Script for Breakdown

by Terry Nation

(c) 197? by the British Broadcasting Corporation. Series created by Terry Nation. This is a complete dialogue transcript for research purposes and is not for sale under any circumstances. Format (c) 1992 by Micky DuPree and Nicole Vifian.

Dramatis Personae

Roj Blake
Kerr Avon
Jenna Stannis
Vila Restal
Olag Gan
Cally
Zen
Kayn
Farron
Renor

Uncredited:

Pursuit Leader
Male voice

ZEN	Attention. Liberator is entering meteorite storm zone. (Gan exclaims in pain and groans.) Navigation computers propose immediate evasion course. Directive on manual override is now required. Repeat, directive on manual override is now required.
JENNA	Gan, what are you doing! Manual out, commit full automatics. Navigation computer take emergency evasive action and get us out of it.
ZEN	Full automatics, confirm.
JENNA	If you couldn't have handled it, why didn't you call one of us? You're not expected to cope yet. (Gan groans in pain.) Gan, what is it? What's the matter?
GAN	I'm sorry. (groans)
JENNA	Blake, I think you'd better get down to the flight deck. It's Gan.
BLAKE	What's wrong with him, Jenna?
JENNA	I don't know, he seems to be in some sort of pain. He's obviously got - (Gan attacks Jenna)
BLAKE	Jenna? (Gan throws Jenna to the floor) Jenna. Jenna! (Gan drags Jenna to front of flight deck)
BLAKE	Gan! Gan, it's me, Blake. Gan, listen to me. (Gan attacks Blake. Avon, Cally, and Vila run in. Avon and Vila pull Gan off Blake)
BLAKE	Cally, get the medical kit quickly! (Gan fights Avon. Blake hits him on the head, and knocks him out) Tranquilizers, full strength.
CALLY	(medkit in hand, pauses by Jenna) Are you all right?
JENNA	Yes, I think so.
CALLY	I'll be back in a minute.
BLAKE	Pull his sleeve up. (he applies the tranquilizer) Put another one on. (Avon does so) Let it get right through his system. Well, the tranquilizer pad should keep him quiet for a while.
CALLY	Two of them would flatten any one of us for about a hundred hours.
AVON	If he comes round, he'll flatten all of us for a good deal longer than that. He ought to be put under restraint.
VILA	Oh, my head. What fell on me?
AVON	He did.
JENNA	It all happened so quickly. One minute he was crying with pain, then he went beserk.
VILA	I'm glad he's a friend. Could get very painful if he really didn't like you.
AVON	It must have something to do with the limiter implant in his brain.
BLAKE	It's been bothering him for some time. He tried to keep it secret, but I'm sure he was in a lot of pain. Let's get him to the surgical unit. Avon, stay and check for damage, will you? You three, give me a hand.
AVON	All flight deck systems, full status checks. Standard priority listings.
ZEN	Confirm standard priority listing.
AVON	Begin.
ZEN	Priority alpha one. Primary computer links are clear and functioning. (in med unit)
BLAKE	Anything?
JENNA	There's some inflamation around the implant scar. Look.
BLAKE	Yeah. No other external sign.
CALLY	Blake! Look at his hand.
BLAKE	Jenna, get the diagnostic analyzer.
JENNA	Right.
BLAKE	We'll run the usual checks. What's the matter?
JENNA	I don't think it's going to show us much, though, except that there's a malfunction in the limiter.
BLAKE	I hope for his sake you're wrong.
CALLY	What are you doing?
BLAKE	I want him secure.
CALLY	Surely that is unnecessary. He's a sick man, those are not going to help him.
BLAKE	The limiter is supposed to cut in when stress drives him to the point where he might kill.
CALLY	So?
BLAKE	So on the flight deck he tried to kill ME. The limiter didn't even slow him down.
CALLY	Well, among my people such things are considered barbarous.
BLAKE	All right, just make him comfortable, but I want him secure. (flight deck)
BLAKE	Well?
AVON	All systems clear and functioning.
BLAKE	That's something, anyway.
AVON	What about Gan?
BLAKE	He's still out. We've run the diagnostic checks, it might show up something.
AVON	Yes. And that something will tell you what you already know. Why don't you face it?
BLAKE	Because I don't know what to do about it! And if it is the limiter, I don't know how we can help him. Unless neurosurgery is one of your particular talents.
AVON	Unfortunately, no.
BLAKE	Suppose Zen gave us the necessary information and detailed instructions.
