suspicion) Have we met?

Grayza: Commandant Mele-On Grayza. And you must be - (with the hint of a sneer) - the infamous John Crichton.

John: (also with the hint of a sneer) Infamous? Two points - Commandant - One: Your boy here has made a lot of promises which you should keep because- Two: When my friends are threatened I am infamous - for making reeeaaally stupid moves. (to Aeryn) Yes? (Aeryn grunts affirmatively)

Grayza: Point two is clearly correct - but I cannot accept point one. (to Scorpius, with contempt) You've completely lost control.

Scorpius: Not yet. (John has eyes only for Grayza as Scorpius crosses to his control console and flicks on the Carries PA system) This is Scorpius. (his voice echoes in the hangar bay - where the crew of Moya has been herded into a small cage under guard by Reljik and his men) Moya and her crew are to be released at once. (the soldiers look to Reljik, who looks grim - and silently shakes his head. Back in his chambers - Scorpius turns to his second-in-command and says with his usual confidence) Braca - have a security team report to my quarters. They will accommodate Commandore Grayza and her retinue to their vessel. A Prowler detail - will escort them out of this sector.

Braca: (briskly accepting the order) Sir!

Grayza: All right Scorpius - we'll do this the hard way. I'll return with a full Council Sanction. (Scorpius raises his chin defiantly) You shouldn't have made me into an enemy. (to John -with particular deadliness) And you shouldn't have pointed a weapon at me. (she stalks from the room, followed by Tosko and John snaps out of his fugue)

John: (muttering) Damn - I gotta stop pointin' guns at people. (louder) Scorpius - (he puts down his weapons) - I need a comms channel. (Scorpius sighs and moves to help him. He hasn't had this many people ranking on him since he killed his Scarran foster mama and ran away from home and he's getting to the end of his tolerance for it...)

Cut to the hangar bays as Grayza and Tosko sweep in, accompanied by Braca. The Commandant shows her anger openly now as she sees Moyas crew still in the holding cage.

Grayza: You heard Scorpius - release the prisoners!

Reljik: Ma'am - are you sure? (Grayza strides furiously up to him - he backs up with alarm but she grabs his lapels and as she speaks, pulls him close to her and makes as if she's adjusting his collar)

Grayza: (intensely) Do - as you are ordered - Lieutenant. (and with that - she lets go of him and leaves, Reljik seems stunned and takes a couple steps after her, as being pulled along in her wake in her wake. Meanwhile Moyas crew are exiting their cage and as Reljik stands there staring after Grayza and touching his neck where she had brushed it with her fingers - Jool snaps at one of the soldiers)

Jool: Don't - touch me.

Cut back to John and Scorpius in the half-Scarrans chambers as they sooth Pilot cia comm. The scene shifts from them to Pilot in his Den as they speak.

Pilot: (he's having difficulty speaking, like a guy who's been stunned) Crichton - we were attacked - immobilizer - pulse. (he groans a little with discomfort)

John: I know Pilot. It's-it's all right.

Pilot: Moya won't accept a control collar. Rather - be dead.

John: There's not going to be - a control collar - (in a low tone to Scorpius) Tell him.

Scorpius: Crichton is correct. Your capture was an error. This situation will not occur again.

John: He means it Pilot - and tell Moya I'm gonna hold him to it.

Pilot: Thank you - Commander. (he wearily signs off)

Scorpius: (with quiet urgency) John - now you know what stupidity I have to deal with. You must not fail! (John listens thoughtfully but says nothing)

Cut to Grayzas ship and its escorts as they shoot out from the Carriers docking bays like bats from hell. Cut to Reljik, somewhere on the Carrier as his comms device sounds a hail and he quickly responds. The scene shifts between him and Grayza on her ship as he and Grayza speak.

Reljik: Reljik here. I'm alone. Comms encryption is engaged.

Grayza: Lieutenant - I intend to remove Scorpius from command.

Reljik: I'm sure most of us here would fully approve of that action.

Grayza: But going through channels takes time, and given the crews low opinion of Scorpius - I'm concerned for his safety.

Reljik: He is well protected. But because of the I-yensch bracelet he is vulnerable - through John Crichton.

Grayza: Then I am equally concerned for Crichtons safety.

Reljik: I will do my best to address your concerns Ma'am.

Grayza: Thank you lieutenant. (she terminates communication and smiles in a way which suggests that what was just said was exactly the opposite of what it seemed to be...)

Cut to the Command Carrier Officer's Lounge. Having been hauled back onboard in cuffs anyway - Moyas crew has decided to stay a bit. And so, as Aeryn and Henta chat privately - Jool sits playing a table game with Plint - who's recovered from being brained by Aeryn and John with the usual bland PK acceptance to such things. Rygel sails up to kibbitz.

Rygel: Ah - a simple game. Not - very diverting unless it's played for currency.

Jool: (firmly) Oh I don't want to be diverted. I just want Crichton to finish his work so we can go.

Rygel: Oh we'll go whether he's finished or not. But we may as well take some Peacekeeper winnings with us. (Jool and Rygel giggle)

Plint: (a velvet-throated command) Play! (the scene shifts to Aeryn and Henta at their table nearby)

Henta: Then you've rejected our ideals?

Aeryn: No - not all of them. I've actually kept Loyalty - Sacrifice - Honor. Not all Peacekeepers believe in those ideals you know.

Henta: (in a sincere whisper) I still do!

Aeryn: (smiling) Yes, I'm sure you do. (Rygel rumbles as Plint coolly collects his winnings as Jool looks on, disappointed) Aren't you ever worried that you might be fighting for the wrong cause?

Henta: (stiffly) No. Never.

Aeryn: (after a moments careful pause - she looks pointedly over Hentas shoulder and asks) What about the wrong leaders? (Henta turns to look across the room at Scorpius - who's talking to D'Argo)

Scorpius: He is here under the Peacekeeper-Luxan pact.

D'Argo: I cannot believe that the Luxans made a pact with the Peacekeepers.

Scorpius: (sounding as if he endorses the idea - playing devils advocate to get the Luxan riled up) They're merely pledged to fight any Scarran attack. They remain autonomous.

D'Argo: Yes but - for how long?

Cut to later - Aeryn and John have repaired to the sauna in the Medical Bay for another chat. They lounge quietly on the black-tiled benches as they speak in low voices.

John: The knowledge the Ancients put in my head is starting to do its job. I can see which paths will work and which one's a dead end.

Aeryn: So you will be able to steer Scorpius onto the wrong path?

John: (fretfully) Yeah - I can screw up his research for years to come.

Aeryn: Why aren't you happy about that?

John: 'Cos I'm not 100% sure it's the right thing to do.

Aeryn: (annoyed) The other John gave up his life to stop the Scarrans from getting this infor- (but John cuts her off)

John: I know - but it's my shift now. He didn't know what we know. He didn't get Scorpys backstory - he didn't see Scorpy put his ass on the line for us.

Aeryn: So what? Now you're actually considering helping Scorpius?

John: No. It's just - not - clear what my next move is.

Aeryn: (fixing him with a hard stare) Well then you get clear. I said I'd back you up, and I will. But you have to make a decision.

Cut to Talyn's dark and silent corridors where Crais and Larell are walking.

Larell: Bialar - I know you may not believe me but - you could come back.

Crais: (with a snort) To the Peacekeepers? Scorpius despises me as much as I despise him.

Larell: This wormhole project - it means everything to him. As does loyalty. Give him what he wants from Crichton. Show Scorpius you're not his enemy.

Cut back to the Command Carrier as Aeryn and John, having finished their chat - make their way along the ships dim passages. Aeryn slows and her eyes surreptitiously scans about.

John: What?

Aeryn: I think we're being followed. Through there. (she leads him quickly aside and into a huge room. The place is several stories high, deserted and filled with rows of towering square metal frames. Glowing orbs that seem to emit writhing vapors are suspended inside the frames. The light put off by the orbs is an odd pale sepia that drains the color from everything else. A rhythmic huffing sound fills the air) Don't touch anything.

John: What is this place?

Aeryn: It's a generator. It's unlikely we'll be followed through here.

John: Yeah - it's a good place for an ambush. (thanks alot Aeryn - and of couse at that very second - they're ambushed. Reljik's surviving friend - accompanied by another soldier or two - step out from between the rows of metal frames and speaks into his comm)

LeanPK: Got 'em sir. Junction 3 - lurg 8.

