Marshmallows In Jell-O, Part 1

[The Whole Brain]

Title: Marshmallows in Jell-O, part 1: A Rocket and a Hard One

Author: The Whole Brain

Email: thewholebrain@wdsection.com

Disclaimer: Farscape does not belong to the Whole Brain and the Whole Brain has not made any profit off of this story at all. FARSCAPE and all related characters and elements are trademarks of The Jim Henson Company.

Summary: This takes place immediately after Fractures. The Whole Brain doesn’t want to give anything away just now.

Spoilers: Anything up through Fractures. The Whole Brain has not seen the final four episodes yet.

Feedback: The Whole Brain would greatly appreciate any constructive comments you may have on this script.

Archive: If anybody wishes to archive this, the Whole Brain would like you to ask the Whole Brain first.

Note: Marshmallows in Jell-O, Part 2 will ‘air’... err ... soon?

Note Deux: The Whole Brain is not able to post this in one post so each act will be posted as replies to this thread.

–

TEASER

FADE IN:
INT. MOYA'S MESS

Aeryn is sitting at the table, staring into her cup. Crais comes in and crosses the room to pull a decanter and a cup from a shelf. He sits down across from her and fills his glass then offers the decanter to her. She declines and continues to stare into her cup. They sit silently for a moment.

CRAIS
I'm sorry.

AERYN
I know.

CRAIS
When Tauvo died...

AERYN
Don't. Just don't.

CRAIS
Aeryn ... don't be me.

Aeryn is startled by Crais' pronouncement and perhaps the realization that it is entirely possible he might understand what she is feeling.

AERYN
This is not easy.

CRAIS
No, it's not. But you cannot go back to what you were. That Aeryn Sun does not exist any more.

AERYN
It was easier then. No attachments, no pain.

CRAIS
That is not a better life. My brother was the only anchor I had to who I was and when he died I lost all reason. He was the better part of me and it has taken this long to get back to a point where I believe there may still be a better part.

AERYN
It isn't the same.

CRAIS
No. But I understand loss and the attendant madness.

CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE MOYA'S MESS -- CONTINUOUS

John Crichton is walking down the hallway, approaching the mess. He hesitates when he hears Aeryn and Crais talking.

AERYN (O.S.)
I can't talk about this now.

CRAIS (O.S.)
Aeryn, we are comrades and I hope friends. If you will not or cannot talk to anybody else, I wish you would talk with me.

INT. MOYA'S MESS -- CONTINUOUS

Crichton enters the mess but hangs back by the doorway, listening to Aeryn and Crais' conversation.

AERYN
How frelled is a universe that lets this happen? That I can lose him one day and step off a transport pod the next and there he is with that ridiculous grin of his. Absurd human.

CRAIS
Perhaps it is a universe that's given you a second chance.

AERYN
But I can't even look at him.

CRICHTON
I wish I had something really snazzy to say right now.

Aeryn and Crais are startled by Crichton's sudden appearance and Aeryn is absolutely mortified. She stares back down at her cup. Crichton walks fully into the room, passing Aeryn and Crais without a look or a word and heading to the refrigeration unit. Crichton pulls out a piece of fruit and a bottle of water and then starts back across the room. He stops by the table, next to Aeryn.

CRICHTON
Sometimes I wish I'd never come here but then I see your face ...

Aeryn and Crichton look at each other briefly but Crichton can't finish what he is saying and continues on his way out.

CRICHTON
If anybody needs me I'll be poking holes in my pressure suit.

CUT TO:
INT. MOYA'S LANDING BAY -- LATER

Crichton is sitting back in his module, his eyes are closed and he is very emotional. He is trying to find some comfort in the familiar environment. Reaching out blindly he opens a small compartment and sticks his hand inside. He opens his eyes when he cannot seem to find what he is looking for. He digs around the compartment and then begins to look through his module. He pops the canopy and climbs out in order to better search frantically through the module.

Chiana enters the bay and sees Crichton pulling things out of his module.

CHIANA
Hey old man, what're you doing?

CRICHTON
Hey Pip. You haven't been in my module, have you?

CHIANA
No. Why?

Crichton is distracted by his search and it seems that he is almost talking to himself.

CRICHTON
That lock of Aeryn's hair. I keep it in Farscape but I can't find it. Did I take it out? Frell. Where the hell would I put it?

He jumps down and with a last annoyed glance at his module starts out of the landing bay.

INT. HALLWAY IN MOYA -- CONTINUOUS

Crichton is walking quickly down the hallway and Chiana is hurrying to keep up.

CRICHTON
Did you want something, Chi?

CHIANA
Just wanted to make sure you were okay.

CRICHTON
Why wouldn't I be?

They come to Crichton's quarters and enter.

INT. CRICHTON'S QUARTERS -- CONTINUOUS

Crichton immediately starts searching through his room. Tearing things apart, shifting his belongings, tossing stuff on the floor. Chiana stands just inside the door.

CHIANA
Well it looks a lot like you're going fharbot again.

CRICHTON
I've always been fharbot.

Crichton throws his blanket on the floor in disgust.

CRICHTON
I'm fine, Chiana, just frelled as usual.

Crichton pushes past her and leaves his room again. Chiana doesn't follow him. She pulls a little leather pouch out of her bodice and removes the missing lock of Aeryn's hair. She stares at it for a moment and then with a look of resolve puts it back in the pouch and tucks it away again.

CUT TO:
INT. MOYA'S TERRACE -- MOMENTS LATER

Crichton, in his nearly obsessive quest for the missing lock of Aeryn's hair comes to the Terrace. He stalks along the edge of the room, scanning the floor when something on the far side catches his eye. It is the notebook the other John took with him to Talyn. Crichton approaches it slowly and sits down next to it.

CRICHTON
Not mine, gotta be his.

He picks it up and leafs through the pages and stops when he comes to a page of star charts. He is hit with an idea.

CRICHTON
Star charts.

BLACKOUT:
CREDITS

END OF TEASER

ACT ONE

FADE IN:
INT. MOYA'S COMMAND DECK -- LATER

On command Crichton is going through every star chart he can get his hands on and checking logs of sensor readings. Pilot is on the clamshell viewer.

CRICHTON
Pilot, is this all?

PILOT
Commander, I have given you all the information on wormholes in Moya's data banks.

CRICHTON
What about Linfer's ship? You and Moya were pretty tight with her, did you get any telemetry from her ship?

Pilot is getting testy with Crichton's endless requests for information, particularly when he has already given the Commander everything he has.

PILOT
I am certain I have given you everything but I will check again, Crichton.

CRICHTON
Thanks.

Crais comes on to command and strides up to the console Crichton is working on.

CRAIS
Wormholes?

CRICHTON
That's what it's all about.

CRAIS
What exactly are you looking for?

CRICHTON
A few weekens ago we got a little visit from one of Scorpy's scientists.

CRAIS
Here? On Moya?

CRICHTON
She wanted to defect and take a Leviathan Lines tour of deep space. So, she tracked us down through a wormhole nexus. Scorpy was at one end and we were at the other.

CRAIS
And now you wish to find another such nexus.

CRICHTON
Yeah. So I'm back tracing. Going through every sensor log we've got and matching it up with every star chart I can find. See if I can find similar subspace disruptions and maybe figure out where Scorpy's got his carrier parked.

CRAIS
I can give you access to Talyn's sensor data if you like.

CRICHTON
That'll be great.

CRAIS
Have you retrieved the data from the Farscape module?