AVON	Oh, come on, Blake! This is not something you do by numbers, not even highly sophisticated ones. This is an area that has remained the exclusive province of specialists.
BLAKE	Yes, I know, I know.
AVON	There are quicker ways that you could kill him, but there are none more certain.
VILA	(V.O.) Blake, Avon. Do you want to come down? Jenna's running the tests now.
AVON	We're on our way. Well, are you coming?
BLAKE	I'll be with you in a minute. Zen, reverse thrust and stop.
ZEN	Confirmed.
BLAKE	I want a hard print on the following information. (med unit)
VILA	Funny, we're all standing here hoping there's something wrong with him. Something ordinary, a nice straight forward disease.
BLAKE	Well?
AVON	Nothing, so far.
JENNA	Here it is.
BLAKE	Readout.
VOICE	Severe neurological disturbance centered in the zero three zone sub four section of the cerebrum. Condition must be relieved if permanent brain damage is to be avoided.
BLAKE	Prognostication?
VOICE	Rapid deterioration to terminal condition.
BLAKE	Recommendation.
VOICE	Immediate investagative surgery.
VILA	So. If we don't get him treatment, he'll be a vegetable.
JENNA	Or die.
AVON	Switch on the voray scan.
BLAKE	You two watch the screen. I'll do the probe.
AVON	Right. Bring it directly over the skull. No, that won't do. You'll have to use the radio sensor. Good, that's much better. Yes, there it is. There's the limiter implant, you can see it quite clearly. Give me the side view. Good. Yes, it's in the sub four section all right. Now let's take a look at the limiter itself. Close focus, slowly.
JENNA	Well, there's nothing wrong with the connectors.
AVON	All right, deepen the focus. More. That's it. Look at the micro linkages, the fine lines.
BLAKE	Is there a fault?
AVON	I'm not sure. That section seems to be burned out. That could cause a conductivity loss.
JENNA	Would that account for what's happening to him?
AVON	It's not my field, but if I am right, then the limiter is feeding scrambled impulses into his brain.
CALLY	Can it be corrected?
AVON	You've got to get into this first.
BLAKE	We need a neurosurgeon.
VILA	Which we haven't got.
JENNA	Blake, we can't just let him die. If he needs a neurosurgeon, that's what we've got to get.
BLAKE	Yes, and quickly. Look.(Gan's hands clench spasmodically) (flight deck)
BLAKE	And that's all the navigation computers could come up with?
ZEN	Confirmed. Your print is the full list within the parameters specified.
JENNA	Blake, what about Kainnessos? An independent Earth colony. Population in excess of seven million. They should have some medical expertise.
BLAKE	What's the journey time?
JENNA	Six hundred hours.
AVON	Too long. You haven't anything like that much time.
BLAKE	What about Overon?
JENNA	Three hundred and fifty hours. Only third-level technology, though.
AVON	Which means that they won't have the necessary medical expertise.
BLAKE	Cassiona?
AVON	That's a Federation stronghold.
BLAKE	We know they can do the surgery.
AVON	There's a price on our heads. We are all under sentence of death.
JENNA	The difference is that Gan's sentence is being carried out right now.
BLAKE	Any others with the necessary level of technology?
JENNA	Only Epinal. But the problem there is that they're considered potentially hostile.
BLAKE	To the Federation?
JENNA	To the species. They don't like humanoids in general, and in particular homo sapiens.
AVON	That puts their intelligence beyond doubt.
BLAKE	How long would it take?
JENNA	Two hundred hours.
BLAKE	Two hundred hours? That's our best alternative.
AVON	There is another one even closer.
BLAKE	Not on the listings we've been given.
AVON	Zen, why is XK seventy two not listed?
ZEN	XK seventy two is outside listed parameters.
BLAKE	Specify.
ZEN	Flight time from this position is in excess of six hundred hours.
AVON	Conclusion is incorrect. Recompute distance and flight time.
BLAKE	What is XK seventy two?
AVON	It's a space laboratory. A permanent research facility financed by a consortium of neutral planets. Two specialist fields: weaponry and space medicine. An interesting combination, don't you think?
JENNA	How do you know all this?
AVON	I looked it up in the data banks. It was information that I thought might prove useful to me.
VILA	A bolt hole. Somewhere to run if things get too hot here.
AVON	The thought had crossed my mind.
JENNA	Why haven't you told us about this station before?
BLAKE	Presumably if he goes there with us he'll be identified. (Smiles at Avon)
VILA	You can say goodbye to one bolt hole.
