COLD OPEN
In the corridor just outside Command, Aeryn paces about impatiently, her fingers drumming against the holstered pulse pistol at her thigh. Sounds of Rygel bitchin' and the dissonant chords of some sort of stringed instrument punctuate her glimpses of John pacing to, and stopping near, the forward Command console. Checking his notebook while he keeps a close watch out the forward portal.
RYGEL:
We're sitting at a dead stop in the middle of nothing because Crichton thinks he can smell a wormhole about to open?
Cut to close on D'Argo - teasing out the dissonant chords of 'music' as he tunes his Shilquin.
RYGEL:
Does anyone else find this vaguely preposterious?
D'ARGO:
We promised him two arns, we'll give him two arns... Captain.
RYGEL:
Until we elect a permanent captain, I demand the same respect and obedie-arg!
Rygel gets cut off by a well timed painfully off-tune chord. D'Argo smirks, annoyed.
Out in the corridor, Aeryn's steeled herself to just... go.the.frell.in, stopping again just outside the open door-- watching John leaned over the control console-- takes a deep breath and... lets it out in a frustrated sigh as she turns away again.
RYGEL [O.S.]:
Why did you construct another of those hideous instruments? My bowels make better instruments.
In Command John remains focused on the forward portal when Chiana enters, perching on the Strategy table between D'Argo and Rygel. Sikozu also sits at the table, watching John's progress-- her toes barely touching the floor.
CHIANA:
( entering )
Hey, how's it comin'?
D'ARGO:
Almost finished... I'm close to balancing the harmonics across the difficult sentra chords.
Chi thwaps him playfully across the head.
CHIANA:
Not you, you ripnitz. Has Crichton found any wormholes?
JOHN:
Ba-boom.
Crichton, looking up from the console, paces toward the forward portal.
JOHN:
Wormhole in... diez...
Sikozu stands, moving behind John.
JOHN:
nueve...
CHIANA:
( whispering )
Does that nixa really...
JOHN:
ocho...
CHIANA:
annoy you?
John hands Sikozu the notebook.
JOHN:
siete...
D'ARGO:
( absently )
No.
In the containment cell, an anticipatory Scorpius also stands.
JOHN:
( over comms )
seis...
In the corridor, Aeryn stops pacing and slowly turns, and yes, she looks a bit afraid... some actual dread there.
JOHN:
( over comms )
cinco...
In command Sikozu is giving John one of those admiring looks she'd been reserving for Scorpius. His attention is 'rivited' forward.
JOHN:
cuatro... tres... dos... uno.
A long beat of silence while the faint music draws out the tension and... nothing happens.
Sikozu's expression crumbles a bit around the edges, Chiana relaxes and D'Argo sighs heavily in relief. John turns away from the portal, taking the notebook from Sikozu.
JOHN:
Tear out page forty-two.
In the containment cell, a mildly shaken Scorpius sits again.
PILOT:
We're... sorry, Commander.
JOHN:
No, you're not, Pilot. You and Moya hate wormholes, but thanks for... saying so.
At the console, John makes a few notes in the book while Sikozu turns at his shoulder again.
SIKOZU:
Do you know what you did wrong?
JOHN:
You mean other than getting up this morning?
He looks up, mildly puzzled, looks at Sikozu briefly before turning away with a vague shake of the head.
JOHN:
Have at it, Cap. Knock yourself out.
RYGEL:
Uh.
He moves to the exit, Sikozu in his wake.
PILOT:
You're orders, Captain Rygel? Have you chosen a flight vector?
John approaches the doorway when Aeryn steps abruptly into the opening, awkwardly cutting off his forward momentum.
RYGEL [O.S.]:
Give me other microt with this miserably...
( trails off )
They eye each other silently, though not unpleasantly, for a moment. Aeryn peers beyond John's shoulder and he turns to look back at gape mouthed Sikozu
AERYN:
Would you excuse us?
John turns back to Aeryn after seeing Sikozu safely off. They exchange a few quiet words.
AERYN:
Can I speak to you?
( smiling )
Quite a few things I'd like to say.
JOHN:
There's a lot of things I'd like to hear.
( beat )
I'd like to offer you a drink, but...
Those eyes slip from hers to her waistline and back again. She tilts her head a bit, indicating direction.
AERYN:
My quarters.
John nods slightly and she turns, walking away with John following when in another instance of incredibly bad timing a brilliant blue light floods command. John turns, looking out the forward portal.
Everyone in Command looks absolutely poleaxed. D'Argo standing slowly.
D'ARGO:
( softly )
Frell.
John and Aeryn step slowly back in from the corridor.
SIKOZU:
Crichton...
John crosses rapidly to the forward console, Aeryn enters more slowly, her eyes also on the portal and the deep bluish-white vortex forming there.
[And, okay, this is just me; but this stuff strikes me as hugely funny. John walks 'to' the door, he's openly examining the open notebook in his hands. Stops for a brief conversation in the corridor with Aeryn. Wormhole opens, he turns and walks back toward the console-- no notebook. Cut to forward view and-- there's the notebook in his hand. Too funny. The amazing appearing/disappearing props. *bag*]
RYGEL:
I don't believe it, it's a frelling wormhole.
CHIANA:
Look at that.
D'ARGO:
Well done, John.
In the containment cell, Scorpius leans back on his hands, head rolled back and eyes closing-- vastly satisfied... content. [ he needs a cigarette ]
RYGEL:
The frellnik actually predicted a wormhole!
View of the massive wormhole, smooth and steady, central vortex wide open. Chiana giggles, leaping off the table and wrapping her arms around John's shoulders.
CHIANA:
You did it!
She pulls him close for a hug while he just grins out the portal. Standing in the far background, Aeryn's small smile of triumph flickers out. [gee, you think she knows something that 'we' don't?]
Chiana turns in his arm, wrapped around her waist, to look out the forward portal, rocking him slightly, arms still wrapped around his shoulders.
CHIANA:
( whispering )
Hey... now there's three of us who like you.
John turns slightly to look at the absolutely beaming Sikozu, smirks a bit in return and turns back to the portal.
PILOT:
( worried )
Commander... this wormhole is a great deal larger and closer than your assurances.
JOHN:
Back it up, Pilot. Anything you want.
RYGEL:
( clears throat )
Excuse me, but there is a chain of command in place.
The wormhole flares and winks out, John releases his hold on Chi and slides from under her arm, heading back to the exit.
JOHN:
Whatever, Sparky, rock on.
RYGEL:
All right, Pilot, I think that under the circumstances...
Rygel rattles on while John crosses command, Sikozu watching him go for a bit before turning back to the forward portal-- a huge frellin' grin on her face.
RYGEL:
( fading )
that yes, I agree, we should...
Slowing as he approaches Aeryn, John's smile is tempered slightly, a 'okay, where were we' look just before the ship rocks heavily.
Everyone stumbles as the ship rocks, explosions everywhere, and everyone hits the ground; John grabbing for Aeryn as she goes.
Sikozu fills the gap and shrieks!
Rygel peers out the forward portal and sees nothing but darkness, the same darkness in command as the smoke clears a bit. Reddish-orange emergency lighting flickers and flashes across Command.
John assists Aeryn to her feet.
JOHN:
Are you all right?
AERYN:
Yeah. What hit us?
JOHN:
Don't know.
D'ARGO:
Can you move?!
On the floor near Sikozu, Chiana clutches her left arm. [it's a Zhaan homage people!]
CHIANA:
My arm!
RYGEL:
What happened to the stars?
John and Aeryn move close, peering out into the blackness.
RYGEL:
What happened to the stars?!
Fade to black on Rygel's fearful expression.
END COLD OPEN
ROLL OPENING CREDITS
ACT I
COMMAND
A bit later. D'Argo 'rips' the cover off a control console, more sparks fly counterpoint to the flaring of sparks elsewhere and the smoke that fills the room. In the bg Captain Rygel continues whimpering, initially everyone shouts over the sound of continuing explosions.
RYGEL:
Budong! It's gotta be a budong!
At another console, John and Aeryn work side by side.
AERYN:
Unlikely, we're not moving!
Sikozu works at the third console.
SIKOZU:
There's nothing, everything's blown.
JOHN:
Pilot, be there!
D'ARGO:
Okay, I've secured a patch but it won't last long. Sikozu?!
SIKOZU:
When I'm done here!
Rygel whimpers as another heavy explosion rocks the ship.
