[Last time on Farscape]

Continued Act IV, Scene V.

D'ARGO: They look so....

CHIANA: Stiff.

RYGEL: I think he should have taken his pose more seriously.

TYNO: I believe he did the best he could.

D'ARGO: So what happens now?

TYNO: For them, eighty cycles of government. Boring, but ultimately advantageous.

CHIANA: And what do we do?

TYNO: Scorpius has been asked to leave our system within the solar day. Once his Command Carrier vacates-

D'ARGO: [cuts in] We hope that Moya returns and picks us up.

CHIANA: You really going to stay, Ryg?

RYGEL: Why not? Crichton will need advising and uh [chuckles] the food's good.

D'ARGO: So, he can hear us?

TYNO: Every word. The acoustics of this chamber funnel all sounds to them.

D'ARGO: May we say goodbye?

TYNO: I'll wait outside.

He hands D'argo a headset, and exits. D'argo places it to his ear.

D'ARGO: John.

JOHN: Hey D'argo.

D'ARGO: [to Chiana] He can hear us. [to John] Do you feel any pain?

JOHN: No, but I'd really love to pick my nose.

D'ARGO: [to Chiana] He remains without a sense of humor. [to John] It's good to hear your voice, John.

JOHN: Yours too. Hey, can I say Hi to Chiana?

D'ARGO: Chiana.

He hands her the headset. She places it to her ear.

CHIANA: You look great in bronze.

JOHN: You look great in pink. Brings out your eyes.

Chiana giggles.

Later. Clayvor enters the previously empty chamber.

CLAYVOR: Frell! Frell, frell! I'm gonna double his statue! I should be regent!

He punches John's face, and whimpers in pain, sitting on the platform.

CARGN: While enormously symbolic your Highness, may I propose a more permanent tactic?

CLAYVOR: What?!

Cargn activates a laser on his wrist and swiftly decapitates John's statue. The head lands directly in Clayvor's lap. He makes a revolted sound, then chuckles evilly.

A dark basement area, with several acid pits and hanging chains.

CARGN: Are you sure he's still alive?

CLAYVOR: Of course! Each cell is self-encapsulated. As long as the parts stay in their metalized state, he can be re-constituted.

CARGN: Very impressive.

CLAYVOR: My uh Great-grandfather was broken in half when the Senate collapsed after a ground shaker. All he suffered was a severe limp. [giggles]

CARGN: Foundry acid should ensure this ruler fairs worse.

He holds Crichton's head high above his head. Clayvor takes the head and lowers it.

CLAYVOR: N-n-n-n-n-n-n-no, give it to me, give it to me.

Clayvor struggles to hold it, and slams it down on the edge of the acid pit. He looks into John's statue face.

CLAYVOR: I know you can hear me, Crichton, and I know you're scared. [chuckles] Our laws state that a couple must rule together. Hm? That's why the crown must soon pass to me, because you can't rule with one little head!

He pushes the head into the acid.

Barren Lands, mountains.

AERYN: I propose that we start here and traverse around.

DREGON: Excellent.

AERYN: You always this agreeable?

DREGON: [chuckles] Am I being agreeable?

AERYN: Well, everything I've suggested, since the moment we met, you've consented to.

DREGON: They've all been good ideas.

AERYN: And your proficiency at this is?

DREGON: I've been rated expert.

AERYN: Really?

He grabs her quickly, turns her and bends her over backwards, kissing her.

AERYN: Hm. That's clearly a local custom. What's this one called? Kiss your climbing partner?

DREGON: Different local custom. Kiss a woman you're attracted to.

AERYN: Alright. You ready?

Government chamber.

NOVIA: Whoever perpetrated this atrocity shall pay in kind! Beheaded!

D'ARGO: Surely you don't think-

NOVIA: Silence! This planet is under stringent law until my daughter's husband is made whole! No one is to leave! Or even contact their vessels! Whether they purport to be a friend of the crown or not!

Novia storms out.

TYNO: Where is the one called Aeryn Sun, the former Peacekeeper?

RYGEL: We don't know!

TYNO: She was upset that Crichton was to marry the Princess, I saw it with my own eyes!

D'ARGO: You cannot possibly think that-

TYNO: [cuts in] I can't possibly not! Find her. Bring her to us for questioning.