BLAKE	How far is it?
AVON	One hundred and fifty hours. (To Zen) Confirm.
ZEN	Flight time is six hundred forty three hours.
AVON	Direct flight.
ZEN	Direct flight would necessitate crossing a prohibited space zone.
VILA	Prohibited?
BLAKE	Specify.
ZEN	The zone has been designated as containing unacceptable danger.
BLAKE	What sort of danger?
ZEN	Data is not available.
BLAKE	To you or just to us?
ZEN	There is no data of any kind.
AVON	Just the unacceptable risk designation.
ZEN	Confirmed.
BLAKE	If the direct route to XK seventy two is fifty hours shorter than our nearest alternative then that can be the difference between life and death for Gan.
VILA	And for us.
JENNA	Realistically, it's his only chance.
AVON	I agree with Jenna.
VILA	You do?
AVON	I have never taken things on trust. I see no reason to make an exception in the case of a mysterious warning of danger.
JENNA	Neither do I.
BLAKE	Right, let's get to it.
VILA	Don't I get asked?
BLAKE	Zen. Set navigation computers for direct route to space laboratory XK seventy two. Speed Standard by Six.
ZEN	Rejected.
AVON	You CANNOT reject a direct command.
BLAKE	Justify that rejection, please.
ZEN	Your command reduces to an order to self-destruct. This runs counter to Prime Directive.
VILA	Zen obviously believes there's something nasty in that zone.
AVON	It has no data. It is acting upon an instruction, an order not to enter the zone.
BLAKE	Then we'll go on manual. Jenna?
JENNA	Ready. Compute course and let's get started.
BLAKE	(Pulling Avon's attention back from Zen) Avon?
VILA	Now, wait a minute. If it's too difficult for Zen to tackle, what chance have we got?
JENNA	Gan is dying.
VILA	All right. Well, let's get on with it.
JENNA	We're approaching it now.
ZEN	Attention. Liberator is entering prohibited zone. All primaries and auxiliary computer functions are now aborted.
BLAKE	Zen!
JENNA	Blake, the screen's gone dead.
BLAKE	Well, check it.
JENNA	Definitely dead.
BLAKE	Switch to the secondary.
JENNA	Oh, thank heaven that works.
BLAKE	Now we really are on our own.
AVON	Let's hope so.
VILA	What do you suppose it is that's lurking out there?
JENNA	Maybe Zen's got it wrong.
AVON	Zen hasn't got it at all.
JENNA	All right then, whoever programmed him.
AVON	One of these days I intend to find out who that is.
VILA	If you live that long.
BLAKE	Anything on the detectors?
VILA	Not a thing. What you see on the screen is exactly what's there. Absolutely nothing. Why should I find nothing terrifying?
BLAKE	(into communicator) How's Gan?
CALLY	(V.O.) No change. Blake, what is the flight time across the zone?
BLAKE	Avon?
AVON	Thirty hours.
BLAKE	Thirty hours.
VILA	That gives it plenty of time to leap out on us then.
JENNA	Must you keep on about it, Vila?
VILA	Sorry. Just nervous.
BLAKE	We're all nervous.
VILA	I thought it was only me.
BLAKE	What are your readings, Vila?
VILA	Uh, full range detector, nothing to report.
BLAKE	Jenna?
JENNA	All flight systems normal.
BLAKE	Avon?
AVON	Navigation coordinates set and firm.
BLAKE	Hmm. Well, presumably Zen will come back to us when we're out of danger.
VILA	Sounds like a good idea. Any chance of joining him?
JENNA	Zero one surge on primary two. Confirm?
VILA	Confirmed.
JENNA	Compensating.
VILA	Stable.
AVON	Blake, there's something we haven't thought of.
BLAKE	What?
AVON	Systems instability. We have never operated without the auxiliary computers before.
BLAKE	You mean they've been compensating for things like that power surge?
AVON	They've made every minor adjustment that the systems require. And the chances are that they are now going to require a lot.
BLAKE	Because computer control is --
BLAKE	(Together) -- part of the basic design -- & AVON:
AVON	-- concept.
BLAKE	Damn.
AVON	We're going to have to turn back. Jenna, stand by to reverse the course.
JENNA	Look, we've set out to save Gan and that's what we're going to do.
AVON	But you don't understand.
JENNA	Neither do you. We're committed. I intend to go on flying this ship even if all systems go into a flat spin.
AVON	(Grabs her by both arms and pulls her around) But that's exactly what will happen!
