Buck Rogers in the 25th Century s01e06 Episode Script
The Plot to Kill a City (1)
We must discover what final retribution the assassins are planning against the Directorate: Now: - We're gonna teach the Earth people a lesson: - How? The total destruction of the Terran capital: [Twiki Chirping.]
[Alarm Blaring.]
The entire hangar's going up in five minutes! [Man Narrating.]
The year is 1987, and NASA launches the last of America's deep space probes: In a freak mishap, Ranger 3 and its pilot, Captain William "Buck'"Rogers, are blown out of their trajectory into an orbit which freezes his life-support systems: : : And returns Buck Rogers to Earth: : : [Disco.]
Hi: Come here often? I guess you do: Rafael Argus? - I don't know you, do I? - Harper 5: Three months ago, you killed a man named Gleeson: Let me guess: He was your, um - Brother: - Right: I knew it'd be something like that: Not good: I think you're about to see the light: [Exhales.]
What took you so long? "Long"? That guy's hired to kill people: You know, one wrong move, I'd look like a grilled cheese sandwich right now: - A grilled what? - Forget it: Those customers'll be coming back any second: Hurry up and take your clothes off: You know what I mean: Now with any luck, they'll think Argus zapped me and split before the cops arrived: "Split"? Come on, Wilma: Just what have the probes found out, Doctor? I'm afraid they've confirmed our worst suspicions: Rafael Argus here was about to become a member of the League of Interstellar Mercenaries, specializing in political assassinations: One member of this Legion of Death, a mercenary named Morgan Deneva, was killed by Directorate personnel last month: And the legion has a code when it comes to such things: I see: Deneva's buddies have it in for you and the Directorate because you wasted him, huh? If l If I understand you correctly, yes: Fourth floor: Ladies'clothing and lingerie: [Theo.]
Twiki, what's lingerie? [Chuckling.]
[Wilma.]
These are highly skilled professionals, not hired guns: [Screams.]
[Alarm Blaring.]
Get some fire extinguishers! You guys all right? Quick:! Anyone hurt? Come on:! [Theo.]
I'm undamaged, Buck: Thank you: [Twiki Chirping.]
I'm dead: I'm dead: It's all gone black: That's because your visual inputs are facedown on the floor, Twiki: Now, pull yourself together: Here, let me help you up: [Twiki.]
Why is it the good die young? Steady: You all right? [Chirping.]
Anyone hurt? Not this time: You mean, this has happened before? It's just a gruesome game with them: They want to frighten us and keep us off balance: Buck, if only you could help: Yeah, Buck: What about it? Buck, I realize you helped us capture Argus, and I appreciate it very much: If you'd like to end it there, then Sure, I'll help: Thank the Lord: And we all know that Rafael Argus was about to be initiated into the ranks of the Legion of Death: However, because he always operated under a variety of names and appearances, none of the other assassins has any clear-cut idea of what he looks like, which is fortunate for you as you'll be impersonating him: Oh: Now, their upcoming meeting on Aldebaran 2:: : Marks the first time all these people have gathered together in one place: So we can only assume that the subject of their discussions is of staggering proportions: : : And no doubt directly concerns us: Now, these are the people you'll be meeting: Jolon Quince of Cygnus 3: It's a heavy gravity planet: : : Where humans have developed telekinetic abilities to survive: Seton Kellogg of Rigel 4: A brilliant scientist whose strategies have engineered the deaths of a dozen planetary leaders: And Markos Marcilka of Vega 12: He's a martial arts expert: Rumor has it that: : : He's had his nerve endings partially severed to reduce his ability to feel pain: - And lastly - Very nice: [Dr: Huer.]
See if you think so after you meet her: She calls herself Sherese: Planet of origin unknown: She's an empath: Almost telepathic in her ability to pick up on people's emotions: Their vibrations, as you would say: And she's almost pathologically suspicious: So you'll have to be on your guard against her every moment: Now, while you're memorizing the data we've obtained for you on Argus, Colonel Deering here will go on ahead of you to Aldebaran 2: Wait a minute, Doctor: Why do we both have to go? Because we must discover what final retribution: : : The assassins are planning against the Directorate: It's too important a job for one person, Buck: Considering the circumstances, the odds are that one of you will not: : : Succeed: [Disco.]
Hey, watch where you're goin'! Well, aren't we a big one! Sir? You owe me an apology: The apology? Yeah, sure: Hey, I didn't mean nothing: It was my fault: - Sorry: - I rather thought you would be: - Hello, Quince: - Sherese: I was just thinking of you: You look just as lovely as ever: Cut the bull, Quince: Save it for those vacuum-heads you go out with: I'm not impressed by your mindless flattery: Well, then I'll buy you a drink: I never drink: Slows the reflexes: Yes, of course: Have you heard from the others? Kellogg is on his way in from Tau Ceti, and Argus was on Earth the last time I heard: All I know about Markos is that he'll be here Somebody I know is in this room: [Man.]
