Storyline 1, "Crichton's Capture 4: Crichton's Torture"

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!

submitted for crit
by N Hepner

On Crais' Command Carrier: We see John and Gelina sleeping in each other's arms. Lying together wrapped in the meager thread bare prisoner's blanket. They wake up together.

Gelina: "I'm sorry John. It's time to go to work." (Kisses him and sits up on the edge of the bed. Slips on her shirt. Stands and puts on her pants.)

John: "Yeah, yeah, I'm waking up. What's on the schedule for today? Whips and chains or just a pulse rifle to the head?" (Up on his elbow, obviously stronger.)

Gelina: (Stands facing him. Face pales. Touches his arm.) "Please John. Don't joke. This may be the only place we can be away from what they'll do to you." (Looks away from him.) "Don't ask me. I can't even think about it. Please." (Begins to cry.) "I love you!"

John: (Sits up. Puts his arm around her. Tries to see her face.) "I can't help but think about it Gelina. I already know my fate."

Gelina: "No! You don't John!" (Wipes her tears.) "There's a device. It's experimental. Built just for you."

John: "I'm honored. What does it do? "

Gelina: (Looks at him. Panic in her eyes.) "It will kill you!"

John: (Gently into her ear.) "I already know this, Gelina."

Gelina: (Hard to get the words out.) "It will torture you to death! Then, bring you back!"

John: "Why would Crais want to do that? Bring me back?"

Gelina: "So he can watch you die," (Looks away from him.), "again." (Looks at his eyes.) "Please, we don't have much time. Hold me." (Leans into him. Embraces him.)

John: "That's terrifying. That diabolical bastard!"

Gelina: "How's your leg?" (Looks down at it.)

John: "I don't know, let me see." (Stands up.) "Still sore, but better. I suppose it doesn't matter, since I'm a dead man anyway." (Pulls on his pants. The Peacekeepers have issued him a pair of light brown or Kakuei pants. Sits on the edge of the bed to put on his socks and shoes.)

Gelina: "Here, eat something." (Puts a food cube in her mouth. Then gives the small bag of them to Crichton) "We have to go."

John: (Puts a food cube in his mouth, drops the bag on the cot. He picks up the faded blue/gray Peacekeeper issue T-shirt. It has their emblem stamped on the shoulder. He double takes the emblem.) "Yeah, right." (Pulls the shirt on. His arms slip through the armholes and drop.)

Gelina: (When Crichton's arms fall, she clamps the handcuffs on his wrists.) "I'm sorry. I have to do this."

John: (Surprised. Was chewing, now swallows hard. Submits. Dread covers his face.)

Gelina: (Walks to door leading John by the cuffs.)

John: (Limping heavily on his wounded leg.) "Ow!"

Gelina: (To comm.) "Grots report immediately to prison level 3 dash 1. Prisoner transfer. Top priority for Captain Crais." (To Crichton.) "I have to leave you now John. I'll catch up with you later." (She opens the door. It seems to open with a gasp.)

John : "Yeah, lets do lunch."

Grots : (Two Grots clamber down the stairs.)

Gelina : (She leaves, admitting the Grots.)

John : "God help me." (He's left facing the Grots.) "It's show time."

Grots : (Grab Crichton roughly by the arms and pull him out of the cell.)

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

Interrogation room: 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.)

Aeryn : "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."

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 to Peacekeeper Command in this respect 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 command turns his attention to the panel readout. Says to doctor.) "Is this all the data you've collected?"

Doctor: "No sir." (Looks at the panel.) "This report shows levels of pain reactions to each setting on the device." (Adjusts screen to next report.) "This next report, indicates the charges and duration required to kill and to revive." (Looks at Lieutenant Orn.) "And Lieutenant Orn has the interrogation results of the 11 prisoners used to test the device."

Orn : (Steps forward, extends his arm and hands Crais an electronic tablet.) "Due to the sensitive nature of this information, I took steps to keep it restricted."

Crais : (Studies the tablet, scrolling down.) "Impressive Lieutenant, Doctor," (Very pleased.) "most impressive. This information will be invaluable to High Command. We can now return in triumph. Even without the escaped prisoners." (Glances toward the door to see Crichton enter.)

Grots: (Enter, dragging Crichton.)

Grot 1: (Sticks a small knife into the back of Crichton's ribs to motivate him.) "Come on, you!"

John : "Ow! Watch it." (Begins walking slowly. Sees all gathered waiting. His eyes center on the machine, then Crais.) "Great, I'm the guest of honor."