BLAKE	All right, Avon, that's enough!
BLAKE	The signal to abort the auxiliary computers came from Zen. Can you override it, bypass Zen, and get them working again?
AVON	Possibly.
BLAKE	Well, try.
AVON	All right. But I'm telling you, you should turn back.
JENNA	Not a chance.
VILA	What was all that about? Everything is running smoothly.
BLAKE	That was because everything was balanced before the computers went off line. Try and adjust something, and you unbalance something else. Try and adjust that, you unbalance two more and before you know what's happened, the ship is out of control.
JENNA	Blake, we're drifting off course.
BLAKE	Lateral drift on coordinate four.
JENNA	Got it. Compensating.
BLAKE	Stable.
VILA	I've just had a comforting thought. We may all be dead before we find out why this is a danger zone. (computer room)
BLAKE	(V.O.)Have you done it, Avon?
AVON	Soon.
BLAKE	(V.O.)How soon?
AVON	I can talk or I can work, but I can't do both.
BLAKE	(V.O.)We're running out of time, Avon. (flight deck)
VILA	Blake, we're picking something up on the detectors.
BLAKE	What is it?
VILA	I dunno. The signal's very weak.
BLAKE	No telling what it is from here.
JENNA	Our speed's increasing slightly.
BLAKE	Reduce to standard by three, Jenna.
JENNA	Standard by three.
BLAKE	Can we squeeze any more range on the visuals?
VILA	It's at the limit now.
BLAKE	We may have to reverse thrust and run.
JENNA	That would really throw our systems into chaos now.
VILA	Hurry up, Avon.
JENNA	We're moving off course again.
BLAKE	Lateral drift, coordinate three.
JENNA	Got it. Blake!
BLAKE	What is it?
JENNA	Our speed's increasing again. (in surgical unit, Gan is waking and groaning, and looking around slyly)
AVON	Blake, I can't do it. You must turn back, before it's too late.
BLAKE	We're already too late. We're in an unstable magnetic field. We can't turn back. Avon, we NEED those computers.
VILA	Can you stop us, Jenna?
JENNA	Without computers, not a chance.
BLAKE	Detectors?
VILA	Same signal, getting closer. There's still no telling what it is.
JENNA	We're speeding up again.
BLAKE	Try and compensate. (in med unit, Cally listens to earphone)
BLAKE	(V.O.)If we get up past Standard by Twenty we'll be out of control.
JENNA	(V.O.)I think she's holding. We're leveling off.
BLAKE	(V.O.)Keep it steady.
CALLY	How are you feeling?
GAN	Tired. Very tired. What's been happening?
CALLY	You were ill. We're trying to get to a place where you can receive medical treatment.
GAN	I'm all right. Just that I, I can't remember. Why am I being held down like this?
CALLY	When the pain was too much for you, you became violent, and we were frightened you might harm yourself.
GAN	I'm sorry, I just can't remember. I'd like to sit up. Help me, will you, Cally?
CALLY	I think you should stay where you are until we can get help.
GAN	I'm all right. A bit uncomfortable. I'd like to sit up.
CALLY	There is some turbulance. You're safer where you are.
GAN	Please. (Cally releases him.)
CALLY	Is that better? (Gan coughs. Cally goes to get water. Gan attacks her, then leaves the surgical unit)
AVON	Blake, I have managed to bypass Zen. I am now going to see if I can override the command. (Steps away from the intercom, thinks twice, comes back) Blake? Blake!
BLAKE	There must be some way we can avoid it.
JENNA	We can't. We're already too close to pull away. With computer backup, we might have flown through it.
VILA	So, without computers?
JENNA	We're dead. It'll tear us to pieces.
BLAKE	Are you two ready?
JENNA	Ready.
BLAKE	Vila?
VILA	Wha--, yes, ready.
BLAKE	Concentrate, Vila. When I give the order to reverse thrust you two have gotta stop us from spinning.
VILA	I know.
BLAKE	Well, if you don't get it right, it'll be the last thing you do know.
CALLY	Blake.
BLAKE	Cally! What happened?
CALLY	Gan has just tried to kill me.
BLAKE	What?
CALLY	I thought he was normal again.
BLAKE	You mean you RELEASED him?
CALLY	He's escaped.
BLAKE	Jenna, you take my place. Brief Cally. (computer room, Gan tries to pull piping from wall)
AVON	Gan, no! You'll break the computer links, we'll never get them started. (Avon tries to stop Gan, who thows him off)
JENNA	Cally, reverse thrust in five seconds. On my mark, five four three two one. Thrust. (Blake hits Gan on head. He collapses)
BLAKE	Are you all right?
