Storyline 1, "Crichton's Capture 3: Reunion"

Written by N. Hepner/N. Bovela/nahcsb/nh

This chapter is rated: "R"

story line Copyright January 2000

Original posting: Submitted to: FarScape_Fic@onelist.com Wednesday, March 15, 2000 1:57 PM

Re-posting per PEJA:

DISCLAIMER: Based on Original "Farscape" Created By Rockne S. O'Bannon. Farscape is copyright (c) 1999 The Jim Henson Company, Hallmark, and the Scifi channel. No copyright infringement is intended in any way, shape, or form.

Warning: Het/Gen: This story is graphic. Adult themes, explicit sex, torture, kidnap, rape and strong language. Do not read if you are under 18 or offended by this type of material.

Prologue: This script was inspired by and occurs after "A Bugs Life" #118.

Those of you in Canada will be able to get the full effect.

Spoilers: #119 -#122.

Summary: After all the Crew of Moya went through together; they would never be ready for the death of John Crichton. In this deep space gothic piece Crichton finds himself in the depths of despair at Crais' hands. Crais owns him now and uses an old flame to find the perfect method to kill him!

by N. Hepner

Aboard Crais' Command Carrier:

Lieutenant Merric now hands Crichton, still handcuffed, over to Crais. The Sergeant and Officer Camda: (Drag Crichton across the deck by his arms and drop him in front of Crais.)

John: (His leg is covered in blood. Able to sit, he raises his head briefly to see his captors. Seeing his circumstance comments.)"Ok, John. How do I get out of this one?"

Merric: "Mission accomplished Captain." (Salutes.) "Here is John Crichton as you ordered." (Looks down at his prisoner.) "I'm sorry he's in such bad shape."

Crais: "Quite the contrary, Lieutenant Merric. This is precisely the condition I desire him in."

Orn : (Signals Grots to pick up Crichton.)

Merric: "What are your orders Captain?"

Crais : "After you have released your prisoner to me, replenish your crew and return where you last saw the leviathan. Assist in its recapture."

Grots : (Pick Crichton up by the arms.)

John: (Tries to walk. Groans.) "Uh!" (Stumbles and loses consciousness.)

********************

Crais: "Assist the other commandos in the capture of Officer Sun and the escaped prisoners." (Stands at attention to Merric.) "Well done Lieutenant Merric. You and your crew deserve a commendation for this action. Dismissed."

Merric: "Thank you sir." (Snaps to attention, salutes, does an about-face and walks away.)

*****************

Grots : (Struggle to carry Crichton's dead weight.)

Crais : (Crosses to Crichton.) "Careful!"

Orn: (Signals another Grot to help.)

Crais : (Lifts Crichton's head. Looks at him.) "Finally, I have you. Crichton." (His glare unwaveringly on Crichton, he addresses Grots.)

"Secure him in interrogation." (Releases Johns head.)

Grot 3: (A third Grot joins them, picks up Crichton's feet.)

Grots : (Carry Crichton away.)

Crais : (Walks over to comm control panel, presses a switch.)

"Doctor, report to interrogation immediately." (Closes comm.)

"Lieutenant Orn."

Orn : "Yes, captain?" (Walks with Crais.)

Crais : (Walks toward interrogation, turns down a corridor with Orn as he speaks.) "Arrange for presentation of a commendation to Lieutenant Merric and his crew for the capture of John Crichton."

Orn : "Yes Sir." (Enters interrogation, room goes straight to comm.)

Grots: (Attempt to secure the unconscious Crichton with manacles to the armature.)

John: (He is limp on the floor with one arm being stretched to reach a manacle.)

Crais : (Upon entering addresses Grots.)"Let the Doctor examine him."

Grot 1: "Yes sir."

Grots: (Replace John's cuffs, carry him and lay him on the autopsy table. They turn to exit.)

Orn : (To Grots.) "You are not dismissed!"

Doctor: (Enters interrogation room. Crosses to autopsy table, places his bag next to Crichton and opens it.)

Crais : "Doctor! I want him conscious for interrogation."

Doctor: (Removes a small light from his pocket, flashes it in Crichton's eyes, presses on inside of John's elbow, removes Crichton's belt from his leg.)

John: (Moans, turns his head, motions with his hands as if trying to stop the doctor, then slips back into unconsciousness.)

Crais : (Watches the doctor carefully.)

Doctor: (Continues his examination by slitting Crichton's pants leg open with a small knife, studies the wound. Scans Crichton with an electronic device.)"Captain, he's lost a lot of blood from this wound."

Crais : (Spreads his hands on the table next to the unconscious Crichton, looking at his depleted body.)