Crais : (Looks up from the display. Smiles delighted. Strides over to greet Crichton.) "Good. Good. You've healed nicely Crichton. You'll need your strength for what I have planned for you!"

John : "Don't you have anything better to do Crais?"

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

Gelina: (Enters, holding an electronic tablet.) "Reporting as ordered Sir." (Presents tablet to Crais.)

Crais : (Attention to Gelina.)

Crais : Extends his hand for the tablet. Looks briefly at the tablet and hands it to the Doctor.)

Grots: (Grab Crichton by the arms and drag him to the armature.)

The armature is similar to the one the Blood Trackers used on D'Argo. Except it has manacles for hands and feet instead of leather straps. The terrible machine is next to it.

Crais : (To Crichton, as he's being secured.) "This is Quite and ingenious device." (Runs his hand over one of the wires.) "It does everything I asked for and more."

John : (John is fearful as he is secured wrist and ankle in the manacles of the armature. When the Grots have finished says to himself): "It looks like a giant tazer."

Crais : (Looks at Gelina, smiles.)

Gelina: (Stands at attention. Glances at Crichton and back to Crais, nervous.) "Sir?"

Crais : "Tech Gelina Renais, your work is exemplary! Your achievement is beyond all expectations."

John : (Suddenly gets a funny suspicion, it shows on his face.)

Crais : "I hereby promote you to Tech Officer in charge of this project. Report to the Duty Officer for change of rank and uniform. Then return here to oversee interrogation of this prisoner." (Indicates Crichton then rests his hand on the machine.) "I require your personal demonstration in the operation of your Crichton device."

John: (Horrified. Realizes that Gelina has made the instrument of his torture).

Crais : (Steps forward. Firmly places his hand on Gelina's shoulder.) "Impressive work, Tech Officer Renais!" (Releases his hand from her shoulder. Takes a step back.) "Dismissed."

Gelina: (Grins and giggles.) "Thank you sir!" (Salutes and briskly walks out of the room.)

John: (Gasps. Shakes his head. Under his breath he says,) "No. No. No. This can't be happening!" (Closes his eyes and clenches his fists.) "Gelina." (Feels like he's been kicked in the stomach. Betrayed. Lowers his head. Groaning in agony.) "Aaugh!"

Crais : "What's the matter Crichton? We haven't yet begun!" (Laughs.)

As Crais, Orn and the Doctor await the newly commissioned Tech Officer Renais to return. They talk privately from John's hearing. They are oblivious to John and his efforts to calm himself. John tries to brace for whatever may come. Already demoralized by Gelina's betrayal. Every time he thinks of her it's like being gut punched. He tries to keep his mind off Gelina and his own death. Tells himself:

John: "Think of Earth. Think of going home. Working on my car, the beach, flying. Think of Moya. Maybe they're planning a rescue'. They know I'm here. D'Argo, Aeryn." (Remembers what the peacekeeper said on the Marauder.) "Oh God! D'Argo's dead. Killed by a peacekeeper. I'm next if I don't get out of this. God, Gelina. I was so stupid! Stupid to think a peacekeeper could love me." (Grits his teeth.) "Don't think about it John. Think survival. Think a quiet place: Acquaria. I fished for shakloom there. All I ever wanted to do was increase our speed D. K. To conquer space. Space." (Laughs to himself.) "I'm lost in space. Captured by the Nazis of the universe. Somebody save me. This maniac's got me. He's going to kill me." (Tests his bindings.) "Torture me and kill me!" (Clears his throat. Swallows.) "John, don't freak. If Crais kills me, he'll bring me back. It will be like when Aeryn gave me the kill shot. I will survive. When Aeryn and I were on the pod, caught in the flax. Mix line crushed. We survived. Aeryn I'm sorry I didn't stay close. Next time I'll stay close." (That kick in the stomach was coming again. He watches Gelina enter.) "God! Help me!"

Gelina: (Enters, clean and official looking with her new uniform. Walks briskly up to Crais and salutes.) "Tech Officer Renais reporting as ordered Sir!"

Crais : "Tech Officer. Will you kindly instruct me in the use of your device so that I may interrogate this prisoner personally?"

Gelina: "Yes, Sir. First attach the black cable to his chains."

John : (Watches each of Gelina's movements. Everything seems in slow motion marked by freakish noises as his fear level rises.)

Gelina: (The clamp makes a clank then a chomp.) "Then, adjust this knob to correspond to the Doctors findings on the common pain threshold." (She clicks it three times.) "Then, being careful not to touch this part," (Indicates the metal probe end.) "hold the white cable here." (Indicates the cable handle.)