AVON	More or less.
BLAKE	He got away from Cally. (Blake gets tranquilizer pads)
AVON	Yes, well, I can see that!
BLAKE	What about the computers? (ship shudders)
AVON	What is going on?
BLAKE	It's a gravitational vortex, biggest spiral you've ever seen. We're right on the edge of it.
AVON	Auxiliary computers on-line and functioning.
BLAKE	Right. Give me a hand with him, will you?
JENNA	We've slowed the rate of approach, but we'll be drawn into it sooner or later.
BLAKE	The way we're using power, it'll be sooner.
CALLY	What will happen to the ship?
AVON	The forces inside that will not merely destroy us, they will annihilate us.
BLAKE	Now Avon's repaired the computers, what would be the difference if we went straight for the center of the vortex on maximum power?
JENNA	Well, it'd be quick, whatever happens.
BLAKE	Well, let's take the quick way. Take over, Jenna.
JENNA	Right, everybody, we're going through the center of the vortex.
AVON	Blake, in the unlikely event that we survive this --
BLAKE	Yes?
AVON	I'm finished. Staying with you requires a degree of stupidity of which I no longer feel capable.
BLAKE	No, you're just being modest.
JENNA	On my mark, five four three two one. (they go through the vortex)
JENNA	Standard by Twelve, still rising.
BLAKE	The structural distort.
JENNA	We'll never hold her, Blake.
BLAKE	The automatics. Hit the automatics.
JENNA	Blake, I can't. I must keep a straight heading.
BLAKE	Jenna, look. Look at the screen. There's nothing there but the stars. We've made it. We are through!
BLAKE	Yes, Avon.
AVON	(V.O.)We're coming in range of XK seventy two. Just had a message from the station administrator. Very polite, but it boils down to who are we and what do we want.
BLAKE	Tell him we're an experimental ship out of Earth on a proving flight. Then tell him what we'll need.
AVON	(V.O.)You think he'll believe that?
BLAKE	Convince him. Use your charm.
CALLY	Why are you angry with Avon?
BLAKE	I'm not.
CALLY	You sound as if you are.
BLAKE	He has a decision to make. If he wants to stay with us, it's got to be for his reasons.
CALLY	You'll do nothing to persuade him?
BLAKE	Nothing at all.
JENNA	Reverse thrust, and stop. (to Vila) Give me closer vision. I only hope we're not too late.
ZEN	Information.
VILA	You're back, are you?
ZEN	Status is firm. All systems are functioning normally.
BLAKE	Where were you when we needed you? (to Avon) What did they say?
AVON	They've invited the commander to go across. I've got a voice fix ... "Commander."
JENNA	Why are we lying to them?
VILA	Why not? No sense in looking for trouble.
JENNA	They're neutral.
BLAKE	That's a term that covers a whole range of attitudes, and some of them not very friendly. What did they say about a doctor?
AVON	There's a neurosurgeon, a Professor Kayn. He'll be waiting for you.
CALLY	(V.O.)Blake, it's urgent.
BLAKE	What is it, Cally?
CALLY	Gan's life signs are getting very irregular. His time is running out. I think he is beginning to die.
BLAKE	(V.O.) I'll be as quick as I can.
BLAKE	Teleport, Avon.
JENNA	I can't see them believing that Liberator is a Federation ship, can you?
VILA	Let's hope they don't even think about it. (Farron's office)
FARRON	I've never seen a ship remotely like it before. What do you think, Professor Kayn?
KAYN	I'm a surgeon. I'm not terribly interested in spaceship design.
FARRON	You're one of our senior men. You share the responsibility for the safety of this station.
KAYN	FARRON, I realize there is a place for administrators, but I'd be obliged if you'd remember where it is. Please don't presume to lecture me on my responsibilites.
FARRON	So sorry, Professor. (into com unit) Have a team of engineers standing by to examine the shuttle craft these people send across, will you?.
VOICE	(V.O.)Right.
FARRON	Send the commander straight up. Make sure he's not armed.
VOICE	(V.O.) Understood. (Blake teleports in)
BLAKE	Don't worry, I'm not armed.
FARRON	How did you do that?
BLAKE	I'm sorry to be so abrupt, but could I see Professor Kayn now, please.
KAYN	I'm Kayn.
BLAKE	Ah. One of my crewmen is dying. Could you come with me straight away.