And you know what I did? You opened your mouth and bored them to death? Go on: Go on: Joella: Joella Cameron: Sherese: Excuse me a minute, will ya? Hey, you come back, Joella, or I'll just go lookin' for ya: One more drink, and that clown won't be in any condition to go looking for his left shoe: Still hanging out with losers, huh, Jo? Like that Beechim creep from Rigel? I don't see him anymore: Oh, why? Did he get tossed into detention? Jo, you know Rafael Argus, don't you? [Chuckles Softly.]
Do l: Well, he's gonna be in port tomorrow: Now, I've never met him, but from what I understand, he'd be better company than that slime: How about if I let you know when he's coming in? How would that be? Marvelous: We've reprogrammed the computer in Argus's ship so that it responds to your voice: And remember to try to use those items on your belt sparingly: These black-light bombs are still in the experimental stages, and they can only provide a covering darkness for 30 seconds at most: And one more thing: We won't be able to give you much help with the local authorities: They're going to believe that you are Rafael Argus: You'll have to deal with them as best you can: Well, you certainly know how to make a trip sound appealing, Dr: Huer: - Well, good luck to you, Buck: - Thanks, Doc: Cheer up, Doc: I'm not dead yet: [Female Computerized Voice.]
Welcome home, Argus: Hi: How are you? All fueled up and ready to serve you, Rafe: Oh, well, that's nice, but I've gotta be going pretty soon, so That's what I'm here for: All systems engaged: [Engines Powering Up.]
Reaching escape velocity: Artificial gravity engaged: You know, I don't know if I've ever said this to you before or not, but I think you are the sexiest onboard computer I've ever known: Why, thank you, honey: I'd like to think so: Stargate coming up in 20 minutes: [Humming.]
Sorry to disturb you again, Rafe, but I'm tracking a squadron of starfighters on an intercept course with us: [Buck.]
Oh, no: Police cruisers: Message coming in: [Man.]
N2-453, you have been identified as Rafael Argus of Altair 5: Prepare for boarding: Prepare for boarding: Your ship will be towed by tractor beam to the nearest space station: Go to maximum velocity! Now! Sorry, Rafe, we can't go any faster without rupturing the star drive: All right, give me manual control: Manual control? You never wanted manual control before: Well, I want it now! If I don't perform some evasive maneuvers, we're sunk! Now, engage manual control! Direct hit to our starboard force shield, Rafe: Another one like that, and we'll be completely defenseless: If I might make a suggestion, the pulsar cannons are operational: - Why not use them? - I can't fire on the police! That doesn't quite compute, Rafe: Decelerating to sub-light speed: Star drive phasing out: I know: Tractor beams, right? I'm afraid so: You don't have to be anywhere real soon, do you, Rafe, honey? As a matter of fact, I do: [Woman Over P: A:.]
Flight 723 to Altair 5 is leaving from gate 20 in 15 minutes: Mr: Kellogg: Quince, I don't believe you've met my bodyguard, Varek: Forgive him for not meeting you face-to-face, but he doesn't have one to speak of: You see, Quince, several generations ago, the people of Varek's planet thought they'd won a nuclear war: That, of course, was before the unfortunate effect: : : Radiation has on genetic materials manifested itself: The deformities became worse with each generation: He's a mutation? A human mutation: My people were human: Yes, they were once: Varek, be a good man and check the terminal for police: Yes, of course: A wretched creature, but not without certain advantages: He seems to alter his molecular density: Precisely: The effects of nuclear radiation: : : Never cease to fascinate me: Never: [Wilma.]
No, Doctor, Buck and I have not rendezvoused: He hasn't arrived yet: I checked with the spaceport: We can only assume he was intercepted en route to Aldebaran: You'd best go to our alternate plan and make contact with Quince as soon as possible: Yes, Doctor: If Quince doesn't know the full details of their plan, use your surveillance equipment: But only if Quince doesn't know: Kellogg probably has any number of jamming devices on his person: Your equipment will circumvent them, but it will require a direct line of sight, and that could be dangerous: I understand: Good luck, Colonel: Huer out: Doctor Theopolis, it has become obvious: : : That the Legion has some sort of operative working here at the Directorate: If you're feeling up to it, perhaps you and Twiki could begin an investigation: An excellent idea, Dr: Huer: That will afford me an opportunity to engage in what Buck likes to call: : : "Old-fashioned deductive reasoning:" Twiki, take me to the personnel computers: [Chirping.]
I want a vacation: Quiet, Twiki: Okay, okay, easy: Look, I have a very important meeting to attend: Couldn't we - What are you looking at? - Nothing, my friend: Nothing: I merely wish to make your acquaintance: Barnard Smith is my name: My friends call me Barney: Rafael Argus: The Rafael Argus? Why, this is an honor, my friend: An honor: : : To be sharing a cell with so illustrious a figure! Yes, I suppose it is: However, there's no need to share any cell: : : If I can get them to lower that force field: You have a, uh, plan? Let's just say I need an opportunity: Well, follow my lead, my friend: Follow my lead: Opportunity is about to knock: Guards! Help! Get me out of here! Help! Help! Guards! Help:! Get me out ofhere:! Oh! Ah:! What's the matter with you? You fool! Don't you recognize an Arcturan when you see one? He tried to have psychic commune with me! Aah! - He's out of his mind: I never touched him: - Don't listen to him! He wants my mind! You idiot:! Don't you know enough to separate the species? Aah:! Get me out ofhere:! All right! All right: Colin, move this joker to another cell: I got his gun:! Come on, Barney:! Come on:! Wait a minute! You don't wanna go We'll discuss it later! Oh, Rafe, you're still alive! I won't be long if you don't get us out of here fast: Did they check your memory tapes to find out where we're heading? Uh-uh, Rafe: And once we're through the stargate, we'll be beyond their jurisdiction: [Jazz.]
