A ship boards Moya. John and Aeryn are on their way to join the crew in "welcoming" the crew of that ship.

JOHN: Fine. Yes, you're right. We know almost nothing about the Tavloids but -

AERYN cuts in : Tavleks.

JOHN: Whatever, man. Tavloids, Tav- We do know they will pay us to haul cargo, which they're not gonna do, if you go in there doing your John Wayne impression!

AERYN: John Wayne? Who's that, a relative?

JOHN: John Wayne? No, it's…The Big Guy. True Grit. The Searchers. The Cowboys. Genghis Kahn. Oh, no, look, forget about Genghis Kahn, everybody makes a bad movie. But the point is -

AERYN cuts in: Look. No. The point is, I'm not going to meet that shuttle unarmed. Simple as that.

JOHN: Kung Fu. Kung Fu never carried a gun!

Rygel practices a speech in the maintenance bay, while Dargo and Zhaan set up a place for Rygel to set his throne sled.

RYGEL: We, Rygel the Sixteenth, Dominar of the Hynerian Empire, and…beloved sovereign of over six hundred billion subjects. [lands on the bin] Welcome to our yacht!

D'ARGO: I still say it's a bad idea.

RYGEL: I should be taller.

ZHAAN: It's tall enough already.

RYGEL: I need them to look up to me!

D'ARGO: Why? We don't.

RYGEL: Well, you should! If it wasn't for me, we'd starve! On Porzen Two, it was I who -

D'ARGO: All you got, was stale food cubes!

RYGEL: Which you ate more than your fair share of as I recall!

Aeryn and John come bickering into the room.

AERYN: Who are you to order me around?

JOHN: Order? I was offering a suggestion!

AERYN: Well, who are you to offer suggestions?

JOHN: Look, Little Miss -

ZHAAN cuts in: Am I the only species in creation that doesn't thrive on conflict?

D'ARGO: All of you. Shut up!

RYGEL: Yes, that's right! Shut up! Now, the Tavleks believe that I -

D'ARGO: Shut up includes you. Now, we don't even know what this Tavlek cargo is. It could be contraband, vermin infested, even toxic.

RYGEL: Well, let's hope so. We could charge more.

ZHAAN: D'argo, we've had this discussion, you were out-voted.

RYGEL: Oh, argue later. They've docked. Positions, please! Come on, now! If you must address me, do so as "Your Supreme Eminence". Which you should be doing anyway.

The crew waits patiently as the cargo bay doors open. Rygel stands center, with D'argo and Aeryn to his right. To his left, John and Zhaan. Three Tavleks (two of them being Kyr, and Bekhesh) storm in, weapons (on their arms) drawn.

KYR: No movement!

BEKHESH: Remain where you are!

They charge their weapons.

BEKHESH: Move, and you die. [To Aeryn] Try me.

ZHAAN: You…You've misunderstood -

JOHN: Zhaan!

One of the Tavleks fires at Zhaan. John jumps over and pushes her out of the way, in time for it to only graze her. One of the Tavleks rushes forward and grabs Rygel in a bag.

RYGEL: What do you think you're doing??

Aeryn fires on Bekhesh, but he catches it with his gauntlet. D'argo rushes the Tavlek who is attempting to kidnap Rygel. Rygel floats away, with the bag still over him.

RYGEL: I demand, someone help me!

Aeryn rolls off to the side.

AERYN: D'argo, look out!

She fires at the Tavleks. Bekhesh fires. Several of the shots hit Rygel's throne sled, spinning him around in circles.

RYGEL: Help! Someone put a stop to this!

The fight ensues. Rygel continues to fly about.

RYGEL: You'll pay for -

He runs into a wall and knocks himself out. Kyr knocks down Dargo and draws his gauntlet on him.

KYR: And now you die.

JOHN: Yo, Butkis!

John clobbers Kyr, knocking him unconscious. When Kyr falls down, his gauntlet comes off.

TAVLEK: Don't worry, I'll get the Dominar!

The Tavlek runs over and grabs the bag with Rygel in it. Shots fire all around.

JOHN: Pilot, shut the door!!

RYGEL: Ohhh! Aeryn! Please! Pleeeeease!

Dargo puts on the gauntlet and John and Aeryn run to the swiftly closing cargo doors. Dargo can't get the gauntlet to work and Rygel is gone with Bekhesh and the other Tavlek.

D'ARGO: Arrg! Arrg! How does it work?! Arrg! Arrrrrg! Junk!

ZHAAN: Wh-Where's Rygel?

D'ARGO: Juuunk!

JOHN: Our supreme eminence has been bagged!

Scene II, continued

Zhaan removes the helmet of the Tavlek that was left behind (Kyr).

JOHN: Pilot, get a tractor beam on that shuttle!

PILOT: Tractor beam? What's that?

JOHN: A graviton field, attracto-ray, super glue, whatever it is you yanked me aboard with.

PILOT: You mean the docking web?

JOHN: Yeah, fine, use it on the shuttle.

PILOT: It's out of range.

JOHN: Well then go after it!

D'ARGO: Correction, Pilot. Break orbit and take us away from this wretched planet!

JOHN: Take us away? They've got Rygel!

D'ARGO: Rygel brought this on himself. I say we leave him there.

ZHAAN: Let Crichton finish.

JOHN: Yeah!

D'ARGO cuts in: Look, enough talk! We are leaving now!!

Dargo hits a cargo bin and it goes sailing across the room.

JOHN: Th-That - that can't be normal. How - How did you do that?

D'ARGO: It just happened.

Dargo begins to walk off, but stops at Aeryn's voice.

AERYN: Wait! That is a very versatile and powerful weapon. We can work out how to use it.

Aeryn and Zhaan look over the gauntlet on Dargo's arm.

ZHAAN: What is this? Is it injecting something into you?

D'ARGO: It stuck some needles in my arm.

JOHN: Oh no, that - that can't be good. Take it off!

D'ARGO to Zhaan: Let go of me!

ZHAAN: D'argo!

D'ARGO: This ship needs a leader and none of you have what it takes. From now on, I am in charge!

Dargo begins to walk off. John signals Aeryn and Zhaan with his head to go for an attack. Dargo whips around and sends the three flying to the floor.

