We're So Screwed

Part 1: Fetal Attraction
The episode opens with Moya approaching a huge space station hovering against a backdrop of white dust clouds. The engines that maintain the vast structures position in space emit a basso thrum. Pilot is heard giving report as the scene shifts to Moya's Command where Chiana and John watch the docking clamps of the station open to receive them. John is clad in his stolen black Peacekeeper leathers.

Pilot: The Scarran border station has given us permission to dock. Moya senses 3 other vessels present. One is our own transport pod.

Chiana: That means Sikozu made it okay.

John: Getting here is the easy part.

Chiana: She'll be fine. The Scarrans will just think she's another Kalish bureaucrat.

John: (dryly) Yeah I'm supposed to be a Peacekeeper. I loovve waiting to see how things go south. (Scorpius enters)

Scorpius: All vessels en route to Katratzi must stop for inspection and quarantine. The procedure takes 5 solar days. Any vessel lacking the proper security clearance beacon - will be destroyed on sight.

John: That's very reassuring. (as the rumbles and hydraulic hisses of Moya docking are heard, Chiana pauses as she walks past John)

Chiana: (resolute) We - will find her. We'll get Aeryn back. No matter what.

Pilot: Docking completed.

Scorpius: Permit station personnel to board, but monitor them.

Pilot: I understand, Captain Wentrask. (Chiana eyes Scorpius dubiously)

Chiana: Wentrask?

Scorpius: We must assume that all comms transmissions are being intercepted.

Chiana: But our comms are secure.

John: (quietly) Let's just pretend they aren't.

(cut to soon after as "Captain Wentrask" greets a Scarran inspection team. A Charrid with his long scaly dreadlocks and an unfriendly-looking DRD with a shark-like dorsal fin have a look around while a middle-aged Kalish man busily approaches Scorpius)

Trayso: Captain Wentrask? I am Dr Trayso Talnell, Chief Medical Officer. (like all Kalish - he has red hair. His is cropped in a Romanesque style and the silvery scales at his temples and throat are prominent. He's clad in a conservatively cut, dull gold jumpsuit that has a metallic sheen. He also has an officiously plummy accent)

Scorpius: (impatient) Yes, yes, yes. Another Kalish functionary. Are these necessary?

Trayso: Your entire vessel must be checked for contraband and contaminants.

Scorpius: We have neither aboard.

Trayso: (primly) I should hope not. (he eyes John, who's hovering self-consciously nearby and inquires politely) A - Peacekeeper?

Scorpius: How remarkably perceptive.

Trayso: How do you come to have - a Peacekeeper aboard?

Scorpius: (with normal Scarran testiness) What gave you the impression I answer to you?

Trayso: With due respect Captain - you will either respond to my inquiries, or you will be denied entry into Scarran space. Understood?

Scorpius: (quietly, deadly) The Peacekeeper is a spy for the Scarrans. Also on board we have a Nebari and a Hynerian. They are spies as well. The hierarchy - will not look kindly on a Kalish who obstructs their delivery. Understood? (Trayso conveys his understanding with with an almost imperceptible nod)

John: Do you have anything to eat on board the station?

Trayso: Refreshments may be obtained in the station commons. (John makes to pass him and enter the station) Be aware that no weapons are permitted on the station and - you will be checked. (John stops) Our sentinels are programmed to shoot and kill any armed visitors. (as Trayso speaks, John silently unholsters his gun and takes it over to workbench where 1812 is sitting next to a metal box. He drops the gun into the box and says to his little red, white and blue buddy:)

John: Keep an eye on that. (1812 squawks his assent and John continues out, and onto the border station)

(cut to the commons of the Scarran station. It resembles the busy, soaring atrium of a shopping mall food court - dotted with tables and vending machines that cater to a multi species crowd. It's fairly well-lit and austerely decorated with light murals. Chiana and Rygel are sitting at a table near a wall and watching Sikozu - who's at another table nearby with a young Kalish man named Karohm. He's clad in the same sort of conservative suit that Trayso had on and Sikozu seems quite taken with him)

Sikozu: All the visitors you get, all the fantastic technology you get to work with...

Chiana: Looks like she's found a new friend.

Rygel: One of her own kind.

Chiana: (appraisingly) And not too bad looking at that.

Rygel: Sikozu thinks with her head - not her kuditza.

Chiana: Yeah - that's her problem.

Rygel: We were smart to send her ahead. The Kalish are definitely running things round here. (he knows skilled servants when he sees them. John and Scorpius join him and Chiana)

Scorpius: (of the Kalish) They are a conquered species. They serve the Scarrans - in order to survive.

Rygel: You mean they're collaborators. (John eavesdrops on Karohm and Sikozu's conversation. She's been telling tales of what she does)

Karohm: ...diplomatic missions throughout Tormented Space. You must lead an interesting life.

Sikozu: I suppose so. I'm getting tired of the incessant travel though. I envy you your stable position here.

Karohm: Running the station isn't stable - it's boring.

Sikozu: Karohm! Your work isn't boring in the slightest. (John walks past their table, casting Sikozu a sidelong glance as he does so)

Karohm: Maybe we should trade jobs. (she laughs a little and taps his nose playfully) I must get back Meet me later.

Sikozu: In a while. (Karohm exits, and Sikozu walks over to where John is loitering near a vending machine)

John: (murmuring) Got anything to tell me? (Sikozu doesn't look at him as lays her hand on a palm-shaped icon on the machine. A container of pudding-like food drops out of it with a hiss)

Sikozu: (coolly) Aeryn is here.

John: Say that again.

Sikozu: Aeryn is here.

John: Where?

Sikozu: In the Scarran freighter. The Scarran freighter has finished its time in quarantine and is leaving in half an arn. (and John watches as she walks away with her pudding)

(cut to Aeryn, who's still on Jenek's ship. She's rigidly restrained on a narrow gurney with raised side rails. A medical lamp illuminates her and the old Sebacean nurse - Vreena - is at her side)

Vreena: This won't harm the baby - but it will keep you docile. (she injects Aeryn's with something) You see? I could make things so much easier for you. If only you'd trust me. (but Aeryn makes no response other than to close her eyes)

(cut back to the station commons where John has rejoined Chiana, Rygel and Scorpius with the news that Aeryn's ship is due to leave in 30 minutes . The conversation is whispered)

Chiana: Half an arn - what can we do in half an arn?

John: Grab our guns and we kick in some doors.

Scorpius: We wouldn't even pass through this station. The Scarran sentinels are programmed - to kill any non-station personnel carrying weapons.

John: We have a hole card - D'Argo and Noranti are hanging back in Lo'La. (Scorpius offers a reality check for that)

Scorpius: If D'Argo's ship - attacked a Scarran freighter - a fleet of Scarran warships would instantly be dispatched after us.

Rygel: Besides - the freighter has Aeryn as a hostage.

Scorpius: We have a far greater chance here than at any Scarran military base.

Rygel: Hence we need to keep that freighter here long enough to come up with a plan. (and Rygel's got one) Pass me all that food. (John pushes whatever's on the table over to him)

John: It's a hell of a time to be eating, Rygel.

Rygel: I have an idea. Get me more. (Chiana pats him encouragingly and goes for more grub. At that moment - Jenek and an unhelmeted, one-eyed Charrid named Ralnaht enter the commons)

Jenek: The freighter will be clear to depart within a quarter arn. (he snorts) Time enough for a refreshment. (they both growl with satisfaction. John and Scorpius note their entrance)

John: Scarran captain - with a Charrid sidekick just like Sikozu said. (Scorpius appraises Jenek and Ralnaht for a moment before getting up and strolling over to where they've sat down. Ralnaht says something in Scarran as Scorpius approaches - and Jenek replies:)

Jenek: Many weaknesses. (he rises tho greet the half-Scarran)

Scorpius: Povek natranko.

Jenek: Povek.

Scorpius: May we speak?

Jenek: (to Ralnaht) Leave us. (the Charrid leaves with a resentful snarl - and Jenek and Scorpius sit)

Scorpius: Now listen carefully - my name is Captain Wentrask. My mission - demands absolute secrecy. My proof code is: zenahk devra - zenahk prada.

Jenek: (with a nasty laugh) Ministry of Dissimulation. Well don't worry Captain - you have little to fear from me. I have no interest in spies and their - intricate games. (proudly) I am Jenek and command a freighter. You have your mission and I have mine. (he rises, signifying their chat is over. Scorpius rises as well)

Scorpius: (with an unimpressed grunt) As it should be. (and having thus performed the Scarran equivalent of a couple dogs checking each other out - Scorpius backs off as Jenek growls softly. The macho spectacle is enough to make Rygel swallow hard. Ralnaht returns to Jenek's side)

Ralnaht: (with contempt) A half-breed. (but Jenek is more unnerved by the encounter than he let on. His response is curt and anxious)

Jenek: Of no concern to us. Ready the ship to leave. (they exit )

(cut to Aeryn, lying semiconscious on her gurney. She inhales deeply and her eyes flutter open. A hallucinatory vision of John resolves. He's standing over her, his hand on her belly which she imagines as swollen with pregnancy)

John: (softly) It's time. You're doin' good. (Aeryn dreams that she smiles a little as she lays her hand atop his) You're doin' great. (she reaches to touch his face - but he becomes blurry and recedes into the shadows. Aeryn grunts with plaintive desperation and tries to reach after him - but her hand is stopped by the short chain which tethers it to the gurney. The dream of John is s gone - but Vreena is there to torment her)

Vreena: (gentle - but cold as ice) Why do you keep on struggling? You know it won't do you any good. (although she isn't gagged - Aeryn seems unable to speak or cry out and only grunts through tightly closed lips in response) Must I keep sedating you? Must you keep making things difficult for yourself? (Aeryn whimpers miserably) There's no point in fighting. You know that. (Aeryn writhes and moans, her face wet with tears)

(cut back to the commons where Rygel is stuffing his face while Chiana keeps an eye on the crowd. But John is understandably nervous given their15 minute window of opportunity to DO something and finally pulls the grub away)

John: That's enough. You're gonna bust a gut.

Rygel: That's enough all right. Give me a microt. (he swallows hard against the reflux as Chiana spots Vreena entering)

Chiana: (murmuring) The Sebacean.

John: From the freighter - Sikozu thinks she's a nurse. (Rygel stifles a belch as Vreena lays her hand on one of the vending machines 5-fingered-with-opposable-thumb palm icons and is rewarded with suitable nourishment for her kind)

Chiana: Not good - it's another person you're gotta fool.

Rygel: This'll be convincing - stand back. (Chiana and John obey as he makes ominous sounds of nausea)

John: (loudly, to Rygel) Hey! You all right? (the old Sebacean nurse looks over at them)

Rygel: (like one having trouble keeping his lunch down) Don't feel well... (Trayso - who is also in the commons, looks their way as well. Rygel proceeds to produce a plume of green projectile vomit that sends patrons scurrying)

Trayso: What's the matter with him? (Chiana moves solicitously to Rygel's side)

John: Maybe it's your lousy food.

Rygel: (sounding half-dead) Yes - I'm sure of it.

Tryaso: (briskly, to Rygel) Have you ever had an emesis of this severity before?

Rygel: Just once - but they cured it.

Trayso: And - what was the cause?

Rygel: A touch of dermaphollica.

Trayso: (outraged) That's a highly contagious disease!

Rygel: (with a groan) Don't worry - they said it was dormant.

Trayso: (loudly) We're in lockdown until further notice. Anchor all vessels to their docking ports. (Vreena hurries out of the commons)

(cut to soon after. Rygel has been moved to a medical quarantine area on the station where he's laying swaddled in a silver sheet, on a gurney. Trayso and Jenek are standing at a window looking into the isolation room. Behind them - Karohm is at the stations consoles - Sikozu hovering nearby)

Jenek: (sounding alarmed) No! You can't keep us here! (Trayso dithers a bit between confidence in his role - and hesitance at displeasing a member of the dominant race)

Trayso: Er -I can. And uh - I must. Uh - under the quarantine policy of uh - your hierarchy.

Jenek: Have you any evidence the Hynerians condition poses a risk?

Trayso: No - but I must err on the side of caution. I'm unfamiliar with Hynerian dermaphollica. However I uh - have asked the medical database at Simstef for information. (as Karohm speaks up with a report on the status of said request - Jenek helps himself to the fibrous red contents of a covered glass dish in front of Trayso)

Karohm: They're transmitting it now. I've also sent out a request for all vessels in the sector for doctors or healers with any knowledge of the disease.

Trayso: (primly, as Jenek rather nervously munches on the red fibers) That's not procedure. But uh - under the circumstances - it's a very good idea.

Karohm: (sullenly) Thanks for suggesting it.

(cut back to the commons where Chiana is talking to another young Kalish man named Zepa)

Chiana: I don't know why everyone's afraid of a few germs.

Zepa: Yeah me neither. This'll kill them. (he hefts a mug. Chiana has a sucky cup to imbibe her drug of choice from)

Chiana: (giggling as she takes a sip) UM! These'll kill anything! (as she and Zepa head for a table, D'Argo and Noranti enter. They're greeted enthusiastically by Trayso)

Trayso: Greetings! I'm Trayso Talnell - Chief Medical Officer. Thank you for coming.

Noranti: Utu-Noranti Pralatong, Alleviator and Healer. And this - (she both indicates and addresses D'Argo) - is my personal assistant. You may stay here if you choose. (D'Argo hands Noranti her medical kit that he's schlepping for her like a good assistant)

D'Argo: (submissively annoyed) Yes - Healer. (he stays behind in the commons as Noranti an Trayso head off)

Trayso: A Luxan assistant?

Noranti: (expansively) Oh yes. Luxans make fine pilots, exceptional bodyguards and superlative lovers. (they enter the station control center where Karohm anxiously approaches)

Karohm: Data from Stimstef.

Trayso: Thank you. (as he accepts the data - Noranti looks into the isolation room and makes eye contact with Rygel. He starts to sit up - but she urgently motions him back down as Trayso reads inspects the report from Stimstef) Apparently we've brought you here for nothing Healer. This isn't dermaphollica at all.

Noranti: Oh it's too soon to tell, I'd say.

Trayso: Aah - per this report - he should have exhibited signs of skin sloughing by now.

Noranti: May I see that? (Trayso hands it over uncertainly. Noranti is cool as she peruses it confidently) Yes - well - you see dermaphollica is very difficult to diagnose. The bacteria that causes the virus is effectively undetectable.

Trayso: Yes but none of the other symptoms are present. Hence - unless anything else manifests itself in say- oohh - an arn? I can safely lift lockdown.

Noranti: I'm going to examine the patient. (and she bustles off to do so. Sikozu watches her dubiously)

(cut to moments later. Noranti is in with Rygel. She crumbles some dried herbs in her hands and then spits on them. Trayso - who's watching from behind the safe barrier of the observation window - winces)

Noranti: (in a low tone) And you're sure - that what you had - was dermaphollica?

Rygel: Yes - I barely survived. 4 of my wives didn't.

Noranti: Here. (she proffers the wad of crushed herbs and spit in her hand to Rygel)

Rygel: (wisely) No! (he turns away - but Noranti grabs him and pushes her concoction into his mouth - which she then holds shut. On the other side of the window, Trayso seems to approve of her pilling skills - but behind him, Sikozu looks apprehensive)

Noranti: (whispering) Swallow. (the old Hynerian has no choice - but he gags a bit as it goes down and then takes a deep, nauseated breath)

Rygel: Was that absolutely essential?

Noranti: Absolutely. (Rygel shudders)

(cut back to Chiana and Zepa in the almost deserted commons. They're whispering together at a table as Noranti enters and heads for D'Argo, who's thoughtfully watching the flirting couple)

Chiana: So tell me - do you wanna get outta here?

Zepa: Well it's getting late now. Maybe we should find someplace where we can calm down. Get comfortable.

Chiana: Got a suggestion? (Noranti glances at the couple too as she joins D'Argo)

D'Argo: (a weary murmur) What news, Healer?

Noranti: None yet. We'll just have to wait.

Zepa: Maybe you'd like to go out and see my ship.

Chiana: Is it a very big ship? (she giggles)

Zepa: Size isn't as important as speed and maneuverability.

Chiana: Oh yeah? Well that's what they all say.

Zepa: (taking Chiana's hand) Come with me and I'll prove it. (but D'Argo can't stand it anymore. He strolls over to them)

D'Argo: Excuse me. Hey Nebari girl - how about I buy you a drink? (Zepa looks over his shoulder at the Luxan)

Zepa: Um - I was here first. (D'Argo slowly shifts his focus from Chiana to the young Kalish man)

D'Argo: Your point? (there's along moment of silence. Chiana makes no sign - and Zepa prudently relinquishes her and leaves. D'Argo takes the seat opposite Chiana and they quietly lean in and rest their foreheads together. Chiana smiles a little and D'Argo sighs softly) Much better. Rygel's scam seems to be working.

Chiana: So you know.

D'Argo: One of the voices on the medical distress transmission was Sikozu's - so we played along.

Chiana: Smart Luxan. (they rub noses gently)

(cut back to Rygel who's looking a bit flaky at the edges. He's laying in his isolation room and scratching listlessly as Trayso and Noranti watch from behind the observation window)

Trayso: It seems your caution was justified. His skin is sloughing. (he scratches his own scalp as he stares at the itchy Hynerian, and catching himself - examines his nails before announcing firmly) The lockdown will remain in effect! (and Rygel scratches harder...)

(cut to soon after in the commons where Noranti and Trayso have called together Captains Wentrask and Jenek along with several of their crews to apprise them of the quarantine situation)

Scorpius: How contagious - is this disease?

Noranti: It can infect non-Hynerians and those it does infect it kills without warning.

John: Frell that - I'm gonna lock myself in an airlock.

Noranti: I'm afraid it's far too late for that. This virus is so pervasive that everyone on this station or any vessels docked to it - has already been exposed.

Chiana: So what do we do?

Noranti: (businesslike) I can attempt to concoct a cure. However, my ship is understocked. I need herbs, medications, healing potions- (Jenek emits a low rumble of pure annoyance and Noranti brightly focuses on him) Do you have any sort of medical supplies? I mean, even a simple remedy kit will do- (but Jenek cuts her off)

Jenek: No. No one may board my vessel.

Scorpius: I have a facility on board my Leviathan. I offer it for your use. (to Chiana and John) Escort her.

Noranti: Thank you. (she leaves with them and the scene follows their progress out of the commons and into the corridors of the station where they conduct a conversation in low tones)

John: That was a nice job Granny - you scammed 'em.

Noranti: (a bit worried) I couldn't scam Trayso.

Chiana: (brightly) But you did! He believes Rygel's sick.

Noranti: That's because I made Rygel sick.

Chiana: No you made him look sick.

Noranti: No I made him sick.

John: With what?

Noranti: Dermaphollica. The virus is dormant in his system. I merely reactivated it.

John: (worried now) Can you de-activate it?

Noranti: I hope so.

Chiana: And what if you can't?

Noranti: He dies. (Chiana and John stop and stare after her in disbelief as she hurries on)

(cut to soon after as Chiana and John trail Noranti into Moya's medlab. Their thrilledness with the old Traskans "scam" is over)

Chiana: Are you tinked? What are you trying to do? What? Kill Rygel?

Noranti: (confidently, as she bustles over to a lab counter) No - he won't die. I can make a cure.

John: You sure about that?

Noranti: I'm almost certain.

John: How long has Rygel got?

Noranti: (as she lays out her dishes and ingredients) Plenty of time - if I'm not disturbed.

John: Is this bug contagious?

Noranti: Some varieties can be.

John: Uh-huh. What about this variety?

Noranti: (quickly) I'll fix it.

Chiana: (alarmed) You've already fixed it! Y-you've infected us with the frelling Hynerian plague!

Noranti: Not infected - exposed. Anyway you can't get it.

Chiana: I can't?

Noranti: Nebari are immune - as are Scarrans.