Pure Denebian silk, isn't it? Absolutely nothing attracts my attention faster: : : Than pure Denebian silk: - Is that right? - You did want a drink, didn't you? Yes, thank you: That was an interesting trick: Is it true what they say about telekinetics? And what's that? [No Dialogue.]
[Both Laughing.]
Do you like it? Does it matter? Hmm? Let me fix you something: You know, l-I was beginning to think that this little trip to Aldebaran: : : Was going to be something of a bore: Oh? So why did you come? Well, you see, l I have a meeting with some friends: A little private business: Now, what's a sweet, young thing like you: : : Doing with a subspace transmitter in your closet? What are you doing? There: Feeling a little less nosy now, Mr: Quince? [Laughing.]
Now, tell me about those friends of yours: - Who called this meeting? - Oh: Kellogg: Kellogg called it: - For what purpose? - Oh: We're gonna teach the Earth people a lesson: How? What are your plans? Oh, I don't know: Kellogg's the strategist: It's up to him: Hey, look: Why do you wanna talk so much when we Because I find you so disgusting and so repugnant: Now, one last question: Where are you meeting to discuss the details of this plan? Solar collector, - The one in this hotel? - Yes: Very good: Now, I want you to close your eyes, and when you wake up tomorrow morning, all that you'll remember about tonight: : : Is that you had a wonderful time: I cannot believe we are reaching a parting of the ways: Don't go getting sentimental on me, Barney: I mean, it was fun, but nothing I wanna press into my scrapbook, if you know what I mean: Look, I have a marvelous idea: What do you say to a liaison? A partnership: : : Between you and I against the galaxy? Why, with my brains and your more brains, there's nothing we couldn't do: Well, I work alone, Barney: As do I, my friend: But I can't help thinking what a terrific team we made breaking out of that space station: Look, we'll discuss it later over dinner: You know, you got something there: I like that: Listen, I've got some stuff to pick up at Customs: I'll meet you at the gate in 20 minutes, okay? Excellent, my friend: Excellent: [Woman Over P: A:.]
Government regulations prohibit the transport of sub-humanoid life forms to Aldebaran: For more information, contact the Department of Alien Immigration: Now, Mr: Argus, if that is who you are Greetings, Mr: Argus: I take it this means I passed? Indeed you have, Argus: I haven't had this much fun since we initiated Morgan Deneva: Anyone who can hold his own against us deserves to be considered one of us: To the Legion of Death: I'm Kellogg: Sherese and Quince and Varek: Our mysterious friend Markos has arranged for all of us: : : To meet inside the solar energy collector at 1400 hours, at which time we shall discuss the full scope of our plans: Something I can do for you, Sherese? You're just not what I expected, that's all: Disappointed? Not yet: By the way, there's an old friend of yours waiting for you back at the hotel: Joella Cameron: Sound familiar? Not particularly: But then, I meet a lot of women: Well, this one very definitely remembers you: [Alarm Blaring.]
[Man Over P: A:.]
Emergency: Emergency: All personnel: : : Evacuate Hangars 3, 4 and 9 immediately: What's happening? There's an overload in one of the launch tubes! The whole hangar system is misfiring: Can it be repaired? Well, if we can't, this entire hangar is going up in five minutes! - Dr: Theopolis! - Here, Dr: Huer: Fire Control to launch tubes How are you progressing? We shall soon see: That's it: Sever the input rods: Carefully: We want a gradual loss of power, not a complete break: That could do more harm than good: [Chirping.]
Can't you just phone this in? Quiet, Twiki: Now, one more rod: Carefully: [Alarm Stops.]
There: With the power bypass in effect, the overload is effectively neutralized: Excellent: Thank you, Dr: Theopolis: You were brilliant: Of course: You do realize, don't you, that this near-tragedy was no accident? As soon as you feel up to it, Dr: Theopolis, I'd like to see you in my office: Hello: It's me: I guess I arrived a little early: I'll try you again at 1340 hours: See you then, Rafe: Just five minutes from now: Perfect timing: We meet Markos at 1400 hours: We really don't have time to socialize: We can wait for Argus's acquaintance to arrive: I, for one, love to watch reunions of old friends: Varek, be a sport and get these people some drinks: [Buck.]
Oh, I'll get 'em: Name your poison: Varek will do it: Won't you? Yes, of course: Why do you let him treat you like that? I deserve no better: Why would you say something like that? My people were a proud race: Too proud: It wasn't enough that we had tamed our planet, built a great culture, reached out into space: We had to have other worlds too: We abused our freedom: And so we lost it, and deservedly so: Your world wasn't the only one that suffered through a holocaust, you know: Earth did its best to destroy itself too: No: Earth was fortunate: It didn't see its children twisted, deformed, mutated: Is that what you're afraid of? What people will see behind that mask? [Beeping.]