John : "Gelina. Please, don't do this."

Gelina: (Picks up the white cable by the handle.) "And make contact on the prisoner's body, like this."

John: "No! Gelina, don't!"

Gelina: (She touches the white cable to John's side briefly).

John : "Aaaahhg!" (He screams, his legs collapse. John falls to his knees. Gasps.) "Why are you doing this?"

Gelina: "If you want information, all you have to do is ask your question." (To John.) "Do you think Officer Sun will come to your rescue?"

John : "What?" (Looks up, tears in his eyes.)

Gelina: "I asked you! Will the traitor come for you?" (Touches John's arm with the cable.)

John : "Aaaahg! Stop!"

Gelina: "Will she?" (Shocks John's leg.)

John : "Aaahg! No!"

Gelina: (Touches the probe to his chest. This time she does not remove it. Shouting.) "Will she come to save you Crichton?"

John : "Aaahh!" (Writhing in pain.) "God!"

Gelina: (Takes away the cable and leans back. Fist on her hip.) "Well?"

John : "Ohhhh!" (Groans. He's limp; his wound has broken open. Blood is trickling onto the floor. John is unable to lift his head. He answers his torturer.) "Yes."

Crais : "Well done Tech Officer Renais!" (Kneels down and lifts John's head. Addresses his face.) "I neglected to tell you Crichton." (Releases John's head letting it fall.) "I have been in communication with Officer Sun." (Crais stands. Motions to Grots. Straightens his uniform.)

John : (Is raised into position, secured with a leather strap across his chest.)

Crais : "She has excepted the fact that you are dead from your wound." (Begins pacing slowly in front of Crichton. Watching his reaction.)

John: (His new position allows him to rest his head. He shakes his head, "No.", almost unable to move.) "No. You're lying. She'd never believe you."

Crais : "She has requested that I release your body to her, for some kind of earth ceremony." (Flourishes his hand on the word ceremony.) "I had to inform her, however, that we were not yet finished with its scientific examination." (Has a somewhat satisfied grin.) "No one is coming to your rescue Crichton."

John: (Bows his head and softly begins to cry.) "I'm not dead."

Crais : "Now." (To Gelina.) "Let me try." (Reaches gingerly for the white cable handle. Takes the cable from Gelina.) "Tell me John Crichton, about this Earth of yours. Where is it?"

John: "Even if I told you, you'd never find it you psychopath!" (Spitting out his words with venom. Then spits at Crais.)

Crais : (Steps aside slightly.)

John's spittle lands on the toe of Lieutenant Orn's boot.

Crais : "Humph! Let me worry about that Crichton."

Crais : (Gets in Crichton's face.) "I found you, didn't I?" (He is close to Crichton now. Close enough to step in his blood. He backs up, looks down.) "Doctor, his wound has broken open. See to it when we've finished. Now then Crichton. Where is your earth?" (Shocks Crichton.)

John: "Aaaahg! I already told you. I'm lost. I don't know where it is."

Crais : (To his officers, smiling.) "This is most gratifying." (To Crichton.) "You will tell me Crichton." (Shocks John again.)

Crichton's screams can be heard from outside the interrogation room and down the corridor where the Grots have already chained the three prisoners to follow him.

Several hours have passed into Crichton's torture. John begins to hallucinate as he slips in and out of conciousness. He sees Aeryn.

John: "Aeryn?"

Aeryn : (She's dressed in her black Peacekeeper uniform. Her hair tied back as the first time saw her. She's armed with a black bullwhip. She cracks it in the air to get his attention. She snaps it across the front of him cutting neat slice from his shirt. Blood slowly comes down from the cut.)

John : "Aaah! Why did you do that? It hurts like hell."

Aeryn : "You will answer my questions Crichton." (She cracks the whip again in the air.) "Why didn't you stay with me Crichton?" (She flicks him again, cutting his chest.)

John : "Ow! You're right. I should have stayed with you." (Trouble focusing, seeing her.)

Aeryn: "D'Argo is dead because of you." (She flicks him with the whip and cuts his arm.)

John : "Aaaa! God, D'Argo. I'm sorry. Aeryn, forgive me."

Aeryn : "What were you thinking?" (Crack, nicks his stomach.)

John : "Aaah! I don't know. I was really stupid."

Aeryn : (She rolls up the whip and gets close to him.) "You put us all at danger!" (She slaps him across the face with her bare hand.)

John : "Uh! Ow! I'm sorry."

Aeryn : (Slap.) "Do you know the trouble you're in?"

John : "Ow! Just a little more than usual."