FARRON	I'm afraid there are a few formalities we must sort out first. You can't just, uh, appear -
KAYN	I'll come with you.
FARRON	Professor Kayn, I cannot allow this.
KAYN	Send me a memorandum, Farron. Through the usual channels, of course.
BLAKE	Would you put this on please?
KAYN	What is it?
BLAKE	It's a teleport bracelet.
FARRON	I warn you, this is most inadvisable.
KAYN	I shall need a few things.
BLAKE	Our surgical units are very well equipped, but I'll send back somebody for anything else you might need.
KAYN	Farron, have Dr. Renor standing by to assist me, he'll know what I need.
BLAKE	I'll send someone back for him. Are you ready?
KAYN	I am ready.
FARRON	Kayn, I cannot allow this, it is completely against station policy.
BLAKE	Bring us across.
FARRON	This behavior will have to be noted down in the station log.
KAYN	That is remarkable.
BLAKE	Avon, send someone across to collect Professor Kayn's assistant, will you? (To Kayn) Your bracelet, please.
KAYN	I thought the matter transmission project had been abandoned.
BLAKE	A temporary setback.
KAYN	But with Federation resources it was just a matter of time, I suppose.
BLAKE	This way, Professor.
KAYN	Truly remarkable.
BLAKE	Professor?
KAYN	Oh, yes, sorry. One thing I will say for the Federation, when they decide to do a thing, they do it. (Blake and Kayn exit.)
VILA	I didn't like the sound of that much.
AVON	One of the many faces of neutrality.
VILA	Who's going across to get the assistant? Shall I call Jenna?
AVON	No. I'll go.
VILA	Oh, good. Good idea, I mean.
AVON	Why do you stay with Blake?
VILA	I like him.
AVON	That isn't a good enough reason.
VILA	It is for me. That and the fact I've got nowhere else to go.
AVON	(smiles) All right. Put me across.
KAYN	Just a minute. This is interesting. What rank do you hold?
BLAKE	I'm a civilian.
KAYN	Unusual.
BLAKE	We tend to be in the majority, even in the Federation.
KAYN	I meant this is unusual. What are you up to? Proving flight on a military craft? It is a military craft?
BLAKE	Excuse me, it's still experimental. It's classified. Uh, this way.
CALLY	Why were you such a long time?
BLAKE	Cally -
KAYN	My fault, I'm afraid. Needed time to adjust. Can't afford to be disconcerted with this kind of work. Oh, yes, you are right, his condition is critical. Find out where my assistant is, will you please?
BLAKE	Of course.
KAYN	What's your name?
CALLY	Cally.
KAYN	All right, Cally, now you tell me why this man has a limiter implant.
BLAKE	Where's Kayn's assistant?
VILA	He'll be arriving any moment.
BLAKE	For the time being, keep him here.
VILA	Right.
AVON	(V.O.) Vila, this is Avon. Dr. Renor is ready to come across. I won't be coming back with him, though.
VILA	What do you mean, you won't be coming back with him?
AVON	I'm staying for a look around. I'll call you when I'm ready.
VILA	Oh, fine. I'll just hang around here and wait for you.
AVON	You do that.
VILA	Stand by. (operates teleport) Dr. Renor?
BLAKE	So anything you can get from him about this Professor Kayn would be useful.
JENNA	I'll try. I might not be his type, though.
BLAKE	We'll just have to take the chance.
JENNA	Thanks.
BLAKE	Go on. Zen, I want a series of projections from the battle computers. Nearest Federation bases, likely flight patterns, flight times, and possiblity of interception.
ZEN	Confirmed.
JENNA	Hello.
RENOR	Hello, hello, hello!
VILA	Ah. Jenna, this is Professor Kayn's assistant, his name is -
RENOR	Renor. And I had a feeling this was going to be a good day.
JENNA	Yes, well, don't let your feelings run away with you.
RENOR	Oh, a sense of humor, too. I love girls with a sense of humor.
JENNA	Yes, I can see where that would be an advantage. This way, please.
RENOR	Do you believe in love at first sight, Jenna?
JENNA	Not yet.
FARRON	I don't think you realize what you're suggesting.
AVON	I am offering you my services, and, among other things, the secret of matter transmission.
FARRON	You are offering me classified Federation material. This is an independent, neutral scientific foundation.
AVON	Suppose I tell you that the material does not belong to the Federation, that we are not Federation personnel, and that THAT is not a Federation ship.