CRICHTON
Yeah, dude, she's my ship. I know what's on her.

CRAIS
No, I mean the module on Talyn.

Crichton is stunned. It is clear that he didn't know about the second Farscape module.

CRICHTON
On Talyn.

CRAIS
It was present at the formation of a wormhole. Talyn's sensors were damaged at the time but I believe the module was functioning properly. I imagine it might have some useful data.

Crichton is showing every sign of being extremely pissed off but he struggles to keep his temper in check.

He turns without another word to Crais and leaves the command deck quickly.

CUT TO:
INT. MOYA'S WORK ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER

Aeryn is sitting at a work table cleaning some weaponry. Crichton enters the room and walks over to stand next to Aeryn. He is tense with fury.

CRICHTON
You couldn't tell me?

Aeryn glances up at Crichton, she's not really sure what he is talking about but she doesn't say a word and goes back to what she is doing.

CRICHTON
See the thing is Aeryn whenever I want to know what happened to the other guy nobody will tell me. They all say I've got to hear it from you. Only you won't talk to me.

Crichton is becoming increasingly agitated.

CRICHTON
You stood next to me. You stood up when I said I was going after Scorpius and I thought that meant you'd give me a break here, Aeryn. Instead I've got to find out from Crais that there's another Farscape because you can't break down that goddamned Peacekeeper wall you're hiding behind for two seconds to tell me that.

Aeryn just can't come up with anything to say to him. She's not trying to hurt him but she honestly doesn't know how to talk to him right now. Crichton realizes that yelling at her isn't going to do him any good. He tries to calm himself down and now he is almost pleading with her, begging for some sort of response from her.

CRICHTON
I know you can't stand the sight of me right now, Aeryn, and if I thought it would do any good or make things easier for you I'd throw myself out an airlock. God knows I'd feel better. But whatever is going on between us, you have to know that this is important.

She looks up at him, as if she is about to speak but an instant later she looks away, still silent. She is obviously in pain and now Crichton is similarly affected.

CRICHTON
You're still not going to say anything, huh? Well, gee, Aeryn, I really wish we had all the time in the world for your little problem but you know what, we don't. If you decide you can pull your dren together, the rest of us will be on command.

Crichton is back to his earlier irritation and he leaves the room frustrated and disappointed.

CUT TO:
INT. MOYA'S COMMAND DECK – LATER

Jool, Chiana, D'Argo, Crais, Rygel and Crichton are gathered on the command deck. Crichton is sitting at a table, the other John's notebook in front of him. Jool and Crais are sitting across from him and D'Argo and Chiana are standing next to them. Rygel hovers nearby. Crichton has just explained the next part of his plan to them and the crew is arguing accordingly.

Aeryn enters the room and sits down to one side of Crichton. He takes immediate notice of her, as does Chiana, the rest of the crew are caught up in their discussion.

Throughout the argument, Crichton and Aeryn are silent but they are having an intense battle of wills.

JOOL
You're right, D'Argo, he is completely insane.

D'ARGO
(to Crichton)
You cannot honestly expect us to spend the next who knows how many monens flying aimlessly around hoping for some sign of Scorpius.

CRAIS
It is not really that unreasonable, Ka D'Argo. Crichton and Scorpius have the same goal, they will look for the same things.

Crichton stares at Aeryn as she settles in her seat and she finally raises her eyes to meet his. She notices the notebook sitting in front of Crichton and she recognizes it but she makes no move towards it.

D'ARGO
Believe me Crais, I know exactly how John goes about looking for 'things'.

CRAIS
And with Talyn's intelligence gathering capabilities, I'm certain we will find Scorpius sooner rather then later.

Crichton, in a deliberately provocative move, pulls the notebook towards him and opens it. He flips through a few pages and picks one, seemingly at random.

JOOL
So we can be killed today rather than tomorrow. You know I really don't understand this obsessive need you people have to find new ways to get yourselves killed. If you ask me...

CHIANA
Shut up, Princess.

Crichton makes sure that he has Aeryn's full attention and he slowly rips one of the pages out of the notebook. He is almost daring her to react but she remains stone faced. Every move he makes is designed to try to pull some reaction from her.

RYGEL
She has a point. So what if we do find them? We are hardly a match for a command carrier. They'll just blow the yotz out of us as soon as we show our faces.

CRAIS
They want Crichton too much to kill him immediately.

RYGEL
And what about the rest of us? I want to live long enough to string my cousin up by his entrails.

Chiana notices what's going on between Crichton and Aeryn and she is now only half paying attention to the conversation as she watches the pair curiously.

CHIANA
I'm sure John has a plan.

D'ARGO
Wonderful. I love John's plans. They always turn out so well, don't they? Like this one for example, we stumble around the uncharted territories like blind gorta-rels until we get lucky and run into a frelling command carrier.

Crichton is very deliberate in his actions as he begins to fold the paper into a paper airplane, complete with ailerons.

CRAIS
How else did you expect this to be done?

CHIANA
He's right, D'Argo. We have to start somewhere.

D'ARGO
So now you're siding with the Peacekeeper over me?

CRAIS
I am not a Peacekeeper.

D'ARGO
You smell like one.

Crichton continues folding the paper and Aeryn's face is becoming harder and Chiana is the only one aware of the increasing tension between Crichton and Aeryn. She realizes with some alarm that the situation is quickly becoming dangerous.

CHIANA
D'Argo. Hey, D'Argo.

D'ARGO
All I am saying is that before we go...

CHIANA
D'Argo.

Crichton completes the airplane and locks eyes with Aeryn again, waiting for just a moment to see if she will say or do anything, but as she has through the entire encounter, she remains unresponsive. Crichton throws the airplane in D'Argo's direction and it promptly nose-dives. He regards it for a minute.

CRICHTON
Aw frell. Look at all that humanity.

D'ARGO
John are you paying attention?

CRICHTON
No.

Crichton stands up and starts to leave the room.

CRICHTON
Pilot. Take us back to the wormhole nexus Linfer came through. Crais, you're with me.

Crais reacts automatically to the command and stands up to follow him.

CRAIS
Where?

CRICHTON
Talyn.

Crichton exits. Crais follows. The rest of the crew show various degrees of frustration and annoyance.

JOOL
Well since nobody here wants to listen to any logical, reasonable thoughts, I'll just go back to scraping Boolite off the walls.

D'ARGO
Stupid human.

CHIANA
Frell off, D'Argo.

CUT TO:
EXT. MOYA – LATER

We see Moya flying happily through space when suddenly she is surrounded by a swarm of small fighter ships. Not quite as lethal looking as Prowlers. More like annoying gnats. They attack but their weapons aren't powerful enough to do serious damage to Moya, but they are painful stings. They target some of the more sensitive areas of Moya and she is forced to make evasive maneuvers.

CUT TO:
INT. MOYA'S COMMAND DECK -- MOMENTS LATER

Aeryn is on command talking to Pilot on the clamshell viewer. D'Argo and Chiana have just arrived.

PILOT
Moya is taking evasive action but they are targeting critical systems.

AERYN
Can we starburst?

PILOT
No, Aeryn, they are firing on propulsion and their attack pattern is confusing Moya's sensors.

D'ARGO
Who are they?

AERYN
They look like pirates.

CHIANA
Pirates?

PILOT
We are on a network of shipping lanes that cross between several systems. Moya and I thought the route would be safe.

AERYN
It's not your fault, Pilot.

PILOT
Moya has sent out a distress call to Talyn. However, he was well ahead and it will take him almost half-an-arn to get back to us.

