12/04/2002 - INTO THE LION'S DEN 1: LAMBS TO THE SLAUGHTER (44' 03")

John and Harvey are in a war truck, with black and white picture. Harvey informs John that if Scorpius finds out that he intends to sabotage wormhole technology, he will kill him. Apparently, Harvey no longer wants to die, but to survive.  Snapping John out of it, aboard a transport pod, Aeryn tells him that Rygel and D'Argo have reported in from the Command Carrier. Crais asks why Jool's hair is red, and she mentions it's because she's anxious. She doesn't know why she came, and wishes she and Chiana had skipped out before, so John says to turn the pod around and let her go. Aeryn says that Moya is over four arns away, hiding with Talyn, at the rendezvous point.  The group land on the Carrier, where Scorpius' crew stands to greet them. Scorpius welcomes them, and John gets Aeryn to test the I-Yensch bracelet (see log I - Yensch, You - Yensch) by hurting his thumb; it works, as Scorpius feels the pain too. D'Argo tells Aeryn that they've been treaty OK so far. Scorpius announces that he is granting John and his companions full diplomatic rights, immunities and courtesies while aboard the ship. He approaches John and says that at last the rift between them is finally bridged.  Scorpius asks what convinced John to help him, and John lists the crew saying that it's time he did something for them. He tells Scorpius not to screw with them, and to give them what they want. Scorpius agrees, and Crais interjects to mention one more thing – they want to bring Talyn aboard for a full cognitive replacement. Scorpius says that this wasn't part of the original agreement, and Braca says it's too risky to bring a gunship aboard. Crais says that Talyn's weapons are shut down, and despite Braca's objections, John says it's not for Crais but for him, so Scorpius agrees. Crais requests project schematics so that he can isolate Talyn's design flaws, and also requests that Lt. Larell join him as a Leviathan specialist, since she is best qualified. Braca leads him off, and Scorpius invites John to join his friends for refreshments in the Officer's Lounge. He declines, as he came here to work, prompting Scorpius to ask whether that's for or against him...  In the Officer's Lounge, Peacekeepers are complaining about having to welcome criminals, but everyone is silenced when Chiana, Jool, Aeryn, Rygel and D'Argo enter. As Aeryn walks over to get a drink, someone mutters "traitor".  As Braca leads Crais to his quarters, he says that there's hostility among the crew as they feel he betrayed them by abusing his command, and he feels the same way. As they walk, more mutters of "traitor" are heard.  Scorpius and John join Co-Kura Strappa in the experiment room. They have prepared a small, limited workstation for John, which he destroys saying that he won't eat at the kiddie table – give him the big toys or send him home.  Braca and Crais arrive at the quarters, and Braca tells him not to bother searching for surveillance – he's not that important. Crais says that he predicted Braca's rise in this organisation, and he stands by it. He calls Braca a "consummate Peacekeeper", which seems to anger him, so he leaves.  Jool says that it's too weird being here, and says to Aeryn that growing up here must have been awful. Aeryn remembers playing a game in the same room with a couple of friends, having fun, and tells Jool that it wasn't awful. Chiana asks one of the Peacekeepers if there's room for another at the table, but he kicks it away saying "no". She flirts with him a little but he is having none of it. D'Argo tells Chiana that it's time to move on, and the Peacekeeper calls her a Nebari tralk, and D'Argo a Luxan who took a Sebacean wife and murdered her. Aeryn stops D'Argo from retaliating, reminding him that's not why they're here. Braca comes in and calls the Peacekeeper, Lt. Reljik, who says they were just getting to know each other. Rygel gets the intelligence reports on the Hynerian political situation, and Braca tells D'Argo that he can have his surgery any time now, and they are working on the other thing he wanted. One of Aeryn's friends (from her flashback) approaches her, and says that she heard Aeryn was here but didn't believe it. Aeryn offers her a drink, but she says she only drinks with Peacekeepers and throws it in her face, much to the amusement of the others in the room.  Strappa is explaining things to John, and he mentions liquification. John says that Linfer explained it (see log Incubator), prompting Scorpius to ask what else she said. John says that she died, and asks to see some of her equations. When they hesitate, he says to open the bag or call him a cab – he can't to it blind, so they reluctantly agree.  