Aeryn : (Slap.) "We can't save you."

John : "Please, enough with the slapping!" (John can no longer hold his head up.)

Aeryn : (Picks up and holds Johns head in her hands. Looks into his face. Speaks kindly to him.) "You could be safe with me on Moya." (Her hair falls loosely around her shoulders. The air is filled with soft singing of angelic voices.)

John : "Please, Aeryn. Take me home."

Aeryn : (Looks into his eyes.) "You are lost to us." (She embraces his neck and cries quietly.)

John : (Softly into her ear.) "He'll kill me soon."

Aeryn : "I love you John." (Kisses his neck then his mouth.)

John : (Kisses back.)

Aeryn : (As they kiss she pulls away. She is clothed in a white translucent gown. A breeze from her back picks up the delicate sleeves and cape giving her an angelic appearance.)

John : "Forgive me Aeryn."

Aeryn : (She is disappearing into a bright light behind her.) "Come back to us."

John : "Please, don't leave."

Aeryn : (Fades out like a mist.)

John : "Don't leave me." (He passes out.)

Crais : "What is he saying? Why won't he answer?"

Doctor: "He's unconscious, Sir."

Crais : "I don't mean that. He's babbling."

Orn : "Maybe it's some type of delirium."

Crais : (Cradles the probe on the machine.) "Revive him! I have to know. He must answer my question." (Agitated.)

Doctor: (Administers a shot to John's neck.)

John : (Awakes, groggy.) "Crais; Where's Aeryn?"

Crais : "Officer Sun was never here Crichton. What are you playing at? Answer my question. Who sent you to kill my brother?"

John : "It wasn't your fault Crais. Your brother's death was an accident."

Crais : (Swings his fist. Hits John in the mouth.)

John : "Uh!" (Mouth begins to bleed. Crichton spits out the blood.)

Crais : "Be careful what you say human." (Rubs his fist, his emotional outburst has hurt his hand.)

John : "I was conducting an experiment to increase our speed for space travel. A wormhole formed that brought me here."

Crais : "You're lying." (Swings again, hits John cutting his eye.)

John : "Uh!"

Crais : "Remember Crichton, I saw your fighting skill first hand. No 'scientist' receives that kind of battle training." (Shakes his finger at John.) "You are a professional sent to kill my brother. Now, who sent you?" (Slaps John with the back of his hand.)

John : "Uh! I'm not a murderer Crais. I'm truly sorry that Tauvo is dead."

Crais : (Swings his fist, hits John in the stomach.)

John : "Ugh!" (His breath gone, is unable to speak in his defense.)

Crais : "How dare you speak his name! You will not speak my brother's name!" (Enraged. Reaches for the machine, flicks a switch, turns a dial, picks up the white cable and holds the probe on John's right shoulder.) "Die Crichton."

John : "Gaauuh! Help! Aaaah!" (Screams, gasps, then goes limp.)

Doctor: (Runs scanner over Crichton. Injects him in the neck. Rechecks him with the scanner. Turns to crais and shakes his head "No.")

Grots : (Place John on the autopsy table. Though unconscious he wears handcuffs. John's pants leg is soaked with blood. The Doctor slits open John's pants leg with a small knife, seals his wound with a laser, places a bandage, injects a solution. Then signals the Grots to remove him. They use a stretcher and follow along behind Gelina. She unlocks the door and opens it with the same eerie groan.

Grots : (Enter, place John on the cot, remove his cuffs, pull off his clothes and put on clean.)

Gelina: (Watches, admiring Chrichton's naked body. Then orders the Grots.) "Secure his manacles. He's become a very valuable property." Grot 1: (To other Grot.) "I don't know why we have to keep chaining him." (John is secured at the foot for his ankles and above his head for his wrists. The chains feed through metal tubes into the floor.) "He's unconscious and has a damaged leg."

Gelina: "That's why you're a Grot and I am an Officer. Dismissed."

Grots : (Scuttle out carrying the stretcher with the blood soaked clothes on it.)

Gelina: (The heavy door closes with a "clunk". She reaches to the wall and turns a lever that tightens John's chains until there is no more slack. Each link "chunks" as it's drawn in. She crosses the floor and gazes at him.) "8 arns Crichton, that's all we have." (She strokes his brow, kisses him then shakes him.) "John, wake up. Wake up." (She takes an injector out of a small med. bag, administers the shot to his neck and waits.)

John: (Wakes. Sees Gelina.) "Gelina! What are you doing here? Stay away from me!"

Gelina: "I've come to be with you John." (Strokes his brow.)

