COLD OPEN
PLANET SURFACE
Near foreground is Aeryn's prowler. A small figure lurking around the
base of the long 'wing' on the left side of the craft. Aeryn stands on the
left side as well, muted electronic beeping as she surveys the craft,
ducking beneath the body momentarily before standing again, attention
focused on the device in her hand and not on the small figure behind her.
Aft of the parked prowler is a mist-filled chasm of undetermined depth
with cliffs of stone jutting skyward on the opposite side. Nestled on a
plateau in the cliffs, just visible in the distance, is a definable
structure of some sort.
Cut to close on Aeryn, her attention still on the read-outs of the
device. She idly slaps her arm, ridding herself of a pest. The sound of a
child humming increases and Aeryn turns quickly to look at the child beneath
the wing, said child's fingers probing 'inside' the mechanics of what is
likely the frelling prowler laser cannons.
Shot goes wonky — tilting slightly, fuzzy around the edges.
AERYN:
(sharply)
Don't touch that!
The child turns to look at her, still fuzzy around the edges, surreal.
Cut back to Aeryn, normal time, no fuzziness, but Aeryn looks a bit
disconcerted. She returns her gaze to the read-out of the device, brows
furrowed. The child's humming resumes, followed by the probing fingers into
the prowler mechanics.
Aeryn turns to look at the child again. Nothing changes this time and
she… looks away with a slight shake of her head.
PLANET SURFACE
Elsewhere, a semi-angry mob is after Chiana. She stumbles through a
forested area ahead of several robed natives who hurl stones and invective
at her.
MALE VOICE:
You knew our laws when you arrived!
CHIANA:
I was just havin' fun!
PAROOS:
Banishment is lenient for your… indiscretion.
WOMAN:
Many indiscretions!
The woman hurls an especially vicious stone as Cap'n D'Argo arrives in
the nick, pulling Chi back as she's seriously considering less passive
tactics than running away.
CHIANA:
No wonder… no wonder your men were begging me for it!
D'ARGO:
This isn't helping.
CHIANA:
He throws like you!
D'Argo grabs her arm, propelling her up the slope and away from the angry
crowd.
D'ARGO:
No wonder you're thrown off every planet you land on!
They're intercepted mid-way up the hill by an alien of a different
species than those members of the angry crowd. Tall; bi-pedal; large, bald
skull; flaring slits like 'combs' on the side of his head. Chi rushes to
him, using her 'persuasive skills'.
CHIANA:
E'Alet… yeah, you're… you're friends with the guy up top.
Maybe I, I can appeal to him, one-on-one.
E'ALET:
The Prefect has already denied your petition… but bids you
a… safe journey.
He runs his fingers through her hair. Chiana angrily shakes him off.
WOMAN:
Banish her, now!
D'Argo grabs her arm again and pushes her past while she shouts back over
his shoulder.
CHIANA:
After everything I did for you!
PLANET SURFACE
Still looking disconcerted, Aeryn looks back at the humming child. Shot
goes strange again and fuzzy around the edges. Instead of pressing both
hands into the side of the prowler, the child's hands are reaching out to
Aeryn. Aeryn viciously slaps the child back.
Shot cuts back to normal, Aeryn's back turned to the child, and she turns
again to look at her, still standing by the prowler and humming. She turns
back again, clicking off the scanning device, the masked confusion sliding
toward vague suspicion that something is not quite right.
PLANET SURFACE
D'Argo still edging Chiana away from the people she's managed to piss off
so thoroughly.
D'ARGO:
Moya is up there floating dormant in space. This is the first planet in
twenty that we've found that has any drinking water.
(beat)
You are going to get us kicked off.
CHIANA:
I didn't do anything.
Chiana storms away, leaving D and the crowd silent behind her. She climbs
to the top of the rise where Aeryn waits beside the prowler.
Further down the hill, one of the men attempts to soothe the angry woman.
GAASHAH:
I know your need for vengeance.
The woman is seething with bitter anger.
WOMAN:
Do you, Gaashah? Would you sit by if an outsider had been with your
son?
Turning back at her near refuge, Chiana dispenses a bit of bitter anger
of her own.
CHIANA:
Ah. Is he the cute one? I remember him. What's the kid’s name? Zer-boy?
GAASHAH:
Zerbat!
CHIANA:
Oh, Zerbat.
Gaashah stalks off, massively pissed. D'Argo turns on Chi, also pretty
mad.
D'ARGO:
Chiana… you are such a fekkik!
D'Argo turns away, steaming.
AERYN:
Chiana.
Aeryn crooks a finger at Chi, urging her up to the crest of the hill like
a recalcitrant child… which, you know, she is behaving very
much like.
AERYN:
Come here, now.
D trails down hill after Gaashah as Chi begins the rest of the ascent.
AERYN:
I've preprogrammed a course to Moya.
Aeryn holds out her hand, hauling Chi to the top of the hill.
CHIANA:
I'll be bored to death out there.
AERYN:
Well, Chiana, you've been banished.
CHIANA:
Yeah, only from Gaashah's clan.
They cross under the wing on the right side of the craft, Chiana flopping
down on the ladder to the cockpit.
CHIANA:
One prospect in each one.
[Sailor in every port theory?]
AERYN:
Oh, that's a great idea.
CHIANA:
Come on.
AERYN:
Now, once you're in there, don't touch any of the controls.
PLANET SURFACE
D'Argo has caught up with a very pissed Gaashah.
GAASHAH:
More than you know is at stake here!
D'ARGO:
I understand —
GAASHAH:
Nothing. No one does. Unity of the clans is new. Peace is new. But
even I know such peace is too fragile to be endangered—
He's cut off by the loud roaring of engines, looks up to the hazy sky,
pink tinged clouds through bare branches. The prowler speeds away at low
altitude, vapor trail adding a temporary white streak.
GAASHAH:
—by some indelicate whore.
PLANET ATMOSPHERE - CGI
And it's a brief beauty… the prowler moving away at a high rate
of speed, climbing above a layer of mist into a brilliant blue sky. To the
left is the structure viewed in the first scene, a circular domed golden
castle snuggled against the cliff-side.
JOHN [V.O.]:
Gone, but not forgotten…
CASTLE
Close on John looking out a window, obviously having noted Chi's
departure through that access. The sunlight streaming through nicely
illuminates John and his companion. John in fg, his companion in bg, turning
toward him. A tall, pale male with long silver hair [and quoting MF here:
Princess Leia spiral buns over his ears.] His expression is …
dour.
FALAAK:
What of the others?
JOHN:
What, Aeryn and Sikozu? No, no— none'n'noner. Perfect ladies at all
times.
Loud bleep of comms.
AERYN:
(over comms)
Crichton.
The tall gentleman looks annoyed and John… flinches.
JOHN:
Yeah… I gotta take this.
Shot cuts to long across the room. John descends a short but broad flight
of steps to the main floor. A long table flanked by two chairs at either end
sits on a large white furred rug. His companion turns and looks out the
broad window onto the blue sky. [And, hm… are those the otec lamps
from VM?]
JOHN:
Aeryn. I see that… Elvis has left the building.
Cut to Aeryn being dragged through an anemic wood by the enthusiastic
grip of the young child.
AERYN:
What? What does that mean?
JOHN:
(over comms)
That means Prefect Falaak has graciously accepted our apology for
Chiana's conduct, as well as our… emergency generator as
compensation.