John: And Sebaceans? (the old woman wags her head a bit as she begins crushing herbs into a dish, but John is insistent) Are - Sebaceans - immune?

Noranti: No. (John is stunned into silence as Noranti collects more ingredients - but Chiana dogs her)

Chiana: (in a hissing whisper) You'll kill Aeryn even before we get a chance to save her!

Noranti: (hissing back) Don't you say that! Don't you DARE say that! I will - fix this! (she marches back to John and says sternly) You wanted a plague - I gave you one. Without real symptoms - the lockdown is lifted, Aeryn is on her way to the Scarran base and you - are frelled. Now I did what I had to do - I suggest you do the same. (well actually John didn't asked for a plague - but he'll probably do what he needs to do anyway...)

(cut back to the border station where Jenek furiously confronts Trayso privately)

Jenek: (as he seizes the Kalish by the arm) You don't understand - I have a patient I must protect!

Trayso: (annoyed) Your passenger has already been exposed, as have we all!

Jenek: (angry) But the facilities on Katratzi are much more likely to have a cure.

Trayso: (outraged) Oh! So you'd expose them as well would you? (Jenek furiously shoves Trayso away from him)

Jenek: (snarling harshly) Scarrans are immune to this disease! (Trayso stumbles against a counter, but doesn't miss a beat in firing back)

Trayso: But Kalish aren't! I won't be held responsible for loosing a virus that could prove catastrophic to my own people! (firmly) Your vessel isn't leaving Captain. (Jenek growls, infuriated by this red-haired pencil-pusher who's vested with authority by HIS own people - the Scarrans - in these matters. Karohm approaches Trayso)

Karohm: The Healer has requested that we allow the patient to be moved aboard the Leviathan. Easier to take tissue samples that way.

Jenek: What? Release the Hynerian from isolation?

Trayso: Given the pervasiveness of the virus, isolation is pointless. See to it. (and Karohm moves to obey)

(cut to later aboard Moya. Rygel is laying on a gurney in the medlab while Noranti grimly sorts through her medical supplies)

Rygel: (angry) What in the frelling yotz where you thinking, you madwoman? You're a plague! A-a withered, 3-eyed, bad-smelling pestilence!

Noranti: You can shout at me later.

Rygel: (woefully) I'll be dead later!

Noranti: You'll be dead sooner if I don't devise a remedy. (a bit nervously) The more you yell - the more you distract me.

(cut to John and Scorpius, arguing in Moya's corridors)

Scorpius: Noranti's is the only possible course John.

John: And what has it bought us?

Scorpius: (decisively) Time! (they turn into a room)

John: And what are we doing with that time? (he doesn't wait for a response, as he opens a locker) Can't answer that? Right. That's why someone's got to get on that freighter.

Scorpius: (annoyed) Sikozu is working on it. If she could access schematics of the freighter- (but John loudly and decisively cuts him off)

John: Schematics are not going to give us Aeryn's location, her condition, or tell us how many guards there are! Someone has got to go in.

Scorpius: (angry and frustrated) You don't possibly believe that Captain Jenek will give you a tour!

John: Grasshopper! You aim - too high and Jenek is not the only one with access.

(cut to soon after as John rolls back into the commons. It's a little busier again now and the PA system is nattering overhead. Vreena is sitting alone at a table. He pulls up a few paces away from her)

John: Hey. (Vreena looks) Sebacean? (his query seems to catches the homely old nurse off guard)

Vreena: What?

John: You're Sebacean - right? (she just stares blankly at him) Huh! Can't remember the last time I saw a Sebacean woman. (he sidles over to her table and invites himself to sit) It's got to be at least half a cycle.

Vreena: So? (Princess Charming she's not)

John: So - that's a long time without companionship. (he pauses) I don't do aliens.

Vreena: Well I don't do Peacekeepers - so why waste your time? (John pulls out a leaf-shaped packet filled with powder and runs it along his lips before taking it in his teeth and flipping it flirtatiously at her)

Vreena: What's that?

John: (sly, as he removes the packet from his teeth) This is something for a special friend. It's the Sebacean cure for Hynerian dermaphollica.

Vreena: Or a vial of dust.

John: You're a medical worker, right? I could let you analyze it. (she just stares blankly at him) But as you say - why waste your time? (he makes to leave)

Vreena: (sharply) Where'd you get that?

John: Sorry - I don't kiss and tell. But you can be sure you're not gettin' it anywhere else.

Vreena: (coolly) Hynerian dermaphollica rarely infects Sebaceans.

John: But when it does - you're dead before you know it. I hate odds like that. (he pauses) Don't you?

Vreena: So... what do you want for it?

John: I just want to share. (he puts the packet back between his teeth and fixes her with a smoldering gaze)

(cut to soon after as John and Vreena walk down one of the stations high ceilinged, curved docking rings. A Charrid guard and one of the shark-finned DRDs intercept them)

Charrid Guard: No admittance Peacekeeper! (Vreena marches imperiously right past him without even breaking her stride)

Vreena: He's with me. (they cross the airlock threshold and enter Jenek's freighter. John's less sure than Vreena about the Charrid and his DRD though, and doesn't take his eyes off them till he's safely on the Scarran ship and the airlock is shut. They proceed to the medlab where Vreena excuses herself) Give me a microt. (she goes to prepare her analyzing equipment)

John: So this is your med bay? (Vreena grunts affirmatively and John looks around the dim room. He spots one of the evil-looking metal tilt-chairs that Aeryn had been restrained in, and sits down on it. It clanks heavily) Spare bunks. (he bounces suggestively on it. It makes a sound like a piece of cheap, secondhand gym equipment. Vreena marches back to him and extends her hand expectantly)

Vreena: (unamused) Fun later. Cure now. (John hands over his packet of powder) It's a dehydrated concentrate, is it not?

John: Right. Dilute it 10:1 - saline. There's enough there for both of us. (he rises and begins to wander around the dark room)

Vreena: No more?

John: (carefully disinterested) No. Why?

Vreena: Another Sebacean needs treatment. (and then John spots her - Aeryn - restrained on her gurney back in a dim corner of the freighters murky medical bay)

John: (under his breath) You bastard. (Vreena's concentrating on preparing the "cure" as John picks a metal tool off a table and turns back to her. His voice, as he answers her comment, is husky from anger) Well - It's too bad for them. (and with that - he beans Vreena with the tool and she goes down like a sack of medical waste. John hurries to Aeryn's side and shakes her) Aeryn! Wake up! (she wakes up - but she's disoriented. She moans and struggles against him) Stop! Hold still - h-hold still! I need to- I need to unbind these. (louder as she continues to thrash) No it's me! I'm real! Aeryn! (he tries to shush her and free her - but her crying and struggling inadvertently thwarts his efforts. Suddenly Ralnaht looms out of the shadows behind John - gun in hand)

Ralnaht: (deadly) Leave her alone. (John freezes - but Aeryn continues to shield her face and pule)

John: Don't do anything stupid. Scarran hierarchy paid good krindars for me. They wouldn't want their package delivered damaged. (he turns to face Ralnaht - who proceeds to damage the package with a heavy blow. John goes down and the Charrid briefly inspects the real package as he knows it - Aeryn - for damage)

(cut to soon after, in the border station brig. John is on his knees being heat probe interrogated by Jenek. Ralnaht is standing behind John and Vreena is sitting on a bench and looking faint)

Vreena: He claimed it was a cure for Hynerian dermaphollica.

Jenek: But was it genuine?

John: (groaning) No - it's a fake.

Jenek: Why the deception?

John: Cos - horny! (he chokes out a little laugh before gritting) Looking for a Sebacean woman.

Vreena: You attacked me and attempted to release one of the patients. (John chokes under the probe)

John: No offense but - she's sexier than you are.

Jenek: What would you have done had you gotten her?

John: Taken her back to my ship. Frelled her. Made babies. (a suitably boorish reply - he gags on it and Jenek growls. At that moment, Scorpius enters)

Scorpius: Jenek! What are you doing to my Peacekeeper? (Jenek cuts his heat probe and turns to Scorpius. John keels over, coughing and retching)

Jenek: (accusatory) Your Peacekeeper was aboard my ship - (with disgust) - attempting to recreate!

Scorpius: (very quietly to John) Is that true?

John: (with difficulty) Yeah - more or less.

Scorpius: (to Jenek) If you'll excuse us - I will deal with him. (Jenek rumbles softly - and doesn't move. Scorpius aggressively steps very close to him) I said - I will deal with him. (the two men face off for a long moment - and then Jenek backs down and stalks out with Ralnaht and Vreena in his wake)

John: (with an exhausted groan) Aw - that's a helluva thing. (he leans against the bench Vreena had been sitting on and Scorpius comes and sits down on it)

Scorpius: John how did you lie to Jenek's heat probe? (pleased) Was it - Katoyas training?

John: Hah! Naw - I told him the truth. Just not the whole truth. (with some effort - he turns to lean his arms on the bench and look up at the half-Scarran) Aeryn's in there. We gotta get her out.

Scorpius: (whispering) Sikozu is gathering information which will help us - put together a rescue plan. We will free Officer Sun. (John pulls himself to his feet using Scorpius as an anchor - and walks away with a nauseous grunt)

(cut to Karohm and Sikozu in the border stations control center. Sikozu examines some data films they've just received)

Sikozu: The Rosrob Center has sent us all their data on dermaphollica - but it isn't much.

Karohm: And I still can't get a response from the Diagnosans on Coljen. Frell. (frustrated, he slams one fist down on his console and turns away from Sikozu)

Sikozu: Why don't you - take a rest interval? I can monitor communications for you.

(cut back to Moya, where Noranti helps Rygel to sit up. He looks like a burn victim - his skin is peeling off in sheets and his face is wet from the escaping moisture of his body. The old woman has a bright orange glob between her thumb and forefinger)

Noranti: This - will boost your Hynerian antibodies and cleanse you of the disease. Open. (he opens and she pushes the glob in) Unfortunately it won't cure anyone other than a Hynerian.

Rygel: And that's a problem? I mean uh - has anyone else contracted the sickness?

Noranti: No - not as yet. (Rygel moans feebly) And they may not. But there's always a chance. (she hurries back to her work counter and Rygel sways before falling back onto his bed with a soft thud) Rygel? (she returns to his side and takes his wrist - but his hand flops limply. She whispers:) Rygel...

(cut back in the border station commons - which is quite crowed now - as Chiana enters. She spots Zepa sitting at a table alone, with his head down. Chiana hops up onto another table and crouches there, looking at him)

Chiana: (playful) Hey! Hey you with the big ship! (but he just coughs weakly without looking up. She hops down and goes over to him) Hey - you okay? (Trayso is watching this from an observation window in the control center that overlooking the commons)

Trayso: We may have another victim. Come on. (he and Karohm march cut, leaving Sikozu - who rolls her eyes at this fiasco in the making - behind. Meanwhile, Chiana has found Zepa to be really ill)

Chiana: Somebody? Somebody call the Healer. (she lifts the young mans head - dark lesions mar his once clear face. Someone yelps in alarm and people begin to flee the area) Hey what're you doing? Don't run away! Get- (but she cuts herself off at the sound of poor Zepa gagging and coughing. Drool runs from his mouth, and all she can do is gently hold his head and try to reassure him) It's okay. It's all right. It's okay, we're- We're gonna get the Healer.

(cut to soon after. Trayso has joined Noranti on Moya. Rygel is conscious and laying on his bed, scratching. Noranti is feverishly shuffling her herbs and tinctures)

Trayso: Dermaphollica has proven fatal to a Kalish traveler. Captain Jenek requests your presence aboard his vessel.

Noranti: Nononono - I must find this remedy. He may come here if he chooses.

Trayso: (firmly) No. He wants you to go to him.

(cut to the border station. Jenek is trying to ignore Scorpius)

Scorpius: The Healer needs more resources than are available to make a cure. If there's anything aboard your vessel that would assist- (Jenek tries to walk away, but the much smaller half-Scarran dogs him) You must realize we have a common problem. We both have cargo that needs protecting! (Trayso appears and beckons to Jenek)

Jenek: (flatly) I'll solve my own problems. (he exits with Trayso and Scorpius heaves a big sigh)

(cut to Moya's Command where Sikozu has a holo projection of the vast, sparkplug shaped border station up for Chiana, D'Argo and Johns elucidation)

Sikozu: The Scarran freighter is not only docked to the station, but it is tied to its power grid as well. From station control, I can force a power surge that will disrupt the circuits of both the station and the freighter.

D'Argo: That'll knock out the lights, the alarms and those ugly Scarran DRDs.

Chiana: For how long?

Sikozu: Only until emergency overrides activate, maybe 30 microts.

D'Argo: Okay. Once we rescue Aeryn, we've gotta get Moya off that station.

Sikozu: Yes I think I've worked out how to bypass the docking locks.

Chiana: You think? (snide) What were you doing with Karohm all this time?

John: What about the window stickers this joint's supposed to give out?

D'Argo: Security beacons - we'll need some.

Sikozu: If we rescue Aeryn-

Chiana: Don't say - if.

Sikozu: (annoyed) I'm sorry. Yes - when we rescue Aeryn - we simply starburst away from Scarran space. (but D'Argo almost cuts her off with his concerns about Moya's often imprecise starbursts)

D'Argo: What if we starburst deeper into Scarran space?

John: Or if the freighter takes off with Aeryn?

Sikozu: If the freighter escapes then we abandon all hope.

John: We abandon all hope of leading long and prosperous lives and we follow the freighter. (no one says a word, but Sikozu dares a stare and an unbelieving exhalation) She's still learning. (and with that - he and D'Argo exit)

(cut to the medical bay of Jenek's freighter as Noranti is escorted in by Trayso, followed closely Jenek and Ralnaht)

Noranti: You don't have to use force! I want to find a cure as much as you do!

Trayso: You will find a cure and we will have it first.

Jenek: Nurse! Assist them! (Vreena, who's sitting nearby with her head down. ignores him and he marches over to her) Nurse! Didn't you- (he pulls her head up - her face is covered with the same dark lesions that had afflicted Zepa. He grunts and lets her head drop back down) Check the patient.

Noranti: I'll do it! (she beats Trayso to Aeryn, and not wanting to risk anything untoward being said - grabs her by the throat. Aeryn jerks awake, whimpering and struggling as the Traskan murmurs:) Save your strength. Don't try to speak. (Noranti moves her hand as Trayso comes to have a look and Aeryn quiets down) She doesn't appear to be infected.

Jenek: (harshly) Neither was my nurse. If she's infected - can you cure her?

Noranti: I think I can - given time.

Jenek: The female is pregnant. Her fetus must be saved. Is there a suitable recipient for a transplant?

Noranti: (shocked) What? (outraged) No-o! Anyway it wouldn't do any good. All the females here are equally at risk from this disease.

Trayso: (helpfully) What about the Nebari girl? Nebari are immune.

Jenek: (to Ralnaht) Go to the Leviathan and bring back the Nebari.

Ralnaht: We can't take our weapons through the station.

Jenek: (shouting) Then take a transport pod and board from the outside! (the Charrid heads off and Aeryn's eyelids flutter fretfully, half-aware as she is of what's going on around her. But Noranti encourages sleep)

Noranti: Hush now. Hush...

(cut to soon after in Moya's corridors. Pilot and Moya have failed to notice someone's been flying ships in and out of them again and now Ralnaht suddenly appears in front of Chiana - who acts like he's just some jerk at Grand Central Station)

Chiana: Hey. Get outta my way fek-face. (she makes to pass him by - but he grabs her and throws her. She bounces back up and pulls her gun - but a couple more Charrids come at her from behind. She wheels about too late - and her gun is knocked from her hand. One of them grabs her by the hair - but a couple well-placed kicks put him down. Ralnaht yells at his soldier to get up. The other one makes a grab for the Nebari but she manages to down him as well before skittering away. Ralnaht orders his second wuss of a soldier up, and they give chase)

(cut to moments later as Ralnaht and his men enter the Command)

Ralnaht: (to one of his men) Guard the door. (he and the other advance into the seemingly empty room. Suddenly Chiana drops from the rafters with a yell and flattens the Charrid grunt again. But Ralnaht isn't in charge for nothing - he grabs Chiana and holds her as she screams and squirms)

Chiana: GET YOUR FRELLING HANDS OFF ME!

(cut to soon after in Pilots Den where the Great Navigator has the sorry task of trying to explain himself to at least one person who already thinks he's a putz)

Sikozu: (incredulous) They took Chiana by force and you just let them?

Pilot: (defensive) I was unaware until it was too late to prevent it!

Scorpius: (calmly) Recriminations can wait. We must act. (to Sikozu) Are you ready?

(cut back to the freighter med bay where Aeryn thrashes and gibbers as Jenek lays one clawed hand on her head)

Jenek: As the doctor said - save your strength. (he walks away and Noranti rushes over to hold Aeryn, who is barely intelligible)

Aeryn: (agitated and whimpering) Can't let them do this!

Noranti: It won't happen. I won't let it happen. They can't do it without Chiana and they won't find her. (at that moment - Chiana squeals furiously as the Charrids drag her into the room. Ralnaht's having his men handle her - he must be determined they should get at least part of the manly art of girl-capturing right)

Ralnaht: Bring her.

Jenek: Prepare for the procedure!

Chiana: (panicky) What the frell's going on?

Trayso: I'll sedate her.

Noranti: NO! (she flings herself onto the Kalish. Chiana screams "NO!" too and Ralnaht pulls the old woman off Trayso, who proceeds to inject Chiana as the old woman scolds:) No! Stop! Stop! This is wrong! This patient has been drugged! She is weak! She may die from this procedure! (Aeryn head jerks spasmodically and the woozy Chiana is loaded into a tilt-chair)

Jenek: I don't care. My only concern is for the safety of the fetus. Trayso! (the Kalish Medical Officer approaches Aeryn, while Chiana mutters drugged pleas for mercy) Proceed.

Trayso: (cheerily, to Aeryn) Hold still. (as Aeryn pants and mutters "No... no..." and Noranti's third eye glows red - Trayso activates a piece of machinery under the gurney. 4 thick tubes with sharp ends curve up like claws from under it and plunge themselves into Aeryn's abdomen with a sickening squelch. Aeryn lets loose with a guttural scream of agony before her eyes slowly flutter shut. Noranti breaks away from Ralnaht and goes to Aeryn to give her a pain killer - Trayso stops her)

Trayso: What are you giving her?

Noranti: Something to ease the pain.

Trayso: She doesn't need anesthetizing. Give it to the Nebari girl instead.

Noranti: (feisty) No I won't! This is the patient who needs anesthe- (Trayso and Ralnaht move to restrain her) You're not going to cut- (but Trayso snatches the hypo from the old woman and Ralnaht drags her away. The Kalish then heads for Chiana with the anesthetic - and a scalpel. The Nebari may be drugged - but she's still feisty)

Chiana: Get that thing frelling away from me! (she spits at Trayso. He's unconcerned and says to Jenek)

Trayso: Very strong - she'll make an excellent host.

Jenek: She had better. If the fetus dies - so will the both of you. (Trayso administers the anesthetic - but at that moment - Karohm breaks in over comm)

Karohm: Captain Jenek - Captain Wentrask is in the station commons. He demands an urgent word Sir.

Jenek: Does he? Very well. (he paces past Chiana and Trayso, calling to his Charrid to follow) Ralnaht.

(cut to soon after as Jenek and Ralnaht enter the commons)

Jenek: What do you want Wentrask? (he takes a seat. Scorpius sits next to him and leans in close)

Scorpius: (with angry urgency) I require - your cooperation!

Jenek: (comfortably) But you can't compel it.

Scorpius: Jenek - I know that your prisoner is the Peacekeeper Aeryn Sun and that you are taking her to Katratzi - for Minister Ahkna. I also know that if my mission fails, your mission becomes irrelevant as do you! (the big Scarran is wary enough to give a listen before blowing him off)

Jenek: Continue.