Varek: Varek, get that: [Varek.]
Excuse me: Well, Argus, that must be your friend, Joella: Hi: - Is Rafael here yet? - Joella: It's been a while: Look, I know we didn't part under the best of terms, but give me a chance, will you? You got a deal, Rafe: Sherese: : : You satisfied? Good: Good: Shall we? Remember, we're all to meet Markos in 10 minutes: Thanks: You're welcome, uh Buck: Buck Rogers: You are taking an awfully big chance, Buck Rogers: Trying to fool Sherese and her friends, that's risky enough: But, uh, how do you know I won't blow your cover? You look like somebody I can trust: I just look like somebody you can trust? [Chuckles.]
Boy, you must get hurt an awful lot: Sometimes you get hurt no matter what you do: You can't let that stop you trusting people: [Chuckles.]
Sure you can, after you hear the same old lines year after year: : : Asking you to trust and to care for as long as they need you: And then they leave you, and you're alone on some godforsaken planet, and you don't even know where home is anymore: Sure you can: Joella, everybody gets hurt, but everybody doesn't hurt everybody: I'll hold you to that, Buck Rogers: Count on it: I've gotta go, but I'll be back: Oh! Where do I find you again? Downstairs in the bar: I'll be around: [Buck.]
Yes, well, this is all very impressive: Where are we? The superstructure of the hotel's solar energy collector: Which explains the heat, of course: But then where's Markos? Markos? You needn't worry about Markos: If Markos is anything at all, he's punctual: I try: Markos: Good to see you again: Markos, you remember Varek, Sherese, Quince: And he is Argus: [Markos.]
Argus: Rafael Argus: I've heard about you: Same here: [Kellogg.]
All of you know why we are here: The Earth Defense Directorate must be reminded that: : : The Legion of Death is a most special group of people: A group to be respected, to be feared, to be left alone: And they must be taught a lesson: : : For the murdering of our colleague, Morgan Deneva: A lesson: Yeah: A lesson the entire planet will never forget: I think we're all in agreement: What did you have in mind? The total destruction of the Terran capital New Chicago: [Quince.]
A challenging idea, Mr: Kellogg: But that's a city of 10 million people: It would take a fusion bomb to destroy a city of that size: Not necessarily, Quince: There are simpler ways of annihilating - Perhaps: - Perhaps? Perhaps? How do we keep from being caught? It's all been carefully conceived, Argus: My plan is the utilization of each one of your particular talents: Now, to get down to the logistics of the problem: - We're being observed: - Observed? - Are you sure? - Positive: - Where? - Up there: A woman: A dangerous woman: Kill her now! - Kill her, now:! - I'll get her! - Take Markos with you: - I work alone: Not when I'm in charge! Kill her! Hold it! I'll take care of her: Rafael Argus: I should have known: You know her? Yeah, we've met: I'll try to make this as painless as possible: - [Groans.]
- Uh-oh! About the painless part Why didn't somebody tell me that those stun guns only work on a person's nervous system? This bozo doesn't even have one: - Did you hear Kellogg's plan? - Yeah, what little there was of it: Buck, we can't go back to Earth without knowing how they're gonna destroy New Chicago: I was afraid you were gonna say that: What are we gonna do with our friend here? Well, listen: This is the l: D: To Argus's ship: Take it and hide there with him until I can join you: All right? Oh, and, listen: If I'm not there by 1500 hours, you leave without me: You understand? You hear? Okay: Hey: Good luck: All systems in Flight Hangar 5 have returned to equilibrium: Starfighter patrols are double-shifting in Hangars 3 and 7:: : Until repairs can be made: And you have no idea who sabotaged the launch tube? There is no internal evidence to suggest a culprit: However, I have had the personnel computers provide me with a list: : : Of all Directorate employees with a 9th-level clearance anyone who would have had access to the locations that were bombed: How many employees would that be? I am, however, pursuing other avenues of investigation: : : And expect to have a hypothesis soon: Still no word from Colonel Deering or Captain Rogers? No: No, Doctor: Not yet: Nighty-night: Welcome back, Argus: [Engines Power Up.]
I'm not Argus: [Engines Power Down.]
Who are you, and what are you doing in here? I'm a friend of Argus, and he told me to meet him here: Rafe would never do that without telling me: Well, he didn't have time, and we've gotta get off this planet at 1500 hours: And if I don't get these engines warmed up soon [Electrical Zap.]
[Groans.]
I do the warming up around here, sweetie: And don't you forget it: Ah: You were successful? In a manner of speaking, yes: What does that mean? Where's Markos? Dead: The woman was a member of the Earth's Defense Directorate: She killed Markos before I could kill her: Damnable Huer! First Deneva, now Markos: [Groans.]
He'll pay for this one: They'll all [Sighs.]