RYGEL:
( babbling )
Oh! There are no stars, it's ah, the Flax, the wormhole got us! We're gonna die!
Chiana drags herself off the floor and staggers toward the semi-hysterical Rygel.
CHIANA:
Hey, Captain Chaos...
Everyone moves in different directions while Chi handles Rygel, slugging him hard enough to drive his thronesled back a bit.
AERYN:
Try comms now!
JOHN:
Pilote. Como estas, Hombre?
PILOT:
Commander, are you all right?
JOHN:
A little south of that. What the hell's goin' on?
PILOT:
Undetermined. Moya is convulsing unlike anything I have experienced before.
SIKOZU:
And therein lies our problem.
JOHN:
It's not his fault, Sputnik.
RYGEL:
( to John )
Yes, it's probably yours!
Moving behind Rygel, a coil of cabling in her hand, Chi thwaps him on the back of the head as she passes.
CHIANA:
He wasn't the captain!
D'ARGO:
Pilot, what did we hit?
PILOT:
Nothing.
AERYN:
We weren't moving at the time, were we?
PILOT:
Correct. Something hit us.
RYGEL:
Well, what you frell-wit? There aren't any stars!
PILOT:
I have... no external readings. Not a single sense neuron on Moya's skin is transmitting.
SIKOZU:
That cannot be right.
The ship rumbles under another explosion. Pilot moans in pain.
PILOT:
( angry )
It is, you disagreeable hy--!
JOHN:
( cutting in )
How can that be right, Pilot?
PILOT:
Something is attacking Moya across all exposed surfaces. Her skin is burning everywhere at once.
CHIANA:
Well, what do we do?
PILOT:
Under the circumstances... a hull breach will go undetected.
AERYN:
Perimeter hull search.
JOHN:
( nodding )
Interior.
Aeryn heads to the exit.
AERYN:
With-- Chiana?
JOHN:
Yeah.
CHIANA:
With ya.
Aeryn exits, Chiana in tow. John moves toward another console as another explosion rocks the boat enough to make everyone stagger and grab onto the nearest surface.
SIKOZU:
Has anyone heard from Scorpius?
Cut to the containment cell, in the gloom Scorpius lifts his carryall onto the bed.
SIKOZU:
( over comms )
Scorpius, are you all right?
SCORPIUS:
( sighs )
Physically, yes. However...
He retrieves a few spilled cooling rods from the floor...
SCORPIUS:
I would appreciate being let out of this cell.
and we cut back to Command.
JOHN:
Absolutely not!
( beat )
Grandmama?
( beat )
Yo, School Lunch Lady, you there?
Long pause while they wait for an answer, and get none.
JOHN:
Great, we got an MIA. Got no time to look now. D, how about a little space walk?
John moves quickly to exit and D'Argo follows his 'come on' gesture.
CENTER CHAMBER
Noranti stumbles around in the dark, the reddish glow of emergency lighting seems to be of no assistance to her, appearing effectively blind as she feels her way around in the dark, muttering in an alien language, her third eye blinking and glowing by turns; blue, magenta and red.
But golly, the language 'sounds' Spanish with a bit of French thrown in. hehe
NORANTI:
( whispering )
Ver... Verdure?
( gasps )
Verdure.
She knocks into some pots, sending them clattering to the floor.
NORANTI:
( whispering )
Herbage flora.
She climbs into the window seat, peering out one of the portals.
NORANTI:
( whispering )
Herbage... flora.
( shouting )
Plant!
EXT. SPACE - CGI
Moya hovers in space, the worlds largest road kill draped over her nose and wrapped around her body to where it begins to taper toward her tail and fins. Bug ugly purple mohair sweater... something.
COMMAND
Sikozu works on repairing a console, Rygel hoving behind her.
RYGEL:
What kind of plant lives in space? What kind of plant can grab a Leviathan?!
ACCESS HATCH
Close on an exterior access hatch as it presses open slowly, tearing away the purple fibers of the plant. In the small opening created, John's EVA helmeted head peers out.
D'ARGO:
( by comms )
I've never seen anything like this before, have you?
JOHN:
( by comms )
D, it wasn't that long ago I hadn't heard of you.
D'Argo gets a look from over his shoulder, only a breathing mask over his face.
JOHN:
( by comms )
Looks like Glenda was right...
( surfer dude voice )
We got some kinda weird plant, man.
Brief cut to Command.
SIKOZU:
Can you see any stars through its vegetation?
Cut to close on John, peering up through the opening.
JOHN:
( by comms )
Nah. It's pretty damn deep. We're gonna take some samples.
John pulls away and pan down to a DRD pinned and squealing against the interior of the hatch by the plant's purple tendrils.
COMMAND
Sikozu's work is interrupted by a comm.
SCORPIUS:
( over comms )
I suspect inopportune timing...
In the containment cell, a compose Scorpius paces away from the closed door to near an access grate from which sparks fly and a cheerful fire burns.
SCORPIUS:
but I require some assistance.
RYGEL:
( in Command )
You're not getting out of that cell, Scorpius.
SCORPIUS:
No doubt. However, I believe the fire...
Sikozu turns quickly toward Rygel, they both look worried. Chi looks a bit worried as well.
SCORPIUS:
( over comms )
will not honor that edict.
Sikozu drops everything and runs toward the exit.
SIKOZU:
I'm on my way, Scorpius.
CHIANA:
Hey...
CONTAINMENT CELL
Sikozu handles the fire with some sort of extinguishing agent. Chiana arriving just as the last is squelched, her weapon up and readied to fire.
CHIANA:
What... are you doing?
SIKOZU:
( freezing )
Fire on a ship is our number one priority, Chiana. I just happened to get here first.
CHIANA:
He's a prisoner. Door stays closed.
SIKOZU:
Does he look like he's trying to escape?
CHIANA:
Out. Out!
Chi moves aside, allowing Sikozu to exit. Chi eyeballs Scorpius a moment, then backs out. The ship lurches a bit, and Chi slams Sikozu against the wall between her arms before activating door controls. The door slides closed.
CHIANA:
I know you think you're pretty smart. But we know Scorpius better than you do. He probably set that fire.
SCORPIUS:
Look down the passageway. If I can start fires... I am most proficient at it.
Chiana looks in the indicated direction, another fire in another access grate. She looks back at Sikozu, teeth gritted angrily, slamming a fist against the wall beside her head.
CHIANA:
Frell!
She scoops the fire extinguisher from the floor and trots down the passageway. Sikozu turns and gives Scorpius another of those 'you're a god to me!' looks which are REALLY creeping me out.
CHIANA:
There's fires everywhere!
CORRIDORS
John and D'Argo doin' exposition, a purple fiber coated DRD tucked under John's arm.
JOHN:
It's oozing some kinda gunk, dissolving the metal.
In another corridor, Aeryn does a bit of firefighting with another extinguisher.
AERYN:
Pilot says Moya's fluids are rushing in to protect internal organs. It's causing ruptures everywhere.
D'ARGO:
This stuff is killing my eyes! How come it's not killing your eyes?
JOHN:
It's like an onion. We'll live.
AERYN:
We've got to get it off Moya's skin.
D'Argo puts a hand on John's back.
D'ARGO:
You know what?
JOHN:
What?
D'ARGO:
We'll blast it off with Lo'La.
HANGAR BAY
Lo'La, hovering above the deck, jets pouring white smoke.
D'ARGO [O.S.]:
Hold it stead.
LUXAN FIGHTER
Inside Lo'La, D'Argo and John sit in the pilot seats, D'Argo in the left, John in the right.
JOHN:
I am trying, but it's not responding. I need more of your DNA.
D'Argo spits some white goop into John's offered hand.
JOHN:
( sourly )
You know... I hate this ship. It's messy.
EXT. SPACE - CGI
Close on Moya's moss coated hull. The sound of an explosion heralds the exit of D'Argo's ship as he blasts a hole in the growth. The ship heads away at good speed amid the debris.
LUXAN FIGHTER
John and D'Argo get a good look at Moya's furry blue hull.
D'ARGO:
Whoa.
PILOT:
How... bad is the situation?
JOHN:
( aside to D'Argo )
Should we tell him the truth?
D'Argo shakes his head abruptly.
D'ARGO:
( softly )
Uh-uh.
JOHN:
Truthfully, Pilot, ah, it's nothing we can't handle. We'll get back to you later on the details.