Disastrous sound, like a compression of air followed by a distant
explosion. Aeryn jerks back, pulling her hand away. Abruptly the image tilts
and Gaashah stands close; fuzzy around the edges.
Cut to Aeryn, a wary look. She looks down at the child. No sign of anyone
else. The child giggles, takes her hand again, tugging her forward.
CHILD:
Come on.
JOHN:
(over comms)
Aeryn?
Cut to close on John, an impatient Falaak now turned toward him.
JOHN:
It's a good deal. Allows us all to stay on the planet.
Aeryn allows herself to be towed through the wood.
AERYN:
The comms are frelled. Call me later.
John sighs, closes his eyes, teeth worrying his lower lip.
FALAAK:
Sounds a bit… moody.
JOHN:
Man, you should've met her mother.
[And, geez, shouldn't we all be going, "Ah HAH!" right there?]
PLANET SURFACE - MARKET
The child tows Aeryn into an occupied area. Nothing fancy. A few open
stalls display foodstuffs and other, more esoteric, goods.
Allowing herself to be towed to the center of the market, Aeryn crouches
down, the child moving a slight distance away. Hearing Gaashah's voice a
short distance away. A worried tone.
GAASHAH [O.S.]:
The only risk… is that my failure will signal there's more to be
gained from war than from peace.
Aeryn closes her eyes, instantly an image of Gaashah; moving to attack.
She opens her eyes, glancing to the side, sees Gaashah standing a short
distance away with D'Argo, hand gripping the other man's arm.
D'ARGO:
Let me help you.
GAASHAH:
The less anyone sees of you and your friends… the better for me.
D'Argo sighs, moving off. Gaashah turns slowly toward Aeryn, lifting the
back of his hand to his mouth. Many people in the market walking between
them.
Aeryn blinks, shaking her head. Abruptly the image of Gaashah attacking;
a pulse blast strikes his chest and he collapses, all in surreal fuzzy
vision.
Aeryn looks away again, but Gaashah continues to eye her warily.
PLANET - EXT CASTLE
Shot is long on John standing mid-way down a long, reasonably wide flight
of steps. Presumably the access to the castle from less lofty heights. He
peers over the edge at the third visible landing on the descent, then
continues across the landing to the next length of steps.
JOHN:
Aeryn. Talked to Rygel.
In the market, Aeryn accepts a cup from the young child, who darts off
again.
JOHN:
(over comms)
He said that Moya's still outta commission. How you doin'?
AERYN:
I'm getting a really bad bribe.
JOHN:
(muttering aside)
Oh, God, she's talkin' English.
He rifles through his pockets for something.
JOHN:
"Vibe." It's a really bad vibe.
Lifts the laka distillate to his nose and inhales deeply. Conscious
thought fades to an assault of random images of Aeryn. The images are more
faded and speed by more rapidly. All the same as ever, but oh so
transitory… almost gone.
Inhales a second time, his head rocking back, eyes closed, then blinking
blurrily. Sighing.
JOHN:
(over comms)
D'Argo may be right. Until we find another source of food and water
—
Still crouching, she turns her head, and sees again Gaashah attacking,
pulse blast ripping through his chest, collapsing to the ground; all eerily
silent and fuzzy.
She looks away, closing her eyes briefly.
John's puzzled by the silence… cocks his head slightly.
JOHN:
Officer Sun?
AERYN:
I'll get back to you.
She looks down, noticing her fingers wrapped tightly around the butt of
her holstered pistol. She quickly peels her fingers away. Looks up at a
small sound of delight from the child standing near a cart of brightly
colored food. Aeryn sighs, stands slowly.
Still standing on the stairs, a confused shake of his head cut off by the
muted sound of distant pulse fire. He bolts down the steps.
In the market, Aeryn stands flat footed, her expression marked by
confusion as she watches fuzzy, surreal images of the market's patrons being
shot down by pulse fire. One after another falls while she watches, head
cocked to the side, brow slightly furrowed. Watches as Gaashah is shot down.
Fade to black on tilted axis close-up on Aeryn's clueless and slightly
stunned features.
ROLL OPENING CREDITS
ACT I
PLANET - FOREST
CHIANA:
I'm such a welnitz, Gaashah. You're gonna be Prefect soon. I could always
come back them.
GAASHAH:
That… would be suicide for you and your friends.
CHIANA:
Oh… this place is run by tight-asses.
Quick cut to D'Argo propelling Chiana upslope, away from an angry crowd.
D'ARGO:
How can you be so selfish? Moya is up there floating dormant in
space. This is the first planet in twenty that has any drinking water.
You're going to get us kicked off.
CHIANA:
What? Frell you.
Chiana storms off.
D'ARGO:
You are such a fekkik.
D'Argo hurries through anemic wood to catch up with the irate Gaashah.
D'ARGO:
Gaashah. Gaashah, wait! Gaashah…
Snick of metal and Gaashah whirls about, pressing the blade to D'Argo's
throat. D only has about five inches on the guy.
GAASHAH:
Give me a reason… not to kill you — all of you —
now.
D just stands there, passive, waiting.
GAASHAH:
One stab — my plan is avenged, the leaders are reassured. I am a
Prefect, a hero to my people!
D'ARGO:
We are going to leave… the microt our Leviathan revives.
GAASHAH:
Only criminals come into this part of space.
Thoroughly pissed, Gaashah presses forward. D'Argo leans back, just
slightly.
GAASHAH:
Perhaps there's a price on your head. A bounty I could claim for my people?
Killing you would improve everything.
D'ARGO:
We Luxans, too, struggle to overcome our violent past.
GAASHAH:
It's what I know in my bones… as my father knew, and his father
before him!
He shoves D away and storms off again. D'Argo waits patiently as the guy
paces off a short distance, turning back to eye the Luxan.
GAASHAH:
More than you know is at stake here!
D'ARGO:
I understand —
GAASHAH:
Nothing. No one does. Unity of the clans is new. Peace is new. But
even I know such peace is too fragile to be endangered —
He's cut off by the loud roaring of engines, looks up to the hazy sky,
pink tinged clouds through bare branches. The prowler speeds away at low
altitude, vapor trail adding a temporary white streak.
GAASHAH:
— by some indelicate whore.
D'ARGO:
Nobody on this planet gives a dren about Chiana.
GAASHAH:
The problem isn't simply her.
D'ARGO:
It's your son.
PLANET - FOREST
Sitting close on the forest floor, Sikozu and a young native boy make out
innocently. Delicate music plays while they touch slowly, exchange a few
gentle, nearly chaste, kisses. The young man's fingers skate down from her
pale collarbone, gently cupping the curve of her breast.
PLANET - FOREST
Elsewhere in the forest, Gaashah and D'Argo continue their earnest
conversation. The delicate music continues lightly in the background.
GAASHAH:
When the wars were ongoing… I traded my herd to send my son, Zerbat,
off-planet… where he'd be safe. Where he could learn other
disciplines.
D'ARGO:
And a Prefect’s son cannot be seen as an outsider.
GAASHAH:
All the other clans view him as corrupted by outside influences.
D'ARGO:
And then we bring Chiana.
PLANET ATMOSPHERE - CGI
And it's a brief beauty shot(?)… rocket of engines and
… at a high rate of speed, the prowler descends toward the layer of
mist, brilliant blue sky above. The cliffs and circular domed golden castle
snuggled against the cliff-side in the far background.
PLANET
Close on the exhaust of the prowler's engines. Humming sound of ladder
lowering and pan L to a view from beneath the body of the ship. Chiana
alights, crouching to peer under the ship. Cautiously looking about, rocking
slowly on bent legs before darting away.