AERYN
D'Argo, have you figured out the weapons systems on that piece of dren ship of yours?

D'ARGO
It is not a piece of dren.

CHIANA
No, he hasn't.

D'ARGO
How would you know?

CHIANA
Everyone on this ship can hear your temper tantrums, D'Argo. Do all Luxan children whine as loud as you? Or is it just a warrior thing?

D'ARGO
I do not whine.

CHIANA
No, you have hyper-rages. You haven't forgotten about throwing John across the cargo bay and almost killing him, have you?

Aeryn frowns in concern.

AERYN
You almost killed Crichton?

D'Argo looks embarrassed.

D'ARGO
If people would just stay away from the ship, like I asked them too, I wouldn't lose my temper.

Pilot interrupts their argument, his voice panicked.

PILOT
Officer Sun! We have been boarded. DRDs report four armed intruders. Two are headed to command and ... two are on their way to my den!

D'ARGO
Good. Something to shoot.

AERYN
Don't panic, Pilot. We're on our way.

INT. HALLWAY IN MOYA – CONTINUOUS

Aeryn, D'Argo, and Chiana, all armed, are striding down the hall.

CHIANA
Uh, shouldn't we leave somebody up in command, in case the pirates get up there?

Aeryn glances at her then activates her comm.

AERYN
Rygel. Get up to command.

She closes the comm before Rygel can do more then sputter.

D'ARGO
The pirates will not get past us.

Just as D'Argo says that last line they round a corner and run into two of the pirates at a junction. The pirates open fire and Aeryn, D'Argo and Chiana return it. One pirate goes down and the other retreats further down the hallway.

AERYN
D'Argo, I've got Pilot's den.

Aeryn takes off down an adjacent passageway.

D'ARGO
Fine. Chiana go with her.

CHIANA
Don't you need help?

D'ARGO
No.

D'Argo roars and runs down the hall after the now terrified pirate.
Chiana stands and watches him go.

CHIANA
Frell.

CUT TO:
INT. PILOT'S DEN -- MOMENTS LATER

Pilot is clearly agitated, his arms are flailing around, and his voice is still panicked.

PILOT
Aeryn?

Aeryn runs into the room, scanning for bad guys and runs up to Pilot.

AERYN
I'm here, Pilot. Can you tell where they are?

Aeryn barely gets that question out before the other two pirates come into the room. They open fire on Aeryn and she is forced to take cover to one side of Pilot's console. Aeryn drops one of the pirates and the other starts to back away towards the door. They continue to exchange heavy fire. The door opens suddenly and Chiana appears behind the pirate. She is almost hit by Aeryn's fire and she has to duck.

CHIANA
Fek, Aeryn.

The pirate takes advantage of the confusion and Aeryn's momentary hesitation and he grabs Chiana.

PIRATE #1
(to Chiana)
Drop the pistol.

Chiana complies and he backs out the door with her in front of him as a 'human' shield.
Pilot works frantically at his console and shouts out to Aeryn as she runs from the room after the pirate and Chiana.

PILOT
I think they're heading towards the landing bay.

AERYN
Have D'Argo meet me there.

CUT TO:
INT. MOYA'S LANDING BAY -- MOMENTS LATER

D'Argo is there waiting and the pirate and Chiana enter from another door across the bay from him. Pirate #1 starts to edge the two of them towards his craft. D'Argo points his Qualta blade at them.

D'ARGO
Where do you think you're going?

The pirate freezes for a moment then starts moving again.

PIRATE #1
I know you wouldn't shoot a crewmate, Luxan. Your kind are too frelling honorable.

Chiana starts to laugh.

CHIANA
Oh did you pick the wrong person to kidnap. He'll have no problem shooting me to get at you. He was going to ask me to marry him.

PIRATE #1
So?

CHIANA
So? I slept with his son.

PIRATE #1
Tralk.

Aeryn comes into the room next to D'Argo.

AERYN
Talyn's here.

D'Argo smiles triumphantly.

D'ARGO
Our other ship is here. Why not just give up and save us all the hassle? We won't hurt you.

AERYN
Much.

The pirate looks on the verge of panic, he grabs Chiana around the throat and runs over to his ship. They get in and the pirate starts up the engine.

D'ARGO
Oh nice job, Aeryn.

Aeryn gives D'Argo a dangerous look but she doesn't have time to say anything because the hangar bay doors start to open and she and D'Argo are forced back so they don't get sucked out into space.

AERYN
Pilot, shut the hangar doors. Don't let them out.

PILOT
He is overriding Moya's systems, somehow. I do not have door control.

CUT TO:
EXT. MOYA – CONTINUOUS

Talyn has come swooping in and he is picking off the pirate swarm. We see another ship exit Moya and start to fly away.

CUT TO:
INT. TALYN'S BRIDGE – CONTINUOUS

Crais and Crichton are standing on the bridge, working at two separate consoles, directing the battle between Talyn and the pirate craft.

The comm crackles to life.

AERYN (O.S.)
Crais. Don't fire on the ship leaving Moya. They have Chiana.

Crais and Crichton make a quick appraisal of the situation, there are still a number of pirate ships swarming Moya and now Talyn.

CRICHTON
Can D'Argo go after them in his ship?

The comm is silent.

CRAIS
Aeryn?

AERYN (O.S.)
No. He can't get its frelling systems to work.

CRAIS
There are still too many of them for us to leave Moya.

Crichton pounds his fist against the console and they watch the other vessel escape.

CRICHTON
Damn it.

END OF ACT ONE

[The Whole Brain]

ACT TWO

FADE IN:
INT. MOYA'S COMMAND DECK – LATER

Crais and Crichton, having defeated the pirate swarm, come back onboard Moya and now they are on command where Crichton is confronting Aeryn and D'Argo. Crichton is absolutely livid, possibly unreasonably so, but he's had a bad day.

CRICHTON
You let them take Chiana?

D'ARGO
We didn't let them do anything.

Crichton doesn't want to hear that from D'Argo and he raises his voice.

CRICHTON
You let them take Chiana.

D'Argo is tired of Crichton's attitude and he yells back.

D'ARGO
We did not!

CRICHTON
You expect me to believe that four piss-ant pirates can board Moya and you and the little peacekeeper that could couldn't get the drop on them?

D'ARGO
I don't care what you believe. Perhaps if you had been here instead of chasing wormholes, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

CRAIS
This is not helping retrieve Chiana.

AERYN
He's right, D'Argo. Pilot.

Pilot appears on the clamshell.

PILOT
Yes, Aeryn?

AERYN
Can Moya track that ship?

PILOT
There has been some damage to Moya's sensors and propulsion, it will take time.

CRAIS
I'll have Talyn track it.

CRICHTON
Chiana could be dead by the time we find it.

D'ARGO
Well why don't we just ask where they'd go?

CRICHTON
Ask who?

D'Argo is a little smug when he replies.

D'ARGO
The pirate I had the foresight to stuff in a holding cell.

Aeryn smirks. Crichton glowers.

CRICHTON
Where is he?

CUT TO:
INT. HOLDING CELL ON MOYA -- MOMENTS LATER

Crichton strides into the cell, up to the captive pirate and grabbing him by his collar, shoves him up against the bulkhead.

CRICHTON
Where would your partner in slime take my friend?

PIRATE #2
I don't know what you're talking about.

CRICHTON
Wrong answer.