Aeryn: (quietly to John) Well our odds aren't going to get any better. (and without another word - they lunge at the LeanPK and his men. He soon proves to be mean as well as lean with a series of martial-arts style moves against John. Of course every blow that Our Hero takes is felt by Scorpius in his chambers where he grunts and staggers in unison with his partner in I-yenschdom)

John: (pausing to eye his opponent) Ah hell - karate man! (they go at it again - the thugs seem mainly interested in John. Aeryn is merely held at bay from helping him)

Scorpius: (cut to him in his chambers as he lurches to his comms and puts out the alert) Braca! Crichton is being assaulted! Find him! (back in the generator room - John staggers back under a hail of blows. He puts out a hand to steady himself and comes near one of the hissing orbs, which begins to emit a hight-pitched whine)

Aeryn: Crichton, get clear! (John snatching his hand away from the orb - but has no idea what the things do)

John: What? (in the moments distraction - he takes another heavy hit - he and Scorpius staggers and nearly go down. In the generator room - one of the soldiers draws his gun and aims at Aeryn - LeanPK tries to warn him off)

LeanPK: No pulse weapons! Not in here! (but the guy fires anyway at Aeryn's retreating back and a very strange thing happens. The glowing red pulse charge slows and stops just short of the back of her head - and suddenly ricochets back - through the shooters belly and on into one of the generators roiling orbs. The man seems to be sucked in as well and disappears in a shower of sparks. John gapes and Aeryn looks cautiously over her shoulder at where the man had stood. In the moments silence - Reljik arrives on the scene)

Reljik: (pleased) Oh yes - John Crichton. (he and LeanPK pace towards him. They're armed with heavy metal implements which they proceed to use in an attempt to beat the human to death. But John manages to slip away between the rows of energy frames. He desperatelly casts about for comething to use as a weapon and finds - something. LeanPk spots him again and calls-)

LeanPK: He's here! (but before he can lay another blow on John - Our Hero manages - more out of sheer luch than anything else - to find a switch on the something he found flick it on. Fortunately the something is pointed at LeanPK who's hit with a blast of blue energy. The energy isn't deadly in itself for the something John found is a jetpack and the blue is the things propulsion beam. but it's all that's needed to send LeanPK flying backwards right into one of the generators orbs and he's gone. John falls down and looks with surprise at the jetpack - now recognizing it for what it is - a tool used to access the upper stories of the generator towers for maintenance)

Cut back to Scorpius' chambers as Braca rushes in. The half-Scarran is slumped at his desk, looking like a guy who's been used by a couple surly thugs to wipe the floor of a generator room.

Braca: Sir!

Scorpius: I'm all right. Crichton?

Braca: We're checking every level, Sir.

Cut back to the generator room where there's still one thug to deal with - Reljik himself. He picks up his piece of heavy pipe from the floor and comes after John - but our southern boy has shrugged on the jetpack and now uses it to soar up between the towering stands of generator towers and out of Reljik's reach.

Reljik: Frell! (but he knows the area and soom has a jetpack of his own. John is high up, gingerly guiding himself between the generator towers and their deadly orbs. But height isn't much of an advantage in the maze-like energy grid and Reljik is able to blindside him and deliver a blow that sends John into a tail-spin. Reljik goes after him and as Scprpius screams in his chambers and Braca looks on helplessly - Reljik seizes John and proceeds to pin him down against a frame about halftway up the height of the towers and strangle him. But before the life can be choked from him - John manages to push him off and this time Reljik goes spinning out of control backwards down the canyon of frames until he makes contact with one of the orbs and is absorbed by it amid a shower of sparks. But John isn't out of the woods himself - he's made contact with one of the orbs during Reljik's assault and now it's as if he's magnetized - he cannot get away from its pull. It begins to emit a high-pitched sound that signals overload. John stares at it with dismay)

John: Aw it's just not fair!

Aeryn: (she's still on the floor, looking up into the power grid above her) Crichton! Where are you?

John: UP TOP! ABOUT TO BLOW UP! AERYN! (there isn't much she can do - but at that moment the cavalry arrives in the form of a few techs - who move immediately to shut off the entire generator grid which goes dark in the nick of rime just as John's face is staring develop an unhealthy glow. The scene shifts to soon after as John walks stiffly into Scorpius' chambers. the half-Scarran is sprawled at his desk watching him come. They both look like they'll be needing the BenGay tonight. John picks up one of the guns he'd turned in earlier before painfully lowering himself onto the step that lead up the desk) Just in case there's anymore assassination attempts. Hey - how'd it - feel at your end?

Scorpius: (thoughtful and bitter) Like time is running out. Commandant Grayza - will return very soon.

John: Work it out Scorp. Get your ship under control - they were after me to get at you.

Scorpius: (agitated) Realize that the situation has now changed! Our fates - are now well and truly linked!

John: We have been over this. I am still trying to assimilate all the data your people collected.

Scorpius: Grayza's arrival - drastically changes our timetable!

John: It is Einstein's timetable! God - it's God's timetable Scorp. Fix your end. I'm doin' my bit.

Scorpius: Are you?

John: Why are you bitchin' at me like we're married, Scorpy-Sue? Just tell me what's on your mind.

Scorpius: (cannily airing his doubts) I suspect you're stalling - either through ignorance or by design. I hoped you'd see reason.

John: (hitting back with 'tude) What do you think - I see? Huh? I'm here - on a big, stinkin' Command Carrier. Dick Tracy's freakin' neural bracelet linkin' me to Bram Stoker's nightmare. What more - do you want - from me? (but 'tude is cheap and Scorpius isn't impressed. He walks over to a holo imager - and brings up an image of dear old Mother Earth. John's eyes widen with horror)

Scorpius: Cooperation. (John takes Scorpius' cue on frank expression of feeling here - and standing - he puts his gun to the half-Scarran's head)

John: You stole that - from my memory.

Scorpius: You will kill both of us.

John: I reckon so. (and with that - Scorpius shows what Scarrans are made of. He whips out a knife - and plunges it deeply in his own arm. As he grimaces calmly, John screams and drops the gun. Scorpius grabs him and effortlessly pins him down against the holo imager)

Scorpius: (grating from between clenched teeth) It took quite some effort to triangulate the stars from your planet. More - to gain a visual confirmation!

John: (lamely, all the 'tude evaporated now) Get the hell offa me, you freak!

Scorpius: Even without wormholes, Earth is reachable. At top speed - (whispering into John's ear) - just over 60 cycles. (John wriggles loose for a second but the half-Scarran slams him back down) You give me what I want or I swear - I will keep you alive so that you can witness your home world's destruction!

TO BE CONTINUED

Part 2: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
The episode opens where the last one left off - aboard Scorpius' Command Carrier in the half-Scarrans private chambers. The holo image of the Earth still rises, misty blue, from the command console against which Scorpius has John pinned. He's just delivered his ultimatum to our hero - put out with the wormhole technology pronto or be kept alive long enough to make the 60 year trip to Earth via normal space and witness its destruction. John tries again to pull away from Scorpius' grip but the half-Scarran has the edge in physical strength. The pair are equally matched in fury and determination though as Scorpius slams John's face back down.

Scorpius: (grating from between clenched teeth) LOOK AT IT!

John: (grating from between bleeding lips smashed against the console) Get the hell off me you son-of-a-bitch!

Scorpius: (his voice is harsh with rage) You listen to me John - I don't care about your homeworld - your entire species! Live - die - means nothing to me! What interests me is that they - matter - to - YOU!

John: You think holding a freakin' gun on my planet is gonna motivate me to help you?

Scorpius: I - have run - out - of - time! (he yanks John up to face him and the image of the Earth disappears in an ominous flash of light)

John: (grunting as he reminding Scorpius - in case he needs to be reminded - that they're still linked by the I-yensch bracelets) Don't stop - let's see how much pain you can take! (challenging Scorpius to a pain contest is a losing proposition but maybe John's just trying to establish his intent for defiance. And so - John bellows painfully as the half-Scarran slams his head back down onto the console)

Scorpius: (he leans close to the back of John's head and his voice goes from a whisper to a scream) That Commandant bitch will return here anytime. I must be able to report success OR - she's going to scrap my wormhole project and soon - the Scarrans will rule - half - this - GALAXY! (as Scorpius speaks - John starts showing his bloody teeth in a maniacal grin - he knows the half-Scarran has bigger problems than him)

John: (with exaggerated and completely facetious sympathy) Oh Grasshopper - you're so screwed! (Scorpius hauls him off the console and throws him across the room. The human lands on his back but before he can move - the half-Scarran is on top of him - nose to nose)

Scorpius: (whispering) If I am screwed John - things around here are going to get very ugly. (John makes an air-kiss at him. Scorpius growls and one-ups John's sarcasm by returning the air kiss with a licking motion and a brush of his bloody cheek with one finger before standing and walking away)

John just lies there and vents his impotent rage in the only way he can - through the I-yensch bracelet. He lifts his head and bangs it against the floor a couple times - eliciting a couple snarly grunts from Scorpius on the other side of the room. It's a match made in hell...

The scene shifts to later in the Command Carrier Officer's Lounge. Crais is drinking alone as he moodily contemplates a PK emblem of a winged beast that decorates the wall. He looks up at the sound of familiar voices as Aeryn and John enter and pause a few feet away, speaking in low tones.

Aeryn: But if Grayza's going to stop the experiment in a few days then we have already succeeded.

John: No - Scorpius is in Captain Queeg mode. Somebody's stolen his strawberries and he's not gonna let his pet project die.