( to D'Argo )
And we are off the air.
THE DEN - MOYA
The ship rocks heavily. Standing behind the console [double-shot] off Pilot's right shoulder, Aeryn takes a hold of the console to steady herself while Pilot flails with the controls.
PILOT:
Every measure I take is soon overcome by Moya's pain.
AERYN:
How did you miss the plant?
PILOT:
I didn't. We assumed it was debris-- and quite far away. When the wormhole distracted us it snuck up.
( beat )
Why would a plant be floating so far out here?
AERYN:
I don't know. We'll worry about that later, just don't give up.
She moves to leave.
PILOT:
Aeryn?
( beat )
If... too much of Moya's skin becomes irreparably damaged... she will not... recover.
Aeryn reaches out, petting him softly.
AERYN:
We'll fix it.
Smiling gently before she turns and leaves.
LUXAN FIGHTER
D'Argo has the targeting goggles pressed to his eyes.
JOHN:
One last chance. You want to wait for--
D'ARGO:
What? So Noranti can tell us how to make a great salad? No. See plant. Kill plant.
JOHN:
That's gotta be on the Luxan Coat of Arms.
D'ARGO:
I don't suppose you have a better idea?
Slight shake of his head.
JOHN:
Nope.
D'ARGO:
Well... then hold it steady.
Returns to targeting through the goggles.
CORRIDOR - MOYA
Aeryn stands near the wall, arms crossed, silent. A loud hissing sound accompanies a jet of vapor escaping from the wall and pouring into the corridor. Shot pans slight L as Chiana arrives, stopping on the other side of the hissing stream of vapor. She props her hands on her hips and tilts her head slightly, grinning at Aeryn, who continues to silently eye the phenomenon.
Aeryn looks up, a wide eyed glance at Chiana as Chi turns to look directly at the source of the stream. Looks back at Aeryn.
CHIANA:
Leak?
AERYN:
Scalon vapor return duct.
Chiana nods, her 'so?' goes unsaid.
AERYN:
Lingers in the bloodstream.
Chi also passes on an, 'oh.', and sidesteps to stand between the stream of vapor and a curving rib. Squeaking of metal and she turns a valve, the vapor thinning, slowing and stopping.
CHIANA:
Never stopped you before.
Aeryn's response is softly spoken, nearly aside to the air.
AERYN:
Yeah, well, this time I'm pregnant.
A long beat as Aeryn takes a breath, lets it out, relieved to say the words. Aeryn's expression slowly softening as Chi takes a breath and begins to smile, stepping away from the wall.
CHIANA:
But, b-before or, or after you left Moya.
AERYN:
Before.
CHIANA:
Does Crichton know?
AERYN:
( nods )
Mm.
CHIANA:
Nice.
AERYN:
What he doesn't know... is that it... may not be his.
On cue, Moya rocks heavily. They wait, hands on the wall, steadying.
CHIANA:
Well, you-you mean the other Crichton.
Aeryn shakes her head, Chi mindlessly aping the motion in our mutual shock.
CHIANA:
Somebody... somebody else?
AERYN:
Possibly. I only found out on the Command Carrier and I haven't had it DNA tested yet.
Chiana sighs, leaning her head against the curving wall.
CHIANA:
Your life... is, is so much more interesting than mine.
Aeryn takes a step closer, her intense gaze on the girl.
AERYN:
Can I trust you?
CHIANA:
Yeah.
AERYN:
Don't want you to tell John.
CHIANA:
No way. Never, never. That's your speech.
Aeryn sighs with relief, placing a hand over Chiana's.
CHIANA:
( softly )
Come here.
Chi puts her other hand on top of Aeryn's, then resting her head there.
LUXAN FIGHER
D'ARGO:
Okay... if I have calculated the plant depth correctly we'll be able to burn right through it without Moya feeling a thing.
JOHN:
Anything from the candy kitchen?
SIKOZU:
( over comms )
Nothing unexpected...
CENTER CHAMBER
Sikozu and Noranti fiddle with analyzing the sample John took earlier. Each in their own way. Sikozu with a very large test tube filled with red fluid or something. Noranti pops bits and pieces into her mouth while hovering over a boiling pot.
SIKOZU:
The plant secretes an acid...
Noranti spits something out, puts another large fragment in her mouth.
SIKOZU:
that dissolves certain types of metal, which it then ingests. The burning in your eyes is due to a waste gas.
Quick cut to Luxan Figher.
JOHN:
Must go a long time in between meals.
SIKOZU:
No, not really. Think of your wormholes. Everytime it opens, the sudden gravitational presense--
Quick cut to Luxan Fighter.
JOHN:
Draws the debris towards it.
SIKOZU:
Yes.
Bit longer cut to John and D'Argo in the Luxan Fighter.
SIKOZU:
( over comms )
I would think.
JOHN:
( whispering to D'Argo )
She's too smart.
D'ARGO:
Okay... I'm initiating the firing sequence.
Noranti lifts her large pasta pot off the fire, the bottom of the pot cracks open, dumping the steaming contents all over the counter and onto Noranti. The old gal howls in pain or fear or a goodly combination of both. Sikozu scuttles around the counter, grabbing her by the shoulders while she pants.
SIKOZU:
What is it?
NORANTI:
( gasping )
Eat... eats... cry tears... cry grow ...
SIKOZU:
I can't understand!
[you and me both, baby!]
Cut to Luxan Fighter
D'ARGO:
You ready?
JOHN:
Mm.
Cut to Center Chamber
SIKOZU:
What is it? I can't understand!
NORANTI:
( panting )
Eat...
Cut to Luxan Fighter.
D'Argo looks up from targeting for a moment.
D'ARGO:
John... I'm gonna tell you something I've never actually put into words before.
John looks up.
D'ARGO:
I love... shooting things.
John grins, turning back toward the controls. D'Argo grins, attention back on targeting.
Quick cut to Ext. Space, moss coated Moya hovering in the distance, the engines of the Luxan Fighter keeping it on target.
Cut to Center Chamber; Noranti finally making sense.
NORANTI:
Don't shoot the plant!
Quick cut to Ext. Space as D'Argo fires, the energy sphere tearing away from the fighter and rushing toward Moya; striking the nose and 'burning away' the plant growth as the energy of the impact spreads. Moya's golden hull revealed beneath.
Cut to int. Luxan Fighter. D'Argo nodding as he pulls away from the targeting goggles.
D'ARGO:
You know what?
( beat )
I'm very good at it.
Laughing he claps his hand on John's shoulder. John gives him a wryly humorous grudging smile, nodding in agreement.
SIKOZU:
( over comms )
Crichton, D'Argo...
Quick cut to Rygel, appreciating an unobstructed view of the stars through the forward portal.
SIKOZU:
( over comms )
hold your fire!
RYGEL:
( softly )
Stars...
Cut to Center Chamber.
SIKOZU:
Can you hear me? I repeat--
Cut to Luxan Fighter
SIKOZU:
( over comms )
hold your fire!
D'ARGO:
See, they didn't even feel it.
SIKOZU:
( over comms )
Do not shoot the plant!
Celebration frozen for a moment, D'Argo and John turn, giving each other 'the look'.
SIKOZU:
( over comms )
I repeat-- do not shoot the plant!
HANGAR BAY - MOYA
Angle up as John and D'Argo decend the ladder, stepping down from Lo'La.
D'ARGO:
Well, if it was so important, she should have spoken up sooner!
In the Center Chamber, Sikozu gives the absent D'Argo a sour look, even looking 'up' in his abcense.
SIKOZU:
I tried.
JOHN:
( over comms )
Back up.
In the darkened Hangar Bay, John and D'Argo do the walkin' and talkin', giving us a nice look at Lo'La; eyes clear.
JOHN:
You say it's gonna eat faster if it's attacked.
SIKOZU:
It ate its way through the pot rather than be cooked.
John and D'Argo enter the Maintenance Bay from the Hangar Bay, Aeryn enters from the Corridor.
AERYN:
Wouldn't you?
D'ARGO:
I didn't boil the plant, I shot it. It's dead.
AERYN:
Then why do my eyes still sting?
JOHN:
D, your eyes buggin' you?
D'Argo sneezes massively, then looks massively annoyed.
JOHN:
That's a yes.
AERYN:
Pilot, how's Moya?
PILOT:
No change, Officer Sun. Perhaps a slight... worsening. She cannot localize the sensations but she still feels the burning.