RYGEL: If you want someone with a motive for stealing, try that vigilant Scorpius!

TYNO: Everyone is suspect, especially off worlders! If Prince Clayvor assumes the throne, I cannot guarantee your safety. Find your friend's head!

Basement.

Scorpius fishes John's head out of the acid. He holds the head in a towel, and sits on the edge of the cauldron.

SCORPIUS: Very fortunate I sampled your DNA when you were in the Aurora chair. There would have been no other way to track you, Crichton. Though the crystallization of your cells was designed to withstand eighty cycles of air born corrosives seems...three arns, well....a full on acid attack is all it takes. You're beginning to pit! And while I won't be able to retrieve your body...I promise you...the wormhole calculations you have in your mi-

A loud sound of chains cuts him off. He places John's head in a chain-mail type bag. He sets the head and bag on the edge of a cauldron. He takes a step or two away and pushes away some hanging chains.

SCORPIUS: Who's there?

He turns.

SCORPIUS: [deep voice] Who's there?!

A shot hits him in the shoulder from behind. He hits the wall and stumbles. As he turns, another shot hits him in the front of the shoulder, knocking him into the wall again, and falling.

Moya, maintenance bay. Zhaan works on John's pod, while a DRD looks on. Kahaynu appears.

KAHAYNU: You should use one of Moya's transport pods instead that little one.

ZHAAN: What do you care what I do?

KAHAYNU: All life is precious. Yours should continue.

ZHAAN: And Moya's shouldn't?

KAHAYNU: We have been through this. Moya can produce gun ship offspring. We did not intend the Universe to be subject to that affliction. I'm sorry. I must leave now.

ZHAAN: No. Kahaynu! If Moya's life is to end capriciously, and Pilot's also, you and I are going to remain with them!

KAHAYNU: Doubtful.

Zhaan pauses a moment.

ZHAAN: DRD, now! In reverse!

The DRD presses a switch on John's module. The propulsion system on the module fires up, sucking in, instead of blowing out. Kahaynu begins being pulled in towards it.

KAHAYNU: What? Stop this!

ZHAAN: Re-commission Moya.

KAHAYNU: I cannot! I will not! Turn the engine off!

ZHAAN: I will spare you, if you spare Moya.

KAHAYNU: Stop! I beg you!

ZHAAN: How does it feel for your prayers to go unanswered, Kahaynu?

He vanishes into the engine of the module. The engine dies.

ZHAAN: [softly] Dear Goddess. In my rage, what have I done?

D'argo and Chiana's room. Chiana sits up in bed. D'argo is pacing.

D'ARGO: I cannot find Crichton's head anywhere.

He sits on the bed.

D'ARGO: I feel miserable.

Chiana pulls him back, so he's laying back in her lap.

CHIANA: Hey. [pause] Aren't you tired?

D'ARGO: Just responsible. I'm the one that talked him into it.

CHIANA: We had no other options. You said that yourself. [pause] We take what we get.

Jena removes the bag from John's head. She puts on the headset.

JOHN: Ooooooooooooooooooooooooow! My body! My body!

JENA: I'm working on it.

JOHN: Working on it? It's impossible.

As she talks to him, she works the controls for the device that turned him into a statue.

JENA: Strangely not. If I do this right, your current state is not terminal.

JOHN: And if not done right?

JENA: Terminal.

JOHN: Get experts.

JENA: We're beyond that, don't you think? You're way too vulnerable in this state. See exhibits A and B.

JOHN: Have you got a plan?

JENA: Revitalize you. Your speech abilities are so limited right now, you couldn't convince the Empress you're a headless statue.

She picks up his head.

JOHN: Woah, nice dress.

JENA: Save it. When the Empress sees you, my true fiancée and his Scarran will be in deep dren. Then you can be re-made into a statue.

She places his head back on his statue.

JOHN: That's not much of a plan.

JENA: As long as the parts are aligned right.

She jerks his head into position, he makes a loud pained sound.

JENA: The machine should do the rest.

She walks back to the controls.

JOHN: Woah-woah-woah-woah-wh-hey-hey-hey, wait, wait, wait, wait! Just a second! Hey! Come back!

She tosses the headset on the floor, and pushes up on a control on the panel. In a few moments, John is himself again. His face un-contorts.