D'ARGO: Never. Lay your hands on me. Again!

ZHAAN: You go after him, I'll revive the boy.

Aeryn and John rush after Dargo.

JOHN: D'argo, would you wait?

D'ARGO: No. I'm giving the orders now!

JOHN: D'argo, just listen!

Dargo turns quickly and fires a shot from the gauntlet. It just barely misses John, thanks to Aeryn who used her back to slam him against the wall. Aeryn stands, basically guarding John, while they look on at Dargo.

JOHN: He's not good at listening, is he?

AERYN: Well, he'll listen to this.

Aeryn runs back into the passageway, fires on Dargo - who catches the shot, deftly, with the gauntlet.

JOHN: Aeryn, no!

Dargo reflects the shot back, and John pins Aeryn up against a wall to avoid the shot.

JOHN to Aeryn: Would you listen?

Zhaan waves a small stick under Kyr's nose. He quickly becomes conscious.

ZHAAN: Take it easy, child.

KYR: Child?!

ZHAAN: Don't be afraid, we won't hurt you.

Aeryn and John enter the room just then.

AERYN: Speak for yourself!

Aeryn grabs Kyr and pins his back to the wall.

AERYN: That weapon of yours, how do we get it off?

KYR: Huh! You mean one of you was stupid enough to put it on? You're too weak to handle it.

JOHN: Why? What is that stuff it pumps into you?

KYR: A stimulant! Adds to our strength!

JOHN: A stimulant?! It's a little more than cappuccino, pal. Our friend just tried to kill us!

KYR: Good! [laughs evilly]

AERYN: How do we remove it?!

KYR: You can't.

JOHN: Well it came off when I knocked you out.

AERYN: That makes sense. If you're left unconscious in battle, you don't want the enemy cutting your arm off to get your weapon.

JOHN: Hm. It can be disarmed without having to be dis- armed. Great. So what do we got that can knock D'argo out? Stun gun? Gas grenade?

ZHAAN: Sleep mist. I can formulate one.

Dargo enters command and boots a DRD out of his way.

PILOT: Was that necessary?

D'ARGO: It felt good! Give me navigation, now.

PILOT: But we can't leave orbit!

D'ARGO: Do as I say, or I'll rip off all your arms! Enough of this stupid voting. From now on, I'll make the decisions!

Zhaan concocts the sleep mist. Aeryn handcuffs Kyr.

AERYN to Kyr: Don't even think about it.

PILOT: Unless we leave orbit, D'argo's actually threatening to injure me.

JOHN cuts in: Stall him! Tell him that there's a systems' malfunction or something.

PILOT: I told him that. But he doesn't believe me! In fact, he…..hold on. Transmission from the planet.

Aeryn shoves Kyr over to the clamshell. Bekhesh appears on it.

BEKHESH: We've got your king. You can buy him back.

AERYN: And we have your boy. And if you want him back undamaged -

JOHN cuts in: Whoa, ho, ho. How about an even swap?

BEKHESH: No. He's part of the price, but he's not worth a king. We want Corvinium, purity nine, enough to fill your transport hangar.

JOHN: This hangar?

BEKHESH: Divided among six hundred billion affluent subjects, it's not so much.

AERYN: You won't get it.

PILOT: D'argo's getting angrier. Do something!

JOHN: Uh, look, this isn't a-a-a good time. How about we call you back?

BEKHESH: No. We'll contact you. In one solar day. If your home world hasn't agreed to our terms by then, your King dies.

Bekhesh ends transmission.

ZHAAN: John, it's finished.

John approaches the table. Aeryn hauls Kyr over with her. Zhaan carefully hands John a small, soft, liquid-filled ball.

JOHN: Check it out! It's a water balloon!

AERYN: Here.

JOHN: What?

AERYN: Oh, you think you can throw it with any accuracy?

JOHN: Yeah. I grew up with these things. [To Zhaan, with a thumbs-up]: Excellent.

AERYN to Zhaan: Lock him away.

Aeryn shoves Kyr at Zhaan and quickly follows behind John.

ZHAAN to Kyr: Well, I suppose we must. Come.

Dargo struggles with some controls, on command.

D'ARGO: Pilot! Get Moya moving!

PILOT: I told you, I can't!

Aeryn and John walk up quietly behind Dargo. John throws the sleep mist ball while Dargo talks with Pilot.

D'ARGO: You're lying! You're all undermining my com-

The ball hits directly between D'argo's feet and explodes. A green-yellow haze floats up around him. He begins to feel the effects and falls to his knees.

JOHN: Goodnight, sweet Prince.

The liquid in the gauntlet starts injecting and Dargo gets a second wind. He's up on his feet in seconds, with looks to kill.

JOHN: Uh oh!

Dargo points his gauntlet at them, and they run off.

JOHN: This way!

AERYN: Oh, is that another suggestion of yours?

They run into a room.

JOHN to clamshell: Pilot! On my signal give me all the acceleration Moya's got.

PILOT: No. I can't activate propulsion. Moya has a systems malfunction.

JOHN: For real?

PILOT: Propulsion control is completely out. I've had to shut down and vent manually.

AERYN: The ships' excess super coolant has to be released. Look, we're wasting time, here.

JOHN: Wait! Just wait. [To Pilot] Close all the vents!

PILOT: I can't do that. The pressure could build at dangerous levels!

JOHN: Naw, it won't. [To Aeryn] I've gotta plan.

Moya vents coolants.

Zhaan brings Kyr into a Cell.

KYR: I'm not afraid of you! You're soft and weak!

PILOT: Zhaan?

ZHAAN: Yes?

Kyr takes that moment to try to rush Zhaan, but she easily moves out of his way, and hits him, sending him into a wall.

ZHAAN: Soft, yes. Weak, no. What was that Pilot?

PILOT: Secure for acceleration. Crichton has an idea.

ZHAAN: [sighs] Oh, did you say Crichton? Pa U Delvia Corteva!

Zhaan storms out of the room, locking Kyr in.

John and Aeryn hide behind a wall in the room.

D'ARGO: Come out from where you're hiding, you cowards!

Aeryn lurches to go after him, but John pulls her back.

JOHN whispers: Cool it!