D'Argo is undergoing the surgery, to remove a couple of rings from his body. Aeryn tells John that it's safe to talk here as the mist in the room interferes with surveillance. John asks how she is; she wishes she was elsewhere, but asks if he's decided on a plan. He says that plan A was to erase their data, but for that he'd need to be able to find the erase button; plan B was to send them in the wrong direction purposefully, but for that he'd need to know the right direction first; leaving plan C – run like hell before they kill them. He tells Aeryn that he's not really considering C, but to tell the others not to get too comfortable.  Three Peacekeepers, including Reljik, are drinking in the lounge, where Reljik says he could never stand Luxans and he has a plan to give them a scare.  Jool and D'Argo are in the misty room, where she tells him that she doesn't trust Scorpius, and asks if this will be where they die. One of the Peacekeepers enters the room with a metal plate on his arm, supporting a rotating blade at the end. A battle ensues with both D'Argo and Jool getting involved. D'Argo attempts to stop the man from falling of a platform, but the man lets go and falls. Reljik enters the room with troops telling D'Argo and Jool not to move.  In his room, Scorpius chews out Reljik, informing him that if any guests are harmed, not only will the assailant be executed, but so will he, and sends him away. John asks if anyone can think of a reason to stay, prompting a hasty apology from Scorpius, with assurance that it won't happen again. D'Argo agrees, saying that he's heading back to Moya. Scorpius deems that unacceptable, but John says the less of them on board, the less chance of anyone getting to them. Braca suggests that it will reduce their incentive to keep promises, causing D'Argo to remind Braca of his other promise. Scorpius orders Braca to hand over the file on Macton (D'Argo's wife's brother and killer). D'Argo thanks them and leaves.  Crais is in his quarters, when Lt. Larell comes to join him. He asks if she has a problem working with someone who lost command, and she says no – Scorpius stole his command from him. She adds that even though he left without a word, her feelings for him didn't change, and they kiss. She breaks off, and says that Scorpius knows of their past as she was put in the Aurora Chair (see log Nerve), and he realises that, as he suspected, everyone he knew had been coerced into spying on him. They both say they don't hate one another, and kiss again.  John is introduced to a new theory – to stabilise a wormhole before re-entry. Strappa talks to John about it, when Scorpius asks why know progress has been made. He wants to move faster, and suggest that perhaps, subconsciously, he is holding back. John suggests that he's cool with the idea that Scorpius only wants wormholes to go after Scarrans, if it's true, which Scorpius says it is, and he can prove it, with excerpts from his personal file before he was a Peacekeeper.  John asks Harvey if the Scarrans are the threat that Scorpius claims. Harvey says that he can speak objectively, since he's lacking Scorpius' passion, but he concurs. The Scarrans pose a threat to all races. He says that Scorpius has shown his biography to very few people, and John finds that interesting since he's been lying to his face. Harvey adds that he managed to normalise John's energy signature, so he can't detect John's lying.  Crais and Lt. Larell go to see Talyn, who has been brought aboard. Crais boards him, when Braca asks Larell if he believed her confession. She seems to think so, since he trusts her fully.  John and Aeryn are in a planetary terrain reconstruction where combat training takes place. John asks Aeryn if the Scarrans really are the real enemy, but Aeryn can only say it's what they were taught. John asks what if wormholes are the only way to stop them, but Aeryn suggests it's not his problem; he should focus on why he's here. John says his work is taking a while, so maybe she should return to Moya.  Rygel is back on Moya with Jool, Chiana and D'Argo, and is pleased by the intelligence reports. Chiana has a sudden vision of Pilot screaming, when Pilot suddenly detects Peacekeepers approaching. They attempt StarBurst, but are shot mid way through, and Pilot screams in agony.  Crais and Larell are on Talyn, where she asks what it was like to receive the neural interface. She asks why he would give it up, but Crais says Talyn would not take orders. She says that neither would he, to which he replies that is why he is no longer a captain. She asks if he regrets leaving the Peacekeepers, and he says sometimes. But what he regrets most is not trying to take her. She answers that she wouldn't have gone, not then.  