Something catches Aeryn's eye in the ceiling behind John, he sees that and turns before she can get the question out.
AERYN:
What's that?
John steps onto a stack of crates, the better to look at a scattering of purple tendrils clinging to the ceiling.
D'ARGO:
Just a couple of dead roots.
John grabs a clump in his fist and pulls. A section of ceiling tears away under the pressure, a large mass of debris and vegetation tumbling after.
Catching a heavy misting of dust in the face, John raises his hands protectively, if belatedly, staggering away. Aeryn claps a hand to her nose and mouth, turning away.
When they 'can' open their eyes again, first thing; check on each other.
AERYN:
Doesn't look dead to me.
D'ARGO:
It has to be. I killed it.
PILOT:
Moya's pain is... increasing. What is happening?!
Fade to black on the trio looking around, clueless.
END ACT I
ACT II
MAINTENANCE BAY
Shortly after end of Act I. In the red tinged darkness of the hangar bay, the tendrils of the plant, torn out from the gap in the ceiling are scattered over the surface of a worktable, and scattered around John's feet where he stands on top of the crates. D'Argo, wearing the rebreather mask, mutters his discontent; his voice vaguely distorted by the mask.
D'ARGO:
It's in the frelling ship-- the plant is in the frelling ship.
( beat )
Pilot, how far has it spread.
John looks down from peering into the opening in the ceiling while Pilot responds, his voice reflects the pain shared with Moya.
PILOT:
( groans )
I can't tell. Moya's senses are overloaded... it could be anywhere.
JOHN:
We'll get it out, Pilot.
Aeryn enters, holding a smaller make over her nose and mouth, another in her hand.
AERYN:
I found two of these.
( to D'Argo )
Is that helping you at all?
D'ARGO:
Not much. For once in my life I wish I had your inferior noses.
John keeps peering up into the opening in the ceiling despite the obvious discomfort to all senses.
JOHN:
Pip, how you doin' in there?
Tiny, pitiful, gasping noises precede Chi's face appearing in the opening, wide clear goggles over her eyes.
CHIANA:
I'm-I'm not goin' up there again.
She disappears momentarily, turning to back out of the opening, sliding down into John's encircling arm.
CHIANA:
( softly )
Frell.
( beat )
Can- can you send Rygel next time... okay?
John backs down off the crate, keeping one hand on Chi's arm while she crouches, twitching and humming in quiet distress.
CHIANA:
I'm not doin' that... Mm-mm... I want my weapons, and I want my comm.
JOHN:
They're right here.
Leaning across her to snag them, keeping one hand on her arm; taking great care-- she keeps crouched on top of the crates, twitching randomly. Above her mask, Aeryn's eyebrows furrow slightly in puzzlement.
CHIANA:
Thank you.
JOHN:
Yeah.
He takes another step down, releasing her arm as she puts everything back in place. She has plant fiber remnants all over her clothing.
JOHN:
What'd you see?
CHIANA:
What did I see? Was a plant-- everywhere. Up one tier. Down-down two tiers-- as far as you can see-see.
Still twitching, she reaches over her head, down her neck, then looks down, both hands at her stomach squealing in distress.
CHIANA:
It's okay... it-it's in my clothes.
John takes her arms again, helping her down off the crates, murmuring something comforting.
CHIANA:
It's in my clothes.
AERYN:
All right, calm down. It eats through metal, not flesh.
John guides Chi into Aeryn's arms; naturally taking over the comforting as she guides her out of the room.
CHIANA:
( gasping )
Get it out-- just, it-it itches.
AERYN:
Oh, all right. I'll help you. Come on.
Aeryn and Chi leave, John takes the second mask from the table, pressing it to his nose and mouth.
D'ARGO:
It's all through the ship. It's my fault.
Voice lovely distorted through the mask, shallow, tired breaths punctuating reassurance.
JOHN:
No, no, no. We all signed off on the plan. It's probably the first time that's happened. If we screwed up, we all screwed up. Come on.
He pats D on the chest, still reassuring as they both turn to leave. And we get a lovely transition shot on the wall to...
CORRIDORS
Brief look at silent, empty corridor as transition continues. [Ian must be so proud of this white/black/red noir look he's got going in this ep. I've got an appreciation for it as well; but I'd also love to actually 'see' the characters. Damn ep is too dark.]
THE DEN / COMMAND - MOYA
Pilot and Rygel, gettin' equal time-- shots cut between the two.
RYGEL:
( over comms )
Pilot... what the yotz is wrong with the lights?
PILOT:
I don't know!
RYGEL:
Well that's hardly good enough, is it? Find the problem, and fix it.
Pilot growls.
CORRIDORS
Chi creeps around in the dark with a big 'ol flashlight. For a really, really, long time. [startin' to snore here, Soph.] Eventually she hears a sound and stumbles on D'Argo, her pistol outstretched in her opposite hand. Wow. It's dark.
D'ARGO:
Chiana, put it away. It's in the bulkhead, not frelling running around.
Chi tucks her pop-gun back into the small holster at her left hip.
CHIANA:
Yeah, so far. What are you doin'?
They walk and talk into an area where the darkness actually reveals colors rather than only shadows.
D'ARGO:
Just checking to see how far it's spread. So far it's on every frelling tier I've looked at. You know what? I think it's spawning.
CHIANA:
It's not the only one.
D'Argo stops, looks down on her, an ironic twist in his tone, probably a smirk under that mask.
D'ARGO:
You pregnant?
CHIANA:
Not me. Aeryn.
Eyes practically bulging with disbelief, tone subdued.
D'ARGO:
Aeryn is pregnant? No.
CHIANA:
Yeah. It's the truth. I swear.
D'ARGO:
Does John know?
CHIANA:
Oh yeah. But here's one thing he doesn't know. The narl might not be his.
D'ARGO:
She concieved on Talyn. If it's Crichton's DNA then it's his, it's--
CHIANA:
Yeah, but it might not be John Crichton's at all.
D'ARGO:
Well then, who's?
CHIANA:
Good question.
D'ARGO:
( sighs )
Who told you this?
She glances around conspiratorially in the darkness.
CHIANA:
Rygel.
D'Argo nods, 'of course'.
CHIANA:
You can't tell anybody, okay?
D'ARGO:
Hey, come on, he deserves to know.
CHIANA:
Please, swear... you won't tell anybody.
D'Argo sighs, tipping his head, an eyebrow arched over the mask. Acknowleding to her that he can't swear that. Moves off into the darkness.
CHIANA:
D'Argo...
She follows.
CENTER CHAMBER
Another set plunged almost fully into darkness. Noranti mutters, sorting through a pile of plant fibers illuminated by a large lantern casting a pool of bluish light [ and J squeals with delight ].
She gives off sorting through the weeds and starts moaning, itching her forehead on either side of her third eye, above the limits of the goggles she's wearing.
SIKOZU:
( annoyed )
What is the matter with you?
Sikozu moves closer to the old woman and the lantern, but continues working on whatever concoction she'd been fiddling with. Noranti leaves off itching and moaning; a greater sadness settling over her. [Oh, interesting, just now struck me that Sikozu is the only one not wearing anything as protection against whatever is in the air-- even Rygel wears goggles-- oh, and Pilot, nothing for Pilot. Hm.]
NORANTI:
This Leviathan is in pain... dying... Leviathans are good. Good things shouldn't have to die.
SIKOZU:
That's right. That's why we have to keep working on this plant.
She starts scratching at her forehead again.
NORANTI:
Oh, oh, it itches. I can't scratch. Bad to scratch. I might go blind. Oh...
( moaning )
what to do?!
SIKOZU:
All right... All right, here's what we do. We help... your eye, and the Leviathan, by finding a way to kill... the plant.
NORANTI:
How?
Sikozu peers over her shoulder, can't tell if her concern is genuine or not.
SIKOZU:
However we can. Maybe a poison.
NORANTI:
I-I know lots of poisons.
SIKOZU:
( smiling )
Yes. I'm sure you do.
( beat )
All right?
The old woman murmurs an assent, nodding slightly.
CONTAINMENT CELL
Scorpius is working it out. Both hand inside the small access hatch opening where lately burned the fire. Harsh spurts of electric discharge accompany a few of his sharp movements. Shortly he's rewarded by a humming thrum and the overhead light shines down. He steps away from the wall, looking up into the light, sighing in satisfaction.
