2F-A-R-S-C-A-P-E "PARADOX"
COLD OPEN
INT. TALYN - THE COMMAND
CRAIS glances up from the console as CRICHTON, looking as if he just woke up, ENTERS.
CRICHTON
What the frell is so important you got to drag me outa bed?
Crichton stops mid stride. On the forward portal we see what stopped him. A BIG BEAUTIFUL WORMHOLE.
CRICHTON (CONT'D)
When did it open?
CRAIS
5 microns ago. Talyn's scans are picking up some kind of ship within it...
A moment to marvel this...then we see a FARSCAPE MODULE BURST from the mouth of the hole. IT'S HEADED RIGHT FOR US at incredible speed!
Chrichton: Get us out of the way, Crais! Crais: Talyn, Evasive maneuvers, now!
Than SUDDEN VIOLENT IMPACT. The scene erupts into jarring motion as Crichton and Crais are thrown to the floor. SPARKS, FLAMES AND SMOKE consume the frame.
INT. TALYN - THE COMMAND - MOMENTS LATTER
AERYN enters, choking on the thick smoke. The bridge is dark, only a few console panel lights still glow dimly in the haze. In the dimness Aeryn stumbles over Crichton.
AERYN
(kneeling)
What happened John?
Crichton climbs unsteadily to his feet, his gaze locked on the forward portal where the farscape module, badly damaged by the collision, drifts.
CRICHTON
What is it this time?
AERYN
Furlow?
CRICHTON
Be my guess...
Crais emerges from the smoke looking like he's been through the ringer. He moves to a console.
CRAIS
Talyn I need a full damage assessment.
Crichton slams to the console. He is single minded.
CRICHTON
Deploy the docking web.
Crais doesn't move to comply. The condition of is his ship is in his mind, paramount.
CRAIS
That ship has crippled Talyn.
CRICHTON
Net it and bring it aboard.
Crichton and Crais eyes lock. There is an intense moment... then:
CRAIS
(breaking eye contact)
Very well...
TALYN - TRANSPORT HANGER - LATTER
It's pretty dark here too... The wreaked module has been brought aboard. It's identical to Crichton's, only really banged up. Two DRD's cling to its side, weapons trained on the cockpit.
Crichton and Aeryn weapon's drawn approach the module. Whoever's in there is going to receive the usual VIP welcome. The module hatch begins to open... High tension as Crichton and Aeryn level their weapons on it.
CRICHTON
It's show and tell time.
With a violent BURST OF ESCAPING ATMOSPHERE The hatch opens and we see a FEMALE ASTRONAUT, SABRINA WALKER in the familiar orange NASA flight suit. Crichton is floored. This is the last thing he expected...
AERYN
Hands where we can see them!
Walker responds with frozen, terrified silence.
CRICHTON
(putting his gun away)
Take it easy, Aeryn...
Aeryn gives Crichton a cautioning glance.
AERYN
I don't trust this Crichton...
What Crichton sees and responds to is another human scared half out of her mind... He pushes the barrel of Aeryn's pulse rifle aside.
CRICHTON
Let me handle this OK.
(then, to Walker)
Hi. I'm John Crichton...
she looks at him...a beat...then recognition...
WALKER
The John Crichton...?
CRICHTON
In the flesh...
(off her expression)
It's alright. Aeryn's a friend -
Walker climbs cautiously out of the module... then to Crichton's amazement she bolts! Aeryn moves to stop her - reflexively Crichton grabs the rifle... forcing the barrel away... Without so much as a backwards glance Walker ducks out the door, running for her life.
INT. TALYN - PASSAGEWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Aeryn packing her rifle walks ahead of Crichton.
AERYN
You shouldn't have stopped me.
CRICHTON
What?... Let you shoot her... What if she's human, Aeryn...?
Aeryn looks at him. Right now that seems like an excellent reason.
CRICHTON (CONT'D)
Ever heard of asking questions first and shooting latter?