JENA: Can you turn your neck?

He groans, and moves his head forward and back, side to side. His arm comes down slowly.

JENA: Can you speak?

JOHN: Thank you.

JENA: Can you walk?

He tries to get to his feet, and stumbles to the floor, falling at her feet. She sighs disgustedly.

Outside the palace.

CARGN: I told you it's best we're not seen together until after you're married and assume the line of succession!

CLAYVOR: You mean if I do! Crichton's body is gone, somebody used the processor to revitalize him!

CARGN: Without his head, is that really a concern?

CLAYVOR: They're still reconstructing the data, but it seems so - great frell-up - that his head was attached at the time!

CARGN: Someone retrieved his head?

CLAYVOR: Do something oh magnificent representative of a supposedly master race, or you will surely die at my mother's hand. And I, I will cheer her on!

Cargn breathes out angrily, releasing his deathly powers.

Barren Lands. Aeryn and Dregon climb the rock wall. Aeryn is above, while Dregon clings fearfully to the rocks.

AERYN: Dregon! What's wrong?

DREGON: Nothing.

AERYN: I've secured it, you can come up now. Are your lines stuck? [pause] I'm coming down.

DREGON: It's okay. I'm....just....

AERYN: Dregon? Are you injured?

DREGON: We're too high.

AERYN: What?

She climbs down towards him.

AERYN: You've done this before, haven't you? Isn't that right? You were rated expert. Correct?

DREGON: At the training facility.

AERYN: This is your first wall?

DREGON: Yeah. Outside.

AERYN: For the love of Chilnak. Alright. Hang on.

He looks down, and sees the beating waves.

AERYN: Right, grab my hand. Dregon, just grab my hand.

She extends her hand. He pauses a moment, and then finally reaches up and takes it.

AERYN: Good. Good. Alright. No!

DREGON: Help me! Please. Don't let me fall.

AERYN: I won't. It's fine. All you have to do is hold on with that hand there, that left hand. Can you do that? You got it? Take a deep - take a deep breath! Take a deep breath. That's it. Alright, now hold on. I've got you. No, no, no! Not my leg! The wall! Hold onto the wall!

They both slip and plummet to the craggy rocks below.

An encampment by the side of a stream. Jena leads him to an open-sided tent.

JOHN: Where the hell are we?

JENA: Don't worry about it, somewhere no one will find you.

JOHN: That was not my question.

She lets him fall into the tent. She kicks him.

JOHN: Ouch.

JENA: Is that your real name? John Crichton?

JOHN: Yeah.

She takes his leg and flips him onto his back.

JENA: And which Sebacean house is that from?

JOHN: Well, you know if I tell you, I'll have to kill you.

She grabs his arm and pulls him roughly to a sitting position.

JENA: Why is Scorpius here?

JOHN: You don't know?

She hunkers next to him.

JENA: He's not part of my brief. However, he seems to be part of yours.

JOHN: Look, I appreciate that you have questions. I'm sure you'll appreciate that I'm not going to answer them.

He tries to lay down, but she pulls him back up again.

JENA: I heard some of what Scorpius said. He wasn't protecting you as an ally, he was capturing you as prey.

He looks at her a moment.

JENA: You wouldn't like the truth.

She shoves him down, and stands up.

JENA: The data scanned Mister John Crichton as non-Sebacean. So, if you're not Sebacean, you're not Peacekeeper. If you're not Peacekeeper, you're not special directorate. If you're not special directorate, you can't be a disrupter. And if you're not a disrupter....

She grabs him from behind, by the head and holds the stiletto in her wrist, to his neck.

JENA: Then you know too much about me.

Continued Scene XI

Later.

JOHN: Well, there's more, but that pretty much sums it up, yeah.

JENA: That is either the most pathetic fabrication I have ever heard, or the most pathetic life I could ever imagine. Either way...

JOHN: Oh, look their on some whacked out antecedence to a chick with a stiletto in her wrist.

She puts it away and releases his head.

JOHN: Better.

He rolls away slightly, and hunkers, to see her face to face.

JOHN: So, did you kill Scorpy?

JENA: Leave bodies lying around, they look for a killer. It's not like he's going to report the assault.

JOHN: Then why choose me over him?