PLANET - FOREST
Panning shot through bare branches to a river, the water moving slowly.
Mist drifts thinly over the surface. Continue panning left to
Chiana… perched in a tree.
PLANET - FOREST
Close on the young couple, new in their exploration. Breaking a tender
kiss. The young man looks into Sikozu's eyes… then eyes cast
down… hesitant. She looks down as well, a slight smile curves her
lips as she removes her shirt.
PLANET - FOREST
Chi climbs down the tree, pacing carefully through the forest, coming on
the nearly lovers. Observing silently for a moment while they touch and
kiss. The young man's fingers skate down from her pale collarbone, gently
cupping the curve of her breast. He leans down, placing a gentle kiss just
above where his hand rested. Looking up to meet her eyes again, they both
smile.
PLANET SURFACE - ENCAMPMENT/MARKET
D'Argo and Gaashah wander into the market place. Two natives maneuver by,
carrying a weighted tray of bread and fruit between them.
GAASHAH:
It all smells wonderful.
MAN:
Gaashah!
Gaashah catches the small greenish fruit the man tosses to him.
GAASHAH:
Ucuz.
D'ARGO:
Ucuz?
Gaashah extends the flattened globe, offering, also, an explanation.
GAASHAH:
Ripe from harvest.
D'Argo takes a bite of the fruit while they walk through the market,
Gaashah silently greeting the many who greet him.
GAASHAH:
Our women nurse their babies with it.
D'ARGO:
Mm.
D'Argo, slight grating noise in his throat as he… chokes.
Gaashah laughs, enjoying the reaction.
D'ARGO:
No. No, really. It's very, very good.
Looking up from his amusement at D'Argo's nicely covered discomfort. He
catches a large, orange, football-shaped object. His expression moving from
amused to wary. Cut to another alien, even stockier than Gaashah, as he
approaches.
JABUKA:
Jabuka clan's finest etmek…
GAASHAH:
Jabuka clan etmek…
Gaashah tears off a bit with this teeth, chewing slowly while he eyes the
newcomer.
GAASHAH:
… is most tasty.
JABUKA:
Fit for a Prefect. A flavor… you may never know.
The man pulls the 'football' out of Gaashah's and and stalks away, badly
veiled hostility recedes with the man. Watching Jabuka’s back, Gaashah
leans to the side and spits out the bit of etmek, wiping his mouth with the
back of his hand.
D'ARGO:
I thought your ascension to the Prefecture was predetermined.
GAASHAH:
If he aquires enough votes I can be removed as unworthy.
D'ARGO:
Removed how?
Gaashah just gives D'Argo a 'significant' look.
D'ARGO:
Kill you?
GAASHAH:
It's one of Paroos' little… negotiations. 200 clans, 200
chieftains… 2,000 grudges to accommodate.
D'ARGO:
One little priest has that much sway… over all the clans?
GAASHAH:
Oh, he can be… compelling.
D'ARGO:
Compelling enough for you to risk your own life?
Aeryn enters the market, towed by the young girl, her gaze drawn to
D'Argo and Gaashah in the background.
GAASHAH:
The only risk… is that my failure will signal there's more to be
gained from war than from peace.
D'ARGO:
Let me help you.
GAASHAH:
The less anyone sees of you and your friends… the better for me.
Aeryn turns a puzzled look toward Gaashah.
D'ARGO [V.O.]:
(over comms)
He wants us to leave…
PLANET - FOREST
D'Argo maneuvers between thin, leafless black trunks.
JOHN:
(over comms)
Moya may not be revived yet.
D'ARGO:
I think you should go.
John affects a very Saturday Night Live skit version of a familiar
accent.
JOHN:
(accented - over comms)
What if I don't want to, Cap'n?
D'ARGO:
He respects me. It would help if I could show him that I have you under some
sort of control… more or less.
JOHN:
(over comms)
Right. I'll check in with the ship.
PLANET - FOREST
Lurking behind some green vegetation, Chi sways out, hailing her
shipmate.
CHIANA:
(whispering)
Hey.
She makes a tut'ing sound with her tongue.
CHIANA:
(whispering)
Sikozu.
Startled, Sikozu whips her head around, red curls flying.
CHIANA:
Tasting some of the local spices, are we?
SIKOZU:
Go away —
Cut to D'Argo, scowling at overhearing a familiar voice.
SIKOZU [O.S.]:
(distant)
— you dirty girl.
He strides forward, growling quietly. Cut to close on Sikozu's not
pleased expression, her shirtless paramour behind her.
SIKOZU:
They would stone you to death if I turned you in.
CHIANA:
Okay… they have banished me… for being with nobodies. I
would say they'd probably impale you on a pole… for shacking up with
their prince.
SIKOZU:
We are not shacking up! I would not tell anyone about this if I were
you.
CHIANA:
I'm not even meant to be here. Who am I gonna tell?
D'ARGO [O.S.]:
(angrily)
Exactly!
Sikozu starts badly, Chiana simply looks annoyed; lips pressed together
as she sits up, hands on her thighs.
D'Argo grabs her by the arm, ungently, dragging her to her feet. She
responds in kind, batting his hands away.
D'ARGO:
That's what I want to know— when I put you on that prowler myself!
Sikozu turns back to the young man, they crouch together on the ground,
covering her… state of undress, although D'Argo's much too angry to
note a bit of nudity just yet.
D'ARGO:
(shouting)
How did you get off it?! How did you get the auto-pilot turned off?!
CHIANA:
You want to know how I got off the ship?
D'Argo's lost his logic in a fit of anger and frustration with the girl
not previously seen since the whole Jothee debacle-- perhaps angrier.
D'ARGO:
No, I don't want to know!
CHIANA:
Of course I got off it!
He shakes her, shouting even louder.
D'ARGO:
I don't want to know!!
Calming only slightly, he bends her backward by the pressure of his grip
on her arms.
D'ARGO:
What I do want to know…
CHIANA:
(muttering)
What do you want to know? You tell me what you want to know.
D'ARGO:
… is, does anyone else know that you're here?
CHIANA:
Of course not. I'm just sneakin' around like I always am!
D'ARGO:
Good.
[Oh, and lovely juxtaposition— old fractured lovers fighting
bitterly while young, new, and tender lovers, peer at them. Confused and
… slightly afraid.]
CHIANA:
Yeah.
D'ARGO:
Now, turn around —
CHIANA:
Frell you!
D'ARGO:
— and sneak back to the ship.
CHIANA:
You know what? I think this Captain thing has really gone to your head!
Chiana stalks away. D'Argo turns, a bit calmer, toward the young couple
on the ground. His voice gentle.
D'ARGO:
Crichton wants you back on the transport pod.
Sikozu turns an I-can't-believe-you're-telling-me-what-to-do look on
D'Argo. The young man gives him a similar look.
D'ARGO:
Don't argue. The sooner she goes, she… and all of us… will
be able to come back.
Sikozu's expression relents halfway through the explanation—
young man still looks stubborn.
D'ARGO:
It's your father who needs you now.
SIKOZU:
(softly)
He's right.
Hollow sound of distant pulse fire interrupts and D'Argo bolts, blade
unsheathed, running through the woods along the riverbank.
PLANET - CASTLE
Close on John. A tall figure stands in the far background in front of the
wide blue window, quietly observing.
JOHN:
It's a good deal. It allows us all to stay on the planet.
(beat)
Aeryn?