(cut to Sikozu as she pads into the deserted border station control center She pauses and calls Karohm's name, but the only sound is the low hum and pulse of the broad banks of control consoles. With a furtive glance out the window that overlooks the commons, she moves to the consoles. But alas - she was followed. And now Karohm appears - with a gun - in the entrance to the room)

Karohm: Step - back. (Sikozu freezes)

Sikozu: I... was just checking to see if some more medi- (but Karohm cuts her off)

Karohm: Someone's been downloading the station codes and schematics. It had to be you - but I'm disappointed.

(cut to the med bay where Trayso is nervously preparing to begin the transfer of Aeryn embryo)

Noranti: You know this can't succeed. We'll kill them both - and the fetus as well.

Trayso: No choice but to try.

(cut back to Moya where D'Argo and John await Sikozu's power play. The Luxan calmly waits with his Qualta, but John is fretting about with his own weapons as1812 looks on)

John: What the hell is taking so long? The lights should be out by now!

(cut back to Noranti and Trayso in the Scarran freighters med bay)

Trayso: The procedures success depends upon the swift transfer of the fetus. Therefore, we should - ah - open both subjects simultaneously. (he picks up another scalpel for Noranti)

(cut back to Moya where D'Argo lays his Qualta down with a clank)

D'Argo: I'll go check it out.

John: Right.

(cut back to the station control center where Sikozu takes a step toward Karohm)

Sikozu: Listen to me Karohm - 2, possibly 3, females are being held against their will on the Scarran freighter.

Karohm: Halt.

(cut to the freighter med bay. Trayso is by Chiana and Noranti is at Aeryn's side, scalpel in hand)

Trayso: Prepare to begin. (Noranti rolls her eyes upward and she mouths a brief, silent prayer)

(cut back to Karohm and Sikozu in the control center)

Sikozu: They pose the Scarrans no threat. Their imprisonment is completely unjust.

Karohm: (after a long pause) I believe you.

Sikozu: Then will you help me?

Karohm: Of course not! I'm going to lock you up (but he's cut off by a lash of by D'Argo's tongue to the back of his neck and he crumples to the floor with a neat thud)

D'Argo: How wrong was he? (he advances into the room) Okay - now can you do what you said you were gonna do? (Sikozu eyes fall regretfully to Karohm for a second - and then she silently turns back to the station controls)

(cut back to the freighter med bay)

Noranti: Dr Trayso! (she steps away from Aeryn) in my opinion this patients body is overstressed. Therefore - the fetus will be debilitated. I think - we should let her regain her equilibrium before we begin the procedure. (but Trayso begins answering before she finishes her sentence)

Trayso: (anxiously) We don't have time!

(cut to the station commons where Scorpius is continuing to worry Jenek)

Scorpius: What you fail to realize is - that Ahkna's only interest in your prisoner is as a means to the possible information that John Crichton possesses. Now my Peacekeeper defector can give you John Crichton himself. Now which mission - do you think is more vital?

(cut to the station control center where a console sounds a quavery whine under Sikozu's fingers)

Sikozu: All right - that's unlocked the docking ports on Moya, on your ship and my transport pod. Now for the power grid. (D'Argo meanwhile is looting a locker - he shows Sikozu a couple small black boxes in shrink-wrap)

D'Argo: Are these the security beacons?

Sikozu: Yes.

(and as outside - the stations security clamps retract from Moya - the scene shifts back to the freighters med bay where the doctors are talking over each other)

Noranti: There are 3 lives here and I will not be responsible-

Trayso: Dr Pralatong I beg you- (and with that - they are plunged into darkness)

(cut to Moya)

John: (muttering) Show time. (he grabs a flashlight and sprints off through the umbilical leading to the border station)

(cut to the border station. A few dim emergency lights do little more than to produce a deep blue gloom. In the commons, Jenek growls and in the docking rings - voices shouting to each other in Scarran echo in the powerless silence. As John approaches the entrance to the Jenek's freighter, the shape of a Charrid soldier looms out of the murk and John mows his down with a single shot. The scene cuts to the freighter med bay)

Trayso: (on comm from) Karohm! What's going on? (a Charrid soldier has entered the med bay and now he pulls Noranti away from Aeryn and Chiana)

CharridSoldier: Stand here! (but John has crept in as well and he flicks his lamp on just long enough to get a fix on the Charrid. Noranti ducks for cover as shots are fired and the Charrid is down. Like the Charrid - Trayso understands what's going on now and he positions himself over Aeryn, scalpel raised. John shines him)

Trayso: Stop! I'll kill her! I'll cut her throat!

Noranti: He wouldn't dare! If the baby dies Jenek'll burn him dead! So shoot!

Trayso: I'll do it - I'll kill her.

John: Kalish are supposed to be smart. Who do you think I believe? (Trayso's smart alright. He opts for Plan B - absolve himself of responsibility by getting injured. He steps away from Aeryn and spreads his arms)

Trayso: All right. Shoot me. (John obliges him and he's thrown onto a table before sliding off onto the floor. John and Noranti rush to Aeryn's side)

Noranti: You should have killed him.

John: My body count's already too high. (he caresses Aeryn's cheek - she seems to be unconscious. Quite understandable, pinned as she is like a bug to her gurney)

Noranti: The release is over here. Ready?

John: Do it. (Noranti hits the release for the metal claws that are sunk into Aeryn's torso and they retract with an extravagantly wet sucking sound. Aeryn's eyes fly open and she takes in a deep, traumatized breath)

(cut to Ralnaht as he approaches Jenek and Scorpius in the commons)

Jenek: Check the ship! (the one-eyed Charrid hurries back the way he came)

Scorpius: Yes I must check mine. (he makes to go - but Jenek's heavy hand clamps down on his arm)

Jenek: No you stay here!

(meanwhile, a voice shouting in Scarran continues to echo in the dark corridors of the space station. As Ralnaht comes to the freighter entrance, he discovers his dead soldier and emits a low. The scene shifts back to the control center)

D'Argo: Are you done?

Sikozu: Almost - if I jam the docking port controls, the freighter won't be able to break free and follow us. (and with that - in a small gesture, as if she doesn't want D'Argo to see what he's doing - she holds her palm low over one of the control consoles. A shimmer of heat emanates from her hand, causing the console to melt and short out)

D'Argo: How'd you do that?

Sikozu: (panting and nervous) I... It was nothing. I-I merely cross-coupled the emergency bypass conduits. (she hurriedly changes the subject) Let's go! Quickly! Emergency power will come on any microt! (she and D'Argo quickly exit)

(cut to John and Noranti as they hustle off Jenek's freighter. John's carrying Aeryn. Noranti is right behind him with the flashlight, the gun and Chiana - who's semi-ambulatory with the old woman's help. But alas - an armed Ralnaht is blocking their path)

Ralnaht: Stop! Drop the weapon. Turn off that light!

John: (urgently) Granny do what he says! (she hurriedly complies)

Ralnaht: Back to our vessel.

John: You work for the Scarrans, right?

Ralnaht: Yes. Why?

John: Security is tight for visitors so you shouldn't be carrying-

Ralnaht: Carrying what? (and right on cue - Sikozu's 30 microt power outage is over. The stations generators come back on and so do the nasty little Scarran DRDs who are programmed to kill anything with a weapon. 2 of them open fire on Ralnaht and the one-eyed Charrid goes down. John continues on past his body)

John: A gun. (D'Argo and Sikozu appear at that moment and go to Noranti and Chiana)

Noranti: D'Argo please! Please help her! (he sweeps Chiana into his arms and they head for Moya)

(cut to Jenek and Scorpius in the commons)

Jenek: (into his comm) Ralnaht - report! (there is of course, no response. Jenek eyes Scorpius and growls. The half-Scarran - who does look rather guilty - decides to strike a preemptive blow. He stands up and punches Jenek several times in the face. This succeeds mainly in enraging the huge Scarran, who rises - and deals Scorpius a blow that sends him flying across the room)

(cut to our heroes as they rush back onto Moya. Chiana is muttering in D'Argo's arms, but Aeryn is curled silently in Johns)

Chiana: I'm fine. You can put me down... at least for now.

D'Argo: Pilot! What's our status?

Pilot: (cut to him in his Den as he speaks) Moya is free of the docking collar.

D'Argo: Reactivate all starburst systems.

Pilot: Done!

(meanwhile, back in the station commons, Scorpius puts up a fight that could almost be described as plucky against the big Scarran. But Jenek finally manages to pin him down, face-first, on a table and turn his heat probe on the back of the half -Scarrans head)

Jenek: Who are you, and what is your mission? (Scorpius strains under the probe - and vomits onto the table before spasming backwards. Jenek lets him fall to the floor - and cuts his heat ray)

(cut to outside the border station as Moya backs away from it and the pod and Lo'La drift free as well. The scene shifts to her Command as D'Argo and Sikozu hurry in, trailed by Chiana)

Sikozu: Pilot - any communication from Scorpius?

Pilot: No. Nor is he responding to the comms. Lo' La and our transport pod have also been released from their ports.

D'Argo: Okay well bring them aboard with the docking web.

Sikozu: What about Scorpius?

Chiana: What about him?

Sikozu: Well he might've been captured!

Chiana: Or killed.

D'Argo: (muttering) We can only wish. (louder) Pilot! Starburst as soon as you can!

Sikozu: (a small groan) Oh no... (she turns, as if to leave - but Chiana decides that whatever the Kalish is planning on doing - she isn't doing it)

Chiana: Oh we are leaving. (and with that - she slugs Sikozu in the face. The Kalish drops as Pilot speaks)

Pilot: Preparing for starburst.

Chiana: Why doesn't she ever listen?

(cut to John as he carries Aeryn into her quarters and lays her down on her bed. It's worth noting that despite all the Large Sharp Objects that Aeryn's had stuck into her - right through her pajamas - that there isn't a drop of blood anywhere on her. She gasps and struggles as he lays her down. John hastens to calm her)

John: It's all right. Aeryn! It's all right. (she stares fearfully at him) You're here.

Aeryn: (in a tiny voice) Is this real?

John: It's real. You're on Moya. (she stares at him, her eyes are silvery with tears) You're safe.

Aeryn: (a frightened whisper) What about the baby?

John: The baby's fine. Everything's gonna be okay. (a couple tears stream from her brimming eyes as he caresses her, and she relaxes) Sleep. (he makes to leave her)

Aeryn: (whispering) Stay. (and John sinks back down beside her. She touches his face as if to make sure he's real and he kisses her hand as they look at each other in silence)

(cut to later in Moya's med lab. Rygel is sitting up on his gurney - his skin is a hideous patchwork of scabs. He looks like a burn patient. Noranti is peeling off sheets of dead epidermis. He's lost his mustaches and earbrows)

Noranti: (gently) You don't look as bad.

Rygel: (very weak, in a dull monotone) I'm fine. Thanks for asking. You nearly killed me.

Noranti: No I didn't. (sheesh - talk about denial! Rygel grunts. There's a long pause) But I did kill others. By my actions - I have taken innocent lives.

Rygel: Welcome to Moya. (pause) In my time as Dominar - some of my actions resulted in the deaths of the undeserving. Even when the cause is just - it's a hard thing to accept. (there's another long pause)

Noranti: (sorrowful) I must seek forgiveness - (Rygel grunts softly again) - from the Divine Eternal.

Rygel: (with gentle compassion) I can't help you there, but I can extend you my forgiveness. (Noranti smiles - and accepts his extended hand)

(cut back to Aeryn's quarters where John is sitting on the floor by her bed. He's fallen asleep - she's awake though, and gently stroking his hair. Suddenly he startles)

John: NO! (ah but yes - with a flash - the scene shifts to Johns Head. The setting is from an old black & white horror movie complete with grainy film that skips a little. The soundtrack is the distant grumble of a thunderstorm and funereal organ music that groans in from somewhere. John finds himself wearing an old-fashioned suit and standing in misty room lit with dozens of candles. A coffin in the middle of the room creaks open and Harvey - the neural clone of Scorpius not seen since Scorpius joined the crew - sits up. John is stunned) Harvey? You're not dead.

Scorpius/Harvey: (he speaks with a thick, Dracula accent) Of course not. I am the - undead.

John: That's not funny. The son-of-a-bitch said he took you out of my head.

Scorpius/Harvey: Scorpius - he upgraded me to - Harvey 2.0. One of my many improvements - utter loyalty to Scorpius.

John: That's not an improvement.

Scorpius/Harvey: Oh but it is! His course is the correct one - eliminate Scarran threat! (he has grotesquely long fingernails - which he taps together with a sound like a bamboo curtain)

John: You know I don't give a damn about his agenda.

Scorpius/Harvey: You must - go back for him.

John: (irritated) Go back to sleep before I drive a stake through your heart! (he marches over to the coffin and slams its lid shut on the clone. He then turns to leave - but within the coffin, the clone drops his phony Dracula accent and his muffled yell stops John in his tracks)

Scorpius/Harvey: (frantically) He knows everything you know John!

John: What did you say?

Scorpius/Harvey: I said - Scorpius knows everything you know John! (John storms back to the coffin and flings its lid back open)

John: WHAT - did you SAY?

Scorpius/Harvey: I said - Scorpius knows everything you know.

John: Meaning what?

Scorpius/Harvey: Another new feature - Scorpius can hear me. Well! Now I've been sharing the contents of your head with him - memories, thoughts, dreams - (he takes a deep breath) Wormhole technology...

John: No - you're lying. (he turns and walks away again)

Scorpius/Harvey: (calling after John) And eventually - they will torture the information out of him and everything they ever wanted to know about wormholes will be theirs COURTESY OF JOHN CRICHTON! (as he speaks - John becomes increasingly agitated)

John: LEAVE ME ALONE! (and with another flash - the scene jerks back to Aeryn's quarters where he yells as he wakes up on the floor next to her bed) No!

Aeryn: (she gently cups his chin in her hand) Hey! Hey - it's all right. (but John is spooked and panting as the voice of Scorpius/Harvey echoes in his head)

Scorpius/Harvey: You have to go back for Scorpius! Tell her John! Tell her! You must rescue Scorpius. TELL HER!

(But for the moment - John can only look ill as Aeryn attempts to comfort him.)

TO BE CONTINUED

Part 2: Hot to Katratzi
The episode opens on the high-security Scarran base of Katratzi. Jenek - having lost Aeryn, but gained Scorpius during his encounter with the crew of Moya at the border station - has brought the half-Scarran here instead. Scorpius is being held in a tall narrow cage that resembles a medieval iron maiden. It's lined with inward-pointing spikes - but it also has a dull red light that strobes over him. War Minister Ahkna - 3rd highest ranking macher in the Scarran Empire - is in the process of interrogating him with her heat probe.

Ahkna: (wickedly solicitous) Where does it hurt Scorpius? Here? Or here? (the half-Scarran growls with agony and pants as she directs her heat ray against various parts of his body) Tell me what you know about wormholes, hm? (coaxing) Even the smallest secret - and I'll leave you in peace for an arn.

Scorpius: (defiantly sadomasochistic as ever) I've been searching my whole life for a female like you. (he favors her with a lascivious snarl - and then arches backwards, screaming, as she returns his regard with the full force of her heat ray in his face)

(cut to the crew of Moya. They're packed into Lo'La and are rocketing toward Katratzi)

Rygel: This is madness.

John: Could be genius Sparky. You know there's a very fine line between the two.

Rygel: Geniuses make plans.

Aeryn: (blandly) We're going to walk into the most heavily guarded base in the Scarran Empire, start a civil war and walk out with Scorpius. What part of that do you not understand?

Rygel: How you two can possibly believe it'll work. (Lo'La enters an area of space lit with dull orange light from he rays of some dying sun filtering through clouds of dust that rises, perhaps, from dead planets in its orbit. Before them looms such a planet - a lightless globe, half-shattered, as if it's been eaten away by some monstrous insects. As Lo'La approaches this broken rock, she sails between 2 vast ships hovering near it. One is Scarran - the other is a Peacekeeper Command Carrier)

D'Argo: We've been spotted. (and on cue - a male voice speaking in Scarran crackles over comms)

KatratziControl: Konach! Konach ket!

Sikozu: Nachkavaytev. Verrayay-rekta John Crichton. Ilka dursta bek.

Chiana: What did you just say?

Sikozu: Don't you ever listen to the plans? I told them that we were escorting John Crichton - and he wants to join the negotiations. (apparently Chiana doesn't - she seems surprised)

Chiana: Oh great! Now they're guaranteed to blow us to hezmana!

Aeryn: (whispering) Keep it down!

KatratziControl: Innock hetzat-ya.

Sikozu: They've just given us clearance to dock.

John: That's it - I need it now. (1812 rolls up with whatever "it" is, and John takes it from the old DRD)

Rygel: It's not too late to change our minds.

D'Argo: That's true - but we just passed the Jenek freighter which means that Scorpius is probably nearby. (Chiana peers curiously at what John took from 1812 and now comes to life with a clock like beeping sound)

Chiana: (incredulously) That's it? (John looks down at the steadily beeping device he's holding. It's prominent feature is a blue dial around whose points a light moves with each beep)

John: That's it. Mankind's greatest contribution to the absurd - the thermonuclear bomb.

(Lo'La arcs in on her final approach to Katratzi and the scene shifts to soon after, on the base itself. The setting is a conference room where attendees sit at barrow, curved tables arranged in a circle. The chairs at the table have backs like metal pillars with triangular spikes radiating from them. The dominant Scarrans include War Minister Ahkna, in her black leather and razor-sharp headdress. Her long-faced, golden-cowled, assistant - Pennoch - stands behind her. Then there's the freighter Captain - Jenek, and Emperor Staleek. Staleek is clad in elaborate red-gold leather designed to enhance his already impressive bulk. The mohawk-like spines on his head are also red-gold and his cruel face is sharply intelligent. The ghoulish Charrid delegation is headed by General Rahzaro, whose uniform is a bit more ornate than average. His second - Tugar - sits with him. Also present are 2 Kalish men dressed in dull gold 'business suits' - both are red-haired of course. They are Secretary Vakali, and his younger assistant - Zukash. Grayza, with her exposed breasts and belly, is standing and addressing the gathering. Braca is sitting sullenly next to her)

Grayza: Emperor Staleek - despite what your Minister of War might believe - this offer of peace is genuine. (a long-faced Scarran approaches Staleek and whispers something to him) Every day you fail to take it seriously we build more and more wormhole weapons. Soon the urge to use one will become irresistible.

Staleek: (he voice is like brushed gunmetal) Not to interrupt your bluster - (the door to the conference room slides open and John strides in, trailed by Aeryn) - but we have a guest who should make these talks even more amusing. (Grayza stares at John as he enters and her carefully controlled tone betrays few emotions - but clearly many are present)

Grayza: John Crichton.

John: And partner. What did we miss?

Staleek: You've taken a great risk coming here. Why shouldn't I just have you seized right now?

John: Well maybe this. (and with that - he pulls back his long leather coat to reveal the softly beeping nuclear bomb which is now strapped to his torso)

Ahkna: (instantly wary) What's that?

John: Plutonium core. Tritium shell. Does that translate?

Staleek: A fission bomb! (the long-faced Scarran guards stir and they bring their weapons to bear on John. But Staleek sharply rebuffs them) Put those down!

John: Nice threads. You must be the Emperor. (Staleek rumbles softly as John addresses the room. Grayza sits down and folds her hands- prior experience with this human has taught her to be cool) Now before anybody decides to get clever - you should know I have multiple deadman sensors from every culture on my ship and a few cultures -I haven't heard of. My heart stops - we all go boom. My heart speeds up - it's boom again. Too hot, too cold, too happy, too sad, thirsty, hungry bored - it's John Lee Hooker time. Boom - boom - boom. (to the Scarran contingent) And you try your little psychic trick - kaboom - and we're all pushin' up day-glo daisies.

Ahkna: (defiant) Why do I doubt that?

John: Because you lack imagination?

Staleek: (to John) What do you want?