JENA: Because I couldn't give a Kragg's ass about anything but my job - preventing the Scarrans from getting a claw on this Empire. You're my best chance of making that happen.

JOHN: Assuming I'm willing to play garden gnome for the next eighty cycles.

JENA: John, if I fail, so many innocent lives would be lost. Help me do my job...and I'll help you get what you want, whatever it is.

JOHN: You know things never work out like you plan.

JENA: That's what makes it fun.

Aeryn limps across the open rocks, with a splint on her leg, bringing wood. Dregon lays on the ground. She drops the wood and painfully sits near Dregon.

DREGON: Isn't there...any other way to contact help?

AERYN: [shakes head] Not unless a ship passes, and sees us.

DREGON: I told you before, these are the devastated reefs, boats never come here.

AERYN: Well then, inland is our only hope. Unless of course, you want to stay.

DREGON: Please. Don't leave me.

AERYN: Don't tempt me!

Zhaan draws the tip of a dropper down Pilot's nose ridge.

ZHAAN: May the Goddess recognize the gentleness of your spirit, and guide you to your ancestors.

She puts the dropper back in the vial, bows towards Pilot and grieves.

KAHAYNU: Pa U Zotoh Zhaan.

ZHAAN: You live.

KAHAYNU: As does Moya.

The ship powers up. Shortly afterward, Pilot regains consciousness.

ZHAAN: What kind of repellant game is this?!

KAHAYNU: Upon my first exploration of Moya, I knew the circumstances that produced her gun ship offspring. And I knew she was a worthy soul.

ZHAAN: Then why did you put her through this?

KAHAYNU: To see if you were worthy. These are gentle beasts, who will ultimately follow the directions of those in control. Should you desire it, Priestess, you could produce an army of killing machines.

PILOT: But Zhaan would never-

KAHAYNU: [cuts in] Of course she wouldn't. We know that, now. We are confident that you will protect Moya, vigorously against those who seek to exploit her. You are worthy of that responsibility.

ZHAAN: If that is so, then I demand that you leave this ship immediately!

KAHAYNU: As you wish. But first....Moya wishes to speak with you.

MOYA: Zhaan. One request.

ZHAAN: Anything, Moya.

MOYA: Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnngggg.

Zhaan laughs and smiles.

D'argo approaches Scorpius at the bar.

SCORPIUS: It's good that you came.

D'ARGO: Do you know where Crichton is?

SCORPIUS: Honestly? No. But I'm as anxious to find him as you are.

D'ARGO: For his wormhole knowledge.

SCORPIUS: [chuckles] That's secondary at this point. I'm without accompaniment, totally unarmed. Should the Empress wish to execute us, I have no doubt she would succeed.

D'ARGO: So now we are allies.

SCOPRIUS: Hm. Effectively, yes. I assume you know of Seskoritz Gee Cargn, the Scarren emissary.

D'ARGO: And his alliance with Prince Clayvor.

SCORPIUS: Who's next in line for the throne. So, they are our natural suspects.

D'ARGO: What do you want, Scorpius?

SCORPIUS: I will help you get Crichton off this planet alive, collect the information I need from his mind, and release him to you. Unharmed.

D'ARGO: You're half Scarran, aren't you?

SCORPIUS: By which measure I should not be judged.

CARGN: Because it would find him lacking! Ka D'argo is it? Luxan, a great race of warriors, I am honored! [To Scorpius] And to you, biological mistake! I commend your plan. Having an agent marry the Princess. How did you defeat my DNA alterations of her?

D'ARGO: Scorpius is not in league with Crichton. We despise him.

CARGN: Truly? Have I misjudged the situation that badly?

SCORPIUS: Even if you establish diplomatic ties with this Dynasty, that would mean that we - Peacekeepers - would have to respond, preventing it. And that would mean a total conflagration.

CARGN: But who would be seen as aggressor? All but sealing their access to the Uncharted Territories.

Cargn quickly turns to D'argo, attacking him with his ability to extract the truth.

CARGN: Luxan brute! Where is Crichton?!

D'ARGO: I don't know!

CARGN: Has he been reconstituted into flesh and blood form?

D'ARGO: I don't know!

CARGN: Is there anyone who does?

D'ARGO: Chiana. Think she does. But -

CARGN: [cuts in] Enough!