AERYN:
(over comms)
The comms are frelled. Call me later.
FALAAK:
Seems a bit… moody.
JOHN:
(aside)
You should've met her mother.
He leaves off leaning on the pillar, dropping his hand to his
side… distant rumbling sound as he turns back to Falaak.
JOHN:
Well.
Claps gloved hands together.
JOHN:
I… should be going. You have to pack up and hand over the keys to
the new tenant. Interesting system you have. Every half cycle a new leader
takes over.
FALAAK:
It's a little disruptive.
JOHN:
Mm. They say change is good. Invigorating.
[Small talk just isn't his skill anymore. Not even handshake familiar
with sincerity.]
FALAAK:
It's frightening. It takes a three-day festival to distract from the terror
that someone… from another clan is assuming power. It took me
months of haggling beyond that to gain the slightest support.
JOHN:
Mm. Better than, uh, clubs and machetes approach.
FALAAK:
Many would be eager to return to that. At least we understood it.
JOHN:
(nodding)
Right.
Pauses thoughtfully, cocking his head slightly.
JOHN:
Well, have a nice day.
And departs.
PLANET - FOREST
Chiana scrambles through the barren forest, moving slightly uphill. A,
hm, familiar sound [Rygel's thronesled] over her panting breaths.
PAROOS [O.S.]:
You've returned seeking forgiveness.
Chiana stops and peers uphill at a dwarvish figure hovering just behind
an outcropping of rock.
CHIANA:
I, uh… I know how you feel about nixas like me.
PAROOS:
(chuckling)
I rather like… nixas like you.
CHIANA:
So, is it true about what they say about priests?
Paroos grumbles wordlessly, seated in a rough-hewn throne sled, his
small body, no larger than Rygel's, nearly the same size as his head.
CHIANA:
They give great religious experience?
Paroos scowls at her wicked smile, deliberately scarred forehead
crinkling and lips twisting like the horns protruding from his temples. The
sled bobs and weaves under steady control of the boney fingers on the
controls.
PAROOS:
What I give is great consequence.
PLANET - FOREST
Pan down and right to D'Argo maneuvering between thin, leafless black
trunks.
D'ARGO:
I am no ambassador.
JOHN:
(over comms)
Well, you got Gaashah talkin' without giving away parts of the ship.
Cut to angle down on John as he descends the castle steps.
JOHN:
That's better than I did.
D'ARGO:
(over comms)
He wants us to leave.
JOHN:
Moya may not be revived yet.
Shot cuts merrily between John on the steps and D'Argo in the forest.
D'ARGO:
Well, I think it's important that the future Prefect knows he can count on
me.
JOHN:
Hey, Moya's not just takin' a catnap up there you know. This tormented area
of space is beatin' the crap out of her.
(affecting Scott-like accent)
And I don't know when I can get the systems back on line, Cap'n.
D'ARGO:
(long suffering)
I think you should go.
JOHN:
(over comms - Scott-like)
What if I don't want to, Cap'n?
D'ARGO:
He respects me. It would help if I could show him that I have you under some
sort of control… more or less.
JOHN:
Right. I'll check in with the ship. Ryge, what's shakin' up there, man. Is
Chiana back yet?
RYGEL:
(over comms)
I didn't know she was coming.
JOHN:
Well, you know Chiana.
Cut to slight angle down as John trots, relaxed, down the steps. The
alien Chiana pled with in the forest ascends below. At the landing, still
talking, John moves left, closer to the wall, to allow the man to pass.
JOHN:
I guess that means Moya's senses are still out.
The man moves right, into the wall as well. John's shoulder pressed
almost into the cliffside, distracted, he moves right to pass the man
ascending. The man reaches out, grabs John by the throat and presses him out
over the abyss on the right edge of the broad flight of stairs.
Gasping, John grabs the guy’s wrist, but can't to anything else without
risking an abrupt — really long — fall. Turns his head,
peering down into that fall, turning back as the man speaks.
E'ALET:
I am… puzzled by off-worlders.
Responding with an only slightly raspy voice… the guy's hold
isn't too strong.
JOHN:
Yeah. I know what you mean.
E'ALET:
I have… concerns about you.
JOHN:
(short laugh)
A lot of people feel that way.
(beat)
But your boss… seems to think I'm okay, so…
The man sighs genially, pulls John back from the edge and releases him.
John stumbles only slightly, hand pressed briefly to this throat.
E'ALET:
Be careful. The stairs are… quite slippery.
Thunder rumbles in the background. John rolls his shoulders, adjusting
his jacket without moving his hands. His response isn't 'quite' a question,
but there is lovely irony.
JOHN:
Thanks for the warning.
The man chuckles slightly, turns and heads up the stairs. John watches
him out of frame and turns, heading down.
In the market, Aeryn accepts a cup from the young child, who darts off
again.
AERYN:
(softly)
Thank you.
JOHN:
(over comms)
Aeryn. Talked to Rygel. He said that Moya's still out of commission. How
you doin'?
AERYN:
I'm getting a really bad bribe.
JOHN:
(muttering aside)
Oh, God, she's talkin' English.
He rifles through his pockets for something.
JOHN:
"Vibe." It's a really… bad vibe.
Lifts the laka distillate to his nose and inhales deeply. Cut to Aeryn,
casting her worried gaze around the market.
JOHN:
(over comms)
D'Argo may be right. Until we find another source of food and
water… cozying up to Gaashah may be our only solution.
Long silence as Aeryn continues searching for… something. On the
steps, John coaxes the silence.
JOHN:
Officer Sun?
AERYN:
I'll, um… I'll get back to you.
John nods, sanguine at the dismissal.
She looks down, noticing her fingers wrapped tightly around the butt of
her holstered pistol. She quickly peels her fingers away. Looks up at a
small sound of delight. Aeryn sighs; stands slowly.
John, still standing still on the stairs, a confused shake of his head
cut off by the muted sound of distant pulse fire. He bolts down the steps.
Hollow sound of distant pulse fire interrupts and D'Argo bolts, blade
unsheathed, running through the woods along the riverbank.
Series of quick cuts between the patrons being gunned down by pulse fire
in the market, John racing down the stairs, and D'Argo pelting at manic
speed through the forest.
Gaashah is the last to crumple to the ground. Quick cut to Aeryn,
double-handed grip on her pulse pistol, aiming down the muzzle as D'Argo
races in, qualta rifle cradled in his grip, pointedly not bringing it to
bear as he yells.
D'ARGO:
No!
Aeryn adjusts her aim slightly and fires, the force of the blast to the
chest stopping the racing Luxan and toppling him to the ground.
Aeryn turns to camera, close on her bland expression as she moves. Fading
slowly to black.
END ACT I
ACT II
PLANET - MARKET
The child crawls across the ground to kneel beside one of the bodies. Cut
to John as he runs into the space, much too late. Stopping near the girl,
almost touching her before moving on, disjointed gaze taking in the
decimated area. Looking back over his shoulder as Sikozu and the young man
arrive. They stop, taking in the scene, the young man rushing to his
father's side, Sikozu kneeling beside D'Argo. All of this soundless over a
dirge of music.
PLANET - MARKET - LATER
Pan down to Sikozu and the young man kneeling beside his father's body.
Normal sound returns, dirge of music continues, quiet in the background.
Holding the pulse pistol in a two-handed grip, muzzle pointed to the
ground, John is knelt near Gaashah's body, his back to D'Argo, who's
sitting up, being tended by Chiana.
D'ARGO:
It was Aeryn.