John: (with angry incredulity) What do I - want? What do I want? *I* - have not been chasing my ass all over the galaxy trying to pull out chunks of my brain. *I* - have not been sneaking fembots - and skreeths into the places where I live. YOU - want something! (the assembly watches him silently - no denials - assessing him) You. You want - what's inside my head. You want - what I know about wormholes. Because I - (he steps up onto the table nearest him and begins walking around the room on them) - can leap tall galaxies in a single bound! I can scorch planets with a wave of my hand - (he points to each dignitary in turn, ending with Grayza) and you - and you - and you. You can't do jack. (the Peacekeeper Commandant stares steadily at him)

Grayza: (firmly) That's - not - true.

John: Oh really? (he squats down on the table in front of Grayza) You command the stars to do your bidding? I know you can't. (he looks to the Kalish) And you can't. (then at the Charrids) And you can't. (and then back to Grayza) And you won't. But I have. (Aeryn smiles at her man from the sidelines)

Staleek: Then why are you here? (John rises and wings it)

John: Because... I... am an American. And what does an American want? Democracy? CAPITALISM! I WANT TO SELL OUT AND SETTLE DOWN! FOR ONE DAY ONLY - IT'S A BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL ON AISLE 3! My wormhole technology - and - a free set of steak knives for all the tea in China. And anything you - can imagine - to pay - me.

Ahkna: (incredulous) Pay? (John drops to his knees on the table in front of her and points both index fingers at her)

John: YES! PAY! Cash.

Vakali: He's crazy!

Aeryn: (adoringly) Isn't it fun? (Vakali looks sharply at her, and everyone else glowers thoughtfully at John as he sits down on the table)

John: Welcome - to my cold war. Now - what am I offered for all the powers of the Universe.

(cut to soon after. Staleek is conferring privately with Ahkna and Jenek in a darkly stylish office)

Ahkna: I think Crichton's bluffing. The bomb isn't real and he has nothing to give us. He's come for Scorpius.

Jenek: We know they're working together. At the border station the 2 of them- (but the Emperor impatiently cuts him off)

Staleek: Get me a full analysis of Crichton's weapon and how to disarm it! (Jenek grunts his assent and leaves. Staleek continues to Ahkna:) Why would Crichton risk so much just to rescue an ally?

Ahkna: He may be in league with Commandant Grayza - to prevent Scorpius from giving us wormhole technology.

Staleek: Ridiculous!

Ahkna: It was Crichton's females who rescued Grayza. (but Staleek nearly cuts her off as well)

Staleek: From your clumsy attempt to abduct her! (Ahkna huffs angrily) Another one of your failures - Minister Ahkna. (she turns on her heel and stalks out)

(cut back to the conference room. The crew of Moya is being permitted to use it as their lounge)

Rygel: Lovely of them to invite us in.

Sikozu: (somewhere between gleeful and very nervous) They did not have much choice did they?

D'Argo: Well I think we've located all of the surveillance devices.

Aeryn: Pilot's enhanced the encryption, so comms should be secure.

John: Anyone have any problems - phone home. Fat man and I will throw our weight around.

Aeryn: You all know the plan.

Noranti: Ooh! Uh - no. Refresh me.

Chiana: (whispering) Wrinkles!

Noranti: Yes?

John: (pointing at Rygel) Charrids. (the Hynerian grunts affirmatively and John points at Sikozu) Kalish. (she nods and John indicates Noranti and Chiana) Recon. (ah yes - and Noranti points back at Aeryn and John)

Noranti: Peacekeepers!

(cut to soon after as a small craft banks in to dock on the Command Carrier. The scene then shifts to Aeryn, Braca and John as they enter the Captains quarters)

Aeryn: (to Braca) A peace conference with the Emperor - very brave of you to enter Scarran space.

Braca: Could say the same for you. (once they're in the grand command quarters - Grayza addresses John from a higher level of the room with the solemn tone of a great stateswoman)

Grayza: John Crichton - do not destroy the Sebacean people. (but John is unimpressed)

John: You don't need me for that. You're doing a great job on your own.

Grayza: Everything that I have done has been calculated to gain peace.

John: So you betrayed the Luxans? Maybe you should check your math.

Grayza: (a noble appeal) Give us wormhole weapons and everyone will be safe.

John: (to Aeryn) Didn't she say she already had that? (Aeryn makes a sarcastically surprised grunt and Grayza steps down to their level as John sits at a table. Aeryn and Braca take up positions behind their respective superiors)

Grayza: We are very, very close. You know that we have sent Prowlers into wormholes. If I can buy peace even for an arn or 2 - perhaps we can develop them. (as she speaks, John overturns 3 metal drinking cups on the table)

John: And what will you do? Kill billions of your rivals? Hey! Maybe you could kill us. (he lays a token on the table in front of the cups)

Grayza: Then name your price Crichton. Anything that you can imagine.

John: Aahhh yeah... There's the rub. (he sets one of the cups over the token and begins to shuffle them as Grayza watches) You see - I can't figure a way out of this situation. But - the first side that does - (he stops his shuffle and whispers) - wins. (and he pushes the 3 cups toward Grayza)

(cut back to the Katratzi docking bay where Lo'La is parked. Jenek is talking to one of his long-faced subordinates)

ScarranSoldier: I'm to allow them onto the ship?

Jenek: If they wish. Crichton and his crew have negotiated full access to all common areas and we will acquiesce - for the time being. (they snarl evilly - and at that moment, Chiana approaches)

Chiana: Hey! (Jenek stops his evil chuckling and eyes her coldly) Let me ask you somethin'. You short-faced Scarrans - you all look alike, y'know? But uh - were you- Were you uh - down- down on the border station?

Jenek: Yes.

Chiana: Then you were the one that uh - that ordered Aeryn and me to be cut open? (Jenek nods and rumbles affirmatively with a sort of smile as Chiana giggles nervously) Yeah. I got another one for ya - do Scarrans have mivonks? (and without waiting for an answer - she hauls off and knees Jenek in the groin as hard as she can. He startles a bit - and she collapses to the floor, squealing in pain and clutching her knee. The long-faced Scarran huffs with laughter as Jenek leans over a bit and answers her question)

Jenek: Yes. But they're not external.

(cut to a lounge on Katratzi which is evidently reserved for Charrids. A crowd of them are hanging around, drinking and talking. Rahzaro and Tugar are puffing at a hookah. The General is just delivering the punch line of a joke - "...because the Kalish had no idea 'coos he's a frelling harpooda!" Tugar joins him on one the word "harpooda" and they laugh raucously - obviously it's an old joke that never loses its appeal to these guys. At that moment - D'Argo enters. The lounge goes quiet and a sentry levels his gun at the Luxan, who gags a bit)

D'Argo: Uh - don't you Charrids ever bathe? (needless to say, that only draws hostile stares) Listen uh - the Scarrans have nothing decent to drink and I won't drink with the Kalish. (a smattering of approving laughter is heard) Got any Raslak?

Rahzaro: Sit down.

D'Argo: Thank you. (he rolls over to a masked and helmeted Charrid who's passed out at a table and after tossing him off his chair - sits down)

(cut to Sikozu. She's lurking in a corridor outside the busy Katratzi Control Center. Soon a Charrid soldier appears - he's escorting Vakali and Zukash. Sikozu steps out of the shadows as they pass)

Sikozu: Secretary Vakali? (the older Kalish man turns to face her and Zukash stares curiously at her)

Vakali: What are you doing here? This is a restricted area.

Sikozu: I have urgent information. I believe the Charrids are trying to expel the Kalish from Katratzi by force.

Vakali: (dismissive) And who are you to possess such erroneous intelligence?

Sikozu: (softly) Just like you - I am a devoted Kalish.

Vakali: Without us to administer their empire, the Scarran system of government will collapse. (he turns to leave but Sikozu stops him)

Sikozu: What if they fear you will take it away from them? Please. Please Secretary - we need to talk.

Zukash: Sir - you're too prominent to be seen with her. I will speak to her. (Vakali signals his consent by walking away)

(cut back to the Charrid lounge where both D'Argo and Rahzaro wheeze as they drink their raslak)

D'Argo: (grimacing as he sets his cup down) That is - terrible. Even the Scarrans should treat you better.

Rahzaro: What do you want Luxan?

D'Argo: Me? I've got what I want.

Rahzaro: Oh? You enjoy traveling with a group of thieves and a - Hynerian slug? (he and Tugar laugh)

D'Argo: (under his breath) You would too if you were being paid what I'm being paid.

Rahzaro: (sharply) Which is what?

D'Argo: I think you'd better take that up with my employer. (he glances toward the door - where Rygel appears right on cue)

Tugar: What's this? Dinner? (the Charrids snicker nastily)

Rygel: (unfazed) This - is opportunity!

(cut back to the Katratzi Control Center, which Sikozu has been allowed to enter under the supervision of Zukash)

Zukash: You will submit identification details before we can process a background analysis.

Sikozu: (exceedingly irritated) I will not submit for background appraisal. You can trust me as I am, or I am gone. (they pause and glare at each other. And as they do so - Sikozu's left eye suddenly turns completely around in its socket. Its backside is a brown and white star pattern reminiscent of a coral. Zukash is taken aback as her eye returns to its normal sea green iris and pupil) Now - what of your background? (he glances around - and then rolls his own left eye around to reveal a similar pattern. They quietly rest their foreheads together) How many other bioloids are here?

Zukash: I am the one Resistance member to infiltrate this posting.

Sikozu: How much hatred exists here between the Charrids and the Kalish?

Zukash: Even more than the outer worlds. There's more at stake. Bigger egos.

Sikozu: Then I will be straight - with you. We want to ignite that hatred and we want to use it as a cover for our escape. Will you help us?

(cut to Aeryn and John as they return to the base. A Scarran DRD greets him with a red laser scanner which it passes over him - lingering on the bomb)

John: 1812 - get that Scarran vacuum cleaner outta here! (evidently John's been allowed to bring his pet onto Katratzi as well, and 1812 proceeds to take the Scarran drone down the corridor amid furious squawking) That's a good boy.

Aeryn: Do you think she's figured it out yet?

John: I don't think so. She still looks pretty damned stressed.

Aeryn: I'm not surprised. If she doesn't go home with a peace treaty she's going to be in a lot of trouble with High Command.

John: I reckon.

Aeryn: As long as your stress levels are all right.

John: Ah well - considering the fact that we're now nuclear terrorists... (he comes to stand close behind her. his nuke beeps calmly) Bomb seems to think I'm okay.

Aeryn: Provided that thing's working. (they both look down as the bombs beeping begins to increase its rate and urgency in response to Johns blood pressure going up in proximity to Aeryn)

John: It's working. (they smile and Aeryn looks away as John leans close to catch the scent of her hair and murmur) Uh-oh - you are dangerous.

Aeryn: (pleased, she murmurs back) Well you better keep away them.

(cut to Ahkna and Staleek as they walk in the corridors of Katratzi. Jenek hurries up to them)

Jenek: Sire - we have a good scan of Crichton's fission device but decoding it could take some time. (the Emperor pauses just long enough to fire an angry admonition back at the hapless freighter Captain)

Staleek: Not if you expect to prosper. (and he stalks away)

(cut to moments later as Staleek and Ahkna enter the conference room where Aeryn and John are loitering)

John: You came back. Couldn't figure a way to disarm my bomb huh? (he sits down on the table)

Staleek: Not yet. (he paces over to a dish of dried flowers sitting near John and proffers it to him with surly politesse) Refreshment? (John takes one and crunches into it - but quickly spits it out) Crystherium Utilia. An acquired taste.

John: (carelessly) Streletzia - hummingbird feeder. (he picks a couple stubborn bits of the flower from his teeth)

Ahkna: (surprised) You know of our delicacy?

John: Bird of Paradise? Yeah Moms garden - dime a dozen. Did you come all this way to discuss botany?

Aeryn: Or to make an offer?

Ahkna: Have you got anything to offer - or is all this just an elaborate bluff?

John: You don't believe - that I can control wormholes?

Staleek: Would you believe without proof?

John: Fine - we'll meet you halfway. (he signals to Aeryn, who's standing behind him on the other side of the table. She produces a chip which she slides across the table to the Scarrans)

Aeryn: Navigational data chip. Local star chart. Send a ship to the designated coordinates and let us know when they arrive.

Ahkna: Why?

Aeryn: Proof.

John: Command performance. We're gonna put on the wormhole show just - for you. (neither Scarran makes a move to touch the chip - so John scoops it up and makes to leave) Not interested, huh? I'm sure Grayza will be.

Staleek: Wait. (he extends his hand and John silently reaches back and lays the data chip in it. Staleek turns on his heel and leaves - Ahkna follows after a lingering stare at Aeryn and John)

(cut to soon after in the Emperors office. Jenek has joined Staleek and Ahkna again)

Staleek: (handing the data chip to Jenek) Dispatch a Stryker with full instrumentation to these coordinates. Have you checked Crichton's ship?

Jenek: No. It's protected by a force field. We may be able to override it.

Staleek: Do so. Check its logs, its star charts. Get all the information you can. (Jenek nods and exits)

Ahkna: This is folly - Crichton plainly knows nothing about wormholes.

Staleek: (skeptical) And Scorpius does?

Ahkna: We'll soon find out. He's ready for his final inquisitor.

(cut to soon after in the torture chamber. Scorpius is sagging in his iron maiden cage and drooling. Ahkna is standing very close, tormenting him)

Ahkna: You're very resilient, Scorpius.

Scorpius: (softly, painfully) It must be my Scarran genes. We could trade places and find out. (Ahkna grunts appreciatively)

Ahkna: How would you like to punish me?

Scorpius: If you want the pleasure of knowing - release me for an arn.

Ahkna: (mocking) Oh I wish we had more time. But what I need to know now is what you do know about wormholes.

Scorpius: Well torture me and I will amuse myself with dreams of you. (he flicks his tongue lecherously at her) Kill me - and my knowledge dies with me.

Ahkna: Are you sure? Even if an old friend helped you to the other side? (the half-Scarran inhales sharply with sudden alarm as Stark steps out of the shadows)

Scorpius: (his voice is a raspy hiss) Stark?

Stark: (calmly) There's no way to escape, Scorpius. Not even into death. (he steps up close to the cage and lifts his mask. Scorpius opens his mouth to scream - but all that comes out is a strangled choke as the Stykeras golden light bathes his face) Because - as you're making your agonizing passage to the other side - I am going to capture your soul and with it, everything you know. (having given Scorpius a taste of what he's in for - Stark cut his light. The half-Scarran exhales explosively and sags, as Stark continues with vengeful vehemence) Oh I've waited many a cycle for this, Scorpius! Dreamed - so many - sleepless dreams. Every dashed hope, every plunge into - terrified despair that I suffered at your hands in the Aurora Chair. But rather than the 2 cycles that fate gave you to screw with my soul - she's only given me 2 arns to be finished with you. So I guess I better be a little more - imaginative. (he turns his golden light back on Scorpius. Meanwhile, Pennoch has entered the room and Ahkna now comments to him as they watch Scorpius spasm and howl through his constricted throat)

Ahkna: I think this may have possibilities.

(cut to Chiana and Noranti as they snoop around elsewhere on their "recon" assignment. The old woman has found something and is rushing Chiana to see - or as is the case - hear)

Noranti: Listen to this!

Chiana: What? (they pause by a grate in the corridor. A faint, guttural caw drifts up from it)

Noranti: Listen - can you hear that? That's Scorpius.

Chiana: You sure?

Noranti: Yesyes - I'm sure! Completely.

Chiana: You go tell Crichton. I'll try and find out where they're keepin' him. (Noranti hurries off and Chiana stays by the grate, listening intently)

(cut to moments later in the conference room. Noranti had joined Aeryn and John there)

Noranti: Scorpius can't possibly hold out much longer.

Aeryn: If he hasn't broken already. (John hits his comm)

John: Rygel?

(cut to the Charrid lounge where Rygel is working the room under D'Argos watchful eye. The scene shifts between the crew in their various locations)

Rygel: Ohh the Scarrans will never make you rich. I can make you rich if you come and work for me.

John: (on comm) Rygel? (D'Argo quietly answers for his "employer')

D'Argo: Rygel is busy at the moment John. (the human accepts this response and calls for the next progress report)

John: (on comm) Sikozu?

Sikozu: (creamily, as she trolls through the Katratzi Control Center) Everything is going to plan.

John: (curt) The plan is too slow. Speed things up please.

D'Argo: Yeah well we're going as fast as we can.

Sikozu: I will try - but I'll need some time John.

Aeryn: Why do we never have enough time?

(cut to the Charrid lounge. General Rahzaro is sitting with Tugar hovering at his shoulder as they listen to Rygel)

Rahzaro: Why should I go to work for a frelling Hynerian when I'm already a General in the Scarran service?

Rygel: Hmph! That'll end very soon - when the Scarrans sever all ties with the Charrids.

Tugar: You're a lying slug! They're going to war with the Peacekeepers!

Rygel: But not with you as their allies. Just with the Kalish.

Rahzaro: Hah! The Kalish are just techs.

D'Argo: Well the Scarrans are building a wormhole weapon. They need techs - not soldiers.

Rygel: And the Kalish know it. That's why they're planning to sabotage the Charrids by embarrassing you in front of the Scarrans. (that brings Rahzaro furiously to his feet)

Rahzaro: They would never be so bold as to do that!

Rygel: (inflammatory, to D'Argo) Hah! They are as stupid as the Kalish say they are! (back to Rahzaro) Join me - before the Scarrans throw you off this rock.

(cut to the Control Center where Secretary Vakali is giving Jenek his assessment of Johns bomb - a hologram of which is hovering between them)

Vakali: Crichton's fission device - it's all just spare parts mostly - salvaged from devices I've never seen before.

Jenek: (in a low, evil, tone) I don't care if it's made out of your mothers bones. I need to know how to disarm it.

Vakali: We just need a few solar days.

Jenek: You don't have them! Either you'll disarm it now or I'll find some species that will. (and with a hostile grunt - he exits. Vakali leans down to speak to Zukash, who's sitting nearby and witnessed the whole nasty exchange)

Vakali: (whispering) What do you think? (as Zukash responds, Sikozu strolls into view on some innocent task - listening)

Zukash: It's just like she said - the Charrids are trying to incite the Scarrans against us and it's starting to work. (Vakali looks grimly apprehensive)

(cut to Aeryn, Chiana and John as they walk quickly along the corridors of Katratzi)

John: And what about Scorpius?

Chiana: Uh... he's somewhere on this level.

Aeryn: Alright. Well if we can't make it to Lo'La we're going to be looking for alternate escape routes.

Chiana: To the surface? (Aeryn grunts affirmatively) I'll keep looking.

Aeryn: Thank you. (Chiana hustles off and John, with Aeryn at his heels, enters the conference room. They both stop - Staleek is there and he's angry)

Staleek: You have cost me a Stryker and its crew!

John: Really? How did I do that?

Staleek: At your coordinates - a wormhole opened and swallowed them up!

John: W-what did you do? (but he doesn't wait for an answer) Oh no - do not tell me you ordered them - into the wormhole. She told you to call us when they got there!

Staleek: YOU SHOULD'VE WARNED ME!

John: DON'T LAY THIS OFF ON ME! YOU WANTED PROOF - YOU GOT IT!

Staleek: (dangerously) Did you cause that wormhole to open?

John: No! No more freebies. You wanna do a deal? Or you want me to sell it to the Peacekeepers so they can gobble up all of your warships?

Staleek: (very dangerously, as he advances on them) Do not threaten me! (Aeryn and John wisely back up)

John: I'm not threatening - I'm just a guy with something to sell. You don't want to buy it - I'm sure someone else will! (he and Aeryn back out through the open door - which closes. Staleek snarls with disgust - and in the hall, John mutters) I didn't push him too hard did I?

Aeryn: He'll make an offer. (they hurry away - trying not to look like they're hurrying away - with John in the lead)

(cut to SIkozu and Zukash in the middle of a conversation as they walk in another corridor)

Sikozu: An entire cavern just to grow the flowers they eat?