Dargo stops briefly at the doorway, then moves on.

JOHN whispers: Now!

Aeryn runs out into the hallway.

AERYN: D'argo!

She fires near him.

D'ARGO: Peacekeeper coward!!

Aeryn runs back into the room. She and Crichton hide behind a table. John pins her in place with his body behind hers. Dargo walks in, growling evilly.

JOHN to Pilot on comm: Now!

D'ARGO: You challenge my command -

JOHN: Now!

D'ARGO: Do it to my face -

JOHN: Now!!

D'ARGO: So I can see what a savage -

Pilot releases the excess coolants, knocking Dargo against a wall and rendering him unconscious. John falls on his back, Aeryn falling backwards on top of him.

AERYN: That was your plan?

JOHN: Yeah. Pretty good.

AERYN: Oh, barely! That is the last time I go along with one of your plans!

JOHN: Fine. Next time you get to make the plan!

John takes the gauntlet from Dargo and both leave the room.

Tavlek home world. Soldiers mill around a military encampment. Shot follows one soldier as they walk through the camp. Day to day things are taking place, conversations had. Pan into a jail and past the cells. As Rygel speaks, the shot pans to his location, half-buried in mud, in the middle of a cell.

RYGEL: I demand to speak to the creosh in charge. I will not be treated like this! How dare you bury me in mud!! Are you listening?! You're nothing but barbarians! Don't you know this is an act of war?! When my council hears of this, the Hynerian Navy will scorch this hell-hole! [to self] Mm. That should get 'em thinking.

JOTHEB: M sleep cycle has been disturbed.

RYGEL: As if I give a grangkas bracks! Who are you?

JOTHEB: Jotheb. Next in succession to preside over the Consortium of Troa. And you?

RYGEL: Dominar Rygel the Sixteenth, ruler of the Hynerian Empire.

JOTHEB: The Hynerian Empire is not familiar to me.

RYGEL: Yeah? Well, I never heard of the Consortium of Troa.

JOTHEB: The imperfection is yours.

RYGEL: How big is it?

JOTEHB: Ten thousand.

RYGEL: Ha! Ha! I have six hundred billion subjects!

JOTHEB: Ten thousand planets. Each averaging the planet, four billion Troa.

RYGEL: I don't believe ya!

JOTHEB: The imperfection is yours.

Rygel looks around and taps his hand on the soil.

Command.

JOHN to Pilot: This malfunction is Rygel's fault?

PILOT: That's right. He asked if he could borrow a vital component of Moya's control circuitry. Just for awhile.

AERYN: And you let him?

PILOT: Certainly not!! I flatly forbade it

. JOHN: What did he want it for?

PILOT: He said it was important to impress our visitors.

JOHN: Impress? How is a control circuit gonna impress somebody?

PILOT: Oh, Moya's synaptic processors are quite attractive objects. Trillions of silicon neurons, suspended in a semi-organic crystalline matrix.

JOHN: Crystal. No. Reddish crystal? [indicates size with his fingers] 'Bout that big?

PILOT: Yes.

JOHN: His scepter. [turns to Aeryn] The little hairball took it to decorate his scepter.

AERYN: I'm gonna kill 'im.

JOHN to Pilot: Well, how long can Moya maintain orbit, without the crystal?

PILOT: Her orbit's deteriorating, even now.

AERYN: I'll torture him, then I'll kill him. [To comm] Zhaan? Can't you rouse D'argo?

ZHAAN: [waving scents under his nose] No. He's not injured, but he's sleeping off the drug. There's no telling when he'll awaken.

AERYN: I can't wait for him. [To Pilot] Pilot, prepare the Prowler.

PILOT: Very well.

AERYN to John: Come on.

JOHN: You're not going down there?

AERYN: We don't get that crystal back, we're gonna crash into the planet. I've gotta plan.

JOHN: Oh, no, please. L-Lemme guess. Your plan: Jam down to the planet. Conduct a commando-style raid against, what, a couple of dozen heavily armed Tavloids, and then haul ass back up to the ship.

AERYN: Tavleks. [begins to leave]

JOHN: That's your plan? [she stops and turns] Wile E. Coyote would come up with a better plan than that! What? Are you just gonna go down there by yourself?

AERYN: No, of course not! You're coming with me.

JOHN: Oh, in your dreams I'm coming with you!

AERYN storms back to him: This is my turn. My plan. Now let's go. [begins to walk off again]

JOHN: No! Absolutely not! There are other things that we can do! [she walks back as he's talking] We can try negotiating with the Tavloids, we can -

Aeryn punches him, and he falls flat on the floor.

AERYN: Tav-leks.

The Prowler races from Moya, headed for the Tavlek world. John is unconscious in the Prowler. Aeryn talks to Zhaan on her comm.

AERYN: Has Moya located the Tavlek shuttle?

ZHAAN: No, her sensors can't penetrate the jungle canopy. Too many chlorophoric compounds in the vegetation. Pilot says we can re-configure sensors.

AERYN: Even if you can't, I'm following the same trajectory their shuttle did. I should land reasonably close to them.

JOHN jolts awake: We could negotiate with the…[looks around, notices he's in the Prowler] You hit me!

AERYN: Hit? I….no, a Pentak jab. You're more susceptible than most.

JOHN: Next time you hit me, make sure that I don't wake up.

Aeryn tsks and grunts.

JOHN: Oh don't "tsk" me! This is not over with! And when it is, you and I are gonna sit down and have a serious talk.

AERYN: Sure. When this is over, you and I will probably be dead.

Kyr, wrapped in a blanket, in his cell. Zhaan comes in, with Crichton's orange flight suit. She hands it to him.

ZHAAN: Care for some food?

KYR: Not hungry. [grabs clothes and walks off]

ZHAAN: Are you in discomfort?

KYR: What kind of fastener is this? [throws it to the floor] Where is my clothes? I want 'em back, now!

ZHAAN: We had to borrow them.

KYR: Had to? Or did you just wanna strip me. [chuckles] What's the matter? Too prim to sneak a peak? You afraid you might like what you saw! You ever looked at a male before, huh? Huh? Well, here you go [opens blanket]

Zhaan looks him over for several seconds.