John: (Turns his head away from her touch.) "Don't touch me." (Looks at her.) "I could never. After what you've done. You tortured me."

Gelina: "You have to understand. If I didn't follow orders, I would be executed."

John: "When I saw the truth about you." (Choking on the words.) "It was like someone ripped my heart out. I thought you were the one Gelina. But you're evil."

Gelina: "No John. This is my life. I know it's bitter. But it's the way we live."

John: "You're insane: A psychopath."

Gelina: "A psycho what? What am I?"

John: "A psychopath. A person who is capable of anything: Kidnap, torture, murder. Then you tell yourself that it's all OK. Well it's not OK Gelina!"

Gelina: "Would you rather I be dead, from refusing to follow Crais' orders?" (Tries to touch him again.)

John: (Recoils from her touch.) "I already knew Crais would kill me. But because of you, I will live out my life in a torture chamber."

Gelina: "It's true. But you don't know the alternative: Crais' methods. Torture is standard on this vessel. I've seen men lose their hands, their eyes. They're still alive on the lower levels. Can't you see? I did it for you. To save you from being mutilated." (Compassion in her eyes.)

John: "Yeah. You're a real humanitarian." (Thinking he has a chance to get through to her.) "Please, Gelina. If you still love me you'll find a way to release me." (Pleading.) "Get me back to my ship. My friends."

Gelina: (Sneers) "Your friends? You mean Officer Sun." (Angry and hurt.) "You left me. You forgot about me. I saw the way you acted when she was there. You've been with her, haven't you?"

John: "She never tortured me. She never gave her blessing to Crais to murder me."

Gelina: (Slaps him.) "You never loved me! On the Zelbinion you only used me to save yourself and her!"

John: "I made a mistake. How could I ever think a peacekeeper could love? Get away from me Gelina. Just go. It's over." (Turns his face to the wall.)

Gelina: "It's not that easy Crichton. Since I became an Officer, I've volunteered for the genetic program. You're no longer an unclassified alien. In fact the Doctor has re-classified you as Sebacean. Your immunity to heat delirium and the living death is necessary for our survival."

John: "You can't be the mother of my children! You're a monster!" (Straining at his chains, spitting out the words.)

Gelina: "You will cooperate John." (Picks up her med. Bag.) "You know Crichton." (Pulls out an injector from the med. bag.) "There are benefits of working with med. tech you can't get anywhere else."

John: (Sees the injector) "What is that? What the hell are you going to do with that?"

Gelina: "I have my orders. I will be executed if I fail!" (Positions the injector toward his groin.) "You give me no choice."

John : "Woah! Wait! Stop! Please. Don't do that!" (Strains violently against his chains.)

Gelina: (Pauses, waiting for him to stop.) "It will only hurt more if you fight, John."

John: "All right! Don't do it! I'll cooperate. Just don't inject me with that." (Stops struggling.)

Gelina: (Quickly, while he is still, injects him in his groin.)

John: (John's scream echoes through the stairs and hallways. We see him lying in his cell. He has fainted.)

Gelina: "I can't take that chance John." (She puts the injector back into the med. bag.) "You told me how you feel. I can no longer trust you." (She unfastens his pants.)

John: (Looks at her, dizzy.) "Gelina, you don't have to do this. How do you know you're not already pregnant?"

Gelina: (She pulls down his pants.) "The doctor found nothing to indicate it. We should have known within 30 arns." (Takes off her jacket and pants.)

John: "This can't be right, Gelina. Crais can't just say I'm Sebacean. He can't be trusted. You'll be deemed irreversible contaminated. Your people will say my child is evil. Crais thinks he's some kind of god. He's separated from Peacekeeper Command and making faulty decisions."

Gelina: (Fondles his shirt. Slips her hand under it, closes her eyes as she touches his skin.)

John: (Turns his head. Trying to escape the thought.) "This place just keeps getting worse and worse. Now my children will be the killers of the universe."

Gelina: "Now John, don't be like that. Just think of how we were last night. Can't it be the way it was?"

John: "Are you prepared to destroy your machine and release me?"

Gelina: "No John, you know I can't do that."

John: "Then would you please, at least, just knock me out?"

Gelina: "Now, what would be the fun in that?"

John: (From outside the cell he can be heard pleading with her.) "No. Please, Gelina. Stop. Leave me alone. Stop it. Don't touch me! No! Don't do that! Stop it Gelina! Quit! Quit it! Get off of me! No! Don't do it! You can't! Oh God!" (His yells increase until they are heard through the cell block up the stairs and into the corridors.)

End of Chapter 4: Crichton's Torture