AERYN
Only from you and it always ends up like this... If she is one of your kind then why the frell did she run?
She may have a point.
CRICHTON
I don't know Aeryn - She got shot through a wormhole and swallowed by an alien space ship - maybe she just freaked...
INT. TALYN - PASSAGEWAY - WALKER
We see Walker emerge from a crawl space...there is a confidence in her manner, she seems at home here. This is our first glimpse of her true identity.
She moves down the passageway, putting distance between her and the crawl space. As she rounds a corner a SOUND catches her attention... Calmly she steps back into the shadows... Long beat and Crichton and Aeryn come into view.
AERYN
We can cover more ground if we split up.
CRICHTON
Fine - but no shooting.
Aeryn gives him a look and starts to move off - he catches her arm...
CRICHTON (CONT'D)
Promise me, Aeryn...
AERYN
(shrugging his hand off)
Fine Crichton...
Walker watches them leave...
INT. TALYN - PASSAGEWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Walker comes confidently down the passageway towards us...then freezes - stunned to find herself here... eyes on her alien surroundings - where the hell is she...?
WALKER
What the hell...?
Suddenly Aeryn steps into view and says in her own language ("Don't move"} Walker gapes at her. Nothing in her training has prepared her for this moment. Aeryn approaches emphatic - dangerous.
WALKER (CONT'D)
(backing away)
Look lady, I can't understand a word you're saying...
Aeryn brings her weapon to bear on Walker.
WALKER (CONT'D)
Hey! Easy with that thing!
As Walker raises her hands in surrender the ship LURCHES VIOLENTLY sending them both scrambling to keep their feet! A beat and the ship levels off momentarily... Walker regains her balance a microt before Aeryn and takes off! - Aeryn draws a bead on the fleeing Walker, her finger moves to the trigger...
INT. TALYN - PASSAGEWAY - CRICHTON - SOMEPLACE ELSE
The ship LURCHES AND ROLLS, throwing Crichton against the Bulkhead.
CRICHTON
(into coms)
Crais? What is going on?
INTERCUT WITH
INT. TALYN - THE COMMAND
The sickening heaving continues... Crais is holding onto a console with both hands as the deck beneath his feet rolls like a raft on high seas.
CRAIS
Stop panicking, Talyn, I order you to remain calm!
CRICHTON
(coms)
Hey Crais, answer me. What the hell is going on?
CRAIS
(into coms)
Talyn's scanners have gone out. We are both completely blind...
INTERCUT WITH
INT. TALYN - PASSAGEWAY - AERYN - SOMEPLACE ELSE
Aeryn is being similarly thrown around. Walker is gone.
AERYN
(into coms)
Crais!? What the frell is happening!?
INT TALYN - PASSAGEWAY - AERYN
CRICHTON
(coms)
Aeryn, Talyn's scanners are out - we're flying blind...
AERYN
(into coms)
Crais...you have to remove the neural transponder and fly Talyn manually - you can compensate for his blindness...help him orientate.
CRAIS
(coms)
Thank you officer Sun...
(as the ship levels off)
I am well aware of that.
CRICHTON
(coms)
Any sign of our guest, Aeryn?
AERYN
(into coms)
She's on tier 4 - I think I can head her off...
Turning, Aeryn runs back the way she came.
INT TALYN - PASSAGEWAY - CRICHTON
CRICHTON
(into coms)
On my way...don't do anything till I get there.
Crichton starts moving too.
CRICHTON (CONT'D)
(into coms)
Aeryn? - Aeryn!?
No answer...
CRICHTON (CONT'D)
(to himself)
Damn!
He picks up the pace...
INT. TALYN - PASSAGEWAY
Walker skids around a corner and Aeryn steps into her path... There's no messing around this time. She catches Walker by the shoulder and PROPELS HER INTO THE BULKHEAD!
END OF COLD OPEN