JOHN:
What? No way. Aeryn wouldn't…
D'ARGO:
I know who shot me. She wasn't even looking.
JOHN:
D'Argo, Aeryn wouldn't—
D'ARGO:
I know who shot me!
Busy arguing with D'Argo, even in this guarded attitude, John gets
blind-sided— slammed upside the head by one of the natives. He
grunts and goes down, pistol flying.
JABUKA:
Take their weapons.
CHIANA:
Frell.
John pulls himself up on his elbow, the back of one hand going to his
face.
JABUKA:
Where is the assassin?
D'ARGO:
I wouldn't tell you… even if I knew.
JABUKA:
You came to the planet together. You're all assassins together.
CHIANA:
She shot him too, fekk-face.
GUARD:
Quiet!
Chi gets shoved to the ground for her trouble.
JABUKA:
Tell me where she is, or I'll have your head as well.
PAROOS:
That is not your decision.
JABUKA:
Keep out of this priest.
PAROOS:
The clans agreed to follow the law.
JABUKA:
The law says we can hunt down murderers!
PAROOS:
Only by command of the clan's next leader: Gaashah's son.
JABUKA:
The boy?!
And the young man kneeling beside Sikozu looks equally surprised. Eyes
round.
JABUKA:
A leader? Where's his weapon? Where's the fire in his eyes?! He's as much an
outsider as those who murdered his father.
A new arrival interrupts.
FALAAK:
Who broke the peace? What clan attacked?
JABUKA:
Not a clan. An outsider. She escaped us.
Falaak towers in the market place, his toady squatting beside him, a goodfoot or so shorter.
FALAAK:
Find her. Kill her.
JABUKA:
And if she acted on anyone's behalf… we'll catch her… and
torture her… until she tells us.
JOHN:
(aside)
Damn, how come I didn't think of that before?
PAROOS:
The way the clans tortured the others?
D'ARGO:
Others?
JOHN:
What others?
JABUKA:
Two clan leaders were killed.
CHIANA:
Before we arrived? And you dren-heads are trying to blame it on us?
Falaak looks transparently concerned as his gaze shifts back and
forth.
JOHN:
Look, just let me go, I'll… I'll bring her back.
FALAAK:
You make a lot of noise… for an outsider.
ZERBAT:
I will go.
The young man stands, turning a burning gaze on Falaak.
ZERBAT:
I have a right to avenge my father… to see his killer brought to
justice.
PAROOS:
That is the law.
JABUKA:
(snide)
And… will you need your nanny?
Without hesitation, the young man pulls a dagger from his belt, looms
menacingly over Jabuka.
ZERBAT:
My father is dead. You just insulted the leader of his clan.
Jabuka doesn't flinch… much.
ZERBAT:
I will go.
Turns toward John, still kneeling in the dirt.
ZERBAT:
And I will take him with me. He will lead me to her.
John looks away, and that's only a slightly ironic grin on his face,
given he can't do that; even for himself.
PAROOS:
We have another duty first— the burial sacraments.
Paroos turns toward the child, still kneeling beside one of the fallen
bodies.
PLANET - FOREST
Long on John and Zerbat stepping over the remains of many fallen slender
trees. Upright versions form a delicate lattice in the foreground. John's
holster is empty, but Zerbat carries a very large pulse rifle.
JOHN:
Maybe Gaashah wasn't even the target… maybe she was aiming at
something else and he wandered into the line of fire.
ZERBAT:
Your talking about my father. His blood is still wet on the ground thanks to
your friend's vicious hand.
JOHN:
It's my mistake. I was just thinking out loud, trying to figure out why.
ZERBAT:
Why? Why an outsider would come all this way to kill my father. A good man.
Zerbat cocks the rifle, points it at John's head, they both freeze.
ZERBAT:
And my father was… a good man.
Extended silence while John waits for the kid to fire or lower the
weapon. A soft voice interrupts the tense moment.
SIKOZU [O.S.]:
Are you going to kill him here?
Sikozu circles into shot, in front of Zerbat and John.
ZERBAT:
What? Did you come to question my resolve? Because I will avenge my
father.
Sikozu steps closer and Zerbat edges carefully around John, keeping the
weapon up. John shifts slightly, gloved fingers curling against his empty
holster.
ZERBAT:
I can handle this myself.
SIKOZU:
By putting a gun to the head of the only person who can help us find
Aeryn?
ZERBAT:
I am the leader of my tribe now.
SIKOZU:
Which makes you what? Just like all the rest?
The obviously disappointed tone in Sikozu's voice makes Zerbat blink, the
weapon lowering slowly.
JOHN:
Maybe we should keep moving… before Aeryn takes out another clan
leader.
PLANET - FOREST - LATER
Long on the trio trudging through the sparse wood. John leading, Zerbat
with the large rifle just behind… Sikozu trailing behind him.
JOHN:
I think that maybe we should split up.
ZERBAT:
So you can run?
JOHN:
Son, at this point you either trust me or you don't.
ZERBAT:
Right. Sikozu and I will take the trail up the ridge. You continue along the
bank. We'll cross down to you further along.
John watches Zerbat and Sikozu move away. He begins to sing quietly.
JOHN:
(softly singing)
Oh, you take the high road… and I'll take the low road…
He pulls off his gloves, moves to a fallen trunk.
JOHN:
(softly singing)
… and I'll be in Scotland before you…
Sits and fishes in his pocket, lifting the laka distillate, eyeing it
while he spins it in his fingers.
AERYN [O.S.]:
(softly)
Behind you.
He turns, looking over his shoulder, and indeed, Aeryn is sitting on a
rock a short distance away, elbows on knees. She looks… unhappy.
AERYN:
Did I kill Gaashah?
JOHN:
Yeah.
He looks away, also looking… unhappy.
JOHN:
Why?
AERYN:
I have no idea.
Jump cut — a bit later, John sitting next to Aeryn, she's doing
her best to explain.
AERYN:
That's all I remember… thinking:
(sighs)
'I can't stop myself.'
JOHN:
What about the others?
AERYN:
What others?
John shoots her a look, fleeting disbelief— looks away.
JOHN:
D'Argo, for one.
AERYN:
What?
JOHN:
He'll be all right.
AERYN:
(slight head shake)
There were no others. It was just Gaashah. One clean shot.
JOHN:
How much chakkan oil for one clean shot?
Short beat and Aeryn's fingers twitch. Her hand moves to the pulse
pistol, unholstering it and bringing it between her raised knees. A metallic
click as she pulls the cartridge, eyes looking down. And she freezes.
Without looking, John reaches out and takes the weapon from her unresisting
hands.
AERYN:
How many? How many people did I kill?
PAROOS [O.S.]:
Seventeen.
John springs up, pistol instantly leveled at the drifting priest.
JOHN:
You better slow down, crusty.
PAROOS:
People kill each other on this planet all the time. Finding a way to kill
Gaashah was… finding a way to start a war.
JOHN:
She has no reason to start a war.
PAROOS:
I know… I suspect you're being used.
JOHN:
By who?
PAROOS:
I need evidence. Until now, nothing presented itself. The other…
assassins were both killed instantly. She's… the only one
left alive long enough to speak.
AERYN:
But I was completely out of control. I don't remember anything.
PAROOS:
Then… we must see to it that you do.
PLANET - FOREST
Slight change in location. Aeryn pacing near the edge of a wide stream.
John sits on the ground, a knee drawn up to his chest. Paroos hovering
beside him.