Cargn releases him. Scorpius walks up to Cargn, placing a hand on his shoulder.

SCORPIUS: I will offer you a deal.

CARGN: I would rather race you to the Nebari girl, Chiana.

SCORPIUS: The means to our different goals...may be the same, Emissary.

CARGN: What about the coming conflagration between our species?

SCORPIUS: If you wish to provoke Peacekeeper might...well, we shall oblige. By defeating you.

CARGN: I would still rather race you to the girl.

Cargn exits.

Aeryn pulls Dregon across the Wasted lands, on a makeshift stretcher.

DREGON: Please!

AERYN: Please? Please stop dragging you?

DREGON: No, but it-

AERYN: I know, it hurts. You want it to not hurt? Well next time hold on to the frelling wall!!

She continues to drag him, supporting herself with a thick length of wood.

D'argo enters the bar.

D'ARGO: Rygel! Have you seen Chiana?

RYGEL: Have you tried [hiccups] looking under your sheets?

D'ARGO: I think that Scorpius and the Scarran may have her. They think she knows where John and Aeryn are.

RYGEL: We were looking together when she [hiccups] split off.

D'ARGO: Yeah.

RYGEL: I'm so nervous, I had to stop for a bite. [hiccups] Which I'm too nervous to eat.

D'ARGO: Yeah, alright, what's the matter?

RYGEL: I asked around. The last time the Empress threatened to execute off-worlders [hiccups] she did!

D'ARGO: Rygel. I need your help. They're going to torture her, and she doesn't know anything.

RYGEL: [whimpers] I'll float above the streets for a better view.

D'ARGO: Yes. Yes!

D'argo exits.

RYGEL: We'll find her!

Outside the palace. Cargn has Chiana draped over his shoulders.

CLAYVOR: What the frell is that?

CARGN: She does not know Crichton's whereabouts, as I suspected.

CLAYVOR: So, get rid of her.

CARGN: I believe she may have another use.

CLAYVOR: I don't even wanna know. Cargn, we're through! Everything you said would pass, has not!

Cargn lets Chiana fall off his shoulders, and rushes to Clayvor.

CARGN: I'm simply trying to assure your ascension! If Crichton is not found by tomorrow, you'll be crowned.

CLAYVOR: Through no efforts of yours, sadly. Which means I no longer need your allegiance.

CARGN: The disillusion of our relationship is not yours to affect!

CLAYVOR: Look! My mother knows about us! I can't be married until I renounce you.

CARGN: I will not allow it.

CLAYVOR: I'm doing you a favor. Mm hm. She's going to start the ceremony by executing off-worlders. Mm? Get out of here. Hide. Run.

CARGN: There's no way for me to escape, and you know it.

CLAYVOR: And I thought you were good.

He turns and starts to walk away.

CARGN: I am. I have one final question for you, duplicitous Prince Clayvor.

Clayvor turns.

CLAYVOR: Wha-

Cargn attacks him with his power.

CARGN: Do you know, that as promised, I am about to kill you?

CLAYVOR: N- n - nooooooooooooooo!

His face melts away, as he screams. He collapses to his death.

CARGN: Yeees.

Jena's hideout by the river.

JOHN: Just a little tingling in the hands and feet. I'm good to go.

JENA: Too late. Local animals are carnivorous after dark.

JOHN: Animals. Okay, fine. First light. I have people to protect.

JENA: As I must mine. Can I trust you?

JOHN: Oh yeah, I'm a regular Boy Scout. [brief pause] I do what I have to do.

JENA: And I assume you do it well.

D'argo sits in a room. He catches a scent, as Scorpius enters. He growls lightly.

SCORPIUS: I um - - I have found Cargn. It will take both of us to kill him. Scarrans......have exceptional strength.

D'ARGO: And why do you think I'll help you?

SCORPIUS: He has Chiana. And you want her.

D'ARGO: And you don't?

SCORPIUS: I want John Crichton.

D'ARGO: You'll never get Crichton. He'll die, first.

SCORPIUS: You under estimate the strength of a relationship. Even your friend...does not yet understand.

Hideout. A pot cooks on the fire. John and Jena kiss, laugh and caress in the water.

Later. They sit by the side of the water.

JENA: I want you to have this.