ZHAAN: Quite respectable for your age. Did you think you'd shock me? Is nudity a taboo in your culture? Are you ashamed of your bodies?

KYR: Yeah, we would be, if we looked like you!

ZHAAN: I doubt it.

She disrobes and stands, fully naked, in front of Kyr. He looks on in shock. She puts her robes back on.

ZHAAN: You sure you're not hungry?

KYR: No. [shakes his head fervently]

Zhaan leaves. Kyr looks confused.

A very thick jungle forest. Lots of blues and greens. A large wrecked ship sits high above, on a hill. The prowler sits below.

AERYN: Before we landed, I saw signs of an encampment, past that ridge.

JOHN: You shanghai my ass down here, now you want me to leave? Give me one good reason!

AERYN: Lots of reasons. Land mines, fire snakes, razor grass. [John gets his stuff] Night vision snipers, Morlean death spiders.

Rygel, in the Tavlek cell. He's struggling to get out of the mud. There is a grumbling sound heard, over his groans from struggling.

JOTHEB: That dreadful noise is what?

RYGEL: It's my stomach. What of it?

JOTHEB: Don't care to dine? My meal was just delivered.

RYGEL: They fed you first? Ugh. I don't want any food, anyway. I want out. There must be a way. There's always a way.

JOTHEB: Our captains may be annoyed by escape attempts.

RYGEL: We just can't lie around waiting to be ransomed! We have to push! [straining noise. A guard walks in] Here, let me show you. [loudly] You don't have to worry, Jotheb. When my fleet arrives it'll lay waste to this planet. Anyone who defends Bekhesh will be killed. But anyone who helps us, will…

GUARD: Your rations. [sets down a bowl]

RYGEL: [Chortles] You see? First you give them something to think about, and then you - [gasps]

JOTHEB: Is there a problem?

RYGEL: This bowl. It's a skull.

JOTHEB: That can be no one you knew. Excuse me, will you?

RYGEL to bowl: Stop looking at me.

Jotheb reaches across the cell, and begins to take Rygel's food.

RYGEL: Hey! Hey! Tentacles off! Tentacles off! What do you think you're doing?

JOTHEB: It was unwanted by you?

RYGEL: Doesn't mean you can have it!

Zhaan helps D'argo to the command.

PILOT on the clamshell, to D'argo: Feeling better?

ZHAAN: He insists on helping us adjust the sensors. Despite his fatigue.

D'ARGO: Only because you'll do it wrong. [He yanks away from Zhaan and grunts]

PILOT: If you need more rest…

D'ARGO: No, no. I uh…I need to do something. Make myself…useful.

PILOT: Your assistance…would be welcomed.

D'argo grimaces.

John and Aeryn walk through the jungle. John swats the back of his neck.

AERYN: Enjoying yourself?

JOHN: Oh yeah. Marching through a smelly, bug-infested jungle. If this is your idea of a good time, I'll bet you don't get a lot of second dates.

They hear gunfire, nearby. They get down low, and look on.

AERYN: Hand me the oculars.

JOHN: What?

Aeryn hands him her gun and gets the oculars out of her bag. She puts them on, and instantly has a better view of what is going on. She can see that three Tavleks are surrounding a kill.

AERYN: Hunting party. They've made a kill.

She removes the oculars and hands them to John.

JOHN: I say we follow 'em. [puts on oculars] Might lead us back to their camp, back to Rygel.

AERYN: Don't have time to let them lead us back to their camp, I'm gonna have to force them to tell me where Rygel is.

JOHN: Force them? How are you gonna force them? There's one of you and three of them. What -

John hears a sound and hears Aeryn gasp. She has put on the gauntlet.

JOHN: Are you nuts?! After what that thing did to D'argo, we agreed only as a last resort! Besides, if we go in there blazing like -

AERYN: Look! I'm going in. You're staying here. [grabs the knock-out shot, Zhaan sent] This won't take long. When I get back, you can put me under, and remove the gauntlet. [looks expectantly at him]

JOHN takes shot from her: The minute you get back.

Aeryn walks off, and John squats back down, to watch. The Tavleks are surrounding the kill. Aeryn, in full Tavlek outfit, saunters up.

AERYN: Your pardon. I'm on my way to Bekhesh, but I seem to have gotten my bearings confused.

HONTOVEK: You mean you're lost.

AERYN: Yeah. Okay. I'm lost.

HONTOVEK: Find your own way back. We're busy!

Aeryn shoves Hontovek to the ground, and a scuffle ensues. She knocks them all down, and grabs Hontovek around the neck, while removing her helmet.

AERYN: Right! I'll ask again! Where's Bekhesh?

John sees a Tavlek starting to get up.

JOHN, softly to himself: Come on, Aeryn. They're getting uuup.

HONTOVEK: Follow the outcropping around…

John gets out Aeryn's pulse rifle. He charges it and beings to set the sights. But he notices that a high pitched whine is beginning to emit from it and it's steadily increasing. It begins making a lot of sound. John pulls it away from his eye and looks at it. Two red lights glow.

JOHN: What the hell? Oh shi -

John's cries, and a loud explosion, are heard in the bushes. Aeryn releases Hontovek and points the gauntlet in the general direction of the sound, looking confused.

HONTOVEK: We're under attack! Get to cover!

TAVLEK #1: Move!

TAVLEK #2: This way!

The Tavleks run for cover. Aeryn runs back in the direction of John.

Command.

D'ARGO: Pilot, are you sure those re-configured sensors are working? That looked like an explosion.

PILOT: It was. Also picking up weapons fire.

D'ARGO: [shakes his head] Didn't take them long to get into trouble. Ready a transport.

John scurries up a hill, worse for the wear. Aeryn meets up with him.

AERYN: Oh! What happened? Wait, where's the rifle?

JOHN: All over the place. Am I bleeding?

AERYN: You…You blew up the rifle?

JOHN: Look, it's not like I meant to! Damn thing malfunctioned or something.

AERYN: Oh, you overloaded the pulse chamber!

JOHN: Look, just - just drop it. Let's move before they find us.

John grabs her, but she shoves him away.

AERYN: It's alright. I'll take them all on.

JOHN: Aeryn, move!

He grabs her by the middle and shoves her along.