FARRON	Then who does it belong to?
AVON	Us.
FARRON	Who are you?
AVON	Before I tell you that, I should like your guarantee that the others will be allowed to leave unmolested.
FARRON	Well, why should I give you that?
AVON	You and your foundation stand to make a fortune. I'm merely asking for your guarantee that you will maintain your neutrality ... and protect your investment.
FARRON	All right. You have my personal guarantee. Now who are you?
KAYN	At last.
RENOR	Sorry, professor. (to Cally) Hello! This place is full of pretty girls.
KAYN	Prepare for immediate surgery, please.
RENOR	Right.
JENNA	I'll get out of your way.
KAYN	Won't need you either, Cally.
RENOR	Would have been helpful to have had one of them here.
KAYN	Do you know who these people are?
RENOR	Federation research team?
KAYN	It's Blake and his crew.
RENOR	THE Blake? How do you know?
KAYN	They lie badly.
RENOR	Stannis! That's who she is! Jenna Stannis. I've never met a celebrity before.
KAYN	Celebrity! These people are maniacs, killers.
RENOR	Oh, come on.
KAYN	Mindless destroyers.
RENOR	You don't know that.
KAYN	They are destroying the greatest force for order in the known universe.
RENOR	Order? Well, you've had a change of heart, haven't you? I'm sure poor old Farron would be delighted with your new concern for the rules.
KAYN	Farron is a bureaucratic fool. I'm talking about stability, Renor, stability. With no stability there is no progress.
RENOR	Progress to what? Brain implantation?
KAYN	A dangerous psychopath? Certainly. Or would you prefer he'd been executed?
RENOR	That's what you intend to do, isn't it? You're going to delay the operation so that Blake and his crew can be captured.
KAYN	I haven't decided yet.
RENOR	Well, delay much longer, and there won't be any decision to make. What are you doing? (Kayn has communicator in his hand)
KAYN	Not that it's any business of yours, I'm going to contact the nearest Federation base.
RENOR	I'll warn Blake.
KAYN	And lose the chance of working with the greatest surgeon you'll ever see? You're too ambitious for that. Besides, I'm the only one who can save him, if I choose to. (into mic) XK seven two. (three pursuit ships against starfield)
LEADER	Pursuit leader to pursuit two and three. Executive order states that damage to Research Station XK seventy two must be avoided if possible. Priority concern is capture of Blake and his crew. (Farron's office)
FARRON	He did what?
VOICE	Professor Kayn said you knew about it.
FARRON	The communications section is well aware that no one is allowed to send official messages without clearing them first through channels.
VOICE	Professor Kayn said it was a matter of life and death.
FARRON	Hmm...Ask our visitor to come and see me, will you? I think he's looking around the computer section. His name is Avon.
VOICE	Right.
FARRON	Do we know what the Federation's doing?
VOICE	The pursuit ships will be here in three hours.
FARRON	Then find Avon quickly.
RENOR	We must start the operation.
KAYN	Not yet. The Federation ships need time.
RENOR	But we're losing him. I mean look at the life signs. He's practically dead now.
KAYN	Not yet.
CALLY	It's taking a very long time.
JENNA	Well, at least while they're still working, we know that Gan's got a chance. Kayn is supposed to be a genius.
VILA	The trouble with a genius, is you're never too sure what he's up to. Perhaps Zen can tell how long the operation should normally take.
JENNA	Zen?
ZEN	There is insufficient data for an accurate projection. Within the parameters you have described, the surgeon's skill and operating procedures are unknow variables. (Vila gets gun)
VILA	There you are. Thought not.
FARRON	I can only apologize. I'm afraid there's absolutely nothing I can do for your friends now.
AVON	It was naive of me to expect you to keep your word.
FARRON	That is a little unfair. It's just that it's out of my hands. Look, Avon, it is against all the rules, and it's a risk I really shouldn't take, but I am prepared to let you stay here.
AVON	What about the pursuit ships?
FARRON	When your friends detect them they will presumably run or fight.
AVON	They will have no other choice.
FARRON	In which case, they may escape or more probably they will be destroyed. Either way, the Federation need never know that you're here on the station. You can work here in peace and safety. (Waits) Well? What do you say?
AVON	I shall need to go back to the Liberator to collect a few things.
FARRON	Good. You've made the right decision.
LEADER	Pursuit leader to all crews. Full standby. Check all battle systems. Enemy contact estimated in one hour. (Renor fastens Kayn's collar)
KAYN	Thank you.