Crichton pulls the pirate back and tosses him to the floor, then he draws his pulse pistol and shoots the pirate in the leg. Aeryn and D'Argo walk in just as John fires. D'Argo runs up to John, grabs him from behind and locks him in a control hold, preventing him from firing his weapon again.

D'ARGO
We're not going to find her this way.

CRICHTON
Get your hands off me.

Pirate #2 is gasping and groaning on the floor but he is also following the conversation and he's pissed about getting shot so he can't resist getting a dig in.

PIRATE #2
(to Crichton)
Don't worry, after a while your woman will have a good time.

Crichton goes ballistic and it's everything D'Argo can do to restrain him.

D'ARGO
Crichton, stop it. Don't make me tongue you.

The pirate watches the struggling pair, real terror in his eyes now as he realizes whose ship it was he tried to take over.

PIRATE #2
Crichton? Oh frell.

AERYN
You know who we are? Good.

Aeryn goes over to the pirate and steps on his leg wound, grinding the heel of her boot into it. She ignores his scream and points her pulse pistol at his head.

AERYN
Then you should also know I'm not as patient as he is. Where would your comrade go?

CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE – LATER

The fleeing pirate craft flies by the destroyed remains of a cargo ship. There are no other ships around.

CUT TO:
INT. PIRATE CRAFT – CONTINUOUS

Chiana is sitting, propped in the copilot's seat of the vessel. Her arms are bound behind her and she is covertly examining the craft and watching the pirate pilot. She is also working at loosening the bonds holding her hands.

CHIANA
So, where're we going?

PIRATE #1
Shut up, tralk.

CHIANA
Come on, you can tell me. You did me a huge favor taking me off that fekt ship and I always return favors.

PIRATE #1
Yeah?

Chiana leans towards him and whispers suggestively.

CHIANA
Oh yeah.

The pirate seems somewhat cheered by the thought of Chiana returning the favor.

PIRATE #1
My group was supposed to meet the other half of our squad here, then go on to the planet.

CHIANA
I don't see anybody. Maybe they left already.

PIRATE #1
No, they're supposed to be here.

CHIANA
Well maybe they saw another fat transport to hit.

PIRATE #1
That's not the plan.

CHIANA
Plans get frelled. Did you guys destroy that ship?

Pirate #1 gives her a cocky smile, proud of his achievement.

PIRATE #1
Yeah, the crew didn't want to give it up and tried to space the cargo.

CHIANA
That's pretty impressive for a bunch of backworld pirates.

PIRATE #1
We're not pirates, we're privateers.

CHIANA
Yeah, whatever. Where do we go now? I mean, you're not really going to just sit out here and hope somebody comes back are you?

The pirate thinks about it for a moment.

PIRATE #1
We wait. That's the plan.

Chiana sits back, she's almost got her bonds loose. She looks out the window and sees something. There is a good sized ship out there, probably a third the size of Moya, it is sleek looking and bristling with sensors and weapons.

CHIANA
Looks like we didn't have to wait too long.

Pirate #1 follows her gaze and looks startled then fearful.

PIRATE #1
Draz. The Merchant Patrol. Trab'll kill me if I get arrested.

CHIANA
So let's get out of here.

PIRATE #1
No, I should try and get a message out, tell my squad the Patrol is here.

CHIANA
We can do that from the nearest comfortable planet.

PIRATE #1
They'll catch us.

CHIANA
Well yeah, if we just sit here.

The pirate is struck by indecision and so Chiana take it out of his hands. She's gotten free and she pulls his pistol and whacks him on the back of the head with it. She pushes his unconscious form out of the pilot's chair and takes over.

CHIANA
Amateurs.

CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE – CONTINUOUS

We see the pirate vessel, now piloted by Chiana, veer sharply away from the wrecked ship and the Merchant Patrol ship. She makes some evasive maneuvers then heads away from the wreck and out into open space.

CUT TO:
EXT. SPACEPORT ON A PLANET – AFTERNOON

Chiana dumps the pirate vessel in a crowded spaceport. She steps out of the ship and hears the all too familiar sound of an alarm and she sees three uniformed guards running towards her. Chiana takes off in the other direction, running around ships, ducking behind containers. She's just about to the knot of people waiting to get past the gate when she runs into a very big guy. Chiana takes a couple of steps back and sizes up this new person.

VERY BIG GUY
You're not Klivor Glibble.

CHIANA
Who?

VERY BIG GUY
That's his ship.

Chiana gives him a friendly smile and tries to edge around him.

CHIANA
Oh, Klivor. Yeah, sure. He, uh, he left something on the ship. You know? He's probably right behind me.

VERY BIG GUY
Where's the rest of the team then?

CHIANA
Um ...

Chiana suddenly looks over the big guy's shoulder and opens her eyes wide.

CHIANA
Oh, dren.

The big guy turns slightly to look and when he does Chiana kicks him in the stomach and dashes away again.

CHIANA
Big, dumb and stupid, the best kind.

She weaves agilely through the crowd and out onto the bustling streets surrounding the spaceport. The uniformed guards try to push through after her but she slips away from them, expertly losing herself in the masses of milling beings.

CUT TO:
EXT. MOYA – LATER

We see Moya hanging in space orbiting the planet Chiana ended up on. There are a couple of Merchant Patrol vessels nearby.

CUT TO:
INT. MOYA'S COMMAND DECK -- CONTINUOUS
D'Argo, Aeryn and Rygel are on command. Crichton enters. He is a little dirty, having obviously come from working on repairs to Moya.

CRICHTON
What the hell's the problem?

D'ARGO
The planet has been locked down. No ships are allowed on or off.

CRICHTON
For how long?

D'Argo shrugs.

CRICHTON
(gestures to the ships outside)
So who're these guys? The po-pos?

The rest of the crew share frowns of incomprehension.

CRICHTON
Junior Peacekeepers glee club? Local oppressors of the population? Sheriff of Nottingham? Just tell me what they want.

RYGEL
They know we were attacked by those brigands and now they want to come aboard and take a report. More likely they want to check our hold for contraband.

CRICHTON
Did you tell them that one of our crew members was kidnapped and we want to go find her?

D'Argo casts an uncomfortable look in Aeryn's direction but she is staring out the view screen.

D'ARGO
Aeryn says that this type of trade network usually has some ties to the Peacekeepers. We're trying not to tell them any more then we have to.

RYGEL
Fortunately for Chiana you were wise enough to allow me to deal with these wellnitzs.

CRICHTON
So I can go down and find her?

D'ARGO
Not exactly.

RYGEL
The lockdown is standard procedure when the trade routes are pirated. It should be lifted in a day or two.

CRICHTON
Buckwheat, I don't care what you have to do or who you have to spank, you've got one arn to convince them to let me down on that planet.

RYGEL
And if I can't?

CRICHTON
I've got faith in you, Ryg.

CUT TO:
INT. BRIDGE, MERCHANT PATROL SHIP – CONTINUOUS

We see the busy command deck of the Merchant Patrol cruiser, Cahra. Standing on the deck, looking out at Moya are Captain Del Roer, an aging man going slightly to seed, and one of his officers, Lieutenant Sayre Zahavi. Zahavi is ambitious, clever, perceptive and overall a very good cop. As they talk it is clear that Captain Roer is feeling extremely anxious.

ROER
Have they identified themselves?

ZAHAVI
They claim to be the free trader Winona.

ROER
Any sign of that gunship?

ZAHAVI
No sir. It's possible this is not the same Leviathan.

ROER
You don't believe that anymore then I do.