They'll all pay: Sit down, Argus: We were discussing the logistics of our mission: Which, as I was saying, our biggest problem is: : : Keeping the Earth's entire starfleet off our tail: : : While we make our escape after we've destroyed New Chicago: Yes: But if we can destroy New Chicago: : : And make it seem as though it were an act of God, no one will be looking for us during our escape: Subsequently, we will claim full responsibility for the deed: To destroy a city that large, you'd need an earthquake or a tidal wave: Or an antimatter explosion: - You're joking, of course: - Far from it: New Chicago receives its power from a contra-terrene, a generating plant located in the wasteland outside the city: - Contra-what? - Contra-terrene: It's a reactor that uses matter and antimatter to create energy: And if someone were to sabotage that reactor, allowing the matter and antimatter to mix uncontrollably Everything for 200 square kilometers would be atomized instantly: Very good, Kellogg: [Varek.]
I know a little about uncontrolled reactions: We can't know the aftereffects of such a large antimatter explosion: The area could be uninhabitable for centuries: An interesting experimental situation, wouldn't you say? After all, it's not our planet, is it? So, when do we leave for Earth? Unless anyone has a better idea, I suggest we leave tonight: Well, in that case, I have a protracted good-bye to deliver to someone: - Joella? - You got it: [Chuckling.]
[Beeps.]
Yes? What are you doing? My sensors show contact with their outer casings: Just doing a little home repair, sweetie: [Powering Down.]
You little witch: Thank you: Buck, where are you? I was wondering where you were: Joella, we have got to get off-planet right now: Wait a minute: I don't have time to explain: Let's go! Ah, Jo: Still hangin' out with losers, huh? Uh, look, uh, can't we talk this over? I'm afraid not: I've heard of being light on your feet, but this is ridiculous: Buck, don't you dare get yourself killed: Don't you dare: All right, Kellogg, what's the idea of having Porky and Baby Doll here kidnap us? Argus, shut up! We've been approached: : : By a-a local informant: : : Who says he's selling some information that might be very interesting: I believe you've met him: Barney? I, uh, hope you believe, my friend, this would not have happened had I not had a sudden reversal of fortune: Get on with it! I met Rafael Argus two years ago on Sutter's World, and I can tell you for a fact, that ain't him:
[Alarm Blaring.]
The entire hangar's going up in five minutes! [Man Narrating.]
The year is 1987, and NASA launches the last of America's deep space probes: In a freak mishap, Ranger 3 and its pilot, Captain William "Buck'"Rogers, are blown out of their trajectory into an orbit which freezes his life-support systems: : : And returns Buck Rogers to Earth: : : [Disco.]
Hi: Come here often? I guess you do: Rafael Argus? - I don't know you, do I? - Harper 5: Three months ago, you killed a man named Gleeson: Let me guess: He was your, um - Brother: - Right: I knew it'd be something like that: Not good: I think you're about to see the light: [Exhales.]
What took you so long? "Long"? That guy's hired to kill people: You know, one wrong move, I'd look like a grilled cheese sandwich right now: - A grilled what? - Forget it: Those customers'll be coming back any second: Hurry up and take your clothes off: You know what I mean: Now with any luck, they'll think Argus zapped me and split before the cops arrived: "Split"? Come on, Wilma: Just what have the probes found out, Doctor? I'm afraid they've confirmed our worst suspicions: Rafael Argus here was about to become a member of the League of Interstellar Mercenaries, specializing in political assassinations: One member of this Legion of Death, a mercenary named Morgan Deneva, was killed by Directorate personnel last month: And the legion has a code when it comes to such things: I see: Deneva's buddies have it in for you and the Directorate because you wasted him, huh? If l If I understand you correctly, yes: Fourth floor: Ladies'clothing and lingerie: [Theo.]
Twiki, what's lingerie? [Chuckling.]
[Wilma.]
These are highly skilled professionals, not hired guns: [Screams.]
[Alarm Blaring.]
Get some fire extinguishers! You guys all right? Quick:! Anyone hurt? Come on:! [Theo.]
I'm undamaged, Buck: Thank you: [Twiki Chirping.]
I'm dead: I'm dead: It's all gone black: That's because your visual inputs are facedown on the floor, Twiki: Now, pull yourself together: Here, let me help you up: [Twiki.]
Why is it the good die young? Steady: You all right? [Chirping.]
Anyone hurt? Not this time: You mean, this has happened before? It's just a gruesome game with them: They want to frighten us and keep us off balance: Buck, if only you could help: Yeah, Buck: What about it? Buck, I realize you helped us capture Argus, and I appreciate it very much: If you'd like to end it there, then Sure, I'll help: Thank the Lord: And we all know that Rafael Argus was about to be initiated into the ranks of the Legion of Death: However, because he always operated under a variety of names and appearances, none of the other assassins has any clear-cut idea of what he looks like, which is fortunate for you as you'll be impersonating him: Oh: Now, their upcoming meeting on Aldebaran 2:: : Marks the first time all these people have gathered together in one place: So we can only assume that the subject of their discussions is of staggering proportions: : : And no doubt directly concerns us: Now, these are the people you'll be meeting: Jolon Quince of Cygnus 3: It's a heavy gravity planet: : : Where humans have developed telekinetic abilities to survive: Seton Kellogg of Rigel 4: A brilliant scientist whose strategies have engineered the deaths of a dozen planetary leaders: And Markos Marcilka of Vega 12: He's a martial arts expert: Rumor has it that: : : He's had his nerve endings partially severed to reduce his ability to feel pain: - And lastly - Very nice: [Dr: Huer.]