AVON	(V.O.) This is Avon, from XK seventy two. All right, Vila. Bring me across. Vila! Wake up, Vila. Vila! (Cally operates teleport)
RENOR	I'm going to operate myself.
KAYN	You'll kill him.
RENOR	Well, at least I'll have tried! You call yourself a doctor? (Vila enters, handgun pointed at the doctors)
VILA	No, he calls himself a genius.
KAYN	Ah.
VILA	Alright, genius, time's up.
KAYN	I wondered how long it would take you.
VILA	Well, you can stop wondering and start operating.
KAYN	Why didn't Blake come himself?
VILA	Blake doesn't know anything about it. I thought it was better that way. He's got a conscience. He might not be prepared to kill you.
KAYN	And you are?
VILA	Yes.
AVON	If he isn't, I am.
VILA	How did you get here?
AVON	He sold us out to the Federation. Pursuit ships are only forty- five minutes away.
VILA	You going to operate or not?
KAYN	Alright.
VILA	I have a feeling that was too easy.
KAYN	Any attempt to move this ship while I'm operating will certainly result in this man's death.
RENOR	He's right. Vibration, accelleration, any movement at all, and it's all over.
AVON	(into com unit) Hold it, Blake. We can't leave yet.
LEADER	Pursuit leader to all crews. Thirty minutes to contact.
BLAKE	How soon can you complete?
KAYN	Thirty-five minutes.
BLAKE	Do it in twenty.
KAYN	Or you'll kill me.
BLAKE	Oh, no, no, no. In twenty-five minutes I'm returning you to your station. If you haven't completed your work --
KAYN	Your threats don't bother me in the least, you know.
BLAKE	-- I shall destroy your hands. Twenty minutes. (He exits. Avon follows close upon.)
KAYN	Animals! Stupid destructive animals!
RENOR	Twenty minutes is more than enough time to complete.
KAYN	Are you defending their behavior?
RENOR	I can't defend ours! (In teleport bay,Kayn shows Blake some pictures of the limiter)
KAYN	That's where the fault was, in the limiter, there. And there it is repaired. If you survive, so should he.
BLAKE	Is there any way we can thank you?
KAYN	You could try getting caught.
AVON	Ready? (He puts them across.) All right, Jenna, get us out of here.
JENNA	Zen, reverse thrust, Standard point zero-one.
ZEN	Confirmed.
JENNA	Lateral one-eighty.
ZEN	Lateral one eighty.
BLAKE	I'll handle this Jenna. You can help Gan.
FERRON	(into com unit) They'll take no further action without orders from me!
KAYN	You pathetic feeble-minded little beaurocrat. You going to let them get away?
FERRON	You exceeded your authority, Professor Kayn. It was not your place to inform the Federation of their presence here. You violated the neutrality --
KAYN	Damn your neutrality! (into com unit) Get me weaponry!
FERRON	How dare you! I'm in command of this base.
KAYN	You have forfeited that command, Ferron, you gutless nothing.
VOICE	Weaponry.
FERRON	Stop that, I tell you! Take no orders--
KAYN	You struck my hand! (throttles Ferron, then strikes him with an object)
VOICE	Weaponry.
ZEN	Battle computers project pursuit ships directly in Liberator's flight path.
BLAKE	Down zero one. Maintain heading and speed. Standard by eight.
ZEN	Plasma bolt launched.
BLAKE	Activate the force wall.
AVON	Activated. (first bolt shakes them up)
ZEN	Second bolt launched and running.
BLAKE	Bearing directly.
VILA	Missed!
AVON	It missed us, but it's still running.
VOICE	Ferron! Plasma bolt bearing directly on XK seventy two. It's going to hit us. Instructions, please. Ferron! Ferron! Ferron! (XK seventy two is hit, and explodes)
AVON	Say goodbye to one bolt hole.
BLAKE	That's not funny, Avon.
AVON	It wasn't meant to be.
ZEN	Pursuit ships are turning.
BLAKE	You know what to do.
AVON	Zen, increase speed to Standard by Eight.
BLAKE	How do you feel?
GAN	I feel as if someone has been poking around inside my head-- with a foot.
VILA	We had to kick your brain a couple of times to get it started.
GAN	Only twice? They didn't remove the limiter.
CALLY	It was not possible.
VILA	They've modified it, though. Your ears glow in the dark, now.
BLAKE	Hey, let me know when you're ready for work.
GAN	Thanks.
BLAKE	Oh, by the way, welcome back. (general laughter)

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