Captain Roer looks nervously at the screen.

ROER
This is too big. I need to contact the Admiralty for orders. Stall them.

ZAHAVI
Yes sir.

CUT TO:
INT. MOYA'S COMMAND DECK – LATER

Rygel and Aeryn are on command. Rygel has been talking to the Merchant Patrol, but it doesn't look like he's getting anywhere. He closes the comm and turns to Aeryn.

RYGEL
What kind of customs officer doesn't accept bribes? Appalling. And they still refuse to allow a ship down.

AERYN
How much longer can you keep them off Moya?

RYGEL
A few more arns, at least. However, they are getting suspicious. They seem to think we should be more outraged by being attacked then we are. Fortunately they aren't very bright.

AERYN
All it takes is one, Rygel.

RYGEL
Well then, when they find that one, we can invite him over and you can shoot him.

Aeryn gives him a small smile.

AERYN
Perfect.

PILOT (O.S.)
Aeryn?

AERYN
Yes?

PILOT (O.S.)
Commander Crichton has left Moya.

Aeryn is silent for a moment.

AERYN
Frell him. Where is D'Argo, Pilot?

PILOT (O.S.)
D'Argo is destroying things in the Landing Bay. I fear he may be near a hyper rage.

AERYN
Wonderful. Rygel?

RYGEL
Stupid probakto. This will complicate things. These maliks are paranoid enough without somebody violating their lockdown order.

AERYN
Do what you can.

RYGEL
Of course. I am a Dominar, a ship full of half-witted tinks is no match for me.

CUT TO:
INT. MOYA'S LANDING BAY -- MOMENTS LATER

D'Argo, as he was earlier accused of so often doing, is throwing a temper tantrum. He flings a large wrench across the bay and roars dramatically. Jool is sitting on a crate nearby watching him, completely unimpressed by his tantrum. They are having two different conversations, D'Argo is ranting to himself and ignoring Jool.

JOOL
Is it really so surprising?

D'ARGO
Going down to the planet is just asking for trouble. Why does he always do this?

JOOL
If you ask me...

D'ARGO
Watch, just watch. We're going to have to save his sorry eema again. As usual.

JOOL
For a member of such an obviously inferior species, he's really not that incompetent.

D'ARGO
And Aeryn. Her John is dead, we're all very sad but can't she see how she's killing this one?

JOOL
I don't understand why you're so upset. He can take care of himself.

D'ARGO
There is a very good reason why we don't let Crichton go anywhere alone. He is a dren magnet.

JOOL
And it is Chiana, after all.

D'Argo finally seems to hear what Jool is saying and turns to her.

D'ARGO
What does she have to do with it?

JOOL
Well it's obvious to anyone with half a brain. She's the only one who doesn't treat him like he's completely fharbot.

D'ARGO
Are you saying he isn't?

JOOL
So now he goes and does something tinked for the one person who still has any real faith left in him.

Jool hops down off of the crate and starts to leave the bay, disgusted by D'Argo's single minded irritation.

JOOL
You're all such morons. I can barely tolerate being on this ship anymore.

Jool leaves. D'Argo watches her go, a hurt expression on his face.

D'ARGO
When did I become everybody's tralk?

CUT TO:
EXT. CROWDED STREETS ON PLANET – EVENING

Handfuls of police work their way through the throng of people and vendors on the streets. They are searching for somebody, looking behind stalls, stopping people, and in general being a nuisance. We see a trio of officers push past a group of small, robed, beings. They don't notice Crichton standing up against the wall of a building, half in the shadows, watching them.

Crichton makes sure the police have gone past, then he checks the streets again, though he doesn't seem overly concerned, and moves out into the sea of people.

CUT TO:
EXT. CROWDED MARKET ON PLANET -- MOMENTS LATER

Chiana is slinking through the market, she's found or stolen a hooded cape or coat and she has the hood pulled up, trying to disguise herself. As she walks past stalls she's attracted to one in particular. There are a number of beautiful crystals and carvings laid out. She picks up a small white crystal and runs her fingers over it appreciatively. Someone jostles her from behind and she glances over her shoulder furtively, she doesn't see anything too suspicious and she turns back around to place the crystal back on the table. She stiffens and we notice that a large dark figure has come right up behind her.

CRICHTON
You're a hard woman to find.

Chiana relaxes and leans back into Crichton, tilting her head up to whisper in his ear.

CHIANA
Do you have any idea how close you were to having your mivonks fed to you?

CRICHTON
How close?

Chiana smiles but doesn't say anything and a split second later Crichton starts to cough.

CRICHTON
That's pretty close.

Chiana turns around and throws her arms around him.

CHIANA
I'm glad you're here.

CRICHTON
I had to come. Who knows what kind of trouble you'd get into if I left you with those big, bad pirates.

Over Crichton's shoulder, Chiana notices the Very Big Guy from the space port and now he has friends.

CHIANA
We need to get out of here, John.

CRICHTON
Big guy? Yeah, I saw him earlier. Not even down here half-a-day and you're already pissing off the locals, huh, Pip?

CHIANA
I think you have me confused with you, old man.

They move off to try to stealthily make their way out of the market place.

END OF ACT TWO

[The Whole Brain]

ACT THREE

FADE IN:
INT. HALLWAY IN MOYA – LATER

Aeryn and Rygel are moving briskly down the hall.

RYGEL
Here's your one.

AERYN
I hope you're wrong.

They turn the corner and enter the landing bay.

INT. MOYA'S LANDING BAY – CONTINUOUS

Sitting in the landing bay now is a small Merchant Patrol transport pod. Aeryn and Rygel watch it warily.
The door to the pod opens and a spit-and-polish Sebecean officer steps out, following him are two heavily armed marines.

RYGEL
Welcome to our ship. Lieutenant Zahavi, isn't it? How can we help you?

ZAHAVI
Actually we thought it might be you who would require our assistance. You did tell us you were attacked by pirates, correct?

RYGEL
Yes, but obviously they decided an empty Leviathan wasn't a worthy prize.

ZAHAVI
Did they? How curious.

AERYN
Isn't it just?

ZAHAVI
Would you do me the favor of telling me why you're here? Really.

RYGEL
Repairs, provisions. The usual.

Lt. Zahavi is unimpressed by Rygel's explanation.

AERYN
The truth?

ZAHAVI
Please.

RYGEL
This should be good.

AERYN
We're here to collect my dead mate's twin and his Nebari tralk. Let me go down for them and then we'll be frelling gone.

ZAHAVI
Interesting. However, I can't permit that. You lot have enough problems already. You violated lockdown once, do it again and we'll impound your ship.

AERYN
So what do you want?

ZAHAVI
You will allow us to search for contraband.

AERYN
Go right ahead.

Zahavi and his marines start to leave the landing bay. Aeryn and Rygel hang back for a bit.

AERYN
Is there anything on Moya I should worry about?

RYGEL
Nothing these yotzs will find. I'd be more concerned about your arsenal. They'll probably think we're gunrunners.

AERYN
I don't have an arsenal.

RYGEL
No, of course not. The workroom doesn't look at all like a command carrier armory exploded in there.

CUT TO:
EXT. CROWDED STREETS ON PLANET – NIGHT

Crichton and Chiana are pushing through the streets, cutting down alleys and side streets. They turn a corner and almost run into a small group of police. Chiana grabs Crichton's hand and pulls him in another direction. They don't get very far before they see a group of pirates, led by Very Big Guy. Crichton and Chiana duck through a door in the nearest building.