Zukash: And it's a high security area.

Sikozu: (mystified) Why? (they pause by an elevator, which opens with a clank. A dreadlocked and helmeted Charrid soldier exits it and they get in. It's a grey steel tube with perforated industrial walls - like a big freight lift. Zukash goes to the elevator control panel - which is opposite the door)

Zukash: We don't know. But only the Charrids are supposed to have the access codes. So if anyone else enters the cavern, the Scarrans will assume the Charrids - left it accessible - like - this. (as he speaks - he enters a code and the heavy doors clang shut)

Sikozu: You stole the codes.

Zukash: Which is what the Charrids will suspect. (he touches the panel again and the doors clank open) And they will confront us.

Sikozu: (into her comm) Crichton - we've found a much faster way to incite a riot.

(cut to Aeryn and John in another corridor as he receives Sikozu's communique)

John: That's great - let me hear it. Later. (a Peacekeeper is walking briskly toward them and John eyes him as they pass) Nice pants. (suddenly he pulls up and turns around, calling) Hey Braca! You look a little lost. (the PK freezes - and turns back to them. It is indeed, Braca)

Aeryn: (with mocking concern) Does Mommy know you're here?

John: (aside to Aeryn) Does Mommy know he's Scorpius' boy? (Braca just stares intently at them) Oh no - Mommy doesn't know. (Braca doesn't rise to their bait though. Instead, he strides proudly toward them and asks John point blank)

Braca: Are you here to rescue him - or kill him?

(cut back to the torture chamber where Ahkna and Pennoch continue to watch Stark torment Scorpius. Ahkna seems to have some sort of premonition of Aeryn and Johns approach)

Ahkna: Stark! Conceal yourself. (the Banik melts into the shadows and Pennoch turns to block Aeryn and Johns entrance as they appear in the doorway)

John: We're here to see Scorpius.

Ahkna: Come in. (Pennoch permits John to enter, but as Aeryn makes to follow, the War Minister speaks again) Just - you. (Pennoch blocks Aeryn with one massive arm across her path. John eyes Ahkna warily as he goes to Scorpius. It takes the half-Scarran a long moment to choke out one word)

Scorpius: Jo... oh....John.

John: Grasshopper. (Scorpius shivers and gasps piteously. John turns and paces slowly toward Ahkna. The only sound is the beeping of the nuclear bomb strapped to his body. He stops and stares at her) That's a nice hat. (in response, Ahkna throws out her arm and hits John square in the face with her heat probe. John yells and is thrown back)

Aeryn: Ahkna don't! (she tries to push past Pennoch, but he catches, and holds her back)

Ahkna: (spiteful, to John) What do you say? Too happy, too sad, too cold, too hot? Let's see. Hm? (John writhes and groans) I know you have a real nuclear device, but I'm sure you can disarm it.

John: (struggling) I would - but I can't. So - I won't.

Ahkna: You're bluffing.

John: (choking the words out) Well - so much for nuclear deterrence. Get ready to kiss your ass good-bye Castro. (the beeping of the bomb is ominously increasing in pitch and rate. The face-off goes on another few seconds till the bomb begins to sound a loud warning pulse. John seems to grin in the shimmer of the heat probe - and Ahkna cuts it. John flops onto the floor)

Ahkna: (spooked) You're insane! (to Pennoch) Release her! (Pennoch obeys, and Aeryn rushes to Johns side)

Aeryn: You all right?

John: Yeah.

Aeryn: (also spooked) You're mad!

John: Just played a game of chicken. Did I win?

Aeryn: Just! This time.

John: (panting) You take the initiative next time.

Aeryn: I'll take it now. Frell it. (she starts toward Scorpius, who's sunk to the floor of his cage and seems barely conscious. But John stops her)

John: Not yet. (there's a long pause as Aeryn stares at Scorpius) Aeryn... (she turns and walks out. John drags himself after her, while the Scarrans - and drooling half-Scarran - watch them go)

(cut to soon after, in one of Katratzis corridors. Aeryn and John have come to hear Sikozu's idea for how a civil ear can be sparked. But the Kalish is annoyed)

Sikozu: (angry) You found Scorpius being tortured and you just left him there?

John: It's not time yet. That's why we're here. (they arrive at the elevator and wait while a couple of Charrids get off) Morning. (the Charrids ignore him and he, Aeryn and Sikozu get in)

Aeryn: As long as this helps start the conflict.

Sikozu: (resentfully, as she punches in the elevator control code) Yes it will. Might even get yourselves killed. (the elevator lurches to life and Sikozu exits it)

John: Then we'll all go together. (he waves at the Kalish as the elevator doors close)

Sikozu: (under her breath) Good luck. (she shakes her head, frustrated and flummoxed by this man. Meanwhile, the elevator commences its long journey down a black shaft. Its bottom is studded with lights and bits of machinery. Inside it, Aeryn and John stand there awkwardly)

Aeryn: (a sigh) Well...?

John: Give me your hand - put it on my shoulder. (he takes one of her hands in his and brings her other hand to rest on his shoulder) All right now stand on my feet. (she does as he asks - with a little closed-mouth laugh) Comfortable? (she nods and grunts affirmatively)

Aeryn: You? (he nods and grunts back)

John: Hold tight. (and with that - he takes her on a little girls waltz. She smiles and laughs shyly, before laying her head on his shoulder)

(cut back to the Charrids lunge where Rygel's puffing at the hookah while he, D'Argo, Rahzaro and Tugar chat)

Rahzaro: I don't care what you think the Kalish might or might not do. The Scarrans would never dissolve our partnership. (Rygel laughs wheezily)

D'Argo: What partnership?

Rygel: You aren't their partners! You're nothing more than ill-paid, ill-treated and - (he takes a deep whiff) - Ill-smelling servants! (Tugar reaches for a knife - but a fast lunge from D'Argo stops him)

D'Argo: I don't think so.

(cut back to the elevator as it clanks to a halt and its doors rumble open. Aeryn gets off Johns feet and they peer out)

John: Is this our floor?

Aeryn: I don't know. Have to get out and have a look around. (she steps out and John follows)

(cut back to the Charrid lounge where D'Argo's still leaning over the table with his hand on Tugars arm, when a dull alarm begins to whoop and a Scarran voice grumbles over the PA system. Everyone freezes and looks up)

Rahzaro: (urgently) Intruder alert in the Crystherium chamber! (to his men) Quick! Check it! Now! HURRY!

(meanwhile - Aeryn and John trot down a short flight of steps and find themselves in an underground greenhouse devoted to the cultivation of one kind of flower - what John would call Bird of Paradise. From the midst of the carpet of plants rises a Scarranishly sharp crystalline alter crowned with a lush bouquet of the spiky blossoms)

John: Never knew Scarrans were so sentimental. (they stroll in among the tall plants. John plucks one of the red flowers) No one around.

Aeryn: (coy) So... what do you want to do to get noticed? (she sashays a little further into the flower bed)

John: I got arrested once. College. Let me show ya. (he sinks down among the tall plants. Aeryn smiles and sinks down with him)

But it isn't long before Tugar leads several Charrid soldiers into the chamber at a run. He stays on the steps as the others position themselves - the blue sight lights of their weapons glowing - at the edge of the Chrystherium bed.

Tugar: What are you doing here? Come out - now! (a soft curse drifts up from the flowers)

John: Damn!

Tugar: Up! NOW! (Aeryn and John rise. She puffs and tosses her hair out of her face while John pulls his pants up and zips them)

John: There's never enough time.

(cut to soon after in Emperor Staleeks office. He fortifies himself with a bit of dried Chrytherium from a dish before turning his attention to the miscreant human and Sebacean standing before him)

Staleek: Who gave you the codes?

Aeryn: What codes?

John: (in a Mexican mafia accent) Codes? We didn't need no stinking codes.

Ahkna: You could not have accessed the cavern without the codes!

John: We didn't try to access anything. Some Charrids got off the elevator, we got on, we got off- (muttering) Well - we tried to get off - we got interrupted.

Ahkna: (an angry bark) Which Charrids?

Aeryn: Are you serious? They all look alike.

John: You should put numbers on their uniforms.

Staleek: (to Ahkna) The Charrid troops are your responsibility.

Ahkna: I'll order a full inquiry. (Staleek glares after her as she leaves. After she's gone, John turns to Staleek)

John: You know while you're at it - give me Scorpius.

Staleek: You want Scorpius? Why? Is it because he's going to give us what you're trying to sell us?

John: No - because the hat lady is pissing me off and I wanna piss her off. Tit for tat - call it a whim. And, I don't like watching people be tortured who don't know anything. (he nods and quickly looks away)

(cut back to the torture chamber. Ahkna and Pennoch watch as Stark stands near Scorpius' cage and urgently presses him)

Stark: What do you know about wormholes Scorpius? Tell me!

Scorpius: (gasping and struggling to speak through painfully clenched teeth) I know nothing!

Stark: You're lying! You tell me! (he lifts his mask and bathes Scorpius in the glare of his spectral light)

Scorpius: (his voice is a guttural howl) I said I know nothing! Know nothing! (since there's nothing forthcoming - Stark releases him and Scorpius pitches against the bars of his cage, twitching. Stark turns nervously to Ahkna, who's staring stonily at him)

Stark: It's - a normal part of the procedure. He, um - he's strong. He's very strong. That means when he finally breaks - it'll be all the more catastrophic.

Ahkna: You promised me-! (Stark hurries to appease her)

Stark: That I would break him - not that he knows anything. But if he does - you will know. (at that moment - the door flies open and a furious Staleek strides in)

Staleek: WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HERE?

Ahkna: You wanted the information taken from him. (Staleek eyes Scorpius, who's slumped in his cage slobbering and twitching and generally looking very much the worse for wear)

Staleek: ALIVE! I said - alive. And have you learned anything?

Ahkna: No. Not yet. But I- ("No" is all the Emperor needed to hear though)

Staleek: Crichton has destroyed a Stryker and found a way into the caverns - but you have achieved nothing! Get out! (the Scarran woman may be tiny - but she doesn't budge)

Ahkna: (deadly) This is my jurisdiction.

Staleek: Not unless I say it is. Now get out - all of you! (with a jerk of her head, Ahkna signals Pennoch and stark to follow her, and the shamed threesome slink out of the room. There's a long pause while Staleek waits for them to be gone before he steps up to the shivering, gibbering Scorpius and says in a low tone) I'll get the truth from him. I thought you said she couldn't harm you. (the half-Scarran draws himself up and grits out his response with blustery determination)

Scorpius: AND SHE COULDN'T! I'm fine! Quite fine! I've caused enough harm in my time to mimic it well. (Staleek accepts this, and shows no further concern)

Staleek: We still haven't found a way of disarming Crichton's weapon. But he has demonstrated a convincing command of wormholes.

Scorpius: I can separate him from the bomb. He trusts me - more than he realizes. (he finishes with a guttural howl) JUST BRING HIM TO ME!

Staleek: Will you? Or will you betray me? (he reaches out and grabs Scorpius through the bars of the cage. The half-Scarrans voice is a raw-throated caw)

Scorpius: I've served you for 10 cycles as a spy. Why would I betray you now?

Staleek: Betray me and you will die in this machine. But deliver Crichton's knowledge to me - and all the power you seek will be yours. (and with that - he lets go of Scorpius, who slides tho the floor of his cage - and exits)

(cut to a transport craft as it slows on approach to the Command Carrier hanging in space near Katratzi. The scene shifts to the Captains office of the carrier where Grayza sits at the desk with Braca hovering over her shoulder. Aeryn and John enter)

Grayza: Thank you for returning.

Aeryn: What is it?

Grayza: I would like to make an addition to my offer. (she proffers 2 data films to them. John accepts them and eyes their inscrutable markings upon)

John: I'll have the Kung Po Chicken. (to Aeryn, who's reading the films - she looks stunned) You want a spring roll?

Grayza: Actually - they're a pardon from the Supreme Council. No Peacekeeper would dare violate them.

John: Is she for real? (Aeryn doesn't look up)

Aeryn: It would seem so. However it is conditional.

Grayza: Of course - on no wormhole technology being shared with the Scarrans. (John sobers)

John: What if we give these back?

Aeryn: Still valid. She wouldn't dare destroy them.

Braca: I've witnessed them. So have all our - principal officers. (John puts the films on the desk)

John: Keep it. We'll let you know.

(cut back to Katratzi where a couple of Charrid soldiers are dragging a groaning Scorpius through the corridors. The scene shifts to the conference room as Aeryn and John re-enter - speaking to their cohorts on comm)

John: Guys! Listen up!

Aeryn: They're bringing him now.

John: One riot - well done, hold the mayo - now!

(cut to the command Center where Pennoch confronts Rahzaro as Vakali looks on. Sikozu watches from behind a pillar)

Pennoch: Your troops compromised the security of the cavern.

Rahzaro: No! That is not what happened!

Sikozu: (quietly, into her comm) We are very close to a conflict now.

(cut back to the conference room as John snaps his response to Sikozu)

John: This ain't horseshoes or hand grenades - now means now! (as he speaks, Staleek enters with the Charrids and Scorpius)

Staleek: (to John) A bargain is struck. (the Charrids heave Scorpius onto a table and then leave. The half-Scarran lands hard on his back which causes him to send up a little fountain of saliva) However an agreement requires trust - which thus far has been one-sided. Now you tell me what else you really want. (there's a brief pause while John thinks about his response and finds this is one of those times when truth works well)

John: (quietly) When you wake up, in the morning, on your big, Emperor bed and you listen - what do you hear? (he begins to pace around the tables and Staleek slowly pivots to watch his progress) Do you hear the little Emperor birdies singing outside your window? Do you hear the Emperor wind whistling through the trees? Or do you hear people dying? Do you hear your friends begging for mercy? Do you hear doors being kicked in because people are hunting you? Do you hear the sound of your heart pounding in your ears? What I want - Santa Claus - for the rest of my life - I wanna wake up like an Emperor. (he finishes his speech standing next to Aeryn. Staleek gets the point)

Staleek: Your safety, guaranteed. In just a few arns.

John: Bill Gates can't guarantee Windows - how you gonna guarantee my safety?

Staleek: (fiercely) With great effort - (softly) - and great sincerity. (an with imperious warning) Though at some point, my largesse will dissipate! (he exits)

Scorpius: (from the table - choking his words out) My - appreciation.

John: My - ass. (he grabs Scorpius by the front of his coolant suit and leans over him) Did you tell them?

Scorpius: (a tiny croak) No.

John: (furious) Wormholes - my brain - Harvey! WHAT - DID YOU TELL THEM?

Scorpius: Nothing!

John: Listen up - I am Johnny Radiation because of you, Nosferatu. Everyone I care about west of the moon is here and in danger to make sure that you keep your mouth shut! NOW - did - you keep your mouth - shut?

Scorpius: Yes! (he pants and averts his eyes)

Aeryn: John. (John looks over his shoulder at her)

John: You believe him?

Aeryn: (blandly) Yes I do.

John: Good. (he straightens up) Kill him and let's go. (Scorpius startles and stares up at them)

Aeryn: What?

John: Kill him and let's go.

Aeryn: We came here to free him!

John: No we came here to make sure that my knowledge didn't slip out of his mouth. Kill him Aeryn - and let's go.

Aeryn: (annoyed) Oh you want me to kill him?

John: Well I'm not the assassin - am I?

Aeryn: If you want him to die you can kill him yourself. (Scorpius lays there, looking from one of them to the other as they argue)

John: You made me promise that I wouldn't.

Aeryn: Well I release you from that promise.

John: Say that again.

Aeryn: I release you from that promise.

John: Thank you. (he whips out his gun and levels it at Scorpius' face. There's a long silence. John cocks her head. Aeryn looks down. Scorpius stares at John with his suddenly big, limpid, eyes. John says to Aeryn) I'll give you my bike if you kill him.

Scorpius: (an anxious squawk) May I speak?

John: No.

Aeryn: (wearily) No. (John holsters his gun)

John: He's tellin' the truth. (Scorpius' head makes a motion somewhere between a wobble and a nod before he lets it fall back onto the table. John says to him) We'll sort you out later. (on comm) Guys! I apologize in advance for any incivility or insensitivity on my part but it is beer o'clock - where the hell is my riot?

(cut back to the Control Center where Pennoch continues to confront Rahzaro. Several observers from Moya, the Charrids and the Kalish hang back discreetly)

Pennoch: The logs show your Lieutenant had just returned from the cavern.

Rahzaro: WHOSE LOGS? HIS? (he points at Vakali and sneers) Kalish documentation!

Vakali: (outraged) What are you implying Rahzaro?

Rygel: (a comment aimed at John) Ohohoho - you're going to get it.

Rahzaro: That our intruder could not decipher the access codes to the cavern by himself. Someone - had to have given them to him.

Vakali: I protest this baseless accusation! (Pennoch lashes out and seizes both the Charrid and the Kalish by their shirtfronts)

Pennoch: Then find out where the fault does lie. I expect a full account from each side in less than 2 arns. (he releases them an storms out with a snarl)

Rahzaro: (he snarls to as he turns to Tugar) Tear down the system to the foundation! Find the leak! (his second grunts and leaves. Rahzaro turns back to the Kalish Secretary) I will not be humiliated by you Vakali! You will not destroy my relationship with the Emperor!

Vakali: (furious) What the frell are you blathering about Charrid? Your security forces prove useless and you seek to refocus the blame!

Rahzaro: (apoplectic) USELESS? MY - FORCES - USELESS? Ordering biscuits and repairing urinals has never won a war!

Vakali: And neither have you - if I recall! (Rahzaro lashes out and grabs him by the throat)

Rahzaro: (a dangerous hiss) Insult a Charrid at your own risk - Kalish harpooda.

Vakali: (choking as much with outrage as from the Charrids grip on his windpipe) Harpooda? You dare to call me harpooda?

Rahzaro: (sneering) And I bet - not a very good one. (Vakali thumps Rahzaros arm and both men stagger back from each other. Zukash helps things along by grabbing a metal cylinder and throwing at a Charrid, and with that - all hezmana breaks loose. Another Kalish scuttles up a pillar and begins shooting, the Charrids begin firing at the same time. D'Argo fires over everyone's head and Sikozu gets into a dust-up with a Charrid. Several people are hit and finally - Punnoch returns and wades into the firefight)

Pennoch: (growling to himself) What is this? (louder) Stop it! STOP IT AT ONCE! (he is completely ignored by all - so he comms for back-up) Strike warriors to the Control Center! Confiscate all weapons!

Rygel: (into his comm) Now Crichton - leave now. And never doubt your Dominar again! (he and D'Argo quietly begin to edge out of the Control Center. Sikozu tussles briefly with another Charrid attacker before pausing to take Zukashs arms)

Sikozu's: I must go. Sho-kana-sho.

Zukash: Sho-kana-sho. (a shot whizzes past them) Go!

(cut to Emperor Staleek as Ahkna hurries up to him)

Ahkna: We've been sabotaged! The Charrids and Kalish are fighting!

Staleek: Guards! Secure Crichton and report!

Ahkna: Scorpius - we must secure Scorpius.

Staleek: Don't worry about Scorpius - he's not going anywhere.

(cut to Aeryn and John. They're moving through a corridor as fast as they can, given they they're obliged to drag a big black sack of potatoes named Scorpius between them. Aeryn comms the others)

Aeryn: Everyone - go! We're on the move.

John: (to the limp Scorpius) Some help would be appreciated.

Scorpius: (raspy) Where do you expect us to run?

John: Got a taxi waiting. First rule of piss-poor planning: Have your exit ready before your entrance.

Scorpius: What? This disturbance?

John: Yeah - pretty cool huh?

Scorpius: (annoyed) Yes - I'm impressed.

John: There's just no pleasing some people. (suddenly a masked and helmeted Charrid steps into their path - his gun leveled at them)

CharridSoldier: Remain where you are, or I'll shoot. Release your weapons now! (but before anyone has to do anything - the soldier is hit in the back by a single pulse shot. He goes down and Braca is glimpsed lowering his own weapon. He faces our heroes with the smallest, grimmest of smiles before sucking away again)

Scorpius: (almost longing) Braca!