Aeryn: (skeptical of John's concerns) How's he planning to stop Grayza?

John: We're talkin' about Scorpius - you prepared to bet against him? (Aeryn pauses before padding after him as he walks away, calling to Crais as he goes) Bialar - you look tense. Let's take a little steam in that restorative chamber. (Crais grunts and looks as dubious as Aeryn but after a moments reluctant pause, follows them out)

Cut to the Carrier's black-tiled Medical Bay where the only sound in the soft hiss of those surveillance dampening gasses which fill the air of that "restorative chamber." The rest of Moya's crew is already there having their own quiet meeting. They were never crazy about this whole thing to begin with and the involvement of the Peacekeeper ruling council is a significant complicating factor...

D'Argo: So we're agreed - we stay no longer. We go.

Rygel: Agreed.

Jool: Agreed. (before Chiana can voice her vote though - one of the frosted glass doors to the room is abruptly pushed open and John strides in with Aeryn and Crais in tow. He immediately takes over the meeting)

John: All right folks gather round. New deal - this whole Commandant Grayza strong-arm routine changes everything.

D'Argo: (dryly) We agree.

Rygel: This could all get nasty very quickly.

John: (feverishly) Absolutely - but it might not be nasty enough to put a spike into Scorpy's wormhole project once and for all.

Chiana: (solemnly) From the scuttlebutt on the ship - this Grayza's got Scorpius' mivonks in one hezmana of a vise. (John suddenly pauses - sensing some differing focus here between him and his friends)

John: Are we all on the same page here? (there's no response as everyone just stares grimly back at him and Aeryn seems preoccupied with scanning the room - so John decides he'd best reaffirm the mission) We came to permanently sabotage Scorpy's project. Now I've been trying to kill it from the inside - but we have run out of time. We have one option left. Only one. (there's a long pause as they all wait) We blow up the Command Carrier. (Chiana's jaw drops and then she laughs and looks at the others. Aeryn is clearly deeply troubled, Crais' brow is furrowed and Jool has the look of a member of a race of peaceful intellectuals who can't believe she's probably about to become party to yet more Blowing Up Of Stuff)

Jool: (incredulous) Blow up - the Command Carrier? The entire Command Carrier?

John: (forcefully selling his rationale) All of Scorpy's data is on this ship! (Aeryn can't even look at him - this is her home he's talking about obliterating) He's retro'd the entire damn hull into a repeater necessary to stabilize a wormhole! This boat - is - the Peacekeeper Wormhole Project!

Rygel: But this Carrier's huge - over a metra long!

Chiana: (interested) Is it possible to blow up the whole ship?

John: It's armed to the teeth. We can blow the munitions store. Hell we can stick a banana in the tailpipe. (Chiana giggles) I do not care how we do it - but we do it!

Aeryn: (she finally looks at John, there's quiet anger in her voice) There are over 50,000 men, women and children aboard this ship.

John: (stubbornly) Then we find a way - to get 'em off before we blow it up.

D'Argo: John there's no way- (but John doesn't want to hear dissent and cuts D'Argo off)

John: Is this not - what we came here to do? (he looks around the little group - his gaze lingering on Aeryn who stares hard back at him, her misgivings very clear) Crais you commanded this ship - can we destroy it?

Crais: (his misgivings are also clear - but he seems willing to entertain the idea) It's possible. I'll need to see the specs on any modifications Scorpius has made and - any redistribution of power and fuel since I was in command.

John: Good. We have a start and - (back to Aeryn) - we will find a way to get the people off. (he looks around his apprehensively silent friends and says quietly) Guys - we can do this- and we have to try.

Rygel: I did see what the Scarrans were able to do. (well actually it was what TJohn was able to do - but who are we to say anything? Rygel snorts ruefully) Even if by some wild miracle I manage to regain my throne - I won't hold it for long if the Peacekeepers have this technology. I know what horrible destruction wormholes can wreak. Nobody should wield such power - nobody.

The scene shifts to soon after as Crais makes his solitary way back to poor Talyn who is suspended in dry-dock within one of the Carrier's massive hangar bays. He's stopped by Armak - a tall soldier built like a nightclub bouncer and with a vulpine Eastern European accent. Armak lays a restraining hand on Crais' shoulder.

Crais: I'm on my way to the Leviathan hybrid.

Armak: Not anymore Sir.

Crais: The hybrid is dead. There is no reason to deny me access. (he makes to continue on his way - but Armak's hand is firm)

Armak: Scorpius' orders are my reason. (Crais sighs and retreats the way he came without further argument - but it's clear Scorpius isn't building any goodwill for himself today...)

Meanwhile - back in Scorpius' Wormhole Research Lab. John is the only person in sight and he seems distracted, staring into space, writing on himself... His mind wanders and the scene shifts to - John's Head. The venue is still out of a B&W WWII movie. John and the neural clone of Scorpius - Harvey - are at the front lines. The foggy twilight around them is lit by occasional flashes from exploding bombshells. But the pair are hunched over a table - playing chess. Scorpius/Harvey seems uncomfortable with this in view of the battle swirling around them.

Scorpius/Harvey: This is all very pleasant John but ah - shouldn't we be working? (a bomb bursts nearby, giving off a plume of flame) Or at least - well - pretending to work?

John: (monotone) Would he do it?

Scorpius/Harvey: Hm? Oh! Would Scorpius actually attack Earth? If you fail in delivering the wormhole answers. (he pauses a moment and makes his move on the chessboard - toppling John's king in a checkmate to the sound and fury of another bomb blast. He's quite pleased with himself) Hah-hah! Would he set out on a 60 cycle mission? To destroy an insignificant planet? Hmph! Though I would never underestimate Scorpius' resolve for retribution John - (the chess game has changed to checkers and John tentatively reaches for one of his men) - If he feels he's been-

John: No wait... (John tries to change his move)

Scorpius/Harvey: HEY! Took your hand off! (and with that - he takes one of his own checkers and jumps several of John's - thus proving that he wins no matter what game John is playing. A couple more bombs light the scene and the pair of players are shaken by the shock wave. Abruptly - the game changes again - to the ever reliable card game - Go Fish. Scorpius/Harvey inquires politely-) Got any threes? (John, with a sour expression on his face, tosses 3 cards to the clone who happily sweeps them up) Heh-ha! Yes! (he arranges his hand) So tell me John - if you do develop wormhole travel and gain the ability to return home - would you really - destroy that information?

John: Got any sixes?

Scorpius/Harvey: GO FISH! Yah-HAH! (he throws up his cards in victory as the air is shuddered around them by more explosions and a gentle voice interrupts John's losing reverie)

Cut back to Scorpius' Wormhole research Lab on the Command Carrier as Project Leader Strappa tries to get John's attention.

Strappa: (softly trying to shake the human back into the here and now) Crichton... Crichton... Crichton... Crichton you're no longer writing on the tablet. Crichton? Crichton? (John slowly swims back to present consciousness, disoriented for a moment. He blinks rapidly at the computer screen in front of him before looking down, with Strappa, at what he's scribbled on his hand. The little blue man gasps with hushed awe) Oh my, Jenset - look what you've done! I-I think you've unlocked the 5th level coupling anomalies.

John: (staring at his hand as he murmurs) So that's how it works.

Strappa: (breathless with gentle excitement) I must get these figures plugged in immediately.

John: (looking up at Strappa) We're close.

Strappa: (quietly ecstatic) Yes! Oh yes! (he hurries away to record John's subconscious work. John remains seated, clenching and unclenching his hand)

John: (to himself) I can do this. (he raises his eyes to the computer terminal display where he sees the twisting blue vortex of a wormhole writhing silently before him)

The scene shifts back to Crais. He's returned to the tiny Command carrier quarters assigned to him and is sitting despondently on his bunk. The Leviathan Specialist (and supposed sometime paramour) Larell - is with him. She crouches down before him to get into his downcast line of vision.

Larell: Disarming him was the final step towards his resurrection. Your experience with Talyn - will be invaluable - to making that happen. We must get you back aboard Talyn.

Crais: They'd never let me stay with him. (Larell rises and leans close to him)

Larell: (softly) We don't know that.

Crais: Not unless I have something to trade.

Cut to soon after - in Scorpius' private chambers as Braca enters.

Braca: Sir. (just behind him come a pair of armored soldiers - shepherding in Crais. Braca comes to Scorpius and whispers) I talked to Crais. (Scorpius leans back in his throne-like Captains chair and addresses the former captain of the Command Carrier)

Scorpius: You have something for me?

Crais: Yes. A demand. (Scorpius can't believe his ears and comes halfway out of his chair as he splutters with outrage at the mans temerity)

Scorpius: Get him out of my - get him out of my sight! (the soldiers make to comply - but Crais resists their pull and cries his case to Scorpius even as he's being dragged out)

Crais: I demand that I suffer no repercussions for any of my actions during exile! I demand assurances that the Leviathan hybrid WILL BE RESURRECTED - that I will be leader of that project working alongside Lieutenant Larell!