AERYN: Will you stop? I've got -

BEKHESH: Jotheb. Message from your people. Two days til your ransom arrives. You're free to go, once it shows up.

RYGEL: Hey! Hey! What about me?

JOTHEB: Keep silent, Rygel.

BEKHESH: What about you?

RYGEL: I demand better treatment. You dare serve me with this grotesquerie of a bowl?

Bekhesh takes the bowl out of the cell.

BEKHESH: My apologies, your eminence.

Bekhesh leaves.

RYGEL: I should think so. So. Jotheb. Your subjects came up with your ransom.

JOTHEB: It was not in doubt. Why? Yours will not?

RYGEL: Absolutely. Who says they won't?

Bekhesh returns.

RYGEL: Ah! There you are! Now! What've you got for me?

Bekhesh dumps a large amount of gruel into Rygel's cell.

BEKHESH: An extra helping. [leans down] Any more trouble, and it'll be your skull that serves as someone's bowl.

Kyr screams from his cell. He crawls to the wall. Zhaan enters with a small glass. She sets it down on a table in the room.

KYR: Get out!!

He runs for her, but she grabs him deftly by the wrist. With his other hand, he digs his thumbnail into her wrist. She watches with interest. White fluid begins to drain slowly from the wound. After several seconds, she shoves him easily away.

ZHAAN: I can help you.

She lets several drops of the white fluid, flow into a glass filled with tea-colored fluid.

KYR: I…I don't want your help!

ZHAAN: You're in no condition to choose.

She rubs some of the white fluid on her lips. She walks over to him, where he's curled against the wall. She grabs him by the face.

ZHAAN: This should relieve the symptoms of withdrawal.

She gives him a long, lingering kiss. Then places her hands on his chest.

ZHAAN: And this will remove the pain.

She stares blankly towards the ceiling. Kyr stops trembling and looks confused.

Tavlek cell. Rygel is looking at what remains of the gruel.

RYGEL muttering to self: I can't eat this. I…couldn't eat this. I mustn't eat this. [examines a particle of the food] Hmmm. Maybe it has…another use. Hm.

JOTHEB: In what way, friend Rygel?

Rygel slides his hands around in the muck.

RYGEL: Loosing up this soil.

Aeryn and John jog through the jungle. Aeryn stops, looks around.

AERYN: Right. The camp should be just up ahead. I'm gonna enjoy this!

JOHN: No! No. You're not going anywhere near there. Not til we get that gauntlet off.

AERYN: No!

JOHN: Yes! You agreed. Only as long as it was necessary.

AERYN: And it is necessary! Bekhesh is still breathing.

JOHN: Aeryn. The gauntlet is messing with your head.

AERYN: No, it's not! I am going to take out every last Tavlek. No survivors, no mercy. Now give me the oculars!

JOHN: Fine.

John feigns that he's putting away the knock-out shot. While Aeryn's turned around, he tries to surprise her, but she's way ahead of him. She whips around and knocks him down. She draws the gauntlet on him.

D'ARGO to Aeryn: I believe you and I have some business, first.

AERYN: Ah, yes! You called me a coward. And you'll die for that.

D'ARGO: Your gauntlet against my Qualta Blade? You truly are cowardly. Can't you defeat me without your weapons?

AERYN: [Chuckles] What a barbarian. Okay. So, you'll die more slowly.

D'argo gives her an "oh, really" look. She races towards him, grabbing for his neck. She knocks him to the ground. He lashes out his tongue, knocking her unconscious.

JOHN: Nice blanket you got there, D'argo.

D'ARGO: A lumpy blanket. Get her off.

John gets up to help get Aeryn off him.

Rygel struggles in the wetted soil.

RYGEL: Jotheb? A little help?

JOTHEB: Help? Of what sort?

RYGEL: Pull.

He continues to push up, against the ground. Jotheb snakes a tentacle across, into Rygel's cell, around his throat. They both struggle noisily.

RYGEL: Pull! [strangled] Maybe around the throat isn't a good idea.

Bekhesh enters quietly.

RYGEL: Yes, that's it! Yeeees! That did it! I'm free!!

Rygel begins wiggling out from under the bars of his cell. Bekhesh approaches.

JOTEHB: Rygel! Look out! Rygel!

Bekhesh lifts his foot over Rygel.

RYGEL: No! No! No-no!

Bekhesh steps down on Rygel's throat.

JOTHEB: Bekhesh! You're killing him!

BEKHESH: That's right.

RYGEL: [strangled] Get - get off of me!

Rygel struggles and makes noises. After several seconds, he's silent, and still.

Scene VIII continued.

JOTHEB: Why was he killed?

BEKHESH: Why not? Who'd pay to get him back?

JOTHEB: The Consortium of Troa, will. There's truth to my words, Bekhesh. I will prove his value.

Jotheb reaches a tentacle out, and applies it to Rygel's mouth. Air can be heard. Rygel begins to twitch, as Bekhesh looks on. Rygel coughs.

JOTHEB: The fame of Dominar Rygel has spread even to my worlds. If the ransom is not paid by his people, it will be paid by mine.

BEKHESH: I could always kill him again.

Rygel continues to cough and catch his breath. Bekhesh leaves the prison.

Aeryn becomes conscious, in a clearing with John and D'argo. She coughs, groans and moans. John's tying his boots.

JOHN: Lie still. You're wiped out.

D'ARGO: The gauntlet has drained you.

AERYN: Oh. You called me a coward.

D'ARGO: You called me a barbarian!

AERYN: Well, you are!

D'ARGO: Well, perhaps…coward is too good a word for a Peacekeeper.

JOHN: Both of you, knock it off! You didn't mean what you said, it was the gauntlet talking.

D'ARGO: I meant everything I said.

AERYN: Yeah, so did I.

JOHN to D'argo: You also mean everything you did? You attacked us. Tried to take over the ship. [To Aeryn] And you, you're ready to slaughter every Tavloid on the planet and enj-

AERYN & D'ARGO: Tavlek.

JOHN: Whatever. If the gauntlet brings out the real you, both of you. Think long and hard about therapy. I'm gonna go check things out. Play nice while I'm gone.

Zhaan is in the cell with Kyr. She tries to touch him, but he shakes her off.