John: Yeah feel the love Mr Burns. (they hurry on)

(cut to Chiana, she's pulling Noranti through a corridor filled with soldiers. A large Scarran is guarding the concourse they need to enter)

Chiana: Frell! (she runs up to the Scarran soldier) Hey - can you help us? We're... we're afraid.

ScarranSoldier: (in a deep, noble, voice) You have to turn back - can't pass here. (Noranti steps out from behind Chiana and blows a palmful of powder into his face. He rears back, groaning, pirouettes for a long moment while they wait - and crashes to the floor)

Noranti: It works!

(cut to D'Argo, Rygel and Sikozu as they weave their way through the melee that Katratzi has become)

Rygel: (into his comm) We're getting close - don't leave without us! (D'Argo goes up to a Charrid and shoves Sikozu at him)

D'Argo: Warrior! Can you take this Kalish piece of tralk? (the Charrid shifts his attention to Sikozu - and D'Argo knocks him into tomorrow. The Luxan and the Kalish look at each other) Nice.

Sikozu: Nice.

Rygel: (impatient) Hurry up!

Sikozu: (to D'Argo) We try it a third time?

D'Argo: (to another Charrid) Warrior!

CharridSoldier: What?

D'Argo: Could you take this Kalish piece of tralk? (and the game repeats itself...)

(cut back to Aeryn, John and Scorpius. They're within sight of Lo'La in the docking bay)

John: We're almost home - there it is.

Scorpius: D'Argos vessel, even shrouded cannot outrun a Stryker!

Aeryn: Moya's disguised as an oil freighter in the shipping yards.

John: She's rested and ready to starburst. (a guard is spotted moving in the shadows of the docking bay) Oh crap! Aeryn- (John take Scorpius' weight. permitting Aeryn to pull his gun)

Scorpius: We can broker - a bargain!

John: Where's yer nerve Grasshopper? Just stick with me - they ain't gonna pop fat man.

Scorpius: I can't! (and with that - he goes completely flaccid. John can't hold him up and he plops onto the floor where he lays, gurgling. John drops to one knee beside him)

John: You better not pass out. (Scorpius seems to do just that. Aeryn aims her gun down at him)

Aeryn: Get up - or I kill you now. (Scorpius doesn't move or respond) Choose.

John: You need to know when a woman's serious.

Aeryn: Are you coming? (John grabs the front of Scorpius' coolant suit and pulls. The half-Scarran chokes - but thinks better of playing possum, and he allows John to help him to his feet) Okay. (but before they can stagger a step - Charrids pour into the hall behind them. A shot is fired and Aeryn fires back - over their heads to get their attention) DROP YOUR WEAPONS! DON'T FIRE OR YOU'LL DETONATE THE BOMB! (the Charrids lay their guns aside and John and Scorpius gimp on into the docking bay under Aeryn's guard)

John: Well there you go - someone finally got smart. (but at that moment - Scorpius doubles over and gags. John leans over too in an effort to keep him on his feet. And suddenly the half-Scarran strikes 2 heavy blows, one with each hand. The first hits Aeryn in the face and puts her out - the second sinks into Johns stomach. The human goes down - and Scorpius body-pins him as John roars) You stupid son-of-a-BITCH!

Scorpius: (his voice is velvety and devoid of any discomfort) I'm sorry John. You need to breathe deeply if you expect to live. (the bomb is indeed beeping urgently)

John: You're gonna get us all KILLED!

Scorpius: (quietly) Now - if you trust me enough to live - you may well discover the truth!

John: Trust you? TRUST YOU?

John lets loose with a roar of pure rage - and the bomb begins to sound alarm of its imminent detonation...

TO BE CONTINUED

Part 3: La Bomba
The episode opens where the last one left off. Aeryn is unconscious and Scorpius has John pinned to the floor, just steps away from Lo'La and escape from Katratzi. John roars his fury as the nuclear bomb strapped to his body sounds warning of its imminent detonation.

Scorpius: (quietly, into Johns ear) You do not know what you're doing.

John: Yeah I do and I'm gonna frickin' nuke you and half this damn BASE!

Scorpius: Kill me later. (at that moment, War Minister Ahkna arrives on the scene)

Ahkna: I should kill you now. You're still my prisoner.

John: Technically - he's my prisoner! (despite his anger - the bombs alarm fades as talk calms him)

Scorpius: Thank you John.

John: When Aeryn wakes up - she's gonna kill hm! (Emperor Staleek now enters the area)

Staleek: I'm so pleased to see you're all safe. (he eyes Ahkna) Minister Ahkna's forces have done a superb job in quelling the unrest - a duty to which I'm sure she's eager to return. (Ahkna fixes the Emperor with a hostile stare for a moment before leaving. As she walks past his face - which Scorpius has pressed against the floor - John offers her a country boys farewell)

John: See ya later sweetheart. (Staleek hen casually swats Scorpius off Johns back with such force that the half-Scarran goes flying) Thank you. (he quickly crawls over to his prostrate 'partner') Aeryn? (she startles awake and John shushes her)

Aeryn: Did we win? (Staleek drops to one knee beside them)

Staleek: (smoothly) You'll be delighted to hear my guards were able to secure the rest of your crew as well. Coincidentally as they were also nearing exits - like yourselves. I'm sure they were simply trying to avoid - any entanglement in violence.

John: Where are they?

Staleek: There are guards placed to insure their - well-being. (there's a moment of silence while John uncomfortably looks down at his bomb, before Staleek asks sweetly) Were you planning to leave?

John: (grim) Temporarily. Grayza called with another offer. But you had a riot goin' on, we didn't want to bother you. We decided to take our own car.

Staleek: I'm glad you didn't. Base defenses have been placed on highest alert. Any non-Scarran vessels will automatically be targeted - and destroyed.

John: (dully) We're very lucky.

Staleek: We'll transport you to the Carrier.

John: That's very kind.

Staleek: My pleasure - John. (Staleek rises, and exits, leaving Aeryn and John to ponder the loud and clear subtext of that conversation)

(cut to soon after. Staleek is back in his office. Jenek is in the Katratzi docking bay. They speak via comm regarding D'Argo's ship)

Jenek: Emperor - the craft is an Eradicator, Toproktin design. We've gained entry and neutralized its systems. Sentinels are now securing the star charts and the vector logs.

Staleek: Leave no trace when you've completed. I don't want them to know what we know.

Jenek: Sir.

(cut to the Katratzi conference room where the crew of Moya has gathered. Scorpius is trying to convince them of the goodness of his intentions. It's a hard sell)

Scorpius: I prevented you from leaving for your own protection.

D'Argo: You what?

Rygel: You stopped us from leaving?

John: (heated) You stuck a knife in our back!

Scorpius: (slowly, patiently, angrily) No. Your plan - would've failed.

Chiana: We could've been - on Lo'La by now! (she rises and makes toward Scorpius, but Sikozu blocks her)

Sikozu: Hear him out - hear him out!

Scorpius: It is quite likely the Scarrans had already disabled D'Argo's ship.

D'Argo: That's impossible.

Scorpius: And found Moya! Even if we managed to get off Katratzi - the bases weapons would have destroyed us!

Aeryn: (coolly moving on from Scorpius' rationalizations) Stealth is no longer an option. Does Lo'La have enough firepower to blast us out?

D'Argo: Maybe. Probably -I dunno. It's worth a shot.

Aeryn: How would we do it?

D'Argo: I'd call Lo'La - she'd blast a hole, and we'd run through.

John: Do it before someone else screws us.

D'Argo: Okay. (on comm to Lo'La) Dushko habees-tah! (but alas - his ship sits silent and docile in the Katratzi docking bay. He barks second command) Duhst-U! Habees-TAH! (no response)

Chiana: (nervously hopeful) Somebody's jammed the comms.

D'Argo: (apprehensive) Nono - the comms are working fine.

Sikozu: They must have disabled Lo'La.

D'Argo: (quietly disbelieving) That is impossible.

Chiana: Hey what about the Command Carrier? Can we still get a free ride outta here? (at that moment, Ahkna's voice rings out. It's unclear how long she's been in the room as she steps from the shadows with her faithful Pennoch following at a respectful distance behind her)

Ahkna: (sneering) Try it and find out.

John: We don't know what you're talking about.

Ahkna: Oh let me enlighten you. (as she speaks and the others look on, she paces toward John, who prudently backs up till he's stopped by the edge of a table) Grayza doesn't frighten me. Her Command Carrier doesn't frighten me. (she touches the nuclear device beeping at Johns waist) Your bomb doesn't frighten me - and neither do you.

John: (in his country boy accent) Damn - I'm on the brink of devastation Minnie Pearl. (Transcriber's note: In reference to Ahkna's remarkable headdress - Minnie Pearl was an American country music singer and comedienne who gained widespread fame on the 60's comedy/variety show "Hee Haw" - which John would recall from his childhood. One of her schticks was a a fancy straw hat with the price tag still attached) (Ahkna responds by delivering a powerful backhand to John that throws him on his back onto the table. Pennoch holds Aeryn back as the War Minister steps close to John and caresses his bomb)

Ahkna: Perhaps we should go there together.

(cut to soon after. John and Scorpius have abandoned the conference room - whose security has for them, obviously been compromised - and are seeking another place to talk with the help of Johns DRD. The Katratzi PA system growls overhead in Scarran as they come to a vacant office similar to Staleeks. A bouquet of crystherium is sitting on the black scale-patterned desk)

John: 1812 - is this room bug-free? (the DRD squawks affirmatively) Good boy. (he and Scorpius enter. John pulls his gun and cocks it before laying it down on the desk and saying:) Okay - convince me.

Scorpius: Crystherium Utilia. (FLASH - on Scorpius aboard his Command Carrier - (ITLD) -smiling as he touches a Bird of Paradise flower)

John: The flower.

Scorpius: Yes. Very important.

John: Ahh - they'd better be. That why they're grown in the Bat cave?

Scorpius: (pleased) That's right - you've been there.

John: Listen up - Grasshopper. I finally have a plan that works. It's simple: we get in, we break bread. We see the sights, we grab you, we get out. And now you're gonna throw flowers at me?

Scorpius: We need to destroy the crystherium.

John: (after a long pause, incredulous) Flowers trump wormholes?

Scorpius: At the moment - yes.

(with a flash - the scene shifts to Johns Head. The setting is from an old TV cop drama. John is the cop. He's sitting at a desk wearing a white shirt, dark pants and suspenders. Scorpius' neural clone, Harvey, is sitting across from him. He's a street tough wearing a knit skullcap pulled low ever the hood of his coolant suit. John lights a cigarette. But as he brings it to his lips, he catches himself and yells at the clone - who nearly always controls the setting of these encounters)

John: What have I told you about smokin' in my head? (back on Katratzi, John raises his chin as he pays heed to the scenario unfolding in his mind. There, his suspended self reaches over and angrily swats a stryofoam cup from Scorpius/Harvey's hands)

Scorpius/Harvey: (rising) Heeeyyy!

John: Siddown!

Scorpius/Harvey: I ain't sayin' nothin' since he's the boss!

John: SIT - DOWN!! (the clone slowly sits as John rolls his cigarette lighter in his fingers) I'm talkin' to you. Flowers. (the clone gasps. He speaks in the loud, simple-minded voice of a guttersnipe police informer)

Scorpius/Harvey: The #1 secret in the whole Scarran Empire! (he snorts) Even the Charrids and the Kalish haven't figured its real deal!

(the scene cuts back to the vacant office)

Scorpius: Stark used to live here on Katratzi, assisting the leadership caste with their death rituals. (John flashes on the memory of his first meeting with Stark back in their cell on Scorpius' Gammak Base as the Banik screamed: "MY SIDE! YOUR SIDE! MY SIDE! YOUR SIDE!" - and then on Stark's defiance of Scorpius from the Aurora Chair: " FRELL ME AGAIN!")

John: That why you were torturing him when I met you?

Scorpius: That's right. Crystherium growth requires very specific and rare conditions. The Scarrans - can only propel their power forward from these very few locations.

John: (skeptically) And destroying a bunch of flowers is supposed to set 'em back?

Scorpius: (quietly) For hundreds of cycles.

(cut to Johns Head - where John uses the clone - over whom he can exert a certain amount of influence - to check Scorpius' story)

John: Why?

Scorpius/Harvey: Cos they need 'em. Scarrans - simplistic, brutish creatures. Shoulda died out generations ago.

John: What happens if they eat the flower?

Scorpius/Harvey: Big brains. Evolutionarily competitive. Eh - you know - Staleek, Ahkna.

John: And if they don't eat 'em?

Scorpius/Harvey: (mocking) Yer dog could beat 'em at checkers! Huh! (John reaches over and swats a second styrofoam cup out to the clones hands) HEY!

(cut back to John and Scorpius in the vacant office)

Scorpius: Though Stark provided many details, I was unable to learn of Katratzi's location. You - rescued him prior to that breakthrough.

John: Sorry to stitch ya up.

Scorpius: No you're not. You were taking too long with the wormholes John. Reality - provides opportunity. I needed some way to hurt the Scarrans - now.

(cut back to Johns Head where our hero works to sort out with the clone, what Scorpius is saying)

John: (stammering with disbelief) You know you're not... y-y-you're not makin' any sense. Y-you take the knowledge from my head and then you tell me that you give it to him- What? S-so I'm gonna rescue him?

(cut back to the vacant office)

Scorpius: (quietly) I have no wormhole knowledge John.

John: (confused) But Harvey said- (FLASH - on the memory of Scorpius/Harvey in in his coffin in the Dracula movie vignette as he says perkily: "Scorpius knows everything you know!" Then FLASH on the detective scenario as Harvey The Stoolie says loudly: "So what? I lied.")

Scorpius: Harvey? (it takes him a moment to remember his neural clone. He murmurs appreciatively) Oh that is clever. (but then he fixes John with a steady gaze) We had a deal. I help you rescue Aeryn Sun from the Scarrans, you give me wormholes. (the scene begins to cut back and forth between the vacant office and Johns Head as Scorpius and his clone team up to nag John from within and without)

Scorpius/Harvey: The Boss says - 'Lay low. Don't go near him anymore. Give him some peace.'

Scorpius: But obviously you betrayed our contract, yes?

Scorpius/Harvey: But you know what? You went and left him behind to die.

Scorpius: You had no intention of returning for my rescue did you?

Scorpius/Harvey: Fail-safe. You screw the boss - I find a way to get you re-interested.

John: (to the real Scorpius) You tryin' to lay this off on me?

Scorpius: (very quietly) You see - if my neural clone has returned - it is only because - you have betrayed me.

John: You tryin' to say Harvey's back because of me?

Scorpius: You should honor your contracts John.

John: No. No contract. You betrayed us.

(cut briefly to Johns Head)

Scorpius/Harvey: We had a deal!

John: (slamming his fist down on his detectives desk) NO! He screwed us!

Scorpius/Harvey: And now you get on your high-horse. We had a deal! Hey! Ya took a bribe! Ya banked the cut - but when the heat's on - yer just another dumb copper doin' his job! Unbelievable! (there's a long pause while John ruefully contemplates the reality of the clones words. Then, adding insult to injury, Harvey spots a box of jelly donuts on Johns desk) HeEEeeyYY! Look at these little beauties! (he grabs one out and holds it up with both hands, admiring it as if it were some priceless gem. John stands up and irritably swats the donut out his hands)

(cut back to the vacant office)

Scorpius: Would you have left me to perish with the Scarrans?

John: Under the circumstances? Yeah.


 * cut to Johns Head as the clone stands up, shouting)

Scorpius/Harvey: Hey he's right y'know! We're brothers from different sides of an imaginary line! Good! Bad! Bad! Good! Your side! My side! My side!-

John: SIDDOWN!

(cut back to the vacant office)

John: So - here we are. Cadaver and Hutch. A team. What now?

Scorpius: We - must destroy the flowers.

John: And if I say no?

Scorpius: I will attempt to accomplish the task myself - however - rest assured, mine is now the only path off Katratzi.

Scorpius/Harvey: (calling from within Johns Head) Hey! Hey you better listen to him screwy - he's smarter than you!

John: You used me.

Scorpius: We use each other.

John: You're better at it.

Scorpius: Oh you're learning. The bomb - clever. (John picks his gun up and begins to walk away)

John: When it goes off - plan on being nearby.

(cut to a small ship making the short transit from Katratzi to the Command Carrier. The scene shifts to soon after, in a small ready room aboard the Carrier. Braca paces between Aeryn and John, who are sitting together, and Grayza - who's sitting faced away from them)

Braca: (he sounds annoyed) 400 Scarran Scrambler cannons were trained on us the microt that you entered here. Minister Ahkna informed us that unless you were returned to them safely - they'd fire.

Aeryn: Well they can't do that. To honor the truce, they have to let you go wherever you want.

Grayza: They'll let us go. They just won't let you leave with us.

Braca: They feel it violates the terms of the agreement. (Grayza rises to face the others)

Grayza: Braca, Officer Sun - could we have a moment alone please?

John: (whispering to Aeryn) Stay on comms. (Aeryn and Braca exit)

(cut to Aeryn and Braca as they walk through the busy byways of the Carrier)

Braca: (tersely) There's nothing that I can do to help. Even the enhanced Marauder wouldn't get you clear. The Scarrans are on full alert, weapons primed - you'll never get out of here.

Aeryn: I'll see you later. (she veers away from him toward a set of doors)

Braca: (sharply) Where are you going? That's a medical area.

Aeryn: I have something I need to take care of.

Braca: Personal problem? Let's go. (he jerks his head toward the medical bay)

Aeryn: (with a stony stare) So you need to watch? (Braca looks to a soldier who's been railing them)

Braca: Wait for her here. (he exits)

(cut back to John and Grayza)

Grayza: (bitter) All that astonishing wormhole knowledge and still you will not share it with us. You came in here big and bold - dancing on tabletops. And look at you now - begging for scraps.

John: (quietly, with a sidelong glance at her) I may be jammed - possibly dead. But I am not begging. You can get that fantasy out of your head.

Grayza: (angry) In my hands - you can have peace! I - CAN - HAVE - PEACE!

John: I have been in your hands. There's no peace there. Just power.

Grayza: (sounding near tears) You are so self-righteous! I have used all my skills - ALL my resources for one perfect chance at peace! AND BECAUSE OF YOU - IT IS GONE AND I AM- (she cuts herself off and struggles to regain her composure)

John: (dully) Frelled? Screwed? (he eyes her) Raped? Welcome to the Universe Commandant. (and with that - he gets up and leaves)

(cut back to the Katratzi docking bay where Chiana and D'Argo have boarded Lo'La. Scarran soldiers patrol outside while the Luxan and Nebari perform an exhaustive systems check inside. The little ship makes its low harmonic tones as they work and talk)

Chiana: I can't believe they're allowing us inside. Everything's working, right?

D'Argo: Yeah - it seems to be.

Chiana: All right. Well let's get the others, blast our way outta here.

D'Argo: (sniffing suspiciously) No no - someone's been in here. I can smell it.

Chiana: Well the defenses were up - right?

D'Argo: (very wary) No -I don't know what they've done. Maybe frelled with the weapons, planted a homing beacon - or a bomb. Frell it! I have to shut the ship down and run a full systems diagnostic check. (he proceeds to initiate that function)

Chiana: How long will that take?

D'Argo: 3 arns.

Chiana: Well what if it finds something that we can't fix?

D'Argo: Then we go with Scorpius' plan. (there's a short pause as he murmurs with dread) Frelling elevators...

(cut to Noranti, Rygel and Scorpius. They've chosen the sidelines of a busy public area to have a quiet conversation. Soldiers patrol and the PA system growls - Scorpius has details his plan for them)

Rygel: (alarmed) Lock ourselves in an elevator while it tunnels through the solid rock?