See if you think so after you meet her: She calls herself Sherese: Planet of origin unknown: She's an empath: Almost telepathic in her ability to pick up on people's emotions: Their vibrations, as you would say: And she's almost pathologically suspicious: So you'll have to be on your guard against her every moment: Now, while you're memorizing the data we've obtained for you on Argus, Colonel Deering here will go on ahead of you to Aldebaran 2: Wait a minute, Doctor: Why do we both have to go? Because we must discover what final retribution: : : The assassins are planning against the Directorate: It's too important a job for one person, Buck: Considering the circumstances, the odds are that one of you will not: : : Succeed: [Disco.]
Hey, watch where you're goin'! Well, aren't we a big one! Sir? You owe me an apology: The apology? Yeah, sure: Hey, I didn't mean nothing: It was my fault: - Sorry: - I rather thought you would be: - Hello, Quince: - Sherese: I was just thinking of you: You look just as lovely as ever: Cut the bull, Quince: Save it for those vacuum-heads you go out with: I'm not impressed by your mindless flattery: Well, then I'll buy you a drink: I never drink: Slows the reflexes: Yes, of course: Have you heard from the others? Kellogg is on his way in from Tau Ceti, and Argus was on Earth the last time I heard: All I know about Markos is that he'll be here Somebody I know is in this room: [Man.]
And you know what I did? You opened your mouth and bored them to death? Go on: Go on: Joella: Joella Cameron: Sherese: Excuse me a minute, will ya? Hey, you come back, Joella, or I'll just go lookin' for ya: One more drink, and that clown won't be in any condition to go looking for his left shoe: Still hanging out with losers, huh, Jo? Like that Beechim creep from Rigel? I don't see him anymore: Oh, why? Did he get tossed into detention? Jo, you know Rafael Argus, don't you? [Chuckles Softly.]
Do l: Well, he's gonna be in port tomorrow: Now, I've never met him, but from what I understand, he'd be better company than that slime: How about if I let you know when he's coming in? How would that be? Marvelous: We've reprogrammed the computer in Argus's ship so that it responds to your voice: And remember to try to use those items on your belt sparingly: These black-light bombs are still in the experimental stages, and they can only provide a covering darkness for 30 seconds at most: And one more thing: We won't be able to give you much help with the local authorities: They're going to believe that you are Rafael Argus: You'll have to deal with them as best you can: Well, you certainly know how to make a trip sound appealing, Dr: Huer: - Well, good luck to you, Buck: - Thanks, Doc: Cheer up, Doc: I'm not dead yet: [Female Computerized Voice.]
Welcome home, Argus: Hi: How are you? All fueled up and ready to serve you, Rafe: Oh, well, that's nice, but I've gotta be going pretty soon, so That's what I'm here for: All systems engaged: [Engines Powering Up.]
Reaching escape velocity: Artificial gravity engaged: You know, I don't know if I've ever said this to you before or not, but I think you are the sexiest onboard computer I've ever known: Why, thank you, honey: I'd like to think so: Stargate coming up in 20 minutes: [Humming.]
Sorry to disturb you again, Rafe, but I'm tracking a squadron of starfighters on an intercept course with us: [Buck.]
Oh, no: Police cruisers: Message coming in: [Man.]
N2-453, you have been identified as Rafael Argus of Altair 5: Prepare for boarding: Prepare for boarding: Your ship will be towed by tractor beam to the nearest space station: Go to maximum velocity! Now! Sorry, Rafe, we can't go any faster without rupturing the star drive: All right, give me manual control: Manual control? You never wanted manual control before: Well, I want it now! If I don't perform some evasive maneuvers, we're sunk! Now, engage manual control! Direct hit to our starboard force shield, Rafe: Another one like that, and we'll be completely defenseless: If I might make a suggestion, the pulsar cannons are operational: - Why not use them? - I can't fire on the police! That doesn't quite compute, Rafe: Decelerating to sub-light speed: Star drive phasing out: I know: Tractor beams, right? I'm afraid so: You don't have to be anywhere real soon, do you, Rafe, honey? As a matter of fact, I do: [Woman Over P: A:.]
Flight 723 to Altair 5 is leaving from gate 20 in 15 minutes: Mr: Kellogg: Quince, I don't believe you've met my bodyguard, Varek: Forgive him for not meeting you face-to-face, but he doesn't have one to speak of: You see, Quince, several generations ago, the people of Varek's planet thought they'd won a nuclear war: That, of course, was before the unfortunate effect: : : Radiation has on genetic materials manifested itself: The deformities became worse with each generation: He's a mutation? A human mutation: My people were human: Yes, they were once: Varek, be a good man and check the terminal for police: Yes, of course: A wretched creature, but not without certain advantages: He seems to alter his molecular density: Precisely: The effects of nuclear radiation: : : Never cease to fascinate me: Never: [Wilma.]