ZHAAN: Has the pain ceased?

KYR: Hmpf.

ZHAAN: That stimulant in your gauntlet. It must have been extremely addictive. But once your body purifies, the hunger for the drug should pass.

KYR: Look! I don't need a damned sermon. I didn't ask for your help, so keep your speeches to yourself. But about the gauntlet, it's not as if I ever had any choice.

ZHAAN: There are always choices.

KYR: Look, I told you, I don't need a sermon!p

ZHAAN: Alright. No sermons. What do you need?

KYR: Actually, I am a bit hungry.

Aeryn and D'argo rest in the clearing, waiting for John.

AERYN: I hate this.

D'ARGO: Does your head hurt?

AERYN: Yes. Yours?

D'ARGO: Pounding like a Maxzellian Palader Day Parade.

AERYN: I-I'm so tired.

D'ARGO: It took me a few hours to fully recover, so I imagine for a Sebacean, we should probably double that.

Aeryn, defiant of D'argo's comment, sits up, but doesn't quite make it.

D'ARGO: Whoa, whoa! Don't be so childish. Perhaps it took quite a few hours for me to recover.

AERYN: Crichton should be back by now.

D'ARGO: Well, he's probably at the wrong end of some Tavlek weapon, somewhere.

AERYN: [Giggles] Imagine. Somewhere out there, there's a whole world full of Crichtons. How useless that must be.

D'ARGO: It's amazing he could actually provide us with some common ground.

AERYN: Who would've thought. There'd be a race more clumsy and pathetic than the Luxans.

D'argo yanks the arm out from under her, that was propping her up, and she falls back to the ground.

AERYN: Ow!

D'ARGO: I'm sorry. You know how clumsy we Luxans can be.

Tavlek cell. Rygel's stuck back in the soil.

JOTHEB: Rygel, you are welcomed into the Consortium of Troa.

RYGEL: Oh, yes. Well thank you for the invitation, but I -

JOTHEB cuts in: It is not an invitation. You were killed by Bekhesh, and revived by me. You are therefore owned by me. As are your subjects.

RYGEL: Is that so? Huh. You gonna pay my ransom, too?

JOTEHB: The expense is small. And billions of Hynerians will be brought into the Consortium.

RYGEL: [laughs] You multi-proted moron! That many subjects. I was deposed over a hundred cycles ago! Ransom me if you want, but all you'll get is me! [laughs]

JOTHEB: Just you?! No subjects?!

RYGEL: No! [laughs] My traitorous bastard of a cousin, stole my throne and imprisoned me! I escaped with a few of the fugitives, and they're the only ones who even know I'm here! [laughs]

JOTHEB: Won't they ransom you?!

RYGEL: [laughs] They couldn't if they wanted to! And they don't want to, because they hate me! [laughs]

JOTHEB: Then you will die here, so why are you laughing?!

Jotheb slams the bars between their cells. Rygel calms down. The reality of the situation hits him, and he whimpers.

John jogs through the jungle. He uses the oculars to look down at the Tavlek camp. He sees they're all napping. He nods his head to himself and returns to the clearing.

JOHN to D'argo: Camp's pretty deserted, looks like most of them are napping. Go for it now, or wait til nightfall?

D'ARGO: We don't even know if this planet rotates. It may never get dark.

AERYN: This may be our only chance, let's go. [she tries to get up]

JOHN: No. You're wiped out. You stay here. Two's enough.

AERYN: Well, take the gauntlet, then.

JOHN: No-no-no-no-no. No, damned thing's a menace. Besides, it'd still be one gauntlet against a whole camp full of 'em. If we can't pull this thing off without being spotted, we're screwed.

AERYN: What if you are spotted?

JOHN: Cover our retreat.

AERYN: Well, with what? Well, someone blew up our only weapon.

John looks guilty. D'argo brings out his blade.

D'ARGO to Aeryn: Take this.

AERYN: Oh yes. A sword. Thank you. That'll be really helpful.

D'argo glares at her, and then pushes some buttons on the weapon.

D'ARGO: It is more than just a sword.

He pulls a lever, and shows them, which becomes a handle, for a rifle. He walks up to her with it.

AERYN: Is it charged?

D'ARGO: It was. When the Peacekeepers took it from me.

AERYN: And how long ago was that?

D'ARGO: Eight cycles.

Kyr eats in the dining hall.

KYR: Ugh! This food is horrible! Almost inedible!

ZHAAN: You're welcome! Thank you for being such a gracious guest.

KYR: [laughs] What are you?

ZHAAN: Older. Wiser. Certainly not as hungry as you.

KYR: When I was sick before - sweating and shaking - you did that thing, where you…

ZHAAN: When I kissed you?

KYR: No! Uh. Yes. When you took the pain away. How did you do that?

ZHAAN: I'm a Delvian Pa U. A priest of the Ninth level. We learn to...share other's pain.

KYR: [Chuckles] Tavleks learn how to inflict it.

ZHAAN: Yes. I've seen you in action. You're very impressive. [smiling]

KYR: Yes, it was! We boarded your ship, stole your king. I was a part of that.

ZHAAN: That is who you are when you wear the gauntlet. But, perhaps the real you is -

KYR cuts in: Sick of hearing your plock!

ZHAAN: That I know, for sure. Have you ever been through anything like this, before? Your body being freed of poison -

KYR: Poi- [slams down utensils, and tosses food cubes] This is the only poison I have in my body! Why would I want to be free?! Our gauntlet is our food. Our blood. Our life! It makes us capable of anything! [sighs in frustration]

ZHAAN: I know that is what you believe. But, what I wonder is, what you alone are capable of.

They look at each other.

Tavlek camp. John and D'argo sneak through it, quietly. They reach the prison cells. John accidentally steps on Jotheb's tentacle. Jotheb cries out in pain. John is stunned by what he sees.

JOHN: Woah! Sorry.

JOTHEB: Offense is not taken.

JOHN whispers to D'argo: Hey! Check out the critter!

JOTHEB: Critter?

D'ARGO: Critter?

John motions D'argo to come over, who also looks. He's unimpressed.

D'ARGO What's you're problem? Find Rygel.

John waves to Jotheb and continues to look. He finds the scepter, but no crystal.