Aeryn goes to see her friend, and tells her she was forced to leave by Crais. The friend says that Aeryn could've cam back when Crais went renegade, but Aeryn says it was too late then. She didn't want to come back, to which her friend calls her a traitor, but she says "deserter". Before Aeryn can say more, and alert comes in regarding a captured Leviathan.  Strappa tells John about Linfer, and John says he liked her. He finds something wrong with equations, but before he can do anything Aeryn comes in telling John that they've captured Moya.  Reljik asks what is going on, and starts to recite Scorpius' orders, when a female interrupts him, flatters him a little and asks that he look over the prisoners for her. Meanwhile, John and Aeryn are met by Peacekeepers, but knock them out and take their guns.  Scorpius asks the lady what she has done, mentioning that the Gammak project is under his authority. She reminds him that his authority is not absolute, and introduces Kor Tosco, the special Luxan ambassador. He tells Scorpius that the Luxans signed a defence agreement with the Peacekeepers, and he was sent to promote other such agreements. The trouble is, half the planets he visits fear the Peacekeepers, and the lady says the other half laugh at them for their inability to capture a handful of escaped prisoners whose exploits are becoming legendary. They care about their opinions because they are uniting as much of the Uncharted Territories as possible to improve their bargaining position with the Scarrans. Scorpius can't believe that they want to negotiate, to which she says a truce is being explored. Scorpius says that may be construed as a sign of weakness, but the Luxan suggests that is what the alliances are for, angering Scorpius. Meanwhile, John and Aeryn are met by Braca, who stops them to tell them Scorpius didn't capture Moya.  The woman says now is not the time to provoke the Scarrans, and this project imperils a truce. Scorpius says that he knows the Scarrans, and this idea is suicide. John storms in, sticking his gun in Scorpius' face, telling him to let them go or they will kill him. Scorpius says that Moya and friends are unharmed. The woman interjects saying they cannot see them as she has taken them into custody. John asks who she is, and she introduces herself as Commandant Mele-On Grayza, and says he must be Crichton. John says that when his friends are threatened, he's infamous for making stupid moves. She agrees, but can't accept Scorpius' deal, and tells Scorpius that he has lost control. Scorpius comms the ship, telling his crew to release Moya and her crew at once. He then tells Braca to have security take Grayza to her vessel and escort them out of this sector. She says OK, they'll do it his way, but she will return with a full council sanction; he shouldn't have made her an enemy, and John shouldn't have pointed a weapon at her.  Grayza leaves, telling Reljik to release the prisoners. He asks if she's sure, prompting her to grab him and says he was ordered, as she stuffs something into his collar.  John comms Pilot, and reassures him it will not occur again, and he will hold Scorpius to his word. Scorpius explains to John that this is the stupidity he has to deal with, and says John mustn't fail.  Reljik's device bleeps – it's a comm. from Grayza, who says that she intends to remove Scorpius from command. Reljik suggest that few will argue with that, and she says that given the crew's low opinion of Scorpius, and the time it takes to go through channel, she is concerned about Scorpius' safety. Reljik says that Scorpius is well protected, but his bracelet makes him vulnerable. She says then she is equally concerned for John's safety, and Reljik says he'll do his best.  Rygel and Jool are gambling with the Peacekeepers, as Aeryn talks to her friend. She says she kept some ideals from the Peacekeepers, as D'Argo tells Scorpius that he can't believe the Luxans made a pact with Peacekeepers. Scorpius says that they remain autonomous, but D'Argo asks for how long.  John tells Aeryn in the misty room that his knowledge is becoming clearer, and he could now steer Scorpius in the wrong direction, but he's not 100% sure it's the right thing to do. Aeryn says that the other John gave his life to stop the Scarrans getting his information, but John says that it's his shift now; the other didn't get Scorpius' back-story or know what they know. John says that his next move isn't clear. Aeryn tells him to get clear soon, because he needs to make the decision. Meanwhile Lt. Larell tells Crais that he could come back to the Peacekeepers, just by giving Scorpius what he wants from John could prove his loyalty.  