Noranti: (pleasantly) Sounds reasonable.

Rygel: Sounds fahrbot!

Scorpius: Sikozu may not be able to provide elevator access, therefore we need to locate someone who can. (in a very low voice) Stark.

Rygel: (it's getting too crazy for him) What?

Noranti: Who's Stark?

Rygel: Another lunatic with the wrong number of eyes.

Noranti: Oh. (and right on cue - the Banik enters the area)

Rygel: (balefully) And there he is.

Scorpius: (whispering) He's not. That - is a bioloid replica.

Rygel: And how do you know that?

Scorpius: Stark would never torture me. Emperor Staleek replaced the real Stark with a bioloid - to fool Ahkna into believing he was real.

Rygel: (making sure he has this Machiavellian set-up straight) But you're actually working for Staleek.

Scorpius: So he believes.

Noranti: (earnestly) Oh I do admire your compartmentalization of duplicity. (Scorpius ducks his head modesty- but Rygel ignores the old woman)

Rygel: How do we find the real Stark?

Scorpius: Find the bioloid duplicator. Stark is undoubtedly imprisoned within it.

(cut to Aeryn and John. They've returned to Katratzi and are walking in a corridor)

John: Where'd you disappear to on the Command Carrier?

Aeryn: Some unfinished business.

John: Want to tell me about it? (Ahkna, in her long, black leathers, is lurking in the shadows along their path and watches as they pass)

Aeryn: Later.

John: D'Argo's still workin' on his ship and Sikozu's tryin' to scan the codes.

Aeryn: Any other alternatives?

John: Well we could always give the Scarrans what they want.

Aeryn: Dead in a few microts... (she trails off as they arrive at the door to the conference room - and find Ahkna standing there waiting for them. John boldly strides in, making like he doesn't see the Scarran woman)

John: (loudly) Or we could try the banzai approach. Or we could just follow Scorpys plan. (he makes a show of spotting Ahkna) Damn! You cannot stop following me around can ya?

Ahkna: (cannily) And you just can't leave. Wouldn't Grayza help you?

John: Actually, she's the high bidder.

Ahkna: Perhaps now is the time for you to hear my offer. You'll go free - now.

Aeryn: What's the price?

Ahkna: You leave Scorpius behind for me.

John: What's in it for you? (there's a long pause)

Ahkna: I will make sure the Hierarchy blames Staleek for your escape.

John: You understand I know nothing about Scarran politics. But I'm... guessing - that means that they fire him and you get his job. (Ahkna inclines her head to signal that Johns guess is good) Ambition. (Ahkna meets his gaze unwaveringly) Well - if it were done, when 'tis done, t'were best it were done quickly. (Shakespeare translates - Ahkna nods solemnly. The interview over - Aeryn steps toward the Scarran woman. They eye each other coldly for a moment before Ahkna steps around Aeryn and exits, laughing a little with satisfaction. John relaxes a bit) Thanks. She scares the crap outta me.

Aeryn: It's the hat.

(cut to Jenek as he enters Staleeks office with a Kalish tech in tow. The Emperor doesn't deign to turn around and look at them)

Jenek: Emperor - about Crichton's bomb. In under a quarter of an arn we will have computed the final code. With it, this will disarm the detonator. (the tech ducks out from behind Jenek and bows as he murmurs his deference and holds out a small device. Staleek turns just enough to take it)

Staleek: Satisfactory.

(cut to Sikozu and Zukash as they head back to the elevator that goes to the crystherium garden)

Zukash: Security's been heightened since the riots. All the codes have been changed.

Sikozu: What can be done? (the elevator door opens and a group of Charrids get off. The 2 Kalish quickly turn away lest they're seen being interested in the lift system)

Zukash: There's a master keychip that overrides all codes. It'll run the elevator and give you complete access to the system's schematics.

Sikozu: Can you get it?

Zukash: Not very easily. And if I get caught, that- (he stops, and Sikozu finishes his sentence)

Sikozu: - could expose the entire Kalish underground.

Zukash: Just tell me this - will it help defeat the Scarrans?

Sikozu: (softly) Yes. Yes it will. (and without another word - Zukash leaves her)

(cut back to the conference room. John is sitting and scrawling the words "Hi THERE" on both sides of his bomb. Transcriber's note: The words on the bomb pay homage to many a WWII story. But particularly to Stanley Kubricks 1964 film classic - "Dr Strangelove - or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb" )

Aeryn: So what do you think?

John: I think Lady MacBeth is gonna find a way to screw us. But Staleek is probably way ahead of her. (Aeryn grunts her agreement with that assessment) Which leaves us with Plan...

Aeryn: E?

John: E- for (Aeryn joins him on the word) elevator. (John grunts affirmatively) And I'm gonna tap dance for the Emperor.

Aeryn: Be careful. He's not an idiot.

John: I know, but he can't do jack to me as long as this bomb's ticking. (and at that moment - the bombs steady tick quavers - and stops. Its lights go dark, and Aeryn and John just stare at it for a moment - stunned)

(cut to soon after. Aeryn and John are moving quickly through the corridors of Katratzi and speaking to rest of the crew of Moya via comm. They are in crisis mode. Johns carrying his useless nuke in one hand. The scene shifts between the crew as they move about Katratzi. Chiana and D'Argo are together. Noranti is with Rygel, cowering in the same place that Scorpius left them in)

Aeryn: You can't reactivate the bomb in any way?

John: Not in any useful manner.

Chiana: So what're we supposed to do then?

John: Dee! Can you get Lo'La reactivated?

D'Argo: Well it should be another arn at least.

Rygel: They'll find us in half that!

John: Sparky - where are ya?

Rygel: Stuck. Guards all round.

Noranti: Can't go anywhere at this point.

John: Well get to the elevator if you can.

Noranti: Right. (to Rygel) Where is the elevator? (the Hynerian is clearly clueless)

(cut to Emperor Staleek in his office as he speaks to Ahkna via comm)

Staleek: Where is Crichton?

Ahkna: He won't get far. The station is sealed.

Staleek: (softly, dangerous - he has John pretty well-sussed) Minister Ahkna - that may well be your epitaph.

(cut to Aeryn and John as they run up to Scorpius and Sikozu. The Kalish is hacking into the elevators external control bank)

Scorpius: Sikozu has managed to summon the Rabrokator.

John: What the hell is that? Some kind of massage tool?

Sikozu: It's a drilling elevator - but it won't do us any good without the keychip! (the elevator doors open - a Charrid and a Kalish in the car seem caught off guard, as if they hadn't expected it to stop here. But before they can make a move, Aeryn and John knock them senseless. Chiana and D'Argo arrive on the scene at that moment - the Luxan casts a hostile glance at Scorpius)

D'Argo: What's he doing here? (D'Argo wins the Stupid Question Of The Week Award)

John: (grunting as he disposes of the elevators former occupants) Scorpius? He's giving us the shaft as usual. Everybody in! Mind the gap! Safer in than out! (they pile into the barrel-shaped car)

Scorpius: We'll try and crosswire the drilling controls.

Sikozu: Yes we can try, but it will not work without- (at that moment, Zukash appears in the corridor outside)

Zukash: Wait! W-wait! (everyone with a gun levels it at the young man - but Sikozu rushes to him)

Sikozu: Wait! Wait! Wait!

Zukash: I've got it. (he passes her a plastic chip. Sikozu breathes a sigh of gratitude)

Sikozu: Thank you. (but at that moment, machine-gunlike fire erupts in the corridor as several Scarrans arrive. Zukash cries out as he's hit in the back, and falls. Sikozu screams and dives back into the elevator. There's a brief flurry of intense gunfire before the heavy doors close and silence reigns)

Aeryn: (quietly) Get us moving. (with the chip, Sikozu activates a new set of controls. They appear as a sort of hologram and feature a representation of Katratzi, flanked by 8 yellow and blue buttons on either side)

Sikozu: We have navigational control.

John: Then go! (the Kalish cautiously touches one of he buttons and the Rabrokator lurches violently to life. Everyone staggers and yelps - luckily even nightmare Scarran drilling elevators have hand rails in them though)

Chiana: YOU DRIVE LIKE DREN!

John: Get the drills working.

Sikozu: I'm trying - but it's going to take a little bit of time.

Scorpius: (quietly) Take us to the bottom - the crystherium cavern. (louder, to the others) The shaft ends there. It means they will not be able to reach us in another car. It also means - Sikozu has time to activate the drill. (not to mention Scorpius getting a chance to pull some weeds. And down the deep shaft the car slides)

(cut back to Noranti and Rygel who are still sitting in the spot where Scorpius left them. They seem to be hoping that someone will come and get them)

Rygel: (whispering into his comm) Crichton? Crichton! Aw frell him! Let's find Stark.

Noranti: Good idea. Why? (someone's having some memory issues today...)

Rygel: 'Cos Scorpius claims Stark knows this base. Maybe he knows a way out. (Rygel sails off in his hoverchair and Noranti's mouth forms an "O" as she follows him)

(cut back to the elevator lobby where Pennoch is hovering over a Kalish tech who's working on the control bank. Ahkna's waiting, as electrical flashes snap from the console. Staleek appears behind her - and she gives him report without turning, or waiting to be asked)

Ahkna: They're in the Rabrokator. We're trying to override. (Staleek rumbles softly with displeasure)

(cut to the Command Carrier where Grayza is staring out a prtal. Katratzi is barely visible as a lightless brown rock hanging in the gloom outside. Braca enters)

Braca: Ma'am - sensors detect weapons fire within the base. And communication intercepts indicate Scarran forces are in pursuit of Crichton - with orders to kill.

Grayza: They must have deactivated the bomb.

Braca: Then he's lost.

Grayza: As are we. (she walks away from the portal) Go to battle stations.

Braca: Ma'am?

Grayza: (quietly, without looking back at the 'Captain') Are you questioning me?

(cut back to the descending elevator as it crashes to a stop at the bottom of its shaft)

Sikozu: I cannot get the drills activated. (Aeryn, D'Argo and John exit the car, weapons drawn)

John: Sputnik, stay on it. (Scorpius exits and as Chiana makes to follow, the doors begins to close)

Sikozu: Chiana! The doors!

Chiana: FRELL! (she jumps into the doorway to prevent it from closing) GOT IT! (meanwhile, in the greenhouse cavern, Scorpius strikes off on his own)

D'Argo: Aeryn - stay with him. (she heads off after the half -Scarran)

John: Be careful. (back at the elevator, Sikozu realizes the door closing is no accident)

Sikozu: (to herself) That was not me. (she yells past Chiana out the door to the others) THEY'RE TRYING TO OVERRIDE THE OVERRIDE!

John: Dueling overrides. Don't you hate that? (he and D'Argo hurry back to the elevator)

D'Argo: Okay Lo'La should be functional by now! Start the drills - get us to the surface. I'll signal Lo'La and then we GO!

But Scorpius has come to the flight of steps leading down into the temple-like crystherium chamber. He pauses and gazes out over the flowerbeds at the crystalline central altar with its profuse blossoms bathed in brilliant light. Aeryn stops a few paces behind him.

Scorpius: (there is wistful emotion in his voice) We must destroy them.

Aeryn: Why?

Scorpius: The mother plant is the key - it fertilizes the others. Kill it - and no new crystherium can grow here. (he walks down into the flowerbed. Aeryn follows, but stops when he does. John appears on the stairs behind them. The half-Scarran plucks one of the red flowers - but lets it drop to the ground. He then brings up his Scarran pulse rifle - like the ones the Charrids use - and fires 3 shots at the lush mother plant. But each blast dissipate harmlessly around it)

Aeryn: Shielded.

(cut back to the upper elevator lobby where Staleek circles close to the tech at the elevator control)

KalishTech: The Rabrokator is stopped at the crystherium cavern.

Staleek: I want it recalled - now!

(cut back to the Rabrokator where Sikozu strives against the efforts of the tech far above and tries to get the drills on line as well)

Sikozu: (under her breath) Come on... (Chiana is spread-eagled in the Rabrokator doors)

Chiana: Hurry up. (Sikozu mutters another plea to the elevator and herself. The doors rumble and shudder) These doors are getting pushier.

Meanwhile, in the greenhouse - Scorpius fires several more useless sots at the mother plant.

Scorpius: (lowering his gun, he murmurs) Stark didn't know about it. (his voice rises to a harsh roar as he pants furiously and stomps toward the 'altar') STARK DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT! THIS MUST BE A NEW ADDITION BY THE SCARRANS! (D'Argo has joined Aeryn and John and they watch the raging half-Scarran from the steps)

John: He doesn't like to lose does he?

And back at the Rabrokator - the car lurches a hydraulic whir signals the start-up of powerful machinery.

Sikozu: Got it! The drills are enabled - we can core our way to anywhere on the planet! (unless of course Chiana is pinched in half by the doors which are determined to close NOW...)

(cut back to the upper elevator lobby)

KalishTech: I've regained control of the drilling elevator.

Staleek: (as he eyes Ahkna) Now get it back up to this level.

(cut back to the bottom of the elevator shaft)

Chiana: (screaming as the doors begin to overpower her) D'ARGO! (and in the crystherium cavern - the Luxan hears her cry)

D'Argo: I'll handle it. (he hurries back to the elevator)

John: Yeah. (he eyes Scorpius, who's hacking his way towards the mother plant. While he does that - D'Argo arrives at the Rabrokator)

Chiana: GET IT OPEN! FRELL! (with a terrific grunt, the Luxan throws his weight and strength against the doors. In the crystherium cavern - Aeryn and John hear the sounds of trouble) D'ARGO HURRY UP! (and as the Luxan bellows with the strain of holding the Rabrokator doors - Scorpius steps up from the flower beds, onto the platform where the mother plant sits. He stretches out his hand toward it, almost with reverence)

D'Argo: GO-GO-GO-GO! (Chiana dives out of the elevator while D'Argo keeps its massive doors open. Sikozu is right behind her, but suddenly dives back in)

Sikozu: W-w-wait! (she grabs something and shakes it at D'Argo as she runs past him) Keychip! (D'Argo steels himself - and springs away from the doors - which thunder shut)

John: (on comm) What the hell's goin' on up there?

D'Argo: (irritably informative) We couldn't override their override of our override.

John: (softly) Great. (louder, as he trots down the steps to Aeryn) They stole our getaway car.

Aeryn: That's our only way out. (Chiana and Sikozu, both breathing heavily, hustle away from the closed exterior elevator door)

John: And their way in.

(cut to soon after in the upper level elevator lobby as the Rabrokator doors close on a Strike Team of downward-bound, dragonishly scaled, long-faced Scarran soldiers)

Staleek: (to his War Minister, with soft malice) Your father would be proud Ahkna. Security under him was riddled with top-down incompetence as well.

Jenek: (via comm) Emperor - the Command Carrier is showing increasing signs of battle-readiness. (Staleek grunts accusingly at Ahkna. She makes no response, but is clearly stung by Staleeks barbs)

(cut back to Chiana, D'Argo and Sikozu in the lower elevator lobby)

Chiana: Any other exits?

D'Argo: No - it's nothing but rock and hayfever. (a distant rumble is heard from the elevator shaft)

Chiana: Company's coming. (she whispers) Frell...

D'Argo: Time to go. (they turn away from the elevator doors. Meanwhile, in the greenhouse, Scorpius touches the force field that protects the mother pant. It shimmers and flashes. Aeryn and John wade through the flowers toward him)

John: Grasshopper! (at that moment, Chiana, D'Argo and Sikozu sprint into the cavern)

D'Argo: HIDE! (the only place to his is among the tall crystherium plants and everyone dives in. On the elevator, the soldier stand around awkwardly as they wait for the car to descend. Scarrans apparently don't know one should face the door when riding an elevator, they stand is in two rough semicircles and try to avoid each others eyes. Johns non-operational nuclear bomb is laying on the floor against the wall, unnoticed. And in the crystherium cavern, the crew hunkers down)

Aeryn: (to everyone and anyone) Get down. . John: (to Chiana as she settles down near him) Hey did you get my bomb?

Chiana: What?

John: Wh- (he massages the space between his eyes) I can't believe it - I left a nuclear bomb in an elevator.

Chiana: (reassuringly) That's all right - you've done worse.

Aeryn: (of their puny pulse guns) These weapons will be useless if they're Scarrans.

John: It's gonna be Scarrans. (the Scarrans on the elevators shift uncomfortably. One ducks his head and clears his throat. Back in the flowerbeds, Scorpius is the only one who crankily refuses to take cover. He looks down at John and growls loudly:)

Scorpius: We should not be taken alive John! (the human pulls him down into the brush)

John: Be quiet!

Chiana: (frightened) Am I wrong - or are we frelled?

Sikozu: No. There is a way. I am not like normal Kalish. There are others like me - we are part of a Resistance movement dedicated to overthrowing Scarran domination. (on the elevator, one of the Team leader sniffs loudly and swings his great head to stare at one of his men. Everyone else looks at the hapless guy too. Back in the flowerbeds, Sikozu continues) We are - genetically engineered to kill Scarrans by emitting an intense radiation that specifically destroys their heat-producing gland.

John: Did anyone else know about this, or is it just me? (Aeryn shrugs, signaling her ignorance)

D'Argo: Okay Sikozu - go ahead.

Sikozu: (stridently) Not without a promise first! (the Strike Ream continues their silent descent) If the Scarrans were to learn there are others engineered like myself, they would kill millions of innocents to root us out.

D'Argo: Sikozu - we're a team. Your promise is safe.

The elevator clanks to a stop. The team leader growls an order and his men ready their weapons. Meanwhile, in the flowerbeds, Sikozu frets.

Sikozu: D'Argo - the Scarrans are very good at retrieving the truth.

John: We're not gonna be tortured again.

Aeryn: Agreed.

D'Argo: Agreed. (to Sikozu) Go. (the last of the Scarran soldiers steps off the elevator and heads for the crystherium chamber. There, Sikozu gives the elevator keychip to D'Argo)

Sikozu: Do not look upon me. (she stands up - and Scorpius rises as well. She looks meaningfully at him) Especially - you. (John pulls the half-Scarran back down and they turn away as Sikozu looks up at the Scarrans, who appear on the steps)

TeamLeader: (to his men) Hold fire. (to Sikozu) Kalish - present yourself and surrender. (Sikozu slowly spreads her arms, as if to show she's unarmed - but then she begins to rise off the floor. As she rises - light begins to emanate from her body. The team leader brings his gun up, but it's already too late. As she hangs there in mid-air, her feet just above the flowers, orange and yellow light coalesces around her and violet streamers of it streak toward the Scarrans, who falter - and slowly collapse. When the last one has ceased to twitch - Sikozu's light fades and she sinks back to the ground, spent)

D'Argo: Okay! Chiana! Grab the weapons!

Chiana: Got it. (she starts for the dead Scarrans, but stops by D'Argo, who's kneeling next to Sikozu)

John: Come on Scorp, let's go.

Aeryn: Let's go.

D'Argo: (to Chiana, of Sikozu) She'll be fine. Get those weapons. (the Nebari goes on, and John pauses. Scorpius is still standing among the flowers and staring resentfully at the mother plant)

John: (firmly) Grasshopper - it's time.

Scorpius: (his voice thick with the stubborn rage of his Scarran half) No!

John: We gotta go. (but the panting half-Scarran begins to swat furiously at the flowers around him with his useless rifle) Do the math - it's over! (but Scorpius whips his rifle up - and levels it at John)

Scorpius: *I* - do not- lose!