INT. STOREHOUSE ON PLANET – CONTINUOUS

They are in a small storehouse, there are pallets of goods piled here and there, there is one small, curtained window near the door. The place is mostly dark and nobody else appears to be around. Crichton and Chiana examine their hideout.

CRICHTON
I wish my field trips in school had been this much fun.

CHIANA
We need to get off this fekt planet.

CRICHTON
Everything with wings on this ball of dirt's been grounded and nothing's allowed down.

CHIANA
How did you get here then?

CRICHTON
Pure seat of the pants stupidity. My module's in a dump just outside of town.

CHIANA
Great place for it.

CRICHTON
Watch it. I got her down but I want to see if Rygel can get the lockdown lifted before I try to fly us out. Could get hairy otherwise.

Crichton sits down on a pallet and Chiana comes over to join him.

CRICHTON
So, you okay, Pip? They didn't hurt you did they?

CHIANA
That pirate? Please. Bunch of traks. I know the type and they're all talk. They wouldn't know what to do with me if they had me.

Chiana looks down and notices with some concern that Crichton's hands are trembling violently. She reaches out and takes one of them, trying to still its tremors.

CHIANA
Hey old man, your hands are shaking.

CRICHTON
You freaked me out there, Chi. My girls have a bad habit of not coming back to me.

CHIANA
Aeryn came back.

CRICHTON
Not to me.

Crichton bows his head and after a moment Chiana notices that he's starting to fall apart, emotionally. She puts her arms around him, pulling him to her, and makes soothing noises.

CRICHTON
God, I'm just so tired.

CHIANA
I know you are, but you've just- you've just got to be patient.

CRICHTON
How much patience am I supposed to have? I'm not a goddamned saint.

Crichton pulls away from Chiana and wearily buries his face in his hands. She keeps her arm around his shoulders.

CRICHTON
Three years. One thing after another for three years. What's at the end of that? Nothing.

CHIANA
John...

Crichton shakes his head and stands up. He walks aimlessly around the room.

CRICHTON
No. Where do I go? I have nowhere to go. Unless it's backwards, but that's more depressing then even I can handle right now. And that thing... that one thing that kept me together is gone. What am I supposed to do? Suck it up? I'm in the sewer of the universe and everybody decided to flush at once. I'm drowning in it.

CHIANA
Aeryn's not the only one who ...

Chiana stops and looks at him then stands and walks over to grab his face, forcing him to listen to her.

CHIANA
There are other people out here who care about you.

CRICHTON
It's not ...

CHIANA
I'm here, John. Right? That's something.

CRICHTON
Yeah, it is.

CHIANA
I love you, old man.

Crichton manages a small smile.

CRICHTON
Thanks, Chiana.

Chiana smiles back at him.

CHIANA
Anytime.

Chiana moves away from Crichton and goes to peek out the small window. Crichton walks up behind her.

CRICHTON
They still out there?

CHIANA
I don't see anybody. Doesn't mean they aren't around, though.

CRICHTON
Let's give it half-an-arn.

Chiana drops the curtain and turns from the window but Crichton is there. She has nowhere to go and he doesn't move. In the space of a heartbeat Crichton brings his hand up to her face and leans in to kiss her. Chiana responds immediately. Their kiss starts off almost desperate but quickly turns slow and passionate.

They are both lost in the kiss for a time but finally Chiana pulls back and puts a hand on Crichton's chest.

CHIANA
No. This isn't ... real. Not for us, not now.

Crichton steps back from her, but she reaches out and grabs his jacket, refusing to allow him to pull away.

CHIANA
I wish there was something I could give you that would make all your hurting stop.

Chiana smiles at him and moves back up against him.

CHIANA
I wish it was this.

She leans in to whisper against his ear.

CHIANA
But we both know it's not.

Chiana steps back. Crichton brushes his fingers against her cheek.

CRICHTON
I love you, too, Pip.

Chiana laughs and shakes her head.

CHIANA
I must be magra-fharbot to say no to you. You think it's catching?

Crichton grins at her.

CRICHTON
Insanity?

They are interrupted by the sound of Crichton's comm.

D'ARGO
Crichton! Crichton where the frell are you?

Crichton's shoulders slump with fatigue.

CRICHTON
I'm here, D'Argo. I found Chiana. How are you guys doing up there?

D'ARGO
Do you have any idea how much dren we are in because of you?

CRICHTON
Nope, sure don't. Why don't you tell me all about it?

Chiana sees that Crichton is starting to tense up again. She makes a quick decision and grabs the comm from him.

CHIANA
Hey D'Argo are you being shot at?

D'ARGO
What? No.

CHIANA
Great. Crichton and I are good down here. We'll get back to you in a few arns.

Chiana turns off the comm before D'Argo can reply. Crichton's mouth quirks into a smile and he relaxes a bit.

CRICHTON
You change your mind, Chi?

Chiana slips her arms around Crichton's neck.

CHIANA
No, but I was thinking ... those pirates?

CRICHTON
Yeah?

CHIANA
They destroyed a merchant vessel, probably killed everybody on it.

CRICHTON
Not very neighborly of them.

CHIANA
I think they need to have their asses kicked, and I think we're just the two to do it. Sound like fun?

CRICHTON
I love the way you think.

CUT TO:
INT. MOYA'S COMMAND DECK – CONTINUOUS

D'Argo slams his hand down on a console, frustrated. Aeryn is leaning against another console nearby.

D'ARGO
Crichton and Chiana, alone together on a planet. This is not good.

AERYN
With any luck they'll be run off.

D'ARGO
Don't count on it. I fully anticipate having to save them from raging hoards.

AERYN
Maybe.

D'Argo gives her a look that says he clearly believes that there is no 'maybe' about it.

D'ARGO
So. Where is our guest now?

AERYN
He's searching the cargo holds.

D'ARGO
What are we going to do about him? If they are as close to the Peacekeepers as you seem to think they are...

AERYN
It's not a matter of them being close to the Peacekeepers, it's a matter of survival. For them to maintain some level of autonomy, especially when they trade in Peacekeeper space, there are agreements made, promises kept.

D'ARGO
They have to know who we are.

AERYN
Yes.

D'ARGO
There could be Peacekeepers headed here now and this could all be just a delaying tactic on the part of the Merchant Patrol.

AERYN
I would say that's fairly accurate.

D'ARGO
Well frell, Aeryn. We're stuck between a rocket and a hard one.

Aeryn gives D'Argo a puzzled look.

D'ARGO
One of John's sayings. We need to get them off of that planet immediately.

AERYN
Crais and Talyn are just outside of the system, if it comes to it they can take care of the Merchant Patrol before the Peacekeepers get here.

D'ARGO
So we wait?

Aeryn throws her hands up in frustration.

AERYN
Well I don't know what else to do. I don't know where Crichton and Chiana are, we can't get down there right now and we should probably avoid any major confrontations. We gain nothing by forcing our way down.

D'ARGO
This is a very bad plan, Aeryn. It's Crichton-like in its badness.

AERYN
Feel free to come up with your own.

D'Argo and Aeryn break off when Lt. Zahavi, his marines, and Rygel enter command. Zahavi notices the tension on the deck.

ZAHAVI
Are we interrupting something?

D'ARGO
Yes.

AERYN
No.

Aeryn and D'Argo glare at each other.

END OF ACT THREE

[The Whole Brain]

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:
INT. BAR ON PLANET – NIGHT

The bar is quite simply a dive and the place is packed with rough looking characters, enjoying a rousing evening drunk. But even the roughest patrons steer clear of one corner of the bar. At a small collection of tables in the back the pirates hold court.