An odd chattering noise from an instrusion of plant fibers into his cell draws his attention and he steps closer. He extends a hand and the noise decreases slightly. He pulls his hand back, sighing slightly, obviously an interesting discovery we're not meant to share at this moment. And he... smiles.
NEURAL CLUSTER
And oh yeah, it's hard to tell in the frelling dark, but the central structure of the neural core is pretty hard to miss. Aeryn entering with requiste big 'ol flashlight; mask pressed to her nose and mouth.
CHIANA [O.S.]:
Aeryn?
AERYN:
I'm over here.
Another flashlight beam precedes Chi's entrance, behind Aeryn on the other side of the core.
CHIANA:
Hey. Uh. I checked the whole lobe. There's no ah, there's no plant in Moya's neural tissue, she's gonna be all right.
( beat )
Means we can save her, right?
AERYN:
Yeah, but we still have other lobes to check.
CHIANA:
Yeah. Right.
AERYN:
All right.
Chiana heads away, her light dimishing while Aeryn continues examining the area; abruptly recalling something, dropping the mask from her face.
AERYN:
Oh, Chiana...
Chiana turns back, and... [ARG! It's another frell up. The door behind Chiana is one of Moya's standard doors of which there are none in the neural cluster. *sheesh* Okay, nobody but me cares about this, right? Oy. Annoying tho. -- okay, it's dark, who cares. ]
CHIANA:
Yeah?
AERYN:
About that conversation that we had before.
( smiles )
CHIANA:
What? What conversation?
AERYN:
The one about the, ah...
CHIANA:
Oh, the...
( clicks tongue twice )
AERYN:
( clicks tongue twice )
Yeah.
( beat )
I, ah, I was wondering if you could do me a favor?
CHIANA:
Sure.
AERYN:
Could you forget that we had that... conversation?
CHIANA:
Oh.
She looks down and takes a few steps closer, moving out of the beam of Aeryn's flashlight, into the darkness.
CHIANA:
Sh-sure, but-but, you know, you had to tell somebody so, I don't...
Aeryn follows her with the flashlight as she turns, shaking her head in confusion as she trails off.
AERYN:
Yeah, um, now I'm... really regretting that I did.
Tinges of disappointment on Chi's face force a further confession.
AERYN:
I may not even tell him.
CHIANA:
What? E-Ever? Never?
AERYN:
Well, I need to know whose it is first, and... I can't tell him that I don't know.
Chi nods slowly.
AERYN:
So... could you just forget that it... happened?
CHIANA:
Sh-ure.
AERYN:
Is that okay?
CHIANA:
Yes, of course it is. Definitely.
AERYN:
Thanks.
Aeryn turns to leave, Chi watching until she's out of sight. Moaning and flopping against the wall as soon as she deems it safe.
CHIANA:
( moaning )
Oh, frell!
CONTAINMENT CELL
John steps close to the closed door, the wide strap of the mask around his head holds the mask to his nose and mouth, voice still lovely distorted. [We're voting for these masks more often just for the cheap thrill of obsessing over the 'voice'].
JOHN:
All right, you got me here. What do you want?
Scorpius leaves off examining the plant fibers protruding from the wall to approach the door. Eyes John briefly before a soft spoken word.
SCORPIUS:
Watch.
He walks back to the squiggling plant fibers, John watching carefully through the bars. He reaches a hand toward them and they 'squeal'-- retreating slightly into the wall. John unholsters his weapon, activating the door as the plant fibers disappear into the wall, stepping inside; urging compliance with the point of the gun.
JOHN:
Back up.
Scorpius backs away from the door, allowing John entry.
JOHN:
Aeryn!
He gestures to Scorpius with the gun.
JOHN:
This way.
Short cut to Aeryn, stepping away from the ladder in the Neural Cluster core.
AERYN:
John... what is it?
Scorpius precedes John out of the cell, John keeps his gun carefully pointed to the floor in a two handed grip as he passes.
JOHN:
It seems that Audry has taste. She doesn't like Scorpius.
He follows Scorpius, another curt direction at the door.
JOHN:
To the right.
Trailing Scorpius as he follows his directions, moving down the corridor to the right.
JOHN:
What have you got?
Aeryn continues her overhead examination of the area.
AERYN:
Good news as well. I can't find any traces of the plant in the neural cluster.
John and Scorpius make a slow progression down the corridor, John's weapon now up and covering his back.
JOHN:
So it likes eating metal but it doesn't like toubray tissue.
Her eyes still to the ceiling, she hunches and drops to the floor reflexively as a enormous explosion erupts behind her, shoving backward with heels and one hand at a second explosion.
In the corridor John and Scorpius stop.
JOHN:
Aeryn, what the hell was that?
Another explosion and Aeryn continues scuttling away.
JOHN:
Are you okay?
Flashlight slung over her shoulder by its long strap, Aeryn climbs the neural cluster ladder. Another explosion just behind her.
JOHN:
Aeryn, talk to me.
Another, more distant explosion and a gout of steam mark Aeryn's arrival at Pilot's level, climbing out at the join near the bridge and the central platform [annoying, must be more than the one ladder then, that comes up beneath Pilot. Hm.] Panting slightly, turning toward Pilot.
AERYN:
Give me a microt, Crichton. Listen, Pilot-- the neural cluster...
A brief shot of a slightly hunched and unmoving Pilot.
AERYN:
Pilot?
Flashlight in hand, she slowly moves closer, really slowly; looking around the enormous cavern as she approaches. Close enough finally to note the invasion of plant fibers than hang across the spurs below his crest. Abruptly Pilot's eyes bulge open and he begins to bob harshly, choking noises from his throat, the plant fibers dripping from his lips.
Fade to black as he groans loudly. Terrifying sound. [thankfully, didn't hurl]
END ACT II
ACT III
CONTAINMENT CELL
John and D'Argo enter Scorpy's new home, Scorpy nowhere around. John's holding the mask on again.
JOHN:
Could be his coolant rods... could just be his personality.
D'ARGO:
Let's just hope it's these rods.
John pulls the mask down, rubbing his eyes. D'Argo pulls Scorpy's carryall from beneath the bunk. Sikozu entering behind them while he rifles through it, John has a question for her...
JOHN:
How's the damage to Moya?
SIKOZU:
Contained to a small section of one lobe. There should not be any loss of brain function.
D'ARGO:
What about the plant? Why wasn't there any in the neural cluster?
SIKOZU:
Because there is no metal in the toubray. But... there is metal in the electrolyte regulators. And when they jammed, the synapses overloaded.
Another cool device that obviously doesn't already work self-contained; one minute a solid carryall, the next glimpse the little centrifuge that holds the blue coolant rods is up, exposing the small round-up of tubes. Sikozu begins removing them.
THE DEN
Aeryn hauls Scorpius backward to recline on the console beside Pilot [and that's gotta be worth a triple-shot I'd say!]. He's chained securely to the wall, but feels free to voice his objections.
SCORPIUS:
( annoyed )
I wish to assist however I can! There is no need for these restraints.
AERYN:
I believe you, the others don't.
Aeryn grabs him by the shoulders and 'rolls' him toward Pilot. [god, I love it when she man-handles him. *g*]. The plant tendrils surrounding Pilot shrivel.
AERYN:
It's working!
She pushes him back onto his back.
AERYN:
Crichton, it's working.
CONTAINMENT CELL
John holds one of the cooling rods in front of the intrusion of plant fibers and they shrivel.
JOHN:
Yeah, there you go. We got lucky. It's definitely the rods.
[ Okay, I giggle when he says definitely. hehe... no, seriously. John makin' the BBQ spell. Yep. Mentally.Damaged. *g* ]
He hands the rod to Sikozu, she adds it to the pile already in her hand.
JOHN:
Is that all we have?
SIKOZU:
It may not be enough. I'll see how far I can dilute them down.
She heads for the door, John following until D'Argo calls him. He stops at the door, turning back.
D'ARGO:
John.
JOHN:
Yeah.
Long pause while D decides what to say.
D'ARGO:
Um.
( sighs )
I know Aeryn's pregnant. Chiana told me.
John looks away, vaguely uneasy. Emotions carefully reigned in. A question first, but can't look back at D yet. It's a close shot, just face and shoulders but you can tell he's reaching out to the wall, put fingers on the doorframe to anchor himself. [oy]
JOHN:
Chiana?