AERYN:
I aimed… and I shot him…
PAROOS:
And…?
AERYN:
And that's all I see.
JOHN:
We're not getting anywhere.
PAROOS:
Try again.
Aeryn passes a nervous hand over her head, smoothing already smooth hair.
AERYN:
I'm trying. It's all I see… all I remember.
PAROOS:
Then don't see… listen.
Long silence as she struggles to do that. Abruptly, an image of the child
near her prowler.
AERYN:
There was a child… is he…?
PAROOS:
Still alive.
Another abrupt vision — Aeryn strikes the child.
AERYN:
I hit the child.
She sees it happen again, and again.
AERYN:
Why did I hit the child?
She circles around, intently focused.
AERYN:
No… that wasn't real. I never really hit him.
Aeryn turns around, clinging triumphantly to that memory.
AERYN:
I never really hit the child.
Buzzing of an insect and John slaps a gloved hand against his neck.
JOHN:
Who cares?
Losing focus, she drifts away again, dredging up more memories.
AERYN:
A bug…
Her fingers go to her arm, rubbing slightly.
Cut to close on the death throes of a tiny green winged bug on the forest
floor.
AERYN:
A-A… a bug… bit me, and I…
She's rubs her arm, fingers up underneath the short black sleeve of her
t-shirt.
Cool effect, shots of Aeryn turning in a circle on the forest floor,
panicky whimpers as she spins, inserted with earlier images; standing at the
prowler, scanner in hand, slapping her arm, ridding herself of a pest. Fuzzy
and out of focus, as in real time she rubs frantically at her arm, from
elbow to shoulder. Cut to out of focus shot of John, slapping a gloved hand
against his neck, the sound loud and harsh— cut to out of focus shot
of Aeryn turning toward him, snapping into focus as she speaks.
AERYN:
A bug.
(beat)
A bug bit me.
PAROOS:
There are no bugs on this planet.
Aeryn again sees a vision of Gaashah's death. Panicky breaths again as
she rubs at her arm, memories coming back. Seeing images of the people in
the market being gunned down by pulse fire. Aeryn lifts her hands, covering
her mouth in horror.
AERYN:
I killed them.
(beat)
I killed those people. I ki… I killed them all.
John just… sits, eyes slightly narrowed while she remembers
again, Gaashah's death, and she turns, close on her bland expression in the
market.
Cut to John, still sitting, looking like, maybe, he wants to get up.
Abruptly he experiences a hallucinatory vision. Standing next to Aeryn,
pulse pistol unholstered, taking deadly aim. Aeryn still looking stricken
beside him.
He fires, killing Paroos.
Cut to John, sitting on the ground, brow furrowed, eyes narrowed. Finally
stands, hopping down the slope, kicking up a bit of dirt to stand beside
Aeryn [and we get some really gorgeous two-shots here. *sigh*].
JOHN:
Bug bites. Flashes.
AERYN:
(softly)
I killed them all.
John looks around.
JOHN:
I'm gonna leave now.
Looks up slope toward Paroos.
JOHN:
Before there's another killing.
AERYN:
What?
He unholsters Aeryn's pulse pistol from his holster.
PAROOS:
Me?
Hands the weapon to her, butt first.
JOHN:
I'm the next assassin.
And he walks away. Aeryn holds the weapon like a trout, completely
confused.
Fade to black.
END ACT II
ACT III
PLANET - FOREST
Aeryn, John and Paroos sit huddled around a large smoking pit, maybe a
fire, but without flames just… a lot of smoke streaming over him.
Aeryn mostly out of it sitting beside him. John fans his gloves through the
air, coughing, voice choked.
JOHN:
(coughing)
Okay… heap-big smoke; no bugs; no flashes. Can we breathe now?
PAROOS:
Are you sure you're both stabilized?
JOHN:
(impatient)
Yes.
AERYN:
(quiet)
Yes.
PAROOS:
Then you'll need this.
The priest hits a lever on his chair and John's pulse pistol spits out,
clunks on the ground beside John's knee.
JOHN:
Winona.
Plucks it up, inspecting it as he stands, wiping it down with his gloves,
blowing dirt from the surface.
JOHN:
How the hell did you get her?
PAROOS:
Peacefully. For the most part.
Serious moment of compulsion: John touches a finger to his tongue and
wipes a spot of dirt from the muzzle.
PAROOS:
Hm. Uh, we need to go… quickly.
Roads conjoin; Zerbat and Sikozu get the drop on everyone.
ZERBAT:
Nobody's going anywhere!
Aeryn stands while John goes for the newly reholstered Winona. Zerbat
points the rifle for emphasis.
ZERBAT:
Please! Reach for it. Or shall I gun you down the way you did my father? He
never so much as drew his blade!
PAROOS:
She's not responsible for Gaashah's death.
ZERBAT:
A dozen clansmen saw her!
JOHN:
She was being controlled.
ZERBAT:
(chuckles)
Lies.
JOHN:
She got bit by an insect, which allowed her to be controlled.
ZERBAT:
We do not have insects on this planet.
JOHN:
No?
(beat)
Well then, what do you call that?
He points at a large ugly welt on his neck. [Ow. There's gotta be a cream
for that.]
JOHN:
Or those?
He points at a number of smaller welts on Aeryn's arm. Zerbat eyes them
closely, reluctantly conceding the possibility.
ZERBAT:
Why? Who brought them here?
PAROOS:
Enemies of peace. People who want power. More power.
Floundering, Zerbat turns to Sikozu, perhaps seeking agreement.
ZERBAT:
This is not possible! It's not possible.
SIKOZU:
Who did your father trust, Zerbat?
He looks confused for a moment. [And man, this kid is good. 'scape has
some great casting people.]
ZERBAT:
Paroos. He always trusted Paroos.
SIKOZU:
And do you trust your father's judgment?
ZERBAT:
And yours.
SIKOZU:
Then we have work to do.
She reaches out, touching his arm, moves to stand beside him.
JOHN:
Hey, kids. We may be forgetting something. Don't we need a bug-ball—
a hive?
PAROOS:
The insects are off-world. I didn't bring them. You didn't bring them.
AERYN:
So essentially we're looking for…?
Looks to John who nods in agreement, finishing her thought.
JOHN:
…an off-worlder.
PLANET - CASTLE
Falaak and his toady, E'Alet conspiring on cue. Falaak slams Chiana's
head onto the table. His hand holds her there, sitting on a chair, the side
of her face pressed into the table.
FALAAK:
Your sgabba flies failed!
E'ALET:
They have no attraction to this particular alien species.
Groggy, Chiana raises her head slightly.
CHIANA:
Everybody likes me.
Falaak slams her head back onto the table.
E'ALET:
It is not my fault the priest is still alive. These outsiders are
difficult.
FALAAK:
You told me you could control them!
E'ALET:
The sgabba flies implant subtle subliminal signals. My mental powers
intensify those signals.
Falaak retreats from the table, Chiana has enough sense to keep her head
down.
FALAAK:
Your impaired mental powers!
E'ALET:
The clansmen's hatred is easy to exploit. These… outsiders have no
reason to kill. It takes more sgabba; more time.
FALAAK:
I'm not paying you to make excuses. You're here to incite anarchy. War.
E'ALET:
You are not paying me enough. I want… double.
FALAAK:
Will that pay for the extra sgabba to eliminate the outsiders?
E'ALET:
Of course.
FALAAK:
Make your bugs.
Falaak exits and E'Alet moves across the room, his back to Chiana who
remains head down on the table, watching his back.