The pirate captain, Trab, sits at one table with a couple of his lackeys. He's the fiercest looking of all the pirates there, scars on his face, worn and patched leather clothes, permanent snarl on his lips.

TRAB
There's a med transport due through the Inge lane by the end of the weeken.

LACKEY #1
The body parts alone will set us up for a cycle.

TRAB
Right. And with the drugs and the equipment we'll be pretty for a good long while. That's why you need to make sure the Merchant Patrol stays out of our way.

LACKEY #1
They'll be busy someplace else. I swear.

TRAB
They'd better or we'll be selling your parts.

Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of unwelcome guests to their table. The three pirates glare up at Crichton and Chiana. Crichton gives them a cocky grin, pulls out a chair and sits down with them. Chiana stands behind him, her arms around his shoulders.

CRICHTON
Hey guys, how's it hanging?

Several pirate thugs have come up to the table, looking to Trab for some sort of cue. The two lackeys sitting at the table also look tense. Trab looks extremely irritated by the intrusion.

TRAB
You've got five microts to get out of my sight, pellizh.

CRICHTON
Pellizh, that's a new one. Was that an insult, Chi?

CHIANA
Yep.

CRICHTON
Look Trab... it is Trab right?

Trab nods and frowns, annoyed and puzzled by the fact that this fellow doesn't seem particularly intimidated by him.

CRICHTON
Trab. You have a little problem.

TRAB
You're the one with the problem, freak.

CRICHTON
Oh, hell, I've got problems that would make your mivonks shrivel, but today's all about you.

Crichton makes himself more comfortable in the chair. He pulls out Winona and places it on the table, his hand laying gently on top of it.

CRICHTON
Do you know who I am?

TRAB
A dead man?

Crichton laughs.

CRICHTON
Hey. You been talking to my girlfriend?

CHIANA
I don't think the poor krobash has any idea, John.

CRICHTON
My name's John Crichton. Astronaut, scientist, J Edgar Scorpy's most wanted, mayor of munchkin town and all around bad ass.

The pirates become extremely nervous and much less certain of themselves now that they realize who's sitting with them. Trab has a moment of fear but he recovers himself quickly, it won't do to let the others see any sort of weakness in him.

CHIANA
I like your ass John.

CRICHTON
Thanks babe, but that's not what I meant. Means I'm a tough guy, you know, eater of Peacekeeper babies.

CHIANA
Oh, yeah.
(to Trab)
He's destroyed a shadow depository, escaped from Peacekeeper bases...

CRICHTON
Tell them about the time I blew up that moon. Frell me, that was cool.

TRAB
What do you want?

CRICHTON
Some of your goons attacked my ship. We don't like it when people attack our ship, do we Pip?

CHIANA
Nope.
(to the pirates)
Makes the old man all fharbot.

Crichton's earlier good humored mocking of the pirates now turns into something much colder and more dangerous.

CRICHTON
Then one of your guys kidnapped my girl here, I really didn't like that.

CHIANA
Bad move. Really bad move.

CRICHTON
So now you have a problem, Trab.

CUT TO:
INT. MOYA'S WORK ROOM – LATER

Lt. Zahavi and his marines are picking through the workshop. Zahavi spies a partially assembled pulse cannon and picks it up gingerly. He glances over at Aeryn, holding up the cannon questioningly. Aeryn, who is leaning on the wall just inside the door, gives him her most innocent look.

AERYN
Shiny isn't it?

ZAHAVI
Very.

Zahavi puts down the cannon and picks up a pulse rifle, turning it over in his hands.

ZAHAVI
You have an impressive armory.

AERYN
Thank you.

ZAHAVI
In fact, I would venture to say that there are more weapons here then your crew could ever conceivably need.

AERYN
I like to be prepared. It's a dangerous universe.

ZAHAVI
Very true. I'm sure a ship like yours could run in to all manner of dangerous figures.

AERYN
It's always possible.

Zahavi and Aeryn stare at each other evenly. Zahavi breaks first and turns to his marines.

ZAHAVI
Check the rest of the storage rooms on this tier.

Zahavi waits until his marines leave the room before speaking again. When he asks his next questions he is honestly curious and almost fascinated.

ZAHAVI
Did you tell me the truth in the landing bay?

AERYN
Yes.

ZAHAVI
Your mate is dead? The man called Crichton? You said his twin. There are, or were, two of them?

Aeryn's face goes hard but she remains silent.

ZAHAVI
Look, I know who you are. I refuse to insult you by pretending otherwise.

AERYN
Why are you telling me this?

ZAHAVI
I want you out of our system.

AERYN
Not without our crewmates.

ZAHAVI
I realize that.

Zahavi considers Aeryn for a moment then seems to come to a decision.

ZAHAVI
The Peacekeepers would have us all believe that you are dangerous, murderous felons. Pirates who slaughter your way through the uncharted territories.

Aeryn watches the Lt. waiting to see where he goes.

ZAHAVI
I believe the Peacekeepers will take any opportunity they can to exert more ... influence on our system.

AERYN
Have your senior officers called them in?

ZAHAVI
Not yet, but you're making them nervous. We are not used to handling problems on the scale this ship represents. A few pirates here and there, escort duty...

AERYN
There is an easy solution to all of this.

Zahavi nods his head unhappily.

CUT TO:
INT. MOYA'S MED BAY -- LATER

Lt. Zahavi and his marines enter the med bay. Jool is changing the bandage on the Scarran, Naj Gil's chest.

Zahavi and his men are startled by the sight of the Scarran and the two marines ready their weapons. Jool glances over her shoulder at the new arrivals, then sniffs in annoyance and turns around. She crosses her arms defiantly and stands in front of Naj Gil.

JOOL
What do you think you're doing?

ZAHAVI
That's a Scarran.

JOOL
What an incredibly astute observation. With mental abilities like that it's no wonder you're in charge. Tell those idiots to put their guns away.

Zahavi nods to his men and they reluctantly lower their weapons.

ZAHAVI
Why do you have a Scarran?

JOOL
Why are you bothering me?

ZAHAVI
This is a routine customs inspection.

JOOL
That's a load of dren. You know who we are. I don't know what else you're thinking you'll find by searching our sick bay.

ZAHAVI
Would you believe I'm just curious?

JOOL
Would you believe I don't care?

ZAHAVI
How long have you been on this ship?

JOOL
Too long. Look, I've got a Boolite to piece together and a Scarran to keep alive, so if there isn't anything specific you want, get out.

ZAHAVI
You're not going to answer any of my questions?

NAJ GIL
They rescued me from the Peacekeepers. Is that what you wanted, Sebacean?

Zahavi looks puzzled and slightly horrified at the thought of saving a Scarran.

ZAHAVI
Why would you rescue a Scarran?

JOOL
Well it's not like I had any choice in the matter.

NAJ GIL
Peacekeepers were testing a new weapon. They targeted prisoners in a transport pod. This crew picked us up. Tended our wounds.

Zahavi stares thoughtfully at the Scarran. Nothing about this ship or this crew is turning out as he expected.

ZAHAVI
I see.

Zahavi casts a quick glance around the room then turns to leave, but he hesitates and looks at Jool again.

ZAHAVI
Your facility here looks fairly rudimentary...

JOOL
I do the best I can with what I have.