D'ARGO:
Rygel told her.
John nods, lips tightly pursed.
JOHN:
So, the whole ship knows?
D'Argo kinda gives a sideways nod...
D'ARGO:
Well, I don't think Moya knows. But, ah...
John nods once, eyes closing, lips in a thin line again. [Irony... not so funny when it's you.] He looks up a D, an 'ah, hell' expression on his face.
JOHN:
Go ahead.
He waits expectantly, visibly bracing himself for whatever D'Argo needs to tell him.
D'ARGO:
Aeryn isn't sure... if the child is John Crichton's.
and John is just 'looking' at him. Expression exquisitely blank, tiny nod.
JOHN:
The thought had crossed my mind.
D'Argo shakes his head, he looks so unhappy.
D'ARGO:
It doesn't matter.
Still silent and unmoving, no small nod this time. A long pause and...
JOHN:
So, what do you think?
D'ARGO:
I think that either way... you're going to get hurt. So, uh... look after yourself.
John looks away, briefly contemplating the doorframe, brows contracting for a fraction of a second. Then looks back to D'Argo. [and THAT look, that's the one someone should get a frelling screen capture of. Oy. Very painful.]
A long silent moment, cut back to D'Argo, just quietly waiting. Cut back to John and shot is med-long and we can 'see' that hand on the doorframe.
JOHN:
Thanks.
He turns and walks away, putting the mask back up across his nose and mouth.
CENTER CHAMBER
Noranti and Sikozu, still workin' around the cauldron. [Hey, isn't there supposed to be a third witch?] Sikozu looks up just it time to catch Noranti taking a sip of the cooling rod fluid from a small beaker. Makes a yummy sound. [ew]
SIKOZU:
( irritated )
We're not interested in its flavor you--
Valiantly cutting herself off and restraining her anger... semi-succesfully.
SIKOZU:
( to self )
I'm not going to insult you.
NORANTI:
No, no, no. It's more like hindrati petal tea.
( beat )
Ohhh, I can feel the fungus dying as they mingle in my mouth.
[Awgh! gross.]
SIKOZU:
Concentrate!
( beat )
We know it works as an aerosol, but which element? Or, is it the compound as a whole? That is what we have to solve.
The old bird scarfs another piece of the plant. The woman has an oral fixation to put John's to shame.
NORANTI:
In a casserole, no. But, if stewed properly, I believe that this plant may compliment a variety of meat dishes.
She must be desperate, cause she resorts to *gasp* sarcasm.
SIKOZU:
You defy the whole theory of natural selection.
NORANTI:
( laughs )
Do I?
SIKOZU:
Listen to me! These people are trying to save this ship, and us! Now if their plan fails, we need to know why this... ( shoving a coolant rod under her nose ) works!
COMMAND
D'Argo enters, breathing heavily. It's becoming obvious that whatever is in the air is impeding the whole breathing thing.
He stops at a console, checking on things. Behind him, slumped over the strategy table, Rygel's thronesled hums, the lil toad sitting up, shining his tiny light toward D'Argo.
D'ARGO:
You are here. Why didn't you respond? You're meant to be checking the circulation.
RYGEL:
( pouting )
You do it.
D'ARGO:
( comming )
Air flow is still functioning. John and Aeryn are clear to go.
CORRIDORS
John and Aeryn move away from camera, both clad in full EVA suits, the white piping glowing in the dark. They each tote a large bucket of blue fluid which also glows mildly in the darkness.
JOHN:
Let's not spill any of this Scorpy-juice, it's all we got.
AERYN:
Got it.
COMMAND
D'Argo now faces Rygel across the table.
D'ARGO:
Rygel, you're often insufferable...
He peels the mask off his head, sitting at the table.
D'ARGO:
But, uh... it's not your fault.
RYGEL:
I... was captain!
D'ARGO:
Yes, you were, and, ah, Pilot's Pilot and Moya's a Leviathan... no matter what orders you give, they're not going to not fly into something they can't sense.
RYGEL:
But this plant-- this fungus!
D'ARGO:
It didn't register.
RYGEL:
Still. I was in charge.
D'Argo sighs and places a large hand on a tiny shoulder.
D'ARGO:
There are so many other reasons why you should hate yourself at the moment.
Rygel lowers his head.
D'ARGO:
Like, sulking... while others are out there risking their lives.
( beat )
Now monitor... the airflow.
He stands to leave.
ATMOSPHERIC SCRUBBER
John arrives outside a small door criss-crossed by transparent panels, he peers inside at large golden fans suspended from the ceiling.
JOHN:
Pilot, are we gonna be okay in there?
PILOT:
( labored )
Tiering fan filters in the atmospheric scrubber... allows a dampening of airflow...
JOHN:
Yeah, it's all very PBS, we'll take that as an affirmative.
He pushes the door open and they step inside, careful not to be decapitated by the large spinning fans! [LOL! It's a Galaxy Quest homage! LOL. Very funny.]
JOHN:
So, you want to talk?
AERYN:
( laughs )
I appreciate you waiting for this appropriate time and place.
JOHN:
Yeah, I got pretty good at waiting.
They kneel down and crawl underneath one of the large four bladed fans spinning heavily in a horizontal plane above their heads. They push the buckets ahead to near another large fan, this one vertical, with many more blades in two sets, spinning counter to each other.
AERYN:
I can't believe this is all we have!
JOHN:
Sikozu and Noranti thinned it out as much as they could.
AERYN:
( comming )
All right, they're in position.
CORRIDORS
D'ARGO:
I'll let you know when the vapor trail arrives. At the moment all there is is this hungry plant and my frelling inability to breathe!
Elsewhere, in another corridor...
CHIANA:
I'm as far away from your hamman side as I can get... it doesn't look good.
ATMOSPHERIC SCRUBBER
JOHN:
Just hang tough, Pip. It may be a little while.
RYGEL:
( over comms )
Better cut that in half. Even the DRDs have given up. The fungus is everywhere.
Unnoticed, of course, the plant fibers have gotten into the works of the circulation fans, a high-pitched metal screech also going unnoticed.
JOHN:
Hopefully that'll change as soon as this Scorpy-juice evaporates into the airstream.
AERYN:
You know, we don't have a contingency.
JOHN:
Ah, this'll work... unless that plant can mutate in five minutes, what could go wrong?
Nice pause while the high-pitched metal scream builds in intensity.
JOHN:
( sighing )
Damn, I did not just say that.
Right on cue, the central fan 'blows', the four main blades popping away from the central hub and crash to the ground sending fragments across the chamber. It's an impressive sight. John and Aeryn go down. Some fragments knock the buckets over, a bright blue flood rapidly staining the floor and trickling down an open grate. Metal fragments rain down on John and Aeryn.
As the noise subsides, John sits up quickly, surveying the damage, notes the blue fluid escaping down the grate.
JOHN:
Guys, we got a problem. The witches brew is down the drain.
He turns toward Aeryn, still prone on her side, nudging her with his hand.
JOHN:
Aeryn, we gotta get out of here.
She doesn't move, body just rocking slightly with the nudge. He leans in closer.
JOHN:
Aeryn!
Rolling her slightly onto her back, he sees a bright stain of blood on her cheek in the light of the helment. Her eyes are closed.
JOHN:
Oh, god.
END ACT III
ACT IV
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
Action steps up this Act, cutting between locations. John & Aeryn in the atmospheric scrubber, Rygel on Command, D'Argo in the hangar bay, Scorpius still chained to the wall in Pilot's Den, Sikozu and Noranti in the Center Chamber.
Aeryn's sitting on the floor, back propped against the wall, John kneeling beside her, his hand on her head, peering at her closely. The fans no longer circulating which probably accounts for why they aren't wearing their helmets.
JOHN:
Does it hurt?
AERYN:
Mm-hmm.
JOHN:
Where?
AERYN:
Where it's bleeding.
She bats his hand away, annoyed.
RYGEL:
Crichton? When is your fahrbot wormhole due to open again?
JOHN:
Why?
RYGEL:
We've drifted directly atop it's coordinates. The captain says, "abandon ship".
AERYN:
D'Argo, can your vessel pull us clear? Give us time?
John helps her stand, and they move out.
SCORPIUS:
I hardly believe it's worth the effort.
Pilot is wobbling and moaning beside him.
SCORPIUS:
This Leviathan is gone!
D'ARGO:
Lo'La could move Moya. But is it worth the risk?