Scorpius: (coolly) Stop. (the soldiers halt) Let him speak. (there's a pause as he eyes Crais appraisingly) You have something - comparable - I assume.

Crais: (grimly) More than comparable.

Scorpius: Any deal you strike with me may not prove enforceable once Commandant Grayza returns.

Crais: (quickly) If you delineate my requests in an Executive Order signed while you are still in command of this vessel High Command must honor it - no matter what - dishonor - you may endure.

Scorpius: I accept your terms. (there's a pause) Release him. (the soldiers unhand Crais and move away. Crais seems relieved and moves to face Scorpius as an equal - more or less)

Crais: Scorpius - Crichton has no intention of helping you. (Braca moves closer to Scorpius as Crais paces around the half-Scarran) He has determined that there is only one way to stop you and your experiments with finality. (he stops near Scorpius' ear and says in a voice sick with apprehension) He is conspiring with some of Moya's crew to destroy - this Command Carrier. (the hard expression on Scorpius' face never changes - and if anyone has doubts that the crew of Moya would try to follow through on this stupendous plot - Scorpius isn't one of them)

The scene shifts to Aeryn, alone in the crowded corridors of her old home. She passes through a hatchway and enters one of the vast PTR chambers - Planetary Terrain Reconstructions - where PK soldiers are trained for ground warfare. It's the same one she had taken John for a walk in before - sunny and pleasant with green park like lawns and ponds. What for a moment looks like wispy clouds in the blue sky is actually the misty outline of the great ceiling machinery of the PTR. PK children play tug-of-war as she drifts silently beneath the spreading boughs of great trees. She pauses near a stylized statue of an adult whose arms rest protectively on a child's shoulders and looks around as if expecting somebody. Suddenly a cry of distress is heard -

Brenna: Ow! Let me go! (Aeryn spots a couple of older kids - they have a little girl named Brenna pinned down on the grass)

Aeryn: HEY! (the bigger kids take off and Brenna slowly sits up, moaning softly to herself as Aeryn briskly approaches) Got an injury?

Brenna: Yes.

Aeryn: Let's have a look. (she drops to her knees beside the little girl, who holds out her hand to show a pretty good scrape) All right. Well this may sting a little. (she whips out a little squirt bottle of PK antiseptic and spritzes Brenna's wound while offering PK comfort to the child) When I was your age - do you have any idea how many times I was ambushed when I wasn't ready? Let me see - (she holds out her hands and begins to stretch out the fingers of first one hand and then the other as she counts silently. Brenna watches solemnly - but just as she relaxes with a giggle at Aeryn's childhood ineptitude - Aeryn's old best girlfriend arrives on the scene)

Henta: (primly) Cadet! At service now! (both Aeryn and Brenna scramble to their feet)

Aeryn: (sounding guilty) Henta! (the PK woman reaches for Brenna's hand and the little girl obediently presents it to her. Henta eyes Aeryn - and then delivers a sharp blow to the wound that makes both the child and Aeryn wince) Let it bleed. Let it scar. You're wanted - go. (Brenna runs back to her unit and Henta fixes Aeryn with a cold stare) Don't make her soft Aeryn. (she turns and walks away)

Aeryn: So much you don't know Henta. (Henta pauses, but opts to ignore her and keeps on going. Aeryn sighs but has no time to dwell on the mean little incident since at that moment - Crais appears) What are you doing here?

Crais: (curtly) We need to talk - there's a problem. Follow me.

Cut to the Crew of Moya as they meet in the corridors of the Command Carrier. They speak almost as if they're oblivious to the PKs bustling past them. Chiana and Rygel have been off on one assignment and D'Argo and Jool on another.

D'Argo: We secured the information about the ships modifications.

Chiana: We got word on the lifepods.

Jool: Great. Let's get the information - get it to Crichton and get the frell outta here! (maybe later - for at that moment - a squad of armed and helmeted PK soldiers descends upon them from both directions and Our Heroes are surrounded)

Cut to the Wormhole Research Lab where John is sitting in front of the opaque computer screen which is alive with flickering, moving symbols. Strappa hovers over his shoulder and breathes softly with wonder as he watches.

Strappa: (very quietly, as if not wanting to break the spell) The equations... they're flowing from you like a Waltirian fountain. This is wonderful Crichton! (he can hardly stop himself from giggling with delighted awe. The Master of the Wormhole Project though - is less awestruck - more cautious and grim as he approaches slowly)

Scorpius: It seems your subconscious has blossomed. Despite yourself - you are delivering the secrets that will allow me to succeed. (he adds dangerously) And uh - no more distractions John. Your plot against this ship has failed. Your friends - are in custody. (John looks up - and sees Crais come to the top of the steps behind the half-Scarran. Crais confirms Scorpius' words with an almost imperceptible nod. John responds by coming off his chair and lunging at Crais. He takes the man down to the floor and gets in a few good punches before being dragged off him and forcibly sat down by the PK soldiers guarding Scorpius' new ally)

John: YOU ARE DEAD! YOU ARE A DEAD MAN CRAIS!

Scorpius: (he bends over John and purrs, just to twist the knife-) If Grayza insists that they all complete their sentences as prisoners - then so be it.

John: (frantic, his voice harsh with fear for his friends) NO! Nono! I forced them to do it! I demand you let 'em go if you want me to keep working- (but Scorpius cuts him off - no more Mr Nice Guy)

Scorpius: (his voice is harsh and guttural) You will demand nothing! You give me my wormholes or I swear I will kill them all! (he leaves John sitting there, panting, helpless, terrified and defeated as Crais - who looks as if he's in pain - watches)

Cut to the Command Carrier's Brig. No snappy red and white lights here - just a dreary, blue metal affair fronted with a sturdy square-holed grate. D'Argo and Jool sit sullenly on the cells benches and Rygel sits at the grate - peering out with the perfectly woeful expression of a monkey in a zoo pining for the so-close-yet -so-far freedom just on the other side of the bars. Chiana paces like a caged animal.

Jool: (attempting to apply the logic of her culture to the situation) We didn't actually do anything. I mean - all they have is our intent.

Chiana: They're Peacekeepers Jool. They're not into justice - they're into enforcement. (she sits down next to D'Argo who's looking quite despondent and says with gentle encouragement-) Hey - come on! We've been in worse scrapes than this.

D'Argo: I was a Peacekeeper prisoner for 8 cycles. And I think that I spent every single solar day trying to escape.

Rygel: (dully) Last time it took me a 130 cycles to escape.

Jool: (quietly appalled) A 130 cycles?

Rygel: (with a half-dead grunt) I was lucky. (a little series of half-dead grunts goes around the cell as they contemplate their newly dreary existence)

The scene shifts to the Carrier's Aurora chair chamber. The mind-stripping device sits on its dais between two rows of generator orbs in their square metal frames. The room is empty except for Aeryn and Crais who sit apart from each other in silence on the edge of the dais waiting fro John - who enters in an understandably foul mood.

John: You wanted to see me? (Aeryn quickly rises to face him - but John spots Crais over her shoulder and immediately makes a charge at him. But Aeryn is ready and intervenes - holding him firmly back)

Aeryn: No - Stop it! (John doesn't fight her, but sways from side to side, glaring over her shoulders as she speaks) It's safe to talk here and you need to hear this.

John: I need to kick his ass! He sold us out!

Crais: (shaking his head at John's impulsiveness) You can't destroy this ship by simply throwing a few switches.

John: (with quiet fury) So you set 'em up.

Crais: (firm and unapologetic) No Crichton I did not. I needed the distraction so that Scorpius would believe that the plot against him had failed. I kept Aeryn safe because I need her.

John: You should come up with a newer line.

Aeryn: (quietly, keeping John fixed with an intense stare) And you should listen to him now.

Crais: (with regret, that slowly builds to hard self-understanding) All that I have cared for have gone. My parents taken away from me, my brother dead. So now I live - I plan - I do - all in the service of my own interests. In that I believe I am not unique in the universe.

John: (not really interested in anything Crais has to say) Snap this up I gotta get back.

Crais: (with conviction) Despite all of this - I understand the power of the technology that Scorpius is attempting to harness. I understand the horror that will wash over this galaxy if anyone wields this weapon. And last of all - I now know that I am the only individual capable of stopping him.

John: (sulkily, as his gaze drops from Crais to Aeryn) Have fun. (and with that - he turns and begins to stalk out. But Aeryn won't let him get away with his surly crap and grabs his arm to stop him)

Aeryn: Listen! (he whips back around and furiously snatches his hand out of her grip) We all were on the same team - we all want this ship destroyed.

Crais: (quietly) And the only way to do that - is with Talyn. (the hard look on John's face melts to numb surprise as the two former PK outline their horrific method to make his own horrific plan come to fruition)

Aeryn: Crais is proposing that he and Talyn starburst while still inside the Command Carrier hangar.

Crais: (his voice is husky with the magnitude of what he's saying) The Carrier will collapse upon itself - outer decks first - central core last.