No, Doctor, Buck and I have not rendezvoused: He hasn't arrived yet: I checked with the spaceport: We can only assume he was intercepted en route to Aldebaran: You'd best go to our alternate plan and make contact with Quince as soon as possible: Yes, Doctor: If Quince doesn't know the full details of their plan, use your surveillance equipment: But only if Quince doesn't know: Kellogg probably has any number of jamming devices on his person: Your equipment will circumvent them, but it will require a direct line of sight, and that could be dangerous: I understand: Good luck, Colonel: Huer out: Doctor Theopolis, it has become obvious: : : That the Legion has some sort of operative working here at the Directorate: If you're feeling up to it, perhaps you and Twiki could begin an investigation: An excellent idea, Dr: Huer: That will afford me an opportunity to engage in what Buck likes to call: : : "Old-fashioned deductive reasoning:" Twiki, take me to the personnel computers: [Chirping.]
I want a vacation: Quiet, Twiki: Okay, okay, easy: Look, I have a very important meeting to attend: Couldn't we - What are you looking at? - Nothing, my friend: Nothing: I merely wish to make your acquaintance: Barnard Smith is my name: My friends call me Barney: Rafael Argus: The Rafael Argus? Why, this is an honor, my friend: An honor: : : To be sharing a cell with so illustrious a figure! Yes, I suppose it is: However, there's no need to share any cell: : : If I can get them to lower that force field: You have a, uh, plan? Let's just say I need an opportunity: Well, follow my lead, my friend: Follow my lead: Opportunity is about to knock: Guards! Help! Get me out of here! Help! Help! Guards! Help:! Get me out ofhere:! Oh! Ah:! What's the matter with you? You fool! Don't you recognize an Arcturan when you see one? He tried to have psychic commune with me! Aah! - He's out of his mind: I never touched him: - Don't listen to him! He wants my mind! You idiot:! Don't you know enough to separate the species? Aah:! Get me out ofhere:! All right! All right: Colin, move this joker to another cell: I got his gun:! Come on, Barney:! Come on:! Wait a minute! You don't wanna go We'll discuss it later! Oh, Rafe, you're still alive! I won't be long if you don't get us out of here fast: Did they check your memory tapes to find out where we're heading? Uh-uh, Rafe: And once we're through the stargate, we'll be beyond their jurisdiction: [Jazz.]
Pure Denebian silk, isn't it? Absolutely nothing attracts my attention faster: : : Than pure Denebian silk: - Is that right? - You did want a drink, didn't you? Yes, thank you: That was an interesting trick: Is it true what they say about telekinetics? And what's that? [No Dialogue.]
[Both Laughing.]
Do you like it? Does it matter? Hmm? Let me fix you something: You know, l-I was beginning to think that this little trip to Aldebaran: : : Was going to be something of a bore: Oh? So why did you come? Well, you see, l I have a meeting with some friends: A little private business: Now, what's a sweet, young thing like you: : : Doing with a subspace transmitter in your closet? What are you doing? There: Feeling a little less nosy now, Mr: Quince? [Laughing.]
Now, tell me about those friends of yours: - Who called this meeting? - Oh: Kellogg: Kellogg called it: - For what purpose? - Oh: We're gonna teach the Earth people a lesson: How? What are your plans? Oh, I don't know: Kellogg's the strategist: It's up to him: Hey, look: Why do you wanna talk so much when we Because I find you so disgusting and so repugnant: Now, one last question: Where are you meeting to discuss the details of this plan? Solar collector, - The one in this hotel? - Yes: Very good: Now, I want you to close your eyes, and when you wake up tomorrow morning, all that you'll remember about tonight: : : Is that you had a wonderful time: I cannot believe we are reaching a parting of the ways: Don't go getting sentimental on me, Barney: I mean, it was fun, but nothing I wanna press into my scrapbook, if you know what I mean: Look, I have a marvelous idea: What do you say to a liaison? A partnership: : : Between you and I against the galaxy? Why, with my brains and your more brains, there's nothing we couldn't do: Well, I work alone, Barney: As do I, my friend: But I can't help thinking what a terrific team we made breaking out of that space station: Look, we'll discuss it later over dinner: You know, you got something there: I like that: Listen, I've got some stuff to pick up at Customs: I'll meet you at the gate in 20 minutes, okay? Excellent, my friend: Excellent: [Woman Over P: A:.]
Government regulations prohibit the transport of sub-humanoid life forms to Aldebaran: For more information, contact the Department of Alien Immigration: Now, Mr: Argus, if that is who you are Greetings, Mr: Argus: I take it this means I passed? Indeed you have, Argus: I haven't had this much fun since we initiated Morgan Deneva: Anyone who can hold his own against us deserves to be considered one of us: To the Legion of Death: I'm Kellogg: Sherese and Quince and Varek: Our mysterious friend Markos has arranged for all of us: : : To meet inside the solar energy collector at 1400 hours, at which time we shall discuss the full scope of our plans: Something I can do for you, Sherese? You're just not what I expected, that's all: Disappointed? Not yet: By the way, there's an old friend of yours waiting for you back at the hotel: Joella Cameron: Sound familiar? Not particularly: But then, I meet a lot of women: Well, this one very definitely remembers you: [Alarm Blaring.]