Long silence while E'Alet concentrates on whatever he's doing and Chiana
engages her slo-mo vision, watching from the back as he raises his hands,
clenching his fists, and a small group of tiny green bugs crawl out of the
narrow comb-like structure on the side of his face and neck. Chi watching as
the bugs fly away from his head just before her sight shuts down, clouding
her black iris to white.
Blinking and gasping, she sits up, looking around sightlessly. E'Alet
turns. Grunting quietly he moves to the table, leaning down to look closely
into her eyes, a small smirk on his face, then backhanding the helpless girl
across the room. [And Jen squeaks again… “stop hitting Chiana!” *g*]
Stands and watches her sprawled unconscious on the floor before walking
away.
PLANET - FOREST
John and Aeryn walking through the anemic wood in the dark. Hissing
buzzing accompanies and they slap randomly at exposed skin. John muttering a
curse before waving his arms wildly in the air, a motion scarily
reminiscent.
AERYN:
Are you going to be all right to do this?
JOHN:
Yes! Yes. Are you?
More buzzing and Aeryn flinches, slapping a hand against her arm.
JOHN:
Of course you are. Move. Come on!
Pushes against her arm to get them moving again. They're just bug bait
standing around like that.
PLANET - MARKET
Sikozu and Zerbat arrive. Zerbat getting the drop on D'Argo's guard while
Sikozu maneuvers behind them, kneeling beside D'Argo. The guard keeps his
weapon up in Zerbat's face. [Hm. Standoff. Never see those in
'scape. *g*]
ZERBAT:
(to guard)
I command my clan. Respect me, or kill me.
Taking it as promising that the guard doesn't kill him, Zerbat takes his
weapon.
ZERBAT:
(to guard)
Go. Leave!
The guard splits while Sikozu releases D'Argo.
D'ARGO:
What's going on? Where's Crichton?
SIKOZU:
Talk and move D'Argo. It's faster.
She helps him to his feet.
SIKOZU:
They're on their way up to the castle. Hurry!
D'Argo accepts the guard’s pulse rifle from Zerbat and, taking Sikozu's
advice, bolts.
PLANET - CASTLE / CASTLE STEPS
Chiana, sprawled on her back, eyes still white, slowly coming around.
CHIANA:
(whispering)
Crichton…? Anybody?
John trails Aeryn's rapid pace up the castle steps.
JOHN:
Chiana. Where are you?
CHIANA:
In Falaak's palace. I'm blind.
AERYN:
We're coming.
Up on her knees now, her face pressed against a pillar, white eyes turned
upward.
CHIANA:
The bugs are coming. The bugs are coming for you.
JOHN:
You saw the hive?
CHIANA:
Mm-hmm.
Running full-out up the steps, they come to a simultaneous and complete
stop, Aeryn a few steps ahead, turning to face John.
CHIANA:
(over comms)
The hive's in E'Alet's head.
Cut back to Chiana, head rolling back and forth in the silence.
CHIANA:
Can you hear me?
(whimpering)
Can you hear me?
Cut back to close on two pulse pistols, one aimed slightly up, one
slightly down. Pulling out to close on John and Aeryn, a deadly, and close
aim on each other. Silence stretches before —
White flash — John flinches backward a pulse blast striking him
in the chest, firing convulsively. Aeryn falling backward, a similar pulse
blast striking her.
White flash — John and Aeryn lying sprawled on the white rug in
Falaak's palace, a fallen chair between them, pulse pistols still gripped in
their fingers as John slowly rolls onto his back.
On the stairs John slowly lowers his pistol, Aeryn follows. They look at
each other silently for a moment.
JOHN:
What did you see?
AERYN:
What did you see?
Fade to Black.
END ACT III
ACT IV
PLANET - CASTLE
Chi struggles to her feet as John and Aeryn jog into the room.
AERYN:
Chiana?
CHIANA:
Is Cri… is Crichton with you?
JOHN:
Yeah, right here. Where's the bad guy?
John prowls the room while Aeryn helps Chiana up, pulling her arm across
her shoulders.
CHIANA:
Haven't seen him for a while.
(laughs)
Haven't seen anything.
For no particular discernible reason, Aeryn leads Chiana up the steps to
the windows. Chiana slides to the floor, her back resting against a solid
black table, Aeryn crouching beside her.
CHIANA:
(muttering)
Too long… this is not gonna go away.
AERYN:
It's all right. We'll get you out of here.
JOHN:
Soon. Soon as we find the beekeeper.
Buzzing sound, and John claps a gloved hand to the back of his neck. [And
I *so* want to be a bug right now.]
JOHN:
Damn!
The buzzing sound continues and Aeryn starts slapping at her bare arms.
John continues to brush at the only exposed flesh he's got.
CHIANA:
What? The bugs?
She moves to stand.
JOHN:
Yeah, just… stay down.
CHIANA:
Yeah, I-I can help. They don't bite me.
Continues to struggle to rise.
JOHN:
Just stay down!
Puts a hand against her shoulder, holding her down. Aeryn stands beside
him, twitching and scratching. He slaps his hand against his neck again.
JOHN:
Damn.
(to Aeryn)
You okay?
AERYN:
No. I think— too many more of these, and I'm…
JOHN:
Yeah, I know what you mean.
He moves away, continues to search the room.
JOHN:
Good news is, where there's bugs, there's gotta be—
On cue, E'Alet charges into the room, gloating madly. John halts.
JOHN:
Oh, hell.
Aeryn ducks behind the solid black table, taking cover with Chiana. John
scrambles back to cover, E'Alet's fire chasing him across the open space. He
dives over the solid black table. E'Alet keeps running across the open
floor, past the cover of the table for a clear shot at John.
Aeryn unholsters her pistol, whispering a warning to Chiana before she
stands, taking aim down the steps.
AERYN:
(whispering)
Stay down.
And puts a pulse blast into E'Alet's chest. John's own shot driving him
back further, flying backward to land sprawled on the table.
Cut to close on E'Alet's face, numerous bugs abandoning the hive and
flying away.
CHIANA:
What happened?
John approaches, weapon still extended, to get a closer look.
CHIANA:
Who's here?
Behind and above him, Aeryn flicks a hand through the air.
On the table, E'Alet's hand convulses on the butt of his weapon.
JOHN:
He's still alive.
AERYN:
Shoot him, then.
JOHN:
You shoot him.
AERYN:
I can't.
JOHN:
Me either.
Slowly realigning his weapon to aim up the steps at Aeryn.
AERYN:
Well then.
She moves closer, stepping past Chiana.
AERYN:
We have a problem.
JOHN:
Fight it.
AERYN:
I am.
CHIANA:
What the frell's goin' on?
JOHN & AERYN:
(together)
Stay down!
White flash — John is shot and fires convulsively before he
falls. Aeryn is shot and falls.
Aeryn gasps, turning away, eyes blinking deliberately. Cut to John, eyes
closed, shaking his head slightly before turning back to Aeryn. The aim of
their weapons never wavers.
Aeryn fires and it's so close the heat must warm his face as the blast
strikes the pillar behind him. He flinches and fires convulsively, missing
by a wider margin. Chiana cries out fearfully.
CHIANA:
Whatever you're doin'… stop.
AERYN:
Now. I'm not sure… I have the strength to miss next time.
JOHN:
I think… I'm just a bad shot.
Long silence while Aeryn's dread grows and John just tightens, head
rolling on his neck slightly, testing limits.