John and Aeryn are walking, when Aeryn realises they're being followed. She leads John into the generator room, but the Peacekeepers enter and a fight ensues. Scorpius is feeling John's pain, and alerts Braca of the assault. One Peacekeeper is killed by a reversed pulse blast, while John uses a jetpack to propel another into the generator, vaporising him. John flies up with the jetpack but is pursued by Reljik. Eventually, John manages to send him into a generator. Aeryn is met on the ground by Braca's men who shut the generator down so it is safe.  John goes to Scorpius with a pulse pistol, just in case, and Scorpius tells him time is running out; Grayza will return soon, and he must realise that the situation was changed by her arrival, their time is short. John says that he can't go faster, so Scorpius believes he's stalling. He had of course hoped John would see reason. John says that he's here wearing a bracelet, what more does he want. Scorpius brings up an image of Earth, saying that he wants cooperation. John pulls the gun on Scorpius, but Scorpy stabs his hand so John drops the gun. Scorpius hits John, says it took quite some effort to locate his planet, and get visual confirmation. Even without wormholes, Earth is within reach; at top speed it'd take just over sixty cycles. Scorpius says that either John gives him what he wants or he swears that he will keep John alive long enough so that he can witness his home world's destruction...

19/04/2002 - INTO THE LION'S DEN 2: WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING (44' 06")

Scorpius tells John that he doesn't care of Earth or his species; only that they matter to John. He says that he's out of time – the Commandant may return at any time, and he must give her results or she will scrap the research and the Scarrans will take over half the galaxy. John just tells Scorpius that he's screwed, but Scorpius reminds him that if he is "screwed", then things around here will get very ugly.  John, Aeryn and Crais are in the Officer's Lounge, and Aeryn says that if Grayza will return then they've succeeded, but John says that Scorpius will not let his project die.  In the restorative chamber, Jool, D'Argo, Rygel and Chiana agree that they'll stay no longer. The others enter, and John tells them that Grayza's arrival changes everything. He tells them that he's run out of time to destroy the research from the inside; there's only one option left – blow up the Command Carrier!  John tells them that all of Scorpius' data is on the ship, this ship is the Peacekeeper wormhole project. Rygel says that the ship is over a metra long, prompting Chiana to ask if it can be done. John says that he doesn't care how, while Aeryn tells them that there are over 50 000 men, women and children on board, but John maintains that they'll find a way to get them off. D'Argo objects, although John reminds him that is what they came here to do. He asks Crais if there is a way, and Crais replies that he'll need to see specs on the modifications since he left. John assures them that they can do this, and that they have to try. Rygel says that he saw what the Scarrans were able to do, he knows what horrible destruction wormholes can wreak (see log < a href="10315.php">Icarus Abides) – no one should wield such power.  Crais attempts to board Talyn, but an officer stops him, saying that Scorpius has ordered them not to allow Crais on board.  John and Harvey talk, and John asks if Scorpius really would attack Earth. Harvey says that he'd never underestimate Scorpius' resolve for retribution, and then asks if whether if he gained the ability to return home, he would really destroy that information. Co-Kura Strappa snaps him out of the discussion, and John is writing all over his hands – unlocking more secrets; they're getting close.  Lt. Larell tells Crais that he must get aboard Talyn, but Crais replies that Talyn is dead, unless he has something to trade.  Braca enters Scorpius' command room, bringing in Crais under armed escort. Crais says he has a demand, prompting Scorpius to send him away. As he is dragged out, Crais says that he demands he suffers no repercussions for his actions during exile, that the Leviathan hybrid be resurrected, and he will be the leader of that project alongside Lt. Larell... but Scorpius stops him. He says that he assumes Crais has something comparable to offer, and Crais responds that he has more than that. Scorpius says that once Commandant Grayza returns, any agreement they make may not be honoured, but Crais says that an executive order signed now, no matter what Scorpius' dishonours may be in the future, will stand. Scorpius accepts his terms, and has Crais released. Crais tells Scorpius that John has no intention of helping him – he is conspiring with some of Moya's crew to destroy the Carrier.  