JOHN whispers to D'argo: Hey!

D'ARGO: It's the scepter, but where is the crystal?

JOHN whispers: It's gone! So is Rygel.

John drops the scepter.

JOTHEB: Dominar Rygel? He was taken away.

JOHN: To where?

JOTHEB: Through my efforts, Rygel is believed to be valuable by Bekhesh. Therefore, Rygel has been moved via shuttle to a more securer location.

D'ARGO: Anymore secure and we'll never get that crystal back.

JOHN: Come on. Let's - let's get this guy out of here.

JOTHEB: Staying here is my preference. I'm awaiting my release. Rygel should be informed that his ransom will not be paid by the Consortium of Troa. His presence has been decided to be too….disruptive.

JOHN: I can dig that. Fine, I'll - I'll tell 'im.

JOTHEB: As you will.

John and D'argo leave the prison. They are stopped short by a pair of Tavleks.

JOHN: Hi. Um. Where's Bekhesh? We came to discuss the ransom terms. Think we can reach a deal.

Both pull Tavleks pull their gauntlets.

HONTOVEK: Stand fast.

JOHN: Right, D'argo?

D'argo growls. Aeryn fires a few feet behind D'argo, causing a distraction. D'argo kicks one Tavlek and attacks the other. John and D'argo beginning running out of the camp, while Aeryn fires blasts all around them. D'argo paves the way for John, and John even gets a punch or two, in. Having to stop to get past two Tavleks, D'argo is shot from behind with a gauntlet. Aeryn shoots the Tavlek and D'argo runs out. John arrives at Aeryn's position, first.

JOHN: [panting] Good work!

AERYN: That's how you create a diversion. [To D'argo, who is approaching] That's a fine weapon.

D'ARGO: I request…that you bury me with it.

He collapses. On his back, is a shot wound, covered in black blood.

JOHN: Oh, damn!

John has D'argo slung over his back, while they find an area to treat his wounds. Aeryn provides cover from behind. John puts D'argo down on his stomach.

JOHN: Just take it easy!

D'ARGO: The blood. What color is it?

JOHN: [moves a tentacle] It's uh…it's dark red. Almost black.

Aeryn gets down on the ground, and begins punching D'argo directly on the wound. John grabs her arm.

JOHN: What are you doing?!

AERYN: Bleeding freely is the only thing that will help heal the Luxan. The wound isn't cleansed until the blood flows clear.

D'ARGO: Just do it!

Aeryn throws John off of her and continues to pound the wound. John looks on in fear and confusion.

Dining hall, Moya. Kyr sets down his utensil and yawns.

ZHAAN: Tired?

Kyr shakes his head, while continuing to yawn.

ZHAAN: You need more sleep. I'll take you back to your quarters.

PILOT via comm: Zhaan? You're needed in the command. Quickly, please.

KYR: I know my way back.

Zhaan looks at him a moment, and then leaves the room. Kyr watches her departure, and sneaks from the room.

Zhaan arrives on command.

PILOT via clamshell: Crichton wants us to scan the area for any signs of the Tavlek shuttle.

Kyr runs through the corridors.

ZHAAN: I've picked up a shuttle in your area, it's priming for take-off. No more than three minutes.

JOHN: Location?

ZHAAN: Delta six, Primno Nine, Lurg Eight.

JOHN to Aeryn: Is that anywhere near here?

AERYN: [draws in the dirt] Directional vector.

Kyr arrives in the maintenance bay. He finds a locked box. Unable to open it, he grabs a passing DRD, ripping a tool from its body.

PILOT to Zhaan: The young savage! He's attacked one of the DRD's!

ZHAAN: Where?!

PILOT: Maintenance bay. Lab section.

Zhaan leaves command.

Aeryn, wrapping up the lesson on directional vectors.

AERYN: Lurg Eight there, we're here. We'll never cover that ground in three minutes.

JOHN: You two won't, that's for sure.

D'ARGO: Neither can you.

John walks to the bag and picks up the gauntlet.

JOHN: I might. With a little help.

D'ARGO: Oh no. It's too dangerous.

AERYN: D'argo's right.

JOHN: Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm just nothin' but a frail human, but, we need that gem, so unless one of you two's got a better idea… [waits for response, doesn't get one] Right. So, once I get it on, h-how do I get it to work?

D'ARGO: It just...uh...does.

JOHN: Right. Willpower. Like the….Green Lantern's ring. Okay. Here goes nothing. [He puts it on quickly and grunts in pain as he's pierced by needles. The stimulant begins to flow. He makes a face.] That's funny. I don't feel anything. In fact, I feel pretty good. Feel real good. Oh. Right. It's workin'!

John runs off.

Kyr struggles with a small syringe.

ZHAAN: Couldn't sleep? [grabs it from him]

KYR: Give that to me. I need it! Give it to me!!

ZHAAN: [twisting his arm he tried to grab it with] Is this the way you repay my help? How would you like your arm torn off?

She shoves him off.

KYR: [chuckles] You don't scare me. You don't even have the guts to fight me!!

He takes a swing at her. She catches his punch easily, in the palm of her hand, and deftly swings his arm behind him, putting the elbow of her other arm, in the shoulder blades of his back.

ZHAAN: Hear me. I could rip you apart. Right now. Kahalin help me, I'd enjoy it. But you know why I don't? Because we're not enemies! [crumbles the syringe in front of him] This is your enemy! Contemplate that in solitude!

John races through the forest.

Aeryn and D'argo remain in the clearing. Aeryn's inspecting his wound.

D'ARGO: Is it running clear?

AERYN: Nope. Still reddish-black.

D'ARGO: [groans] Give it up.

AERYN: Oh, so you'd die without putting up a fight? Then you're the coward. [slams his wound]

D'ARGO: And you're…the barbarian. You're gonna have to hit it a lot harder than that, to increase the bleeding. [Aeryn slams him. He groans] Again.

Aeryn strikes him with both hands clutched together.

John rounds a pond, just in time to see four Tavleks travelling ahead of him. He ducks behind a clump of high grass. He draws his gauntlet.

JOHN to self: Okay, let's see whatcha got.

Rygel struggles and complains in a sack carried by a Tavlek. John runs out from behind the grass.

