Talyn gets swallowed by a Budong, and it is up to Stark to save them; Crichton, already distrustful of Crais, believes he and Aeryn are having an affair while Talyn himself soon shows his hatred of the human.
Crichton, Aeryn and Crais are welcomed aboard Scorpius' carrier; Scorpius promises amnesty in exchange for wormhole technology; Scorpius threatens to destroy something close to Crichton's heart.
The crew reunites at Moya, where Crichton discovers that Aeryn is suffering from heatstroke and is being cared for by Scorpius, who is seeking asylum at Moya.