She takes off her necklace. It has solid semi-flexible "arms", with a large black stone in the middle bottom. She clasps her had around the stone. A jolt of energy comes out and shoots at a nearby rock.

JENA: A little stuns and a lot kills. Tomorrow will be dangerous. Scorpius, Cargn, the Empress' anger. Be careful. I might not be able to protect you.

JOHN: One step at a time, Jena. [whispers] One...step at a time.

He kisses her.

Wasted lands, by the campfire.

DREGON: I'm sorry I...brought this on you.

AERYN: Do you always pursue women you don't know?

DREGON: If I'm drawn to them.

Aeryn snickers.

DREGON: Would you by lying here helpless, giving up, if Crichton were back there waiting for you?

AERYN: You wouldn't understand.

A moment of silence passes.

DREGON: Does your leg hurt? It's broken.

AERYN: I'm trained to deal with that.

DREGON: That's the answer! You're not trained to deal with emotions, so you're afraid of them. Emotional pain, you wear like a badge. It means you've been there. And you can't get callused, because each fresh hurt stings like the first.

AERYN: Why would you want that?

DREGON: Because of all the days before it hurts. The good days, when you're in love. [pause] It's...too bad...you can't get back to at least...tell Crichton how you feel.

AERYN: What difference would it make?! He's a frelling statue!

DREGON: But he can hear. He can see. He'll know, Aeryn. At least he'll know.

The next day. Jena walks down the palace corridor. John's voice comes from the shadows.

JOHN: You're late.

He comes out from behind a short wall.

JENA: I'm moving a little slow.

JOHN: Are you ready to do this?

JENA: I've grieved with the best of them.

JOHN: Alright, show time.

JENA: I hope it all works out.

JOHN: One way or the other.

Jena holds up a vial of the compatibility syrup.

JOHN: We're not compatible.

She tosses it over her shoulder, with a grin.

JENA: You always know, just what to say.

JOHN: Not always. But sometimes I know, who to say it to.

Jena begins to walk off.

JENA: Give me some time before you enter.

Aeryn continues to drag Dregon across the Wasted Lands.

DREGON: Aeryn!

AERYN: What?!

DREGON: Look!

A local man is just over the hill. He shouts across the distance to them.

MAN: Hello! Hello, do you need help?

Aeryn looks at him, panting.

MAN: I'll - - stay there! I'll come and get you!

He starts walking towards them.

AERYN: Yes.

She tosses off the stick, and sits.

DREGON: Aeryn. Listen, I know this didn't turn out like we wanted. I know I was a....hindrance. But I was hoping...we could go it again?

Aeryn chuckles in amazement.

Jena sobs over the body of Clayvor.

JENA: No, this can't beee!

TYNO: I'm sorry, Jenvia. There was nothing we could do.

RYGEL: [crying] Surely the Empress knows this is the Scarrans work! How could she not!

TYNO: Of course she knows! And he will be the first one put to death!

RYGEL: [crying] But why the rest of us?

TYNO: Because fool that he was....[to Jena]no offence...Prince Clayvor was her son! You will all be arrested and executed.

JOHN: I feel compelled to disagree with the Empress on that decision.

RYGEL: Crichton. Crichton!

JOHN: Hey, Sparky.

TYNO: Oh, thank the Spirits!

JOHN: Jena. Sorry about the Prince, but I hear he deserved it.

She slaps him soundly and exits the room, sobbing.

TYNO: Your Excellency, who defiled your position?! Who rescued you?

JOHN: Later! Rygel, what about the others?

RYGEL: Nothing on Aeryn, I'm sorry. D'argo's with Scorpius. They think the Scarran has Chiana. So they're gonna kill 'im!

John begins to exit.

TYNO: Crichton, wait! Where are you going?!

JOHN: I don't know. I'll let you know when I get there.

RYGEL: [to Tyno] I'm assuming my execution is off.

Tyno looks at him, and exits.

Underground acid room. D'argo and Scorpius enter.

D'ARGO: Chiana!

Chiana is hanging, gagged and struggling, over a vat of acid.

CARGN: Stay back!

SCORPIUS: He cannot damage your brain from this distance. But any closer.

D'ARGO: There are two of us and only one of him. How badly do you want him dead?

Scorpius takes several steps forward.

CARGN: No closer, or the girl dies!