Aeryn enters the Peacekeeper training ground, finding an injured girl. She takes a look and cleans it up, but Henta comes along, and hits the wound, saying to let it bleed and scar, as she'll want it later, and sends her away. She tells Aeryn not to make her soft, but Aeryn says that there is so much she doesn't know. Crais comes along and tells Aeryn there is a problem, and to follow him. Meanwhile, D'Argo, Rygel, Chiana and Jool have secured there information on the Carrier for John, but are stopped by security.  John is still working, and Strappa says that the equations are flowing from him. Scorpius enters and says that it seems John's subconscious has blossomed, despite himself. He tells John that his plot against the ship has failed – his friends are in custody. Crais is brought in, and John leaps on him. He's restrained, but screams that Crais is dead. Scorpius says that if Grayza insists his friends stay imprisoned then so be it. John says that it was all him, but Scorpius tells him that he makes no more demands; cooperate or he'll kill them all.  D'Argo, Rygel, Jool and Chiana are in a cell, where D'Argo says he was a prisoner for 8 cycles before. Rygel adds that last time it took him 130 cycles to escape from the Peacekeepers – he was lucky.  John goes to the generator room to meet with Aeryn, but Crais is there too. She tells John that he needs to listen. Crais says that the ship can't be destroyed by throwing switches; he needed the distraction so that Scorpius would believe that the plot had failed – he kept Aeryn safe because he needs her. He says that all he cared for are gone, his parents were taken away, his brother is dead, so now he does and lives only for his interests. Despite that, he understands the power of the technology, and the horror that will wash over the galaxy if anyone wields it, but he now knows that he's the only individual capable of stopping it. John goes to leave but Aeryn says that they're all on the same page; they all want the ship destroyed. Crais tells John that the only way to do that is with Talyn. Aeryn adds that Crais proposes that he and Talyn StarBurst while still in the Carrier's hangar, causing it to collapse upon itself. It will then take at least half an arn to fully implode, giving the crew time to escape. John asks Aeryn to tell him that she believes Crais, so she asks if he's got a plan, and he replies "not yet". John asks Crais where they meet with him and Talyn, and Crais says they don't; StarBurst will be the hero's death that Talyn deserves. He says that he'll need a significant distraction to occupy Scorpius, and John says he'll get one.  John returns to the experiment room and tells Strappa that they're going on a trip to get his module.  Larell meets Crais in a corridor and asks what's happening. She tells him that she knows something is wrong, and if she suspects he's conspiring against Scorpius she must report it. Crais says that yes, she must, and tells her not to be disloyal to Scorpius in any way. In front of everyone, he hits her round the face, and tells her to tell Scorpius it won't work – next time he sends a spy, send someone he cares about.  On Moya, Strappa tells John to hurry. In his den, Pilot tells John that Moya understands; at least the violent death he was destined for will be a noble one. He asks if he'll see John again, and John tells him to be ready to StarBurst away if he doesn't see the escape, and to give Moya his love. Pilot says her love to him, as well as his.  Aeryn is walking the corridors with a rope, as John is prepping his module for flight. Scorpius asks why he got it, and John says that he has a theory as to why his primitive ship with no shields survives wormholes. Scorpius calls for the first pilot who is ready, but John says no – they may screw things up. He admits that he could die on the trip, but the Commandant will execute him on her return anyway. He invites Scorpius to accompany him instead, to experience wormholes up close, unless he's too scared.  