Aeryn: It will take at least half an arn for the ship to fully implode.

John: Giving the crew time to abandon ship. (he looks at Crais who, having offered his sacrifice - waits expressionlessly before saying quietly to Aeryn) Tell me - you believe this.

Aeryn: Do you have a plan to destroy the ship? (John looks up at Crais again - but the captain of Talyn is lost in his own thoughts, no longer attentive to John)

John: (very quietly) Not yet.

Aeryn: D'Argo and the others are probably in a holding cell and I can find them. (John looks back up at Crais over Aeryn's shoulder)

John: Where do we meet up with you and Talyn?

Crais: (with quiet sorrow) You don't. (he suppresses his emotions and says louder) Starburst in a confined space where the energy can't dissipate... (he grunts thoughtfully) It will be the heroes death that Talyn deserves. (there's a long pause as John takes this in. He looks at Aeryn who stands immobile, staring back at him - warning him with her grim gaze to not make light of this. He then looks back at Crais and says cautiously)

John: You're gonna die? (Crais responds by rising and starting to make his exit)

Crais: I will need a uh - significant distraction - to keep Scorpius occupied. (and with that - he picks up his pace to leave before his emotions overcome him. But he doesn't get far before he's stopped by a shout from John)

John: Crais! (Talyn's captain stops and turns back to face him and John says softly) I'll get you one. (and with that - John exits, leaving Aeryn and Crais alone again)

As John leaves them and re-enters the claustrophobic halls of the Carrier, he slows and stops as if uncertain of where he was going. He slowly turns and looks for a moment back towards the place that he left Aeryn and Crais. He seems stunned not only by what he's just heard - but by the capacity of someone he'd judged so much to the contrary - for real self-sacrifice.

The scene shifts to soon after as John drags himself back into the Wormhole Research Lab. He loiters for a moment in the launch area where the Prowler used in wormhole trial runs is parked. Abruptly he seems to snap out of his lethargy and with a decisive pat to the needle-nosed craft - he bounds into the computer lab which overlooks the launch area. Strappa is there at a console working on John's equations.

John: Yo Harrison! Get your shoes on! We're goin' on a little trip to my module. (the little blue man turns to him with surprise - and alarm)

Strappa: (protesting) But - dear Crichton! (John wafts his ink-stained hand under Strappa's tiny nose)

John: (coaxing) You smell this? Wormholes... (Strappa heaves a longing sigh at the very thought as John almost touches his thumb and forefinger together) We are this close. But you gotta get Scorpy to call off the watchdogs. (he turns and begins to move quickly away toward the launch area as Strappa minces fretfully after him, squeaking with distress)

Strappa: Crichton? Crichton? Crichton!

Cut to a corridor somewhere on the Carrier as Crais and Larell walk together. Crais' eyes are downcast and he's clearly lost in his own thoughts.

Larell: What's happening?

Crais: Nothing.

Larell: You forget how well I know you. I can tell you're about to do something.

Crais: You do know me very well. (she pulls him to a stop and says in a hissing whisper)

Larell: If I suspect you're conspiring against Scorpius - I must report it. (Crais turns and looks intently at her as he responds as a pedantic captain)

Crais: Larell - if you suspect anything you must report it. Do not be disloyal - to Scorpius in any way. (he turns and continues on his way but Larell reaches insistently for him)

Larell: Tell me- Tell me! (and Crais - in a grand echo of the neck-snapping tough we've known and loved - whirls and delivers a hefty slug to Larell's face. She spins about and hits the floor, stunned. A few passers-by pause to watch - but don't interfere as Crais points at her and shouts-)

Crais: Tell Scorpius it's not going to work! Next time he sends someone to spy on me - SEND SOMEONE I CARE ABOUT! (he storms off and Larell whimpers a little, stunned by the failure of her womanly wiles)

The scene shifts to not much later in Moya's hangar bay. Strappa has indeed managed to 'call off the watchdogs' and somehow persuaded Scorpius to allow him, John and some PK techs to board her. But Strappa is very anxious and fretful as he comms John - who he's allowed to go for an unchaperoned visit with Pilot.

Strappa: Crichton! Crichton! We must hurry - Scorpius said we must not stay on Moya long! (cut to John, he's sitting close in front of Pilot in the Den. He's come to tell the Great Navigator and Moya about Crais' plan)

John: Yeahyeah. I'm on my way.

Strappa: (his voice is heard breathlessly nagging the techs back in the hangar bay as John sighs off) Quickly - check the stabilizers...

Pilot: (slowly, with great sorrow) Moya understands. She says it is best this way. Talyn - was always destined for a violent end. This then at least - will be a noble one. (there's a long pause) We may never see any of you again. (John reaches out and lays a reassuring hand on Pilot's carapace)

John: (softly) Pilot - just be ready to starburst if you don't see us haulin' ass towards you. (there's a long pause) You give Moya my love.

Pilot: And - her love to you... (there's another long pause as he and the human sit there, almost nose to nose) As well as mine. (they linger for a moment as John touches Pilot's face again before tearing himself away. Pilot sits and watches him go with a look of desolation in his great amber eyes)

Cut to soon after - in the Command Carrier Wormhole Research Lab. John's module has been brought back and is being prepped for flight amid a bustle of technicians under the watchful eye of Scorpius himself as Strappa calls orders to the techs.

Strappa: Check the nose cone! (Scorpius turns away as he rolls his eyes and sighs)

John: (from his perch atop the module - with looks pretty shabby amid all the fancy PK hardware) Co-Kura - make sure those sensors are far away from the hetch drive.

Strappa: (to the techs) Attach one to either side! (at that moment - Scorpius strides onto the launch floor with annoyance)

Scorpius: (loud and very peevish) I allowed you to get this - primitive ship - how is it going to get me what I want? (John continues to tinker with his module without even looking at him)

John: Read the middle finger Scorpy. I have a thought forming in my head as to why this primitive ship with no shielding allows me to survive wormholes. I'm gonna check it out.

Scorpius: (he looks around and calls-) Which pilot is ready for deployment?

John: Whoa- no. Nono. Nobody flies it but me. One of your bozos screws up and bye-bye birdie. (Scorpius is silent for a moment before stepping closer to John)

Scorpius: (under his breath - with real concern) You could die John.

John: Yes I could die. If I don't kick this project in the ass before Commandant Cleavage gets back - she's gonna execute me anyway right? (Scorpius shifts uncomfortably and looks away) What? You worried if I turn to silly putty so do you? (he looks around and leans close to the half-Scarran) Why don't you come with me? (Scorpius looks up at him and John senses an advantage for the moment anyway) C'mon Grasshopper - come with me. You spent your life in search of wormholes - let me introduce you to one. Up close and personal. (Scorpius demurs, intrigued and yet trepidatious. John looks away and tosses off casually) Unless - of course - you're too scared. (Scorpius eyes him and snorts scoffingly - but a bit uncertainly)

Cut to soon after as the tiny module exits the Command Carrier with John piloting - and Scorpius wedged into the co-Pilot's seat behind him. The scene shifts between them and Strappa back in the Carrier Wormhole Research Lab as well as to various locations around the Carrier as the test flight progresses.

John: Co-Kura? How are the sensors reading?

Strappa: All sensor data flowing at maximum.

John: All right Scorp - you ready to rumble?

Scorpius: (quietly) Oh, yes John.

John: (his and Strappa's voices are heard over the PA system back on the Carrier as they speak - and the Carrier crew listens intently) We are approaching optimal attitude.

Strappa: All data still flowing.

Outside the Carrier - a great dark wormhole opens like a vast drain in space and dwarfs the module as John begins to arc his tiny craft toward it…

John: Entering the wormhole - in 10 microts. On my mark.

Strappa: (anxiously, as the Carrier holds its collective breath) Check your drag co-efficient Crichton! (and with that - John and Scorpius dive into the dark vortex. Its irregular, liquid walls rush past them at hellish speeds as the module bounces gently like a truck on a county road. Ahead of them - cold blue-white light glares at every twist of the tunnel)

John: (he grunts with satisfaction as they jounce quietly along) What do you think?

Scorpius: This is without description John.

John: It's a real Kodak moment. (back on the Carrier, Crais moves nonchalantly along the dark corridors as the great ships PA system relays progress of the modules test flight to all)

Strappa: Sensor readings are starting to oscillate. (Crais rounds a bend in the corridor as Strappa's voice echoes overhead. The hall is crowded with PK crew who have stopped dead in their tracks to listen. Crais slows and pauses too, not wishing to attract attention by being the only soul moving during the Big Bosses' test flight) Crichton we're detecting rantath flux - (in the module, this flux is experienced as increased turbulence on their ride down the quantum chute)

Scorpius: What is that John?