SIKOZU:
Yes!
In the center chamber, Noranti has obviously gotten on the girls last nerve, she has one hand wrapped firmly around the old woman's neck.
SIKOZU:
This old demon has isolated the plant killing compound.
( shaking her )
Tell them!
NORANTI:
Solanterum fobex. Tingles on the palate. Mildly-radioactive in quantity.
D'ARGO:
So what? We're out of coolant rods.
SIKOZU:
Don't you people know you're own ship?! We have solanterum!
LUXAN FIGHTER
A beat later and everyone... well, Noranti, Rygel, Sikozu and D'Argo are all in Lo'La while he readies the ship for flight.
SIKOZU:
( entering )
Solanterum is a toxic absorbing regulator within Moya's filter system. Pipes of it run all the way through...
D'ARGO:
( cutting in )
Okay, okay, we got it already.
Looking through one of Lo'La's forward eyes to John, standing in the Maintenance Bay, mask pressed to his face. Chi crouched behind him on a table, and a single DRD on the floor.
D'ARGO:
John, how long til your wormhole?
JOHN:
Too far away to tell... but it's coming.
John turns away, heading back to the DRD.
JOHN:
All right, 1812--
MAINTENANCE BAY
Cut to the Maintenance Bay as the DRD rolls forward.
JOHN:
Even spacing, all tiers, no gaps.
( kneeling down )
Cannons set to minimum. Tell all your cousins.
( taps the housing lightly )
Go do it.
The DRD hums away and John stands, crossing to Chiana.
JOHN:
You sure you want to be here?
CHIANA:
Yep. My skin reflects radiation. We don't tan... but we don't burn either.
JOHN:
( comming )
Aeryn?
Quick cut to Aeryn in Pilot's Den, depressing a control panel.
AERYN:
I believe I've set a simple control sequence to fire all DRDs simultanteously.
JOHN:
All right, come on back.
AERYN:
I'll stay and activate. Unless you'll agree to trust Scorpius.
ALL:
No!
JOHN:
Aeryn, one word: radiation.
AERYN:
I can handle it.
JOHN:
And what about the baby?
She sighs, silently conceding the point.
D'Argo sighs, hanging his head briefly before turning to the others behind him.
D'ARGO:
Volunteers?
SIKOZU:
Even minimal ion exposure breaks down three of my internal organs. I doubt I shall survive until I am needed.
D'Argo shifts his gaze to Rygel, Sikozu turning to glare at him as well. He remains silent-- Noranti pokes him, shifting his thronesled forward a bit.
Cut to John and Chi, waiting at the table, John turns to greet the new arrival... thronesled humming.
JOHN:
Hey, Fluffy, captain goin' down with the ship?
RYGEL:
( laughs )
You wish! Just don't frell it up.
John turns back to Chi who is 'still' fiddling with something on the table.
JOHN:
So, one million SPF... you sure this is gonna work?
He lowers the mask.
CHIANA:
Nope. But Aeryn said it would.
She maneuvers closer, beginning to daub a rich golden paste on his face.
CHIANA:
Something about you wanting to have more babies?
He turns away a bit while she works the applicator down his jawline.
Inside Lo'La, D'Argo prepares for flight, Aeryn sits read in the co-pilot's position-- hands on the joystick.
AERYN:
Fortunate this fungus causes you so much mucus.
D'ARGO:
Excellent. Just... hold it steady, here we go.
ATMOSPHERIC SCRUBBER
John and Chi enter, John looking like some kind of sun-god with that golden face, but only John wears an EVA suit. Chi carries a long metal pole. They cross the room against a moderately strong flow of air.
JOHN:
It's like a wind tunnel in here.
CHIANA:
Yeah!
They move to the far end of the room, the floor appears slightly sloped, the large ceiling fans no longer spinning.
JOHN:
Can't be helped. Filters gotta be off, and we gotta stop this fan from spinning.
They stop at the far wall, another large vertical fan, this one not rotating quickly, but the rush of wind through the large holes are making it difficult to stand. Chi wedges the pole between the vertical blades, jamming the fan and stopping the rotation.
JOHN:
That'll keep the stuff from getting sucked back in here and being cleansed. We gotta keep the mist out in the ship or we're toast.
Chi holds on for all she's worth while John moves away.
CHIANA:
You get to it!
THE DEN
Rygel examines the controls dubiously, Scorpius coaching.
SCORPIUS:
That one first. Officer Sun was quite clear in her--
RYGEL:
( cutting in )
If this goes bad, please die first so my last moment can be joyous.
ATMOSPHERIC SCRUBBER
At about the center of the room, John leaps upward, snagging a flexible pipe and 'tearing' it out of the ceiling. His feet hit the ground again and a burst of purple mist flows from the broken end of the pipe.
JOHN:
Whoo-hoo!
Chiana struggles to keep the fan jammed, grunting against the strain and the wind. John props the pipe on his shoulder, holding what appears to be a highly pressurized stream toward the still spinning fan at the other end of the room.
JOHN:
Ryge... be ready for my signal. We ignite the purple haze too soon, the radiation won't penetrate Moya. Too late... we'll blast her apart.
Shots of the purple mist filling the corridors before we cut to the Den, the purple mist already invading there.
RYGEL:
Acknowledged.
Behind Rygel, Scorpius looks a bit... blissed.
SCORPIUS:
It will make me stronger.
RYGEL:
Radioactive mist makes you stronger?
SCORPIUS:
Perhaps... my final moments will be joyous.
Rygel makes a nervous gulping noise.
Back in the scrubber, John keeps the mist pouring toward the still circulating fan. The opposing vertical blades scissoring together.
EXT SPACE
Lo'La lines up against Moya's lower hull just behind her nose, carefully pressed against her hull and looking a bit like a pilot fish as she nudges Moya starboard.
SIKOZU:
( over comms )
It's working... we're pushing Moya clear.
LUXAN FIGHTER
Aeryn and D'Argo concentrating on the maneuver.
ATMOSPHERIC SCRUBBER
Still holding the stream of mist steady.
JOHN:
D'Argo... wormhole in four...
Quick cut to D'Argo
JOHN:
three...
Quick cut to Chiana, her feet beginning to skate on the tilted deck, pushing her shoulder into the wall.
JOHN:
dos...
Quick cut to ext. space, Lo'La still nudging Moya off vector.
JOHN:
uno...
The wormhole 'blooms', right on cue. Moya a close, but safe distance.
LUXAN FIGHER
Aeryn holds it steady, a small smile on her face.
D'ARGO:
We're fine. Thanks for the big warning. Now get it done.
THE DEN
SCORPIUS:
As a single element... Solanterum needs to be heated to achieve effectiveness.
ATMOSPHERIC SCRUBBER
JOHN:
1812-- poll the brothers! Everybody seein' the mist?
Insert a couple of shots of DRDs at various locations. 1812 stops circling, squeaks emphatically and deploys its small lazer.
JOHN:
That's an affirmative. The mist should be through the ship on every tier.
CHIANA:
Just go!
JOHN:
All DRDs stand by. Rygel-- batter up!
THE DEN
Rygel reaches toward the panel, but before he can act, he's rudely interupted by the revived Pilot-- only massively disoriented.
PILOT:
( howling )
Ah! Wormhole! Too close to wormhole!
RYGEL:
Pilot, calm down.
JOHN:
( over comms )
Fire the DRDs!
Pilot grabs Rygel by the throat, lifting him above the control console. Scorpius struggles ineffectively with the chains looped over his shoulders.
RYGEL:
Pilot!
JOHN:
Rygel!
PILOT:
No, get away!
Scorpius yanks savagely at the chain, trying to tear it away from the wall.
RYGEL:
I'm trying to help!
LUXAN FIGHTER
SIKOZU:
Too much chemical and the explosion will destroy us all.
AERYN:
Crichton, do you copy?
ATMOSPHERIC SCRUBBER
JOHN:
Damn it, Aeryn. What do you want me to do?
( shouting )
Rygel!
THE DEN
RYGEL:
Let me go!
Snarling, Scorpius yanks against his chains, somehow freeing one arm he swings it downward against Pilot's arm, severing it from his body. The arm and Rygel both, tumble to the floor. Pilot, naturally, howls in agony.
JOHN:
Rygel!
Rygel struggles up from the floor, crawling halfway onto the console, and finally depressing the control. All DRDs fire into the mist, igniting a storm of radiation.