Scorpius and John are in the module, and enter the nearby wormhole. Scorpius tells John that the experience is without description. They approach a zone of instability, as the entire ship listens to them over the comms. Crais tries to get to Talyn, but the same officer stops him and says Scorpius' orders changed – if Crais tried to board Talyn again he was to shoot to kill. Strappa announces that all their readings are in the danger zone, while Crais throws a small grenade to distract the Peacekeepers. Aeryn swings down from the ceiling and they take the Peacekeepers out. John tells Scorpius that flying wormholes takes finesse, and manages to stabilise. Aeryn has her hand on Crais' face, and tells him to go now. Scorpius says that he's never felt this "connected", and Strappa tells them they should return to the Carrier. Crais boards Talyn, and tells him not to be afraid. He says that his weapons were all captured by the Peacekeepers, and Moya will be enslaved unless they do something radical, together.  John and Scorpius return, when Crais' voice booms over the ship-wide comm. He tells Scorpius that he is making his final goodbyes, and that he is standing in Scorpius' heart about to squeeze. Scorpius tells Braca to locate and stop him. Crais tells Scorpius that he is the most repellent of creatures; he chose to be a Peacekeeper. Scorpius orders to scramble all Prowlers, but Braca tells him they're not planning to escape. Crais says that the last time he left this ship, his ship, Scorpius forced him out, and stole his life from him. This time, he is not leaving quietly. Scorpius calls to get the traitor off the ship, but as the Carrier starts to shake, John tells him to hang on to something. Talyn StarBursts, sending energy rippling the Carrier. People run through the corridors screaming, as D'Argo says he's done it – it's going down.  D'Argo and the others shout to be released, as the cell begins to fall apart. Aeryn clears the training ground, as Scorpius leaves the experiment room. The next room he enters becomes flooded with water, but Scorpius continues to walk, only stopping for a moment to watch his ship fall. John gets Strappa to leave, but saying that wormhole technology would not just be science – it's a weapon, it kills and he will not let the Peacekeepers have it. Strappa informs him that he holds significant data too, and Scorpius will find him and force him to tell him what he knows. They go to the Aurora Chair, to wipe his memories, where John tells him that he's very brave. Aeryn arrives at the cell, where as it collapses the bars bend, allowing everyone to escape. Scorpius returns to his command room and comms the ship to begin priority one escape procedures, and then tells Braca to go with him.  Aeryn comms John to tell him the others are OK, and John says not to wait – he's going to his module and they'll meet back at Moya. John erases the knowledge from Strappa's mind, as D'Argo calls Pilot to patch him through to his ship. He voice activates it for rescue retrieval. Aeryn is faced by Henta in a corridor, where she blames Aeryn for costing some people their lives. Aeryn replies that she knows she's saving millions, but Henta says she cannot save herself. Just then, one of the bolts of fire emanating from the destruction hits her, and Aeryn leaves. Pilot tells D'Argo that they must escape before implosion of Moya will be destroyed.  John reaches his module, but is met by Scorpius. John says that it looks like their partnership is over. Scorpius says hat John's name will be remembered by millions, as because of him the Scarrans will soon destroy them. John replies that one evil at a time is the best he can do. John asks if he'll still go after Earth; Scorpius replies that the only vengeance he cared about is no longer within his grasp. They tell each other the codes to remove their bracelets. John says "we were close", and throws the bracelet down. He says that if they're going to get off this boat, now would be a good time. Scorpius tells him that he may not be getting off, and says goodbye. John calls for him, but he leaves. Aeryn comms that the others are away, and she's leaving in a Prowler now. John tells her to fly safe.  On Moya, D'Argo says he knew they'd leave each other but he didn't know it'd take this long, and Rygel replies that he won't miss them, well, maybe a little. Chiana tells D'Argo that she'll probably try to find the Nebari resistance. Jool is with Pilot, who asks whether or not she'll leave if they find her people. She starts to cry, and says that from what she can tell, she won't be the only one leaving Moya soon, which saddens Pilot. On command, John is seated, still writing equations on his body, in silence next to Aeryn, who has her head held low.

26/04/2002 - DOG WITH TWO BONES (44' 05")

John is in some sort of dress shop, and Aeryn walks down a catwalk in a white wedding dress, saying it doesn't work.