****************

On board Moya: Zhaan and D'Argo are in the maintenance bay. D'Argo rests on a table.

Aeryn : (Comms to others.) "Chiana, Zhaan, how's D'Argo?"

Zhaan : "He's fine Aeryn."

D'Argo: "It was a small wound." (Sits up. His tunic off, his many tattoos and scars are easily seen, the most recent wound among them.) "I am recovered." (Stands with Zhaan's help.)

Aeryn : "Good."

Chiana: (To comm.) "Aeryn, what about Crichton?"

Aeryn : (Hesitates then answers Chiana.) "I was unable to reach the marauder in time."

Chiana: (Startled, turns and looks at Zhaan, D'Argo and Rygel.)

Onboard the Command carrier Crais, Lieutenant Orn and the Doctor are all are gathered around the autopsy table. Crichton lies lifelessly upon it:

Crais : (Gravely, to all.)"You are dismissed."

Orn : (Snaps to attention and turns to leave. Exits.)

Doctor: (Closes his case and exits behind Lieutenant Orn.)

Grots: (File out behind the Doctor. Their weapons at ease.)

Crais : (Reaches for the control panel, inserts his Ident chip into communication and speaks.) "Officer Sun." (Dark tonalities and disappointment reflect as he begins.)"It is a dark day for both of us. The human criminal you fought so long to protect is finally dead." (Moves aside to show Crichton's lifeless body.) "He has bleed to death from a wound he received while trying to escape." (Steps back into view.) "I am robbed of justice for my brother. And the futility of your flight into the uncharted territories is shown for what it really is. Please, Officer Sun. End this before there is further tragedy." (There is the sound of forgiveness in his voice.) "Surrender to me and I promise you will be treated fairly. Return to us, Officer Sun. Come home. And we will journey together, back to peacekeeper territories. I await your answer." (Removes his chip from communication panel.)

****************

Aeryn : (Approaches Moya in her prowler. Lands in the landing bay. Steps from her prowler, walks into the passageway, to her quarters and removes her space suit. Each motion done with deliberateness. Each movement slow and purposeful. An ache begins to fill her being.)

Pilot : (Over comm.)"Everyone, I'm receiving a transmission from Captain Crais!"

*****************

Aeryn : (Runs to command. Not feeling, only reacting. The adrenaline overcoming her loss. There is hope.) "Crais? Let me see it pilot."

Crais : "Officer Sun. It is a dark day for both of us. The human criminal you fought so long to protect is finally dead."

Aeryn: (Watches in disbelief as she sees Crichton's body appear on the display.)

Crais : "He has bleed to death from a wound he received while trying to escape." (Steps back into view. Crichton can still be seen behind Crais.) "I am robbed of justice for my brother. And the futility of your flight into the uncharted territories is shown for what it really is. Please, Officer Sun. End this before there is further tragedy. Surrender to me and I promise you will be treated fairly. Return to us, Officer Sun. Come home. And we will journey together, back to peacekeeper territories. I await your answer."

The others enter command in time to see Crais' transmission. They listen quietly behind Aeryn. Their faces show their dismal acceptance of Crichton's death.

Aeryn : (Grabs the side of the control panel as though catching herself, gasps. Then turns and walks silently, slowly to her quarters.)

Zhaan : (Cries quietly, watching Aeryn as she walks out.)

D'Argo: (Follows Aeryn at a respectable distance.)

Rygel : "I don't believe it."

Chiana: "Frell them! I don't believe it either! They murdered him!"

Rygel : "He couldn't stand up to their torture."

Chiana: "Torture? What can we do about it? I want to frell the lot of them!"

Zhaan : "We have no weapons Chiana."

Chiana: "We have two warriors that have weapons and a prowler and a shield."

Rygel : "It's not enough."

Zhaan : "He's gone, Chiana. If we try to fight them Crais will surely capture us."

Chiana: "I don't care! There must be something we can do!"

Rygel : "Zhaan's right. Crichton is dead. We are powerless to do anything but escape."

Chiana: "What are you saying? Both of you! Crichton would never give up on you! He'd find a way. If he were here he'd think of something."

Rygel : "That's right, but he isn't."

Chiana: "Then, we have to."

Meanwhile in Aeryn's quarters:

Aeryn : (She sits on her bed, hugs herself, brings her knees up to her, hugs them into her chest then lays her head on her knees.

D'Argo: (Enters.) "Aeryn, How are you?"

Aeryn : (Sits up.)"Very bad." (Sighs, looks up at D'Argo, eyes teary.) "I'm surprised how much. I feel I have to do something. There is pain here." (She indicates her chest.) "How did it happen, D'Argo? How could I not know?" (Looks up at D'Argo as if for advice.)