John: (calmly as he flicks a switch) I don't know. (the module begins to swing in almost 180° arcs on its rounded belly as it rushes on down the wormhole)

Strappa: You're approaching the zone of possible instability! (in the module - John is cool. Just the guy you'd want flying your plane in an emergency as his direction to his passenger also echoes over the Carrier's PA system)

John: Alright buckle up back there. We got a little problem. (Strappa looks positively aghast as he bustles about the Research Lab. Meanwhile the trip through the wormhole has become a wild rollercoaster ride. The module ticks and shudders and creaks like a plane in heavy turbulence. Like a guy who trusts his pilot - Scorpius is concerned but not frightened - yet - as he shouts over the noise of the modules groans and jarrings)

Scorpius: What is causing this John? (as his voice is heard on the Carrier PA system, Crais enters the Carrier's hangar bay on his way to Talyn. The Dracula-voiced Armak and a few soldiers stop him)

Armak: You may not know it Sir - but my orders have been changed by Scorpius himself. He said if you tried to board the hybrid again I was authorized to shoot to kill. (meanwhile the module continues its increasingly erratic tumble through the wormhole and Strappa's voice calls to John as the Command Carrier crew wait-)

Strappa: Sensor readings - they're all in the danger zone! Do you read me? (no response) CRICHTON? Commander Crichton! Do you read me? (no response) Do you read me? (nothing) Can you read me? Crichton! (he gives up and shouts at his frozen staff) GET ME READINGS! (the crew of the Carrier begin to break from their motionless spell as Strappa's voice broadcasts his worst fear) Are either of them still alive? (back at the entry to the hangar bay - Armak gloats - perhaps pleased by the sudden chance to carry out Scorpius' last order unchallenged whether Crais tries to board Talyn or not)

Armak: I'm going to enjoy this command.

Crais: Not as much as me. (and as he speaks - Crais raises his hand. In it is a small, armed grenade - which he tosses to the floor among the soldiers. He dives for cover and as the explosion clears Aeryn appears from nowhere to help him take out any men left standing who might try to continue blocking the path to Talyn. Meanwhile - contact is re-established with the bucking module)

John: (calm) Co-Kura - we are experiencing heavy instabilities. Attempting to recover.

Scorpius: (he sounds a bit more anxious now as john works at his flight controls) What is causing this John?

John: (blandly) Flying through wormholes ain't like dusting crops farmboy. It takes a little finesse. (and as he speaks - so does it happen. The module seems to pull up a bit in the maelstrom of the wormhole, slowing - and the ride smoothes back out to the pleasant bump of a very exotic country road) Okay Co-Kura - we are stabilizing. (the tension on the Carrier eases as a collective sigh of relief is drawn)

Strappa: Sensor reading confirm that. (and in the sudden silence of the hangar bay, where Talyn looms still and inert over them - Aeryn and Crais face each other for a long moment. Crais smiles. Aeryn doesn't - but there's a husky edge in her voice)

Aeryn: Now you go. (she pats his cheek - and they turn away from each other to follow their separate destinies. Meanwhile, on the module, Scorpius is feeling that shared destiny with John again)

Scorpius: (his voice almost catches as he says softly) I've never felt this... connected John.

John: (dubiously) You're not goin' all mushy on me back there are ya? (ah but alas - the spell is broken by Strappa who calls urgently)

Strappa: The wormhole appears to be experiencing wave fluctuations. I-I strongly recommend that you fly clear and return to the Carrier! (John looks over his shoulder at Scorpius who clicks his tongue like a kid whose joyride has been squashed by Dad)

John: Right.

Meanwhile - Crais has made it to Talyn's dark and silent Command. The young Leviathan must rest in sort of a semi-conscious state - for he's able to hear Crais and respond on some sleepy level. The only sounds he can make are distant reverberations - like the shiver of a far-off gong. Crais speaks softly to his beloved ship. But before he can say anything - Talyn reacts softly to Crais' presence.

Crais: Yes Talyn. I'm here. No need to be afraid. (he continues slowly, with great gentleness) Talyn... the firing mechanism on your cannon - was taken from you - by the Peacekeepers. The rest... have been captured. And Moya... Moya will soon be enslaved. (Talyn rumbles a bit louder and some of his lights begin to glow) Unless - we do something. Something radical. You and I - together.

Back in the Wormhole Research Lab launch area - John - having provided an admirable diversion - helps Scorpius out of the module. The half-Scarran stumbles and steadies himself against the human.

John: You haven't got your wormhole legs yet. Don't worry - first time is the worst. (he slaps Scorpius' shoulder and moves off to do a landing check of his module. But before the half -Scarran can savor his triumphant rise through the wormhole any more - the voice of Crais is heard over the PA system and the scene begins to shift as events unfold between all the various locales on the Carrier where he, Braca, Crais and the crew of Moya are)

Crais: Scorpius? I am just making my final - good-byes.

Scorpius: (calmly) Where are you Crais?

Crais: I am standing in your heart - and I am about to squeeze.

Scorpius: (annoyed, he hails his second-in-command who's holding down the fort in Scorpius private chambers) Braca - find the source of this transmission and arrest that fool.

Braca: It's coming from the hybrid in the - gamma hangar on level 12. (his voice takes on a note of surprise while Scorpius paces unconcernedly in the Research Lab) The hybrid's powering up. (Scorpius stops pacing and his entire body tenses as foreboding suddenly begins to creep into his bones. Crais continues his very public reaming of the one who usurped his Command 2 cycles ago and turned him into both an outlaw - and a redeemed man. The crew of the Command Carrier pause again throughout the ship to listen to this amazing exchange)

Crais: (with conviction) You are the most repellent of creatures Scorpius. You weren't born into Peacekeepers. You weren't - conscripted against your will. You chose to be one. (the Carrier crewpeople begin to move slowly as the furious voice of Scorpius reverberates around the great ship)

Scorpius: I want the bay doors sealed! All Prowlers scrambled! That hybrid must not get away! (in Scorpius' private chambers Braca is the first to get an inkling of Crais' plan as he monitors things from the Commanders console)

Braca: The hybrid's building to maximum power - inside the hangar. I don't think he's planning to escape.

Crais: (with righteous fury) The last time I left this ship - MY ship - I did so under a veil of secrecy! YOU forced that situation. YOU took away MY command! You STOLE my LIFE from me! (he pauses before finishing quietly) Well this time Scorpius... I am not leaving quietly.

Scorpius: (infuriated, over general comms) Somebody find that fool! And get him out of that ship! (ah but everyone knows where he is - and getting him of that ship is easier said than done. For now, down in the massive hangar bay - PK soldiers and techs scatter as Talyn's engines roar to life and the small Leviathan who's still bigger than any aircraft on Earth - lifts himself from dry-dock. His thunder rattles the whole Command Carrier - from Braca in the Captains chambers to ordinary soldiers, uncertain of what to do as they mill the corridors and listening to this very public airing of their superiors dirty laundry - to Scorpius himself in the Wormhole Research Lab. The half-Scarran is enraged and impotent as he looks out from the glassed-in computer lab to the launch pad where John sits quietly on his module and looks back at him without expression) SOMEBODY GET THAT TRAITOR OFF THAT SHIP! (his gaze pass over John again - and the two make eye contact. John doesn't move from his preternaturally calm posture as his voice floats up to Scorpius via intercom)

John: I suggest you hang onto something. (Scorpius gapes at him - only just now realizing that John is in on this and that he himself may have made a terrible, terrible miscalculation. He turns away from the observation window and lets fly one of his vicious Scarran growls as he pushes past the quaking Strappa who steadies himself on a computer console and whimpers with terror)

And in the Command Carrier hangar bay - Talyn lives. He hovers and rocks in the air of the vast space whose outer hangar doors are sealed fast before him. The two long, sweeping flanges of his side tails fold inward - almost touching their reactor plates to those on his central tail. On his Command, Crais pauses -

Crais: Talyn. (the little Leviathan mutant ponks out a final little "Aye-aye!" response in something like his familiar voice - its sound is muddied from his just waking state. Crais raises his chin and closes his eyes as if in a moment of prayer and says simply-) Starburst.

The tips of Talyn's movable tails touch beneath the spade-shaped flange of his stationary one and the brilliant orange-white light of his starburst energy explodes outwards and forms a ring which creeps forward over his body. He becomes sheathed in reddish orange light and glows as if lit with the angry fire of his soul. Crais stands with his eyes shut as the deadly energy of starburst builds in this confined area with an unnatural and exponentially intensifying hum. The ring of energy that is the leviathan gateway to hyperspace rushes forward over Talyn and upon reaching its zenith at his prow - he begins to hurtle into it as if being pulled by the great quantum forces themselves. For a moment it looks almost like a normal starburst as the glowing Leviathan disappears - but suddenly - instead of the gateway snapping shut with a flash - it appears as if Talyn - or what is left of him - is vomited out backwards in a massive flume of energy. The structures of the great hangar are obliterated as if by a great wind and anyone who didn't move fast enough to get out at the first sign of Talyn's waking is lifted off their feet and hurled like grains of sand in all directions.