D'ARGO: That will not help Prince Clayvor become King.

CARGN: Agreed. This is about killing you.

SCORPIUS: The girl...has she told you where Crichton is?

He steps ever closer.

CARGN: Of course not. She doesn't know. But, she did say you aren't allies and that, in all probability, you did not come here to impede my plan.

SCORPIUS: It must be painful to realize, that you are defeated. Yes! Defeated! By nothing more, than your own suspicions!

CARGN: Too hot in here, Scorpius?

D'ARGO: What's the matter?

CARGN: When he becomes incapacitated, I shall turn full attention to you!

SCORPIUS: Nothing, it's nothing! Don't listen to him!

CARGN: Because, if you do, you know this mutant's weakness, that his Scarran half loves the heat. Thrives in heat! Craves heat. But his Peacekeeper half is destroyed by the same warmth.

D'ARGO: Is this true?

Scorpius just looks at him, obviously in discomfort.

CARGN: Thermal regulator suit, cooling rods inserted directly into his brain. Tell me the rumors are true. Please tell me your search for thermic constancy is tormentful!

Scorpius takes a run at Cargn, but Cargn easily lifts him and pins him against the wall. Cargn tosses him to the floor. D'argo swings in on a chain and draws his blade, but Cargn deflects it, causing it to cut one of the chains supporting Chiana. She is now swinging by one arm, rather than both her wrists. D'argo and Cargn exchange blows. Cargn gets an elbow in and knocks D'argo to the ground.

CARGN: Luxan coward! Now, you will die!

John runs into the room, as Cargn picks up D'argo, to toss him into the acid. John uses the short blasts, which only cause Cargn drop D'argo.

JOHN: Hey!

CARGN: Crichton!

John shoots him a couple more times. It knocks him off balance and he stumbles against the wall, but otherwise, he's unharmed. He shoots Cargn a few more times. Cargn gains his balance and approaches John. John continues to fire on him. Cargn stops at the shots and begins to show pain, but continues onward.

CARGN: You...haven't...defeated...meeee!

JOHN: Obviously not. But you dumped me in the acid, so let's see how you like it!

He wraps an arm around the chain he was supporting himself with, and swings with an angry growl/scream, knocking Cargn into the vat. Cargn screams and sinks into the acid, as he dies. Chiana screams past her gag.

JOHN: Chiana!

D'argo gets up, just as a link begins to let go. He runs towards her.

D'ARGO: Nooo!

He leaps over the vat, catching her before she falls, and landing on the other side of the vat.

CHIANA: You're the best!

JOHN: How Batman was that?!

Chiana and D'argo hold each other and kiss.

JOHN: You guys okay?

D'ARGO: We're fine John. It's good to see you.

JOHN: What about Scorpius? He dead?

D'ARGO: If he isn't...he should be, by the time we come out.

D'argo lifts Chiana and carries her out. John approaches Scorpius, grabs him by the front of his suit, and drags him to the vat, putting Scorpius' face inches from the acid. He struggles, getting a flash of his torture at the chair.

JOHN: I'm not your enemy. I'm not your friend. [pause] You leave me the hell alone. Or the next time we part, one of us will be dead.

John backs up, keeping his eye on Scorpius, until he gets to the doorway. Scorpius watches him. When John finally exits, Scorpius stands up easily, obviously having faked his weakness to the heat in the room. He chuckles, then drags his gloved fingers through the acid, flicking the acid off as they come out. He exits.

Governing chamber.

JOHN: I am sorry if it upsets your line of succession, but I am not gonna be a statue again!

NOVIA: I understand your concerns as I'm sure you must understand ours. However, if you're the kind of man that would walk away from his own child, we would not want you to rule.

JOHN: Child? What the hell are you talking about?

NOVIA: My daughter is pregnant with your seed.

JOHN: How - woah - how - no, no, we never....

NOVIA: Samples from the DNA comparison. Did you really think a system this stable, would leave so important a detail, to chance?

JOHN: Make me a statue.

NOVIA: You change your mind so quickly?

JOHN: A child deserves two parents. My child deserves a father, make me a statue.

NOVIA: Counselor Tyno! Arrange for this...honorable man to re-undergo the transmutation process.

She begins to exit.

TYNO: I'm afraid that's impossible, Empress. Recall that Crichton is not Sebacean.