D'Argo: "Would you do anything differently?"

Aeryn : "I would make him listen. I would stop him from going to the planet. I would have stayed with him. I would be with him.

D'Argo: Aeryn?"

Aeryn : "I had a dream last night. The first one in my life. I dreamt John was captured by peacekeepers. They came on board and took him from," (Looks at D'Argo then looks away.)

D'Argo: "Aeryn, from where?"

Aeryn : "The dream not only showed me his capture. It also showed me, that we belonged together." (Looks up at D'Argo.) "All the times he tried to get close. I pushed him away. Now it can never be." (Reflecting, then distraught.)"Please D'Argo. I need to be alone."

D'Argo: (Leaving, pauses, glances back at Aeryn, exits.)

On Crais' Ship, in the Med. lab:

Doctor: (Works diligently on Crichton's examination.)

Med. Tec's: (Run back and forth getting samples, running them through different devices and chemical tests. A Med. Tech cuts and removes a piece of skin from the leg injury. Then a large scanner begins to pass over Crichton's body.)

Doctor: (Holds up a small tube of blood, places droplets on slides with a glass rod. Then puts a single drop of chemicals upon each. Tilts each slide into a slide stand on his lab counter. Gasps, Comms to Crais.) "Captain Crais!" (Excited and a bit upset.)

Crais : (To comm.) "Then find a way to confirm or deny them, Doctor."

Back on Moya:

Chiana: (Walks into D'Argo's quarters, upset.) "I don't understand! Are you all just giving up? Why don't we do something? Let's go blow them up!"

D'Argo: "Your people have such a weapon. We do not."

Chiana: "Then lets call them! We're not far from home! They'll blow the bastards up!"

D'Argo: (Shakes his head.)

Chiana: "You call yourself a warrior?" (Stamps her foot.) "How many times did he save all of us?" (Throws her arms down in frustration.) "Coward!" (Storms out of his quarters. Walks quickly to command. Addresses pilot.) "How do I call my people on this thing?"

Pilot : "I don't know if that is such a good idea Chiana. They are just as likely to capture us as Crais."

Chiana: "We'll call and say we're being attacked by Crais' carrier then get the frell out of sight. They won't be looking for us, just them."

Pilot : "Aren't you afraid they'll recognize you?"

Chiana: "That's right!" (Realizing) "They know me. You call them."

Rygel : (Enters on throne.) "What are you up to girlie?"

Chiana: "He won't call my people! They could blow the peacekeepers all to frell!"

Rygel : "Are you fahrbot? They'd do the same to us for what happened to Salas!"

Chiana: "Do you think they know about that?"

Rygel : "When your people picked up Durka. He would surely have accused us."

Chiana: "They don't have to know it's us! We'll just send a distress call to them. Then we'll run away! Crais won't know any better. He'll think he has a chance. Then they'll blow him all to frell!" (Pleading) "Don't you see? It's the only way to get them! And save us! Do you want to run forever?"

Rygel : "Hmmm."

*******************

Aeryn : (Stands at D'Argo's door.)

D'Argo: "Aeryn?" (Looks up from where he sits.)

Aeryn : (Takes a step inside and stands.) "I know what I have to do."

D'Argo: "What is that?"

Aeryn : "I have to retrieve his body."

D'Argo: "No! No!" (Standing abruptly, shaking his head.) "It means the living death! How can it serve Crichton to submit to Crais' judgement?"

Aeryn : "I have to honor him D'Argo. He told me once he wanted to be buried. I'll go alone and collect his body in my prowler. Then take him down to the planet. The rest of you will be in no danger."

D'Argo: (Ashamed.) "I will go with you."

****************

D'Argo and Aeryn enter command. Chiana and Rygel are already there.

Chiana: (To D'Argo and Aeryn.) "Well, are you going to do something?"

Aeryn : "Yes. I'm going to request Crichton's body." (Walks to comm.)

Chiana: "You're what? I can't believe you two are warriors! You should be making plans to get the bastards!"

D'Argo: (Protective of Aeryn extends his arm to keep Chiana at length.) "Stop. That's enough. It's over."

*******************

Aeryn : (Opens frequency, addresses Crais' ship.) "Captain Bialar Crais. I request that you release John Crichton's body to me for an earth ceremony. It was his request, if he were to die. I await your response." (Fights her show of feelings until she closes the comm then shows some release.)

Rygel : "Who would think. I'd feel so frelling terrible about. He's gone. He's really gone."

Aeryn : "Pilot, you'll let me know as soon as you hear anything?"

(Walks toward the door before pilot can answer.)

Pilot : "Of course Officer Sun."