The entire Command Carrier shudders as the bottled-up starburst sends cascading waves of explosions through the great vessel. Braca staggers in the Captains chambers and John and Strappa are thrown about in the Wormhole Research Lab. Even in the depths of the dungeon where the rest of Moya's crew sit - the ship shakes as if in the throes of an earthquake and the lights flicker.

Rygel: (softly, horrified as he stares out through the bars of their cell) What the frell-?

The discipline of the Command Carrier starts to give way to the pandemonium of a stirred anthill as an automated voice begins to calmly announce over the PA system what the screaming, scrambling Peacekeeper crew already knows - "Emergency. Emergency." In the brig - D'Argo rushes to the door of their cell with Chiana and Jool stumbling after him.

Chiana: D'ARGO!

D'Argo: (panting with amazement and horror) He's done it. It's going down.

But they are trapped in their cell as against the backdrop of the bright blue planet - the crews abandonment of the Command Carrier begins. Small craft and lifepods streak away amid the debris from the great ship whose outline is reminiscent of a squid. Massive explosions and fires light its belly and it begins to separate - its great central core seems to drop away from a carapace-like sheath that covers it.

Cut to Pilot in his hushed Den aboard Moya as he and his ship watch the slow death of the Command Carrier with fascinated horror.

Pilot: (he sounds sick at the sight of the dying Carrier and it seems as if he can hear the screams of its crew) Yes Moya. I see it. (the Carrier begins to bend towards the blue planet - it resembles nothing so much as a log aglow with embers as the frenzied evacuation of its crew commences. Life pods fly from it like flocks of panicked birds. And in their haste to get clear many are dashed to bits against chucks of debris or the unstable Carrier itself - or each other. Pilot breathes softly) I see it.

Cut back to the interior of the dying Carrier as it continues to shiver apart at the seams and the trapped members of Moya's crew vainly seek release from the soon-to-be tomb of their prison cell. Jool's porcine shrieks punctuate the yelling of the others.

D'Argo: LET US OUT! (the heavy ceiling grate of the brig collapses, banging down and pinning the 4 of them between it and the grate fronting the cell)

Chiana: (panting, but still able to take some satisfaction from their triumph as the world comes apart around her) Crichton! He's done it! He's done it! He's killed the ship!

Rygel: YES BUT HE'S ALSO KILLING US! WE'RE STILL FRELLING TRAPPED!

Jool: I- WANT -OOOOOOOOUUUUUUTTTTT!

Everyone wants out - and Aeryn is finding the narrow halls of the Carrier jammed with many of the 50,000 men, women and children who called the place home. She is clearly distressed and close to tears. She passes the PTR room and watches as the great statue of the adult and child topples amid the debris raining down from the great climate-control machinery in its artificial sky. Screaming, crying children are being desperately herded and carried out by their screaming, crying guardians. Aeryn plunges into the chaos, and tries to hurry them along like a sheepdog worrying a flock.

Aeryn: CLEAR THE AREA! MOVE IT! MOVE! EVACUATION PROCEDURES NOW! (and yet even as they go it's clear many of them will not survive the destruction of the Command Carrier)

Scorpius seems to be the only one not running. Yet neither does he do much to help as he paces slowly through the dark, teeming halls of his ship, crowded with his crew jostling each other in their frantic flight to escape. Screams and explosions fill the air along with the dirge of the death of his command. For this is what the moment is to him mostly - failure. His failure in all respects. Failure to assess his risks correctly. To protect his crew and to defeat his enemies. Failure to recognize his own shortcomings. He comes to one of the Carrier's staircases and as he watches, the bulkhead above it is breached by an explosion and thousands of gallons of water burst through and cascade down it. The flood washes away debris and panicked crewmen alike in its path - but Scorpius remains standing as he mounts the watery staircase.

Cut to the Wormhole Research Lab where Strappa is at a console working feverishly as John runs up to him.

John: We have to go!

Strappa: NO! I MUST SAVE OUR DATA! (John grabs him away from the console and pushes him across the lab)

John: This ship - IS DEAD! The wormhole experiment is over Co-Kura! (quieter) It's for the best.

Strappa: You had something to do with this! (he yowls and throws himself ineffectually at John - but Strappa's a thinker not a fighter and John easily pins him down. The little blue man wails in protest) BUT YOU WANTED THIS TOO!

John: (grating) More than you knew!

Strappa: (miserably trying to understand) To stabilize a wormhole - to tame it, to tame its power would have been the greatest scientific discovery anyone could imagine! (flames explode into the computer lab and John yanks Strappa away - but pins him again as he shouts-)

John: IT IS NOT - JUST - SCIENCE! It is never - just science! It's a weapon. It kills. And I will not let the Peacekeepers have it. Do you understand me?

Strappa: (fearfully) Yes - I understand. But you still have the knowledge - in your mind!

John: Then, I'll have to be very - very careful. Can you get to an escape pod? (the little blue scientist nods vigorously. John releases him and begins to leave - but Strappa stops him with a miserable cry)

Strappa: Commander! Other than you - there is one receptacle which holds significant data pertaining to wormhole research. If he lives - Scorpius will find me! Force me to tell him what I know! (he's almost sobbing with terror as he stands there on the shuddering deck of the disintegrating Carrier)

John: (he doesn't want to hear this) Damn. What are we gonna do about that?

Strappa: (his tone suddenly becomes strong - no more hyperventilating) Only one thing to do.

And as Scorpius stands at the top of the stairs that have become a stepped waterfall and surveys the ruination of his domain - John and Strappa make a break for the Aurora Chair chamber where the little blue scientist insists our hero strap him into the mind-probing device.

Strappa: The Aurora Chair will erase all wormhole knowledge from my mind.

John: Yeah but Co-Kura - the chair won't wipe what I know and if it could - I don't know that I could do what you're doin'. You're a brave man.

Meanwhile Aeryn is still jogging through the Carrier's deep passages. A few PKs left in this area are still trying to make their way to some form of escape as time grows short and the vibrations of the ship approach critical. Aeryn is forced to yell over the roar of the Carrier's break-up in her desperate search for Moya's crew.

Aeryn: D'ARGO!

D'Argo; AERYN! (Aeryn snaps around in the direction of the Luxans voice and Jool's shrieks can be heard chiming in)

Aeryn: CHIANA!

D'Argo: AERYN! THIS WAY!

Rygel: DOWN HERE! DOWN HERE! (Aeryn flies around a corner and skids to a halt in front of the cell - but luckily she won't have to figure out a way to open it since at that moment an explosion causes the ceiling of the brig area to buckle with an ominous metallic groan. The collapsing ceiling bends the metal grate fronting the cell outward)

Jool: WE'RE GONNA BE BOOLITE GOO REAL SOON! (Chiana tries to hold the fallen ceiling grate that had them pinned to the front of the cell back from immobilizing them - but even as Jool screams - the caving ceiling causes the outer grate to buckle further, opening a gap at the edge)

Rygel: IT'S BENT THE BARS! (they all squeeze hurriedly out into the corridor and Aeryn reaches to help the Nebari duck out as well)

Aeryn: Come now Chiana! Let's go!

Meanwhile - a brilliant white explosion in the corridor outside the Captains chamber silhouettes Scorpius in the open doorway as he makes his way with difficulty across the pitching deck of his doomed Command. His faithful second-in-command is still there waiting for him amid the devastation.

Braca: Sir! (they both fight to keep their footing as Scorpius makes his way to his Command console and with almost pitiful urgently - addresses what's left of his crew to hear him over the shipwide comms)

Scorpius: ATTENTION PERSONNEL! (his voice is almost drowned out by the screams and rumbling and explosions in the ships dark corridors) THIS IS SCORPIUS. THE COMMAND CARRIER IS COLLAPSING IN ON ITSELF! (debris bobs fitfully in the choppy waters of flooded parts of the ship while flames gout from exposed lines) PRIORITY ONE ESCAPE PROCEDURES FOR THE ENTIRE SHIP, ARE NOW IN EFFECT. (and thus having performed his final duty as Captain of his ship - he cuts comms and lunges for Braca who's got all he can do just to stay upright right now) Braca - come with me! (he seizes the man, drags him up the yawing deck to the door - and they're gone)

Its every man for himself now as Aeryn, having seen to the release of the others who have gone their own way, strides through the flaming, vibrating corridors alone with the rest of the madly evacuating Carrier crewpeople. The scene shifts between her and John in the Aurora Chair chamber as they speak via comm.

Aeryn: Crichton - are you still with Co-Kura?

John: Yeah - Aeryn. You okay?

Aeryn: Yes - The others are attending to business and then we should be seeking transport.

John: Do not wait for me - I'm gonna get to the module - I'll meet you back at Moya. (he signs off)

Strappa: (fearfully) Crichton - it would have been nice to know it could have been done.