The purple mist filling the corridors ignites a bluish white hellstorm that races through the ship, all the way back to the atmospheric scrubber where the effect, most startlingly, makes John and Chiana both transparent and illuminating their skeletal structure as the wave passes through. [Cool. And we'd say something about bones here but... just don't wanna go there.]
EXT SPACE
The ignited radiation illuminates Moya's hull, a gorgeous golden light very reminiscent of the destructive fire. Lo'La is hove off at a respectable distance, yet...
LUXAN FIGHER
Very one squints or shields their eyes against the sudden illumination.
THE DEN
The ship rumbles, rocking heavily.
ATMOSPHERIC SCRUBBERS
Chiana loses her grip on the pole and falls, sliding across the sloped deck.
CHIANA:
Crichton!
John drops to the floor, one hand still gripping the pipe, the other snagging her boot as she slides by.
JOHN:
I gotcha.
He momentum dragging him forward, until they're caught up short by the limit of the length of the flexible pipe.
JOHN:
I gotcha!
Chi's outstretched hands nearly touching the blades of the fan as she tries to push backward.
CHIANA:
( screaming )
I'm slipping. Help!
JOHN:
Rygel!
CHIANA:
Pull me back!
JOHN:
Shut off the fans!
RYGEL:
What fans?!
JOHN:
Shut down the fans! Shut off the fans!
Rygel examines the console frantically.
RYGEL:
Nobody told me about any fans!
The pipe gives way allowing both Chi and John to slide forward a few inches.
CHIANA:
( screaming )
Crichton!
Hauled up short again, John adjusts his grip, releasing her boot a taking a fist full of her pant leg on her upper thigh, heaving back as much as possible, stretched between Chiana's struggling body and the completely unreliable pipe.
CHIANA:
Pull me back! Pull me back!
JOHN:
I'm tryin'!
CHIANA:
Please, please, I'm slipping!
RYGEL:
Oh, fan, fan...
JOHN:
Pip!
John's gloved hand digs into her leg, the fabric of her pants clutched in his fingers, the fabric only stretching as he pulls back.
JOHN:
Just hang on!
Chiana pulls her hands back, pushing upward and arching her back, lifting her head away from the spinning blades scissoring a hairs breadth in front of her face.
JOHN:
Rygel! Shut.the.fans.off!
RYGEL:
( frantically )
I don't know how! Pilot, fan. fan.fan.fan.
JOHN:
Shut the damn fans off!
( to Chiana )
Quit wrigglin'! Just hang on.
Whimpering, she's bend nearly in half, trying to keep her face out of the fan.
RYGEL:
( muttering )
Frelling fan.
JOHN:
( screaming )
You bas-tard!
Chi screams, her face all but 'in' the fan.
Rygel presses a control, strictly at random, and is immediately rewarded by a hum of power cycling down.
The fan cycles slower, shutting down. Still arched radically upward, Chi pants heavily.
RYGEL:
How about that? Did that do anything?
John releases his grip, dropping his head against the deck with a solid thunk, he's also breathing fast and shallow. Another crisis averted, and absolutely none to soon.
JOHN:
( panting )
Yeah... fans off.
Chi collapses as well, shoving away from the fan and rolling onto her back. John rolls onto his side, watching her.
RYGEL:
It is?!
JOHN:
Yeah.
RYGEL:
We did it.
Quick cut to the Den so we can enjoy Scorpius scowling at Rygel.
RYGEL:
( laughing )
I did it.
Chiana wobbles to her feet, and, interestingly enough, John's efforts to pull her back are evident in her trousers... the crotch pulled half-way down to her knees.
JOHN:
Hey... you still got you're pants on.
She peers down at him, he's not bothering to get off the floor.
CHIANA:
Well that would be a first.
John grins and laughs, a nice thick, rich, genuine, and only mildly lacivious. Chi laughs with him.
He takes a deep breath, amusement thick in his tone.
JOHN:
That's a good look.
Chi bends over, grabbing the vacant material between her legs, and John laughs again, that lovely, genuine laugh.
CHIANA:
Very funny.
She grabs her waistband and very ineffectively attempts to yank herself straight. John continues chuckling while she works at it.
CHIANA:
Very, very funny.
Fade to black on John's continued soft laughter.
END ACT IV
TAG
EXT SPACE - CGI
Probably seen this one a few times as well, Moya motoring at speed. Lovely transition shot. To some later moment in time.
PILOT [V.O.]:
The voting for the captaincy is complete...
THE DEN
Pilot, back to his bobbing and weaving self, a large golden sheet draped over his torso masks whatever damage Scorpius did.
PILOT:
With Moya abstaining and everyone, except for Scorpius, casting a vote. Including myself, our total comes to eight.
COMMAND
Chiana and D'Argo clean up, Rygel hovers pretty uselessly.
PILOT:
The tally is as follows... one vote for Dominar Rygel the Sixteenth.
Rygel grins, making appreciative noises, a bit of plant fiber in his fingers.
PILOT:
One vote for Officer Aeryn Sun. Astonishing as it seems... Scorpius received one vote.
Back in his cell, Scorpius looks up from replenishing his coolant rod holder, smiling appreciatively; and quick cut to Sikozu in the center chamber, also smirking happily.
PILOT:
One vote was cast for the the Divine Eternal.
Noranti presses her palms together following a short florish, her eyes cast upward. Typical.
PILOT:
And finally... four votes for our new and deserving captain... Ka' D'Argo.
On command, D'Argo breathes a short laugh of slight surprise. He glances over to Chiana who gives him a satisfied smile. He appears pleased; pleasure balanced with a measure of dread. Rygel hovers off... likely to pout.
CHIANA:
Well done.
ATMOSPHERIC SCRUBBER
Kneeling on the floor, John works at clearing the debris of the exploded fan, placing fragments into a bucket. 1812 keeping him company. He looks up as Aeryn enters, looking down again as he continues clearing the floor.
She closes the door and turns, hands on her hips, just watching him. He looks up briefly, then back to the floor, more pieces dropped into the bucket. Aeryn moves close, crouching beside him. He gathers more debris, dropping it into the bucket before glancing up at her again.
AERYN:
I didn't want to tell you about the pregnancy until I was sure.
He stops, still looking at the floor.
JOHN:
Sure you were pregnant, or...
( looks up )
sure who the father was?
Aeryn's mouth gapes a bit, slightly surprised, her features hardening a bit.
AERYN:
Chiana will be killed.
JOHN:
Yeah, it's Chiana's fault. Why don't you blame her?
Looks away again, plucking more debris from the floor. Stops again, still looking down. Asks... more a statement than a question.
JOHN:
It's the other Crichton's.
AERYN:
There's no distinction in my mind any more.
JOHN:
Okay, now you've confused me.
And he looks it, his gaze unable to lock on any specific thing. She focuses him with a tangent of information without really answering his confusion.
AERYN:
All right.
( beat )
Military campaigns can last for many cycles. Imagine if even a portion of a female unit fell pregnant. Those of us born on a Command Carrier can retain an embryonic fetus for up to seven cycles.
JOHN:
So this could be from...
AERYN:
Perhaps, four cycles before I met you. And only a surgeon can release the stasis so the baby can grow.
JOHN:
And that's why you left?
AERYN:
I didn't even make it that far.
He lowers his head, tired, resting briefly on the back of his hand, thinking... clears his throat before looking up again.
JOHN:
Aeryn... I figure a relationship... the kind we're not having... is based on trust.
That produces a bittersweet smile on her face.
AERYN:
I'm so sorry.
JOHN:
Yeah... me too.
Long beat while they exchange a long, painful, silent look.
JOHN:
'Cause you don't... trust me. So, I don't know how to trust you.
AERYN:
I think I've earned your trust.
JOHN:
I would put my life... in your hands... but not my heart.
She's silent, no answer to that, just silent focus on the pain apparent in him; and he has to look away again. She looks away too, a bitterly ironic smile flits across her lips. When she speaks again, her voice is tight and dry.
AERYN:
So, what's it gonna take? What do I have to do?
He looks down, shaking his head vaguely.
JOHN:
Just come back... when you have your story straight.
He stands and walks away, leaving her to struggle with what looks like loss. And [swear to god] a single tear falls.
Fade To Black.
ROLL CLOSING CREDITS
FADE TO BLACK
ROLL CLOSING CREDITS
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