Aeryn : (Stops, turns her head slightly to be heard.) "Please, don't call me that. I cannot carry that title anymore. Peacekeeper murderers! Just call me Aeryn." (When she says her own name, there is sadness in her voice.) "He did." (She continues out.)

Pilot : "Yes." (Hesitates.) "Aeryn Sun."

Aeryn : (Exits.)

The others stand momentarily speechless. Watching silently as she leaves.

On Crais' Command Carrier:

Med. Bay: The Doctor and Lieutenant Orn wait. Captain Crais enters.

Orn : "There's been a communication from Officer Sun, Captain."

Crais : "Let me hear it."

Orn : (He places the recording into the comm.)

Crais : (Listens to it, then presses communication panel to reply.)

"Officer Sun, I regret to inform you that my team has not yet finished their examination of the human Crichton's body. As you know, he is a newly discovered life form and must be studied fully. I have received reports from my officers saying they believe he has superior genetic capabilities. His body may be worth a great deal in this respect to Peacekeeper Command and also of interest to the Council. I will inform you if I am able to release his body after High Command has had time to examine our findings." (Closes comm and turns his attention to the panel readout. Says to doctor.) "Your findings doctor." (Quickly scans through screen after screen of Crichton's data.) "And what does this mean doctor?"

Doctor: "What I means sir, is that this being, whatever he is, is very closely related to us." (Anxious and exited.) "Our knowledge is limited by the fact that he is our only specimen."

On Moya: D'Argo is in command when Crais' message comes in. He and Pilot listen together:

Pilot : "I will tell Aeryn that Crais has replied to her request."

D'Argo: "No. I will." (He goes to Aeryn's quarters.) "Aeryn. There is a message from Crais."

Aeryn : "Will he release Crichton's body?"

D'Argo: "No."

Aeryn : "This is what John would call insult to injury."

D'Argo: "Growls low."

Aeryn : "Will you go with me to command?"

D'Argo: (Rises and escorts Aeryn.)

Aeryn : (Entering command.) "Play back Crais' message for me Pilot."

Pilot : "Yes, Aeryn Sun."

Aeryn : (Listens to the message. First her mouth drops open at the suggestion of Crichton's autopsy. Then anger.) "This is what I accused Crichton's people of. Tearing him apart for study. Barbarians!"

D'Argo: "My spirit will not rest until we have recovered him."

Chiana: (Enters behind them.) "What's this I'm hearing? You're finally getting mad? Let's make plans."

Command Carrier:

Gilina: (Walks into a corridor, down a side hall and down metal staircase. The stairs get darker and narrower as she descends. Her footsteps echo on the gratings. She stops at a narrow but tall door. Unlocks it, opens it and enters. Closes the heavy door with a creepy squeak and "clunk" locks it. Crosses the floor in the narrow cell. Stands by the cot. Extends her hand and strokes Crichton's brow.)

John: (Lies asleep. Others have cleaned him and clothed him. Still cuffed. Wakes startled but weak.) "Gilina! How?"

Gilina: "I've been awarded the position of being your jailer." (Delighted with herself.)

John: "But you're a tech, not a jailer."

Gilina: "As a technical consultant. If I do my job right, I could advance. Anyway," (Coyly.) "I would have done anything to get this assignment." (Blushing.) "To be near you. I have to be present at all times. I've taken that to its broadest meaning. I'm here with you now." (Looks to him begging.) "May I stay?"

John: (Still very week.) "I don't know how long I have Gilina. Crais is pretty anxious to get started 'pulling' me apart. They could be here any minute. What if they find you here?"

Gilina: "They won't. I'm the only one with a key." (She produces a small key, unlocks his cuffs and removes them.) "We have 10 arns."

John: (Smiles weakly and touches her arm.) "We're both crazy. You know that?"

Gilina: "Uh huh!" (Shakes her head "yes" then kisses him.)

******************

Doctor: (Comms to Crais.) "The device is complete sir. However, Crichton is still unconscious. It will be at least another 10 arns before we can test the instrument on him."

Crais : "We have other prisoners, Doctor. Test it on them. I want precise estimates of pain levels and tolerances." (Growing impatient.) "10 arns Doctor. I will wait no longer." (Closes comm.) Doctor: (To comm.) "Level 9. Bring prisoner 18 to interrogation. Lieutenant Orn, I require your assistance in interrogation. The device is ready."

End

"Crichton's Capture 3: Reunion"

story line Copyright January 2000 based on Original "Farscape" by Rockne S. O'Bannon.
DISCLAIMER: Farscape is copyright (c) 1999 The Jim Henson Company, Hallmark, and the Sci-Fi channel. No copyright infringement is intended in any way, shape, or form.