ZAHAVI
I wasn't criticizing. I was simply going to offer a suggestion. There's a medical ship due down one of the trade lanes in a few days. They might be able to take your wounded.

JOOL
Oh. Well thank you.

Zahavi gives her a sharp nod and leaves the room.

INT. HALLWAY IN MOYA – CONTINUOUS

Zahavi and his marines are walking down the hall. Zahavi looks pensive.

ZAHAVI
I think we've seen everything of interest.

MARINE #1
Too bad we didn't get to meet Crichton.

Zahavi grins.

ZAHAVI
True. We've delayed them as long as we can. Go down to the landing bay, I'll make our good-byes and meet you there.

Before the marines can disappear, Zahavi's comm comes to life.

ROER
Roer to Zahavi.

ZAHAVI
Zahavi here, Captain.

CUT TO:
INT. MOYA'S COMMAND DECK -- MOMENTS LATER

D'Argo is still on command, glaring out at the Merchant Patrol vessels floating nearby. Aeryn enters.

AERYN
Have you...

D'ARGO
No, I have not.

AERYN
Have Crichton and...

D'ARGO
No, they have not.

AERYN
Would you like me to stick my pulse pistol up your...

D'ARGO
No, I would not. I don't like just waiting here, Aeryn.

AERYN
I know. I don't like it either. But right now our cooperation with Lt. Zahavi is the only thing keeping them from calling the Peacekeepers.

D'ARGO
I thought we wanted to find them.

AERYN
Crichton wants to find Scorpius, not some picket commander trying to make a name for himself.

D'ARGO
It's time to do something.

Lt. Zahavi and his marines enter command. The marines step to either side of the door and shoulder their weapons. D'Argo reaches for his Qualta blade and Aeryn's pulse pistol is in her hand instantly. Zahavi approaches the pair cautiously.

ZAHAVI
Officer Sun, Ka D'Argo, I've been ordered to take you into custody pursuant to statute 5-2.401 of our trade agreements with the Peacekeepers. You'll be held in detention until such time as they send a retrieval squad for you.

D'ARGO
I don't think so.

PILOT
Aeryn, the Merchant Patrol vessels are powering up their weapons.

AERYN
They'd fire on us with you on board?

ZAHAVI
To disable your ship, yes.

Aeryn and D'Argo look more annoyed then anything else. Aeryn reaches for the comm console.

ZAHAVI
Officer Sun, please step away from the console.

Aeryn ignores him and activates the comm.

AERYN
Crais, we have a situation.

CRAIS
What kind of situation?

AERYN
The bad kind. We could use Talyn right about now.

CRAIS
On my way.

ZAHAVI
I really wish you hadn't done that. I don't want to have to hurt you people.

D'Argo looks at Aeryn, she just shrugs. D'Argo turns quickly and tongues one of the marines; he drops unconscious to the floor. The Lt. and the other marine stare at their fallen comrade then they look back at D'Argo and Aeryn both of whom have their weapons trained on them. The marine and the Lt. share a glance. Lt. Zahavi slowly pulls his pistol and places it on the floor and the marine quickly drops his rifle.

Rygel enters.

RYGEL
What have you done now?

D'ARGO
They tried to arrest us. Wonderful negotiating skills, your lowness.

RYGEL
I resent that.

AERYN
It's not Rygel's fault.

RYGEL
No. As usual, I think we can blame Crichton for this.

AERYN
We are not blaming anybody for anything. Talyn will be here in a few microns, he'll keep the Merchant Patrol busy. D'Argo, you and I will go down to the planet to get Crichton and Chiana.

ZAHAVI
What about us?

AERYN
You'll go in a holding cell until we have our crewmates back.

ZAHAVI
I can help you.

RYGEL
We're supposed to trust you? You'll just set us up for the Peacekeepers.

ZAHAVI
No. No, I can help. Our vessels can't stand up to your other ship. I'm more interested in saving my crew then seeing you in the hands of the Peacekeepers.

Zahavi steps towards the comm, D'Argo hefts his Qualta blade menacingly.

ZAHAVI
Let me talk to my ship. Tell them to stand down.

D'Argo has a pensive look on his face, he’s been struck by an idea and he is thinking things through.

D'ARGO
Your people have already contacted the Peacekeepers right?

ZAHAVI
Yes. The retrieval squad will be here in approximately fourteen arns.

D'Argo looks at Aeryn and Rygel.

D'ARGO
I have an idea.

AERYN
What?

D'ARGO
It's a very bad idea. Something John would do.

END OF ACT FOUR

TAG

FADE IN:
INT. BAR ON PLANET – NIGHT

The bar is trashed. Tables are overturned, bottles are broken, burns on the walls and bar from pulse blasts, and the floor is littered with unconscious and semi-conscious pirates. Crichton looks like he's taken a few blows, but he's not seriously wounded. Chiana looks a little mussed but more or less unharmed.

Chiana has one pirate by the jacket; the man’s been thoroughly thrashed. She shoves him over towards Crichton. Crichton decks him and the pirate goes down hard.

Off to one side we see Trab start to crawl to his feet. He stumbles and tries to make his way towards the door. Unfortunately for him, Crichton catches sight of him. Crichton jumps over a table, kicks a pirate who tries to grab him and snags Trab by the collar.

CRICHTON
Where do you think you're going?

Crichton shoves Trab up against the wall and puts his pistol under his chin. Trab looks fairly terrified.

TRAB
It's not...not me. Not me.

CRICHTON
What's not you?

TRAB
I can give you... things.

CRICHTON
You've got nothing I want, slimeball.

TRAB
I'm just the captain. I can give you ... there's more. There's bigger than me. Goes higher.

Crichton lowers his pistol slightly and pulls back.

CRICHTON
More than just you, huh?

Trab nods his head jerkily and Crichton shoves him towards a table.

TRAB
Don't hurt me.

CRICHTON
Yeah, you're a real tough guy. Pull up a chair, Captain Caveman.

CUT TO:
INT. SCORPIUS' LABORATORY, COMMAND CARRIER – LATER

Scorpius is very unhappy and two of his assistants are cowering in one corner trying to look both busy and unassuming. Scorpius is working on some of his wormhole data. He runs into a problem and when an alarm buzzes at him he smashes his fist through the console. Lt. Braca enters just as the alarm sounds.

BRACA
Sir?

SCORPIUS
What?

BRACA
We've had word on Crichton's location.

Scorpius turns and hisses angrily at the Lieutenant.

SCORPIUS
I know that. High Command has sent a retrieval squad for them.

BRACA
No, sir, I mean we've been contacted directly.

SCORPIUS
By?

BRACA
By them, sir. By Moya. They want to arrange a meeting with you.

Scorpius looks intrigued, hopeful, and much less annoyed.

SCORPIUS
Really? How fortuitous. Tell me dear Braca, how long until the retrieval squad gets to them?

BRACA
Twelve arns, sir.

SCORPIUS
Can we intercept?

BRACA
It's possible, sir.

SCORPIUS
I would like very much if High Command never heard from that squad again.

BRACA
Yes, sir.

SCORPIUS
Thank you.

Braca leaves and Scorpius turns back to his wormhole data, a cold smile on his face.

SCORPIUS
What are you up to, John?

TO BE CONTINUED...

BLACKOUT:

END CREDITS

[cuendillar]

Wow! I think you've really nailed the characters. Nice job. Its creates an interesting bridge in the existing storyline. Can't wait for more.
Cuendillar

[FL_Redleg]

Very, very good. Enjoyed it immensely. Very good filler.