JOHN: Freeze!!

The Tavleks whip around and draw their gauntlets on him. John quickly fires on them. He takes out two. A third fires before he can, but he catches the shot and fires it back, knocking that one down as well, leaving only him and Bekhesh (who is holding Rygel).

RYGEL: What's going on? Who's out there? Someone answer meeee!

John and Bekhesh draw on each other. The other Tavleks begin to move, again.

BEKHESH: You didn't kill 'em.

JOHN: Guess I'm not that kind of a guy.

They both drop their gauntlets.

RYGEL: Crichton, is that you? Get me out of here!

JOHN: Shut up, Rygel. [to Bekhesh] Hand me the bag.

Bekhesh holds the bag in front of him. Rygel makes uncomfortable noises at the movement.

BEKHESH: Take him…[drops the bag]…if ya can.

JOHN: Oooooh, have it your way.

John fires on Bekhesh, who catches the shots with ease.

BEKHESH: [chuckles and breathes out] You'll have to do better than that.

JOHN: Just watch me.

John tries to fire, but nothing happens. He holds the gauntlet, and looks to see that all the stimulant has run out.

JOHN: [clears throat] Hey, Bekhesh. How 'bout we call this thing a draw? You don't really want Rygel, anyway.

BEKHESH: Why don't I?

JOHN: Because...uh...he's not really a king.

RYGEL: I'm not?

BEKHESH: He's not?

JOHN: He's an escaped mental patient. Illusions of Royalty.

RYGEL: You're the mental patient if you expect anybody to believe that I - [Bekhesh kicks the bag, hard] Oh!

BEKHESH: He's not insane.

RYGEL: I could be.

JOHN: Okay. Right. No, he's not insane. But, uh…he is sick.

Rygel begins coughing.

JOHN: He's very sick. Very contagious. You ever hear of Chicken Pox?

BEKHESH: He's not sick.

JOHN: Right, he's not sick, but he…….but he is worthless. No one is gonna pay his ransom.

BEKHESH: The Consortium of Troa, will.

JOHN: No. They won't. I just talked to your other prisoner. The four-throated cat? They're not gonna do it. Well, you blame them? Rygel is an obnoxious gas-bag. Now, who's gonna shell out for that?

RYGEL: He's right. I'm unloved, unwanted, unpopular [Bekhesh kicks him again. Strangled voice] Unconscious.

JOHN: Look, Bekhesh, we couldn't pay your ransom if we wanted to. Rygel lied to impress you. We got nothin'.

BEKHESH: No Corvinium?

JOHN: No Corvinium, no gold, no jewels. No munitions. You don't believe me? Call my ship. Talk to your boy.

Zhaan walks up to Kyr's cell.

ZHAAN: Your leader wishes to speak with you.

She triggers her comm and holds it to the door. Kyr walks forward.

KYR: Bekhesh!

BEKHESH: You've spent time with them. Tell me. Are they wealthy? Have you seen any riches on board?

KYR to Zhaan: I won't lie for you.

ZHAAN: No one's asked you to.

KYR to Bekhesh: I've seen much of their ship. It's pathetic. They have no riches and all I've had to eat is food cubes.

BEKHESH: Are they forcing you to say that? Have they mistreated you in any way? You just say the word and I'll re-take their ship and slaughter the lot of them.

KYR: No. They haven't mistreated me. In fact, they've been trying to help me.

BEKHESH: Help you? Why?

KYR: I don't really know.

Zhaan turns off her comm.

ZHAAN: Perhaps I like to offer choices.

Bekhesh seems to stare at John.

BEKHESH: Suppose I still don't believe you?

JOHN: Then you might as well shoot us all. Cause I'm tellin' the truth.

John lets his gauntlet fall to the ground.

BEKHESH: It's been so long since anyone's told me the truth. I don't recognize it, anymore.

He stares at John a little longer, then walks to the sack Rygel's in.

BEKHESH: Take this royal pain out of my sight!

He kicks the bag over to John.

RYGEL: Oooooow!!!

The Tavleks walk off. John reaches down and picks up the bag. He uncovers Rygel's head.

JOHN: [softly] Where's the you-know-what?

RYGEL: I knew you wouldn't come back just for me!

JOHN: What did you do with it?

John inspects Rygel, looking for the gem.

RYGEL: It's safe and sound.

JOHN: Did you swallow it?!

RYGEL: Swallow it? Yes, yes. Which means you're gonna have to take me back as I am, or disembowel me, here!

JOHN: Don't you tempt me, fluffy!

He covers Rygel back off and heads back for the clearing.

Aeryn inspects D'argo's wound, again.

D'ARGO: Well? Am I to live, or die?

AERYN: Die. [Brings around a hand covered in clear blood] But not today.

RYGEL: Hurry up Crichton!

JOHN: Shut up!

RYGEL: You can't hurt any worse!

John walks up to them, Rygel in his arms. Rygel's grumbling disagreeably.

JOHN: Piece of cake.

John's eyes roll back in his head, and he faints. Right on top of Rygel.

RYGEL: Oooooooooooooh! [coughs]

The crew returns on the Prowler, and a Tavlek shuttle, comes along.

D'argo and Aeryn wait impatiently outside of Rygel's quarters. Rygel can be heard from within, grunting and groaning.

D'ARGO: Rygel, hurry up!

RYGEL: You can come in, if you want to!

D'ARGO: No! No! You...uh...you just uh…get a move on.

Rygel groans and a loud plopping sound can be heard.

RYGEL: Well, I don't see why you're so upset, I would have put it right back if those savages hadn't kidnapped me! [He walks to the door, and holds up the gem] I did wash it! [Aeryn's reluctant to grab it, but finally does] Well, I think I did.

Aeryn stops short for a few seconds, then goes on her way. Rygel hums happily.

Zhaan looks at the clamshell, as a transmission from Kyr appears.

ZHAAN: Curious how you're doing.

KYR: Much better. Now. [shows her the gauntlet] That I have the gauntlet back on. My choice.

Zhaan and Kyr look at each other. He nods slightly and the transmission ends.

ZHAAN to herself: [sighs] No sermons.

Shot pans out. A DRD skitters across the floor.

END OF EPISODE.