JOHN:
You know I really thought… the coin toss ended badly.
His frozen face contorts, bites the inside of his lower lip, struggling
hard without moving.
AERYN:
It did.
Long silence stretches to the breaking point, voices break the silence
before anything more fatal can.
D'ARGO:
Chiana!
SIKOZU:
Stop her, Chiana!
Chiana dives on Aeryn and they fall down the steps, landing on the white
rug. Sikozu drops on top of Aeryn, grabbing her arms, pulling up and away.
D'Argo takes John out, diving on top of him and driving him to the floor,
grabs his arms and yanks upward, aiming the pistol at the ceiling. Sikozu
has less success is realigning Aeryn's weapon, but is effective enough.
SIKOZU:
Stop it! Aeryn, stop it!
Zerbat falls beside her and helps Sikozu pull the aim of Aeryn's weapon
away.
AERYN:
I can't!
D'ARGO:
You can fight against it.
Their wide eyes lock across the short distance between them. John shakes,
voice harsh with the effort.
JOHN:
D'Argo, just knock me out. Knock me out!
D'Argo obliges, or tries. Slams a hard fist down, John's head rocks back
with the impact.
JOHN:
Hit me harder, you big sissy!
Another hard fist slams into him, head rocking back and he cries out but
refuses unconsciousness.
Cut to close on E'Alet's hand rising abruptly, clutching his pulse
weapon. [Okay, weird Thunderdome vibe here, Iron-bar rising from pig shit].
Sikozu squeals in frustration as she and Zerbat struggle with Aeryn.
ZERBAT:
They're getting stronger!
On the table, E'Alet rises. D'Argo notices but is a little bit busy with
a friend hard-wired for murder to do anything about it other than call for
assistance.
D'ARGO:
Priest! Stop him!
Paroos, having entered unobserved at some point, hovers closer, a
heavy-toothed circular saw blade springing up from the front of his throne
sled. An angry whir of machinery as he pulls in close behind the still
groggy E'Alet. The whir downshifting as the blade cuts into him.
Close on E'Alet, green blood pouring from his mouth while he shudders
under the blade sawing through his neck. [Ew. Gross-out moment of the week.]
The grinding stops and E'Alet drops out of shot. Everyone on the floor
relaxes. John and Aeryn's arms lowering slowly to the floor. Much panting
from everyone concerned.
JOHN:
It's gone.
FALAAK [O.S.]:
Excellent!
Even the blind Chiana turns at this triumphant sounding intrusion.
Cut to Falaak standing at the top of the steps, ready to take all due
credit.
FALAAK:
You have extinguished this… threat to our peace. I declare a feast
to celebrate.
Everyone's attention is on Falaak as he rants on, everyone except John
and Aeryn who still look only at each other. Still sprawled on the white
rug, John rolled onto his back, Aeryn on her side. John's gloved hand drifts
slowly toward Aeryn's, still clasped around the butt of her pulse pistol, an
extended finger just touching the side of her hand.
CHIANA:
You lie! I heard everything. You, you hired E'Alet.
Aeryn's fingers curve over John's.
FALAAK:
And will the clans believe a banished outsider, hmm?
He chuckles odiously. But by the look, Zerbat believes her without a
problem.
ZERBAT:
You ordered my father's death so… there'd be war.
FALAAK:
Welcome home, boy.
Taking a page from the Handbook for Evil Masterminds, Falaak
chuckles some more. Zerbat yells in outrage and lunges for a weapon on the
table.
PAROOS:
Zerbat, think of your father. Is this what he wanted?
Taking the counsel for what he can, Zerbat takes a breath, lifting the
weapon from the table and turns, points it up the steps at Falaak, who
finally has the sense to look… dismayed.
ZERBAT:
You know what your treachery means to your clan. The others would wipe them
out— man, woman and child.
Zerbat slowly ascends the steps, Falaak backing away toward the window.
ZERBAT:
You can prevent that. You can die the noble hero. I'll make it as
painless as possible. Or you can surrender! And according to the
law— our laws — go before the other clans. And I'll
make sure… they try as hard as possible not to tear your body apart.
Both are at the top of the steps now, Falaak's back almost against the
glass wall.
ZERBAT:
I can go either way. The old… or the new? You decide.
FALAAK:
I'll not be judged by you or your pitiful council.
Behind him the window lifts.
Drawing his skirts around him; and one final lesson from the evil
mastermind thing: Have the last word.
FALAAK:
Is that your father I hear, screaming for mercy…?!
Screaming as he falls backward into the abyss.
D'Argo lowers his pulse rifle, and walks across the room to stand behind
Zerbat. Both he and Chiana put a hand on his shoulder.
D'ARGO:
You made your father proud.
Fade to Black
END ACT IV
TAG
PLANET
CGI shot from the Cold Open— this time the domed structure across
the mist-filled chasm is bright with flame, a large plume of smoke reaching
to the sky. Shot slowly pulls back and pans down slightly to show Sikozu and
Zerbat standing on the opposite side of the mist-laden chasm.
SIKOZU:
Making the destruction of your castle your first order as Prefect
was… extremely bold.
ZERBAT:
A leader belongs with his people, not above them.
SIKOZU:
(smiles)
Sounds like your father talking.
He turns toward her and smiles, looking down to take her hand.
ZERBAT:
You know… I want you to stay.
SIKOZU:
As an advisor?
ZERBAT:
Perhaps… much more.
SIKOZU:
(light laugh)
I would love nothing more… than to be off that Leviathan and
away from those outsiders.
ZERBAT:
My term as Prefect is only half a cycle. We could… leave
together… as we planned.
SIKOZU:
(smiling)
As you planned.
ZERBAT:
I'm starting to care about you.
SIKOZU:
Good. But a leader belongs with his people.
And she walks away. [Gosh, and there's just so much of that going
around.]
PLANET - MARKET
Chiana and Paroos 'sit' together at a table. Her gloved fingers resting
lightly against her forehead.
CHIANA:
Seriously, that's the longest this blindness has ever lasted.
PAROOS:
Then stop using the vision, twizzet.
CHIANA:
I'm sure you'll be the first to miss me, next palace coup.
PAROOS:
Should've let the bugs eat your hide.
CHIANA:
I'll take that as a blessing… holy man.
She tickles his chin and he chuckles with pleasure. Chi has a thing for
older men. *g* Sikozu arrives in time to witness the friendly bonding
moment.
SIKOZU:
Moya and Pilot are waiting. We must leave.
CHIANA:
What, and leave all these stragrats behind?
Sikozu crouches slightly, hands on knees, giving Chi a teasingly
disappointed look.
CHIANA:
I'm sorry, I'm just kidding.
Pressing her forehead into Sikozu's. The redhead grins and helps Chi to
stand, wrapping an arm around her waist.
SIKOZU:
All right.
And they walk slowly away, Chi's arm over her shoulder.
PLANET - FOREST
In the misty darkness, slim black tree trunks in the foreground, Aeryn
stands at the head of a grave in the background. She watches the young child
kneeling at the far end.
Shot pans right and out of focus on the background to close on John's
profile. He turns away from the sight, leaving the trees and the graves and
everything else between them. Shot continues panning right, bringing the
background back into focus as Aeryn crouches back on her heels, arms wrapped
around her knees.
Cut slightly closer as John approaches to stand close behind, gloves
clasped in his left hand.
Looking down he reaches out, gently stroking her hair with the back of
his fingers. His hand curves around her head and she leans back into his
knees, and the silence continues.
Fade To Black
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