John: Be happy to give you lessons. Now - you in or out? (Scorpius flicks his gun off, and then shoots a last, murderous look back at the mother plant)

(cut to D'Argo as he sprints to the elevator and hits the door control. The great curved doors of the Rabrokator rumble open)

D'Argo: COME ON! LET'S GO! COME ON! (he enters the car and heads for its internal controls as he bellows) HURRY UP! (tin he crystherium chamber, Scorpius is the last to leave, trudging dejectedly after Aeryn and John)

(cut back to Noranti and Rygel, who are snooping around in a storage area. The old woman peers into a crate)

Noranti: Is that him? (Rygel looks too. The 'crate' is a sarcophagus-like capsule like the one Grayza had been loaded into at the black market. Its exterior has a scale pattern of the type common in Scarran design. Within it - visible through a window in its lid - lies Stark. His face is bathed in green light and he seems to be asleep)

Rygel: Yes! Yes it is! Open it up! (they fumble to release the capsules seal, and then pull at the lid with all their combined might. While they work o - the Stark bioloid appears in the shadows behind them. Suddenly the lid flies open with a hiss of escaping air. Rygel whispers loudly) Stark! Stark! Are you alive? (the Banik's eyes open and he slowly turns his face toward his rescuers)

Stark: Rygel? (the Hynerian responds with as friendly a greeting anyone is likely to get from him)

Rygel: Oh - you lunatic. (Stark's eye wanders to Noranti, who's beaming at him in the chartreuse light of the capsule as her third eye glows blue)

Stark: You- You're green.

Noranti: (genuinely flattered) How lovely of you to notice. (but at that moment, the voice of Stark's bioloid rings out)

StarkBioloid: Is nothing sacred? (Noranti and Rygel let go of the lid and it slam shut on Stark as the bioloid menacingly approaches) You wanna deal with Stark? You're gonna have to deal with me. (he lashes out and seizes Rygel by the throat)

Rygel: (with a strangled scream) Let go!

StarkBioloid: You pompous little Dominar of nothing. I'm gonna rip your tiny little heart out. (he raises his free hand, fingers rigidly pointed at Rygel. But before he can strike, Noranti's third eye goes red. She whips a silver scalpel out - and proceeds to hurl it with deadly accuracy. It penetrates the bioloid's mask and buries itself in his right eye with such force that his head is snapped around. As he slowly turns his head back, his left eye is rolled up in his head and thick white fluid oozes from around the scalpel and runs from his mouth. His grip on Rygel loosens as he dies)

Rygel: Thanks witch.

Noranti: My pleasure.

(cut to Staleek and Jenek in the conference room. The Emperor is speaking to Grayza, who's on her Command Carrier - Braca is with her. The scene shifts between them as thy talk on comm)

Staleek: Commandant Grayza - see reason.

Grayza: (severely) Reason indicates - that you have subverted this conference and with it, any chance of peace.

Staleek: Ridiculous! Your vessel arms itself for battle, while we continue to operate under a banner of truce.

Grayza: Reason dictates that I not believe a single word you say!

Staleek: (a calm warning) Reconsider - Peacekeeper. Adhere to the name you have chosen for your kind. (he cuts comms and turns to Jenek) Monitor their every move and transmission. Should they attack - annihilate them without mercy.

(meanwhile, on the Command Carrier - Braca addresses Grayza, who's staring dreamily into space

Braca: Ma'am - what are you doing?

Grayza: (softly) Pursuing honor, Captain.

Braca: We're at peace. Under truce - and vastly outnumbered.

Grayza: And about to rewrite the course of history. (she suddenly rounds on Braca and deliver a harsh order) Prepare to launch simultaneous salvos on every weapons system! Now! (Braca doesn't take his eyes off her as he slowly recoils)

Braca: Sergeant. (he steps away from Grayza and whispers something to the nearby deck officer)

(cut back to the elevator as Aeryn, John and Scorpius enter. Someone's carried Sikozu in and she's laying unconscious on the floor. D'Argo is at the controls and Chiana is pressed against the rear wall)

John: Have we solved the override problem yet?

D'Argo: Not yet.

John: Did you put the key in?

D'Argo: (irritated) Yes I used the frelling key.

John: WHY do we even BOTHER? (he steps out of the car and fires several shots into the exterior elevator control bank, which explodes in a shower of sparks. In the upper elevator lobby - the console under the Kalish techs hands, goes dead)

D'Argo: What are you doing?

John: Sending a message! (he gets back into the car and the doors tumble shut)

(cut briefly to the upper elevator lobby)

KalishTech: The connection has been severed.

Ahkna: (flatly) Fix it.

(cut back to our crew in the Rabrokator. The heavy whir of Big Machinery powering up is heard)

D'Argo: Drill's on.

John: Hey you know how to drive this wonkavator?

D'Argo: Do you?

John: (abashed) No.

D'Argo: Then why ask? (everyone staggers as the car lurches violently)

Chiana: (unnerved) Frell! (the car vibrates heavily and a new sound is heard, a crashing and chugging like a nightmarish locomotive - and away they go. D'Argo steers them off the main shaft and the Rabrokator begins chewing its way through rock and spewing debris in its wake)

(cut to the upper elevator lobby. Pennoch approaches Ahkna)

Penoch: Kalish sensors report an unusual energy discharge in the cavern.

Ahkna: The status of the crystherium?

Penoch: Unknown. We've lost contact with the Strike Team.

Ahkna: And Crichton?

Penoch: He has activated the drill and is coring through solid rock. Impossible to predict his destination, my love. (Pennoch seems to instantly realize his faux pas at letting a personal endearment slip at this unhappy moment)

Ahkna: I'll tell you your destination, my love - a frelling torture station if you don't stop him!

(cut back to our crew in the thrumming Rabrokator)

John: Fine, well you at least know how to get where we're goin' right?

D'Argo: No...

John: Oh, then go faster. (they're all nearly thrown off their feet as the car jerks roughly)

D'Argo: (from between clenched teeth) Here's faster. (the Rabrokator throws itself ahead and the noise level increases as well as the turbulence)

John: (yelling over the racket of rocks being ground) IT'S A HELL OF A RIDE! (then the car begins to spin - the crew stands pressed against the walls, hanging onto the rails for dear life. John's been on carnival rides like this ) KINDA FUN, HUH? (no-one seems to be having fun, and a scream of what sounds like shattering glass is heard) OKAY - IT'S NO LONGER A JOKE!

(cut to the conference room where Staleek is meeting with Secretary Vakali of the Kalish and General Rahzaro of the Charrids)

Staleek: Protection of the crystherium was your #1 priority!

Rahzaro: Yes my Lord - but it was not I who gave permission for the access codes.

Vakali: What are you implying Rahzaro? We had nothing- (the two men start to bicker, but Staleek cuts them off)

Staleek: DO NOT GIVE ME YOUR EXCUSES! (at that moment, Jenek enters with urgent news)

Jenek: Sire - Commandant Grayza refuses to acknowledge on all frequencies.

Staleek: I credit her choice of suicide over failure. How are you positioned?

Jenek: While they will be accorded every opportunity to cease fire - Peacekeeper Command will find no fault with our self-defense.

Staleek: (to the hapless Rahzaro and Vakali) Captain Jenek here epitomizes the competence I demand. (to Jenek) Perhaps you can next assist Minister Ahkna in her follies. Capture Crichton, and her job will be yours.

Jenek: Sire. (he inclines his head, and then strides purposefully out)

Staleek: (to the chastened Charrid and Kalish) Fools.

(cut back to the Command Carrier operations center)

Grayza: Tell me when target acquisitions are complete.

Braca: Ma'am - (he comes to stand near her and say in a low tone) - there is no battle here, Ma'am.

Grayza: Why are you so averse to conflict Captain?

Braca: (vehement and frustrated) ) And why are you so adverse- (but he cuts himself off)

Grayza: (quietly) How dare you. Who do you think you are?

Braca: (with dignity) Captain Miklo Braca, Officer of the Fleet, Peacekeeper Interplanetary Service.

Grayza: Oh. Nobody. (she walks away from him)

Braca: (quietly) Ma'am - you'll start a war. (others of the PK crew in the area have become aware of the conflict between Braca and Grayza. The Sergeant in particular is watching them like a hawk as they speak in low tones)

Grayza: A war is inevitable.

Braca: We sail under a flag of truce. Let us leave beneath its protection.

Grayza: (snide) Didn't Scorpius tell you? Truce with the Scarrans is suicide.

Braca: Ah. (a bit louder) So the men and women - of this vessel - must pay for your miscalculation with their lives?

Grayza: It's for the greater good, Captain. And we shall all be remembered as heroes. (the Command crew watch, some openly, some from the corners of their eyes, Braca walks away from Grayza. He then turns back to her, and stands at attention)

Braca: Commandant Grayza; under Article 6-Rulu, Uniform Code of Admiralty Conduct, Section 19; due to a state of incapacitation of judgment displayed in multiple encounters - under stress - I hereby invoke the Transfer of Command and relieve you of duty immediately. (Grayza's stare is cold and filled with utter contempt as she laughs a little)

Grayza: (a sudden, vicious bark) OFFICER OF THE DECK! (the Sergeant steps up) WEAPON! ZA! WOULD YOU BE SO KIND AS TO SHOOT THIS MUTINOUS CAPTAIN DEAD WHERE HE STANDS? (she turns her back on them and the Sergeant levels his gun - at Grayza)

PKSergeant: Sorry Ma'am - Captain Braca has already relieved you of command. (Grayza looks back at Braca - her smile and nod are almost imperceptible)

Braca: (quietly) Now let's get this ship out of here.

(cut back to the Rabrokator as it spins and grinds on its hellish path through the planet of Katratzi. Scorpius is sitting on the floor and moping next to Sikozu, who's still mercifully unconscious. Aeryn and John are hanging onto the handrail and panting)

John: Never did - like Disneyland. (they yelp as the car suddenly stops spinning and they're both thrown to the floor) Whoa - Dad are we there yet?

Aeryn: My head hurts. (and then of course - Chiana)

Chiana: (laughing giddily) Let's go again!

And true to the adage that the harder one screams, the faster it goes - the tunneling machine suddenly breaks free of whatever it got hung up on and spins off on its bore to who knows where with our wailing heroes inside.

Meanwhile, up in the conference room. Rahzaro, his second, Tugar - and Vakali are lined up at attention in front of Staleek who's in the midst of an organizational shake-up.

Staleek: (heated) From this moment on you will disregard her status as Ruling Class Scarran and ignore Minister Ahkna's orders. Am I clear? (someone fearfully whispers an acknowledgment: "Sire...") Besides myself, John Crichton is the single most important person on this base! AM I CLEAR? (the Rabrokator continues its blind, thunderous, rock-spewing search for the surface) Apprehend him and bring him before me - now. (at that moment, the room begins to shudder and rumble. Everyone staggers and yelps as they reach to steady themselves. The Charrids know what it is)

Rahzaro: Your Excellency! You must leave now! It's the elevator! (he pulls Staleek aside just as the drill face of Rabrokator begins to break through the floor. Sparks and debris fly as it cuts through power conduits and destroys everything in its vicinity. Inside, without the stabilizing force of solid rock to act as a shock absorber, our heroes are tossed about like ragdolls. Finally the drilling machine shakes itself to death - and in the silence, everyone picks themselves up)

Aeryn: Did we hit the surface?

John: I dunno - let's find out. Dee - the doors. (meanwhile, having gotten the Emperor out of the room, Rahzaro organizes his men)

Rahzaro: SECURE THE EMPERORS SAFETY! YOU, YOU AND YOU, WITH ME!

Staleek: ALIVE! KEEP CRICHTON ALIVE!

Rahzaro: (acknowledging Staleeks order) SIRE! (the Emperor stomps off and the Charrids kick away enough debris so they can form a ragged firing line before the elevator)

CharridSoldier: General Rahzaro - it's Crichton and the others!

Rahzaro: Be ready! (they train their weapons on the silent elevator poking halfway up through the floor. Meanwhile, in the car - the crew of Moya looks around, panting)

John: Lights're not workin'.

D'Argo: Nothing's working.

John: Let's find out where we are. (John hoists himself up to an emergency hatch in the ceiling. But the instant he cracks it, Rahzaro yells "FIRE!" The ensuing barrage plinks harmlessly off the hatch as John slams it shut and drops back down) O-kay- that's no good.

Aeryn: Where are we?

John: Um - conference room.

Aeryn: Wot? (at that moment, they hear Rahzaro's muffled yell from outside)

Rahzaro: COME OUT NOW OR DIE!

Chiana: Are we cursed? Could we be cursed?

Aeryn: Well that depends on whether this will hold.

Rahzaro: Fire again! (another volley of Charrid pulse fire hits the car)

Scorpius: (quietly) The Rabrokator is quite strong.

D'Argo: (his voice is a nauseous growl) We can't stay here forever. What about that hatch? (he indicates another portal, in the floor of the car. But Sikozu has regained consciousness and responds)

Sikozu: No. No it'll be a drop of at least a metra. (John hits his comm in a desperate search for Plan F. As he speaks, Scorpius crawls across the floor and opens the lower hatch)

John: Sparky? Grandma? (the scene begins to shift between those on the Rabrokator and Rygel, Stark and Noranti, who are hunkered down near the Katratzi docking bay)

Rygel: (whispering anxiously) Where have you been? We're at D'Argo's ship and it's crawling with Scarrans!

D'Argo: Here's our chance to see if Lo'La's reactivated. Rygel are you standing near the ship?

Rygel: Well clear - why? (in response, D'Argo barks an order in Luxan)

D'Argo: Rooshkuhl habeeshku-DOK! (the sound of Lo'La powering up is heard and Rygel yells at the Scarrans standing near her)

Rygel: Hey! raskater! (but the Hynerian's intent is not noble. The hapless Scarrans turn right into the flaring force-field around D'Argo's ship and are knocked senseless. Rygel whispers excitedly:)

Rygel: That did it! The guards are down! We did it!

(meanwhile - on the level of the crystherium cavern - the doors of another elevator open and Jenek steps out, giving report as he goes)

Jenek: We've reached the crystherium chamber. (he advances to the actual greenhouse and comes upon the corpses of the Strike Team) All dead. (he growls softly as he passes them and looks out over the flowerbeds at the unmolested mother plant)

(cut back to the conference room)

Rahzaro: Hold your positions until reinforcements arrive. I - WILL CHECK - ON THE EMPEROR! (he indicates the Rabrokator) THEY ARE NOT TO LEAVE HERE! (meanwhile, inside the battered car, everyone is sitting down, trapped and exhausted)

John: Grasshopper - how important is that mother plant?

Scorpius: I would trade my life - for its destruction.

John: What about my wormhole debt?

Scorpius: (with a nod) Of course. (John rises and hits his comm)

John: Ryg? Are you in Lo'La?

Rygel: (cut briefly to him, Noranti and Stark) Yes Crichton - we're safe. (and back in the Rabrokator - Johns bomb suddenly comes alive in his hands - and he drops it into the black shaft beneath the car)

Scorpius: (quietly) What have you done John? (he, John and Aeryn peer into the pit)

John: Just fixed your little flower problem.

Aeryn: You reactivated it didn't you?

John: Yeah. It should go off in about... 60 microts.

Chiana: And then it explodes?

John: Yeah.

Chiana: A big explosion? (John grunts noncommittally. The nuke hurtles, chittering furiously, down the newly created shaft. Suddenly, John remembers the Democracy Thing)

John: Oh. God - we should have voted. (louder, desultorily) All in favor - show of hands. (he raises his and the others stare at him. Then Aeryn and Scorpius raise theirs - a little) All opposed. (Chiana and D'Argo cast their votes) 3 to 2 - Sikozu abstains.

Sikozu: The concussive pressure must exit through the elevator system.

D'Argo: (wearily) And this shaft…

Scorpius: At this distance - the compartment should protect us. (he slams the lower hatch shut)

Aeryn: It might work.

Sikozu: We'll find out in 15 microts.

Meanwhile, Rahzaro, having no doubt just been thoroughly reamed by Staleek, runs back into the conference room, roaring at the elevator car:

Rahzaro: THIS IS YOU LAST CHANCE! COME OUT NOW!

But in the Rabrokator car, Chiana seeks solace in D'Argo's arms. Sikozu huddles with Scorpius and Aeryn and John sit close.

John: Love you.

Aeryn: Love you too.

And down at the level of the crystherium cavern, Jenek re-enters his elevator car.

Jenek: (on comm) Emperor - the crystheriums are intact. The matriarch plant has not been harmed. Our fears were completely groundless. (something crashes through the glass of the upper hatch window of Jeneks car. And far above, Sikozu counts down...)

Sikozu: 3...

Jenek and his men look up.

Sikozu: 2...

Johns nuke falls neatly into the perplexed hands of poor Jenek. Up above, Aeryn and John share a final kiss, Down below, Jeneks permanently furrowed brow furrows a bit more as he eyes the words "Hi THERE" on the object in his hands. Suddenly him, his men, the elevator car and the crystherium cavern disappear in a brilliant blue-white flash. Up above, the crew of Moya huddle closer as the shining blast of the nuclear bomb rumbles its way up the shaft roward them. In the Katratzi docking bay, Noranti, Rygel and Stark feel the quake of the approaching shock wave as well. In the ruined conference room, the Charrids are perplexed by the distant thunder.

Rahzaro: (deeply apprehensive) What is that?

He hasn't long to wonder. For at that moment, the nuclear blast erupts out of the shaft, around the miraculously impervious Rabrokator - and instantly vaporized him and his troops. And from orbit - the subterranean explosion on Katratzi can he seen as a series of small blue flashes erupting from various points across its surface Back in the Rabrokator, as the shock wave passes - Aeryn and Johns embrace is interrupted by the outraged voice of Rygel on comm:

Rygel: Crichton! What the hezmana just happened? Where are you, you fahrbot? Did you blow up the bomb? HOW COULD YOU BLOW UP THE BOMB?

John: You missed the vote.

(cut to some time later as Moya hurries through space. Noranti, Rygel and Stark are in Pilots Den)

Pilot: (uncertainly) I... never thought I'd see you again Stark.

Stark: (inscrutably) And I always believed I would.

Pilot: It is a pleasure to have you aboard.

Rygel: Time for another starburst Pilot.

Pilot: Moya and I believe 4 is enough. She's tired and there's no evidence that anyone is pursuing us.

Stark: The Scarrans must still be too busy on Katratzi.

Rygel: (baleful) They got off easy. (Noranti and Stark exchange small smiles)

Noranti: And to celebrate the victory - I shall cook a voluptuous caspitian haunch stew. (Rygel gasps rapturously and Pilot almost smiles...)

(cut to D'Argo's quarters. He's in bed under a fur robe. Chiana is with him and they lay with their faces close to one another's. The Nebari rolls onto her back and stretches sensuously, arching her back under the furs. They both laugh with pleasure as she paddles her legs and murmurs:)

Chiana: More...

D'Argo: (softly) More...

Chiana: More...

D'Argo: More...

(cut to Scorpius' cell. He and Sikozu look at each other from across the room with guarded longing)

Scorpius: How long does it take for you to recover?

Sikozu: I do not know. (she shakes her head a little) I've never done this - before. (he looks away and she comes to him. She reaches out and touches his chin, turning his face toward her own - and she kisses his lips briefly. He pulls away - but she brings his face back to hers and indulges in a long, increasingly passionate embrace - which he reciprocates)

(cut to Aeryn and John. They're fully clothed and lounging listlessly next to each other on separate couches. John is drinking and Aeryn is staring at the ceiling, her arms folded over her tummy. John seems almost as pleased as Pilot was to see Stark again)

John: Stark... (Aeryn grunts almost inaudibly) Everything old is new again. Except the old thing's gettin' really old. (he takes a drink, sets his cup down and bitterly ponders his latest adventure) Hey... Honey. Guess what I did at work today? I wore a bomb. (there's a long pause before he continues dreamily) A nuclear bomb in a field of flowers... (he sighs and blinks slowly. Aeryn turns her face toward him) I could get lucky. Tomorrow I could have a bigger bomb. (Aeryn slowly sits up) I could kill - more people. Maybe they'll be innocent people. Children. Maybe...

They lay there on their sides staring at each other for a long moment. John lowers his eyes and sighs. Aeryn reaches out at last and quietly strokes his hair, runs her fingers around his ear... He leans into her hand - and finally rests his head on her arm, heartbroken by the universe - and his part in it.

THE END