John: (more to himself than to Strappa) Yeah. (and with that - he lays one black-gloved hand on the Aurora Chair controls. The thin, high-pitched whine of the machine sounds and Strappa screams. The rotating blossom of wormhole equations in the brain of the spiny-headed little scientist blooms on the Chairs view screen and quivers a little. John keeps his head down as he ups the power of the Chair and Strappa's screams intensify)

Meanwhile D'Argo has stashed the others so he can as he takes care of business unencumbered - which is - securing transport off the quaking hell of the Command Carrier. He's made his way to Scorpius' Captains chambers where he frantically tries to place a call home on the command console there.

D'Argo: Pilot? PILOT can you hear me?

Pilot: (cut to him in his Den on Moya as he responds incredulously) D'Argo? Is that you?

D'Argo: This Command Carrier is blowing to bits and we cannot get an escape pod off! I need transportation out of here NOW!

Pilot: What do you want me to do?

D'Argo: Patch me through to my ship.

Pilot: Doing it - now. (as he connects D'Argo to the little Luxan ship that sits in Moya's hangar bay - it comes to attention with the release of a cloud of vapor)

D'Argo: Voice activation - On! (D'Argo winces at a short in the comms panel he's using and continues quickly) Weapons and defense shields - Activate! (panels in the little ship on Moya begin to flicker and hum obediently) Prepare for rescue-retrieval.

Moments later - his ship drops from Moya and extends its short, bird-like wings before making the short transit from where Moya sits to the dying Command Carrier. It weaves at high speed through the cloud of debris and life pods that are drifting off the Carrier like fluff from a milkweed and enters the jagged, superheated hole - still aglow with the colors of Talyn's passing - that was once the great ships hangar bay

Meanwhile - Aeryn is beating a hasty retreat of her own. There are fewer people now in the corridors - but more explosions as the great ship continues to rupture and burn. She glances over her shoulder at a brilliant orange flash that erupts just behind her and doesn't stop running - until she rounds a corner and someone steps out of the shadows behind her - her childhood friend - Henta. Henta has her gun fixed on the back of Aeryn's head as she shouts-

Henta: OFFICER SUN! DROP YOUR WEAPON! (Aeryn stops and carefully lays her gun down on the deck) You did this didn't you? (Aeryn slowly turns to face her in the rumbling corridor) You and your fellow traitors! There are 50,000 of us!

Aeryn: We gave you enough time - most of you will survive.

Henta: (with contempt of Aeryn's fine morals) Most!

Aeryn: (firmly) I know that by destroying this ship I am saving millions of lives Henta!

Henta: Too bad you can't save yourself! (but before she can exact a price from Aeryn for the destruction of the Command Carrier - a great plume of flame spews from the corridor wall. Aeryn ducks it - but her pretty blond friend is engulfed by the flash. In the second it takes for the explosion to pass - Hentas hair and the outer layers of her skin are seared from her face and hands. She wobbles, as if unsure of what hit her for a moment before dropping her gun and falling forward onto her knees - her entire back is in flames as she rests there for another moment trying draw air into her boiled lungs before pitching forward - cooked. Aeryn stares at all this with horror and dismay - but there's no time to mourn and she retrieves her gun and moves quickly on)

Elsewhere - D'Argo pounds through the shuddering corridors of the Carrier. Something detonates just behind him and he roars as its fiery flash scorches his back. Pilot, having ascertained that he is alive now - keeps at him via comm -

Pilot: (cut to him in his Den as he speaks) D'Argo! Moya's scans are rising to critical! If we're not away from here when the Command Carrier implodes - it will destroy Moya!

D'Argo: We're on our way Pilot! Give us 60 microts!

And while D'Argo plunges on through the crumbling halls of the Carrier - the scene shifts to John as he re-enters the launch area of the Wormhole Research Lab. The place is unrecognizable from the sleek facility it had so recently been. Its deck is crisscrossed with chasms from which spew flames and explosions. The area is deserted now and the module sits - mercifully untouched by the havoc around it - on the last small island of stability in the room. John is able to reach it - but he pauses and looks up at the chaos - perhaps wondering if he lingered too long and how he'll pilot his ship out of this conflagration now. Or perhaps just waiting. For suddenly a black figure appears out of the flames on the other side of an impassable rift in the floor - Scorpius. John is unsurprised to see this brimstone figure there in the heart of hell. As for Scorpius - he clearly fully expected to find John - who to him is an equally infernal character - right here right now.

John: Looks like our partnership is over.

Scorpius: (a weary pronouncement) John Crichton. Commander John Crichton. Generations will know that name. Because of you - very soon now the Scarrans will destroy us.

John: One evil at a time. That's the best I can do. (he looks around, as if stunned by the consequences of his own actions as another explosion rips away more of the Carrier around them) Tell me Gandhi - you still goin' after Earth?

Scorpius: (furiously dismissive) To what purpose? Vengeance against YOU? The only vengeance I cared about is no longer within my grasp! (he pauses to gaze at the desolation raining down around them - and quietly disengages from John) While holding two lights - depress 3-1-7 then release. (John seems almost to have forgotten the I-yensch bracelets. He raises his hand and responds with the release sequence for the one on the half-Scarrans wrist)

John: Hold two- press 9-1-1 and release. (the men stand and regard one another for a moment, each with his unlocked I-yensch cuff in his hand and John says - in some heartfelt recognition of the experience) We were close. (he raises the bracelet - and tosses it into flaming chasm between them) If we're gonna get off this boat now would be a good time. (he turns towards his module)

Scorpius: I may not be getting off this ship John. (the human turns and looks back at him) Good-bye Crichton. (he turns and begins to pace away into the flames of his Command)

John: SCORPIUS! (the half-Scarran pauses - and so does John, as if suddenly uncertain of what he called his nemesis back for - and Scorpius resumes his track away, disappearing as Aeryn's voice breaks the spell)

Aeryn: (on comm) Crichton? (cut briefly to her in the Prowler hangar as she crawls into one of those sleek fighters left behind, uncontested by the few soldiers - who presumably aren't lucky enough to be Pilot's - still skittering about trying to find a way off the dead Carrier) The others are on D'Argo's ship. I've taken a Prowler and I'm leaving now.

John: (responding via comm) On my way. (he pauses as if uncertain of what to do) Aeryn?

Aeryn: (she pauses too as she clambers into the Prowlers cockpit) What? (again - he seems uncertain of what it was he wanted to say)

John: Fly safe. (Aeryn makes no response - but to linger for a precious second or so amid the ruin erupting around her - perplexed by the strangely distant tone of his voice. And then she takes the Prowler cockpit while John stands by his module a moment longer)

Time passes and silence hangs heavy back on board Moya in the wake of Talyn and Crais' death and the terrible destruction of Scorpius' Command Carrier. Voices are hushed as if to avoid disturbing the ghosts who roam the corridors of the great bronze Leviathan and the minds of her surviving crew. Travails often bond people - but they are also destroyers of relationships when the bond becomes a constant reminder of pain and violence. Chiana, D'Argo and Rygel are gathered in the center chamber.

D'Argo: We all knew the time would come when we'd split up. In the beginning I would never even have believed it could take so long.

Rygel: (trying to keep up his usual gruffness) Don't think I'm gonna to miss you! Any of you - I'm not! (he pauses and his earbrows droop) Well maybe a little bit. (D'Argo looks to Chiana, who's sitting apart from them, looking out the rooms portal at the stars)

D'Argo: What are you going to do Chiana?

Chiana: I think I might... I might try and find the Nebari Resistance. (D'Argo says nothing and bows his head in remembrance of the hopes he'd once held for a future with her)

The scene removes to Pilot's Den. Jool has also survived to return to Moya. But she's never felt at home among the rest of the people here even though she's made her peace with them. So she's come to see Pilot who shares her apartness from the others. They've been trying to comfort each other and Jool's just turning to leave.

Pilot: (sorrowfully) Should we manage to reunite you with your people - will you be leaving us? (Jool pauses, tears in her eyes and her voice)

Jool: From what I can tell Pilot - I won't be the only one leaving Moya soon. (Pilot sighs and seems to sag as she leaves - this is not what travel aboard a Leviathan is supposed to be and it seems as if he may feel - in the drifting away of his crew, a personal failure - or at least the shattering of his dearest ideals)

And finally - on Moya's silent Command. Aeryn and John. They made it away from the Command Carrier - but not without awful damage to themselves, and to whatever bond that was building between them.

They sit in utter silence on the sill of Moya's great main viewport. Behind them space is a lovely fantasy of blue mist and twinkling stars. Neither of them are looking at it - or at each other. Yet they sit only a few feet apart, as if wanting, trying, to say something - or hoping the other one will. Aeryn's face is a haunted blank as she recalls her home, the thousands of people who lived there and her role in its destruction. No amount of conviction that she did the right thing can dull her the pain of her actions or entirely quell her doubts.

As for John - he seems to have dove into the deep end of the trauma pool. He sits with his back to Aeryn, pen in hand and note pad upon his knee - but the mathematical symbols he's inking run off the page and onto his hands and up his arms. He stiffens and raises his head, turning it just a little in Aeryn's direction as if he might have thought of something to say-

But there's only silence.

THE END