She stops, and turns.

TYNO: Based on our findings, Human physiology would not tolerate the process a second time.

JOHN: What the hell are you talkin' about?

TYNO: If you stood beneath that machine again, you would die!

JOHN: She won't be defrosted for another eighty cycles. I'm not gonna live that long, and I won't be there for them!

TYNO: I know! I'm sorry.

John rubs his mouth and walks up to the Princess' statue.

JOHN: [to Tyno] You take my place.

TYNO: I can't.

JOHN: Nobody knows me, right? The public, they don' t know who I am.

TYNO: Your unveiling was to be your introduction.

JOHN: Right. Counselor Tyno can be your new King.

NOVIA: They're chromosomes are not compatible!

JOHN: It doesn't matter! She's already pregnant. And it satisfies everything that you need. And it gives my child a good father. [pause] And they love each other.

John places the headset to his ear.

JOHN: What do you say? Does this work for you?

KATRALLA: Yes. Thank you.

JOHN: I'm sorry....that I won't be around.

KATRALLA: I'll....never forget.

John puts the headset down.

JOHN: [to Novia] It's your call.

NOVIA: As long as the secrets we forge in this room do not escape....it can be done.

JOHN: Well there ya go. Good guys win for once. And I have a child that I will never know.

He hands Tyno the headset and begins to exit. Tyno puts on the headset.

TYNO: Princess Katralla wants to know if you'd like to see your offspring.

John stops and turns.

JOHN: [nods] Yes.

He walks to the imaging device, where his daughter has materialized. She is about five years old, short brown hair. He steps into the device and kneels down to her eye level.

JOHN: Hi there.

GIRL: Hi. Are you my dad?

JOHN: [nods] Yeah, that's right.

GIRL: I love you, Daddy.

They embrace. He kisses her neck. When done with their hug, John simply looks on her. Her image dissipates. He blinks back tears and hangs his head, then slowly gets up. He turns, and slowly walks to Katralla's statue. He lightly touches her shoulder with the tips of his fingers, then begins to exit.

JOHN: You take care of my little girl.

Chiana stands in the shower, as she talks to D'argo.

CHIANA: So how come Crichton didn't kill Scorpius?

D'ARGO: It was a mistake. One that I fear will come back to haunt us.

CHIANA: Well yeah, but he can't follow us. Right?

D'ARGO: Well, Pilot says that we're safe for now.

She exits the shower, wrapping herself.

CHIANA: Did he tell you what happened to Moya?

D'ARGO: [shakes head] Zhaan either. Rygel thinks they were scared, I just think they were lost. Either way, they're keeping it to theirselves.

CHIANA: Hey. [kisses a tenka and strokes it] I'm very proud of you.

D'ARGO: I'm proud of you. You handled yourself well.

CHIANA: Well you handled me-self well, too. [pause] What's the matter?

D'ARGO: Ah, I just can't stop thinking about Crichton'll never see his daughter again.

CHIANA: Hits pretty close to home, huh?

D'ARGO: The fact that I may never see my son again is a grief I would wish upon no one. Pains me to think of what he's going through right now.

CHIANA: Pains me too. [pause] And you thought we weren't compatible.

Aeryn excersizes in the maintenance bay. John enters, goes to his module and begins working on it.

JOHN: Zhaan said the surgical reconstructors did an excellent job on your leg. There's no sign that it was ever broken. [pause] Yeah, I was uh...worried about you when you didn't show up for the wedding. [pause] Anyway, I'm - I'm just glad you're okay. [pause] And I have noticed that you're not talking to me.

She stops excersizing and holds a bottle of compatibility serum, so that he can see it. She slowly approaches him with it. She holds it out for him. He takes it. He dabs his tongue with it, then offers it out to Aeryn. She pauses, then accepts a dab on her tongue. John places the top back on the bottle, and they look on each other. John moves forward. They both hesitatingly touch the tips of their tongues together, then pause a moment. They kiss for several moments, then pull back and look at each other. Neither of their faces show any indication of the result. John settles back to a sitting position in his module, as they look at each other. Slowly, Aeryn turns. With her back to John, she relents to a tiny grin. As she walks away, John also allows himself a smile, rubbing his lips with his thumb.

END OF EPISODE.