[Man Over P: A:.]
Emergency: Emergency: All personnel: : : Evacuate Hangars 3, 4 and 9 immediately: What's happening? There's an overload in one of the launch tubes! The whole hangar system is misfiring: Can it be repaired? Well, if we can't, this entire hangar is going up in five minutes! - Dr: Theopolis! - Here, Dr: Huer: Fire Control to launch tubes How are you progressing? We shall soon see: That's it: Sever the input rods: Carefully: We want a gradual loss of power, not a complete break: That could do more harm than good: [Chirping.]
Can't you just phone this in? Quiet, Twiki: Now, one more rod: Carefully: [Alarm Stops.]
There: With the power bypass in effect, the overload is effectively neutralized: Excellent: Thank you, Dr: Theopolis: You were brilliant: Of course: You do realize, don't you, that this near-tragedy was no accident? As soon as you feel up to it, Dr: Theopolis, I'd like to see you in my office: Hello: It's me: I guess I arrived a little early: I'll try you again at 1340 hours: See you then, Rafe: Just five minutes from now: Perfect timing: We meet Markos at 1400 hours: We really don't have time to socialize: We can wait for Argus's acquaintance to arrive: I, for one, love to watch reunions of old friends: Varek, be a sport and get these people some drinks: [Buck.]
Oh, I'll get 'em: Name your poison: Varek will do it: Won't you? Yes, of course: Why do you let him treat you like that? I deserve no better: Why would you say something like that? My people were a proud race: Too proud: It wasn't enough that we had tamed our planet, built a great culture, reached out into space: We had to have other worlds too: We abused our freedom: And so we lost it, and deservedly so: Your world wasn't the only one that suffered through a holocaust, you know: Earth did its best to destroy itself too: No: Earth was fortunate: It didn't see its children twisted, deformed, mutated: Is that what you're afraid of? What people will see behind that mask? [Beeping.]
Varek: Varek, get that: [Varek.]
Excuse me: Well, Argus, that must be your friend, Joella: Hi: - Is Rafael here yet? - Joella: It's been a while: Look, I know we didn't part under the best of terms, but give me a chance, will you? You got a deal, Rafe: Sherese: : : You satisfied? Good: Good: Shall we? Remember, we're all to meet Markos in 10 minutes: Thanks: You're welcome, uh Buck: Buck Rogers: You are taking an awfully big chance, Buck Rogers: Trying to fool Sherese and her friends, that's risky enough: But, uh, how do you know I won't blow your cover? You look like somebody I can trust: I just look like somebody you can trust? [Chuckles.]
Boy, you must get hurt an awful lot: Sometimes you get hurt no matter what you do: You can't let that stop you trusting people: [Chuckles.]
Sure you can, after you hear the same old lines year after year: : : Asking you to trust and to care for as long as they need you: And then they leave you, and you're alone on some godforsaken planet, and you don't even know where home is anymore: Sure you can: Joella, everybody gets hurt, but everybody doesn't hurt everybody: I'll hold you to that, Buck Rogers: Count on it: I've gotta go, but I'll be back: Oh! Where do I find you again? Downstairs in the bar: I'll be around: [Buck.]
Yes, well, this is all very impressive: Where are we? The superstructure of the hotel's solar energy collector: Which explains the heat, of course: But then where's Markos? Markos? You needn't worry about Markos: If Markos is anything at all, he's punctual: I try: Markos: Good to see you again: Markos, you remember Varek, Sherese, Quince: And he is Argus: [Markos.]
Argus: Rafael Argus: I've heard about you: Same here: [Kellogg.]
All of you know why we are here: The Earth Defense Directorate must be reminded that: : : The Legion of Death is a most special group of people: A group to be respected, to be feared, to be left alone: And they must be taught a lesson: : : For the murdering of our colleague, Morgan Deneva: A lesson: Yeah: A lesson the entire planet will never forget: I think we're all in agreement: What did you have in mind? The total destruction of the Terran capital New Chicago: [Quince.]
A challenging idea, Mr: Kellogg: But that's a city of 10 million people: It would take a fusion bomb to destroy a city of that size: Not necessarily, Quince: There are simpler ways of annihilating - Perhaps: - Perhaps? Perhaps? How do we keep from being caught? It's all been carefully conceived, Argus: My plan is the utilization of each one of your particular talents: Now, to get down to the logistics of the problem: - We're being observed: - Observed? - Are you sure? - Positive: - Where? - Up there: A woman: A dangerous woman: Kill her now! - Kill her, now:! - I'll get her! - Take Markos with you: - I work alone: Not when I'm in charge! Kill her! Hold it! I'll take care of her: Rafael Argus: I should have known: You know her? Yeah, we've met: I'll try to make this as painless as possible: - [Groans.]
- Uh-oh! About the painless part Why didn't somebody tell me that those stun guns only work on a person's nervous system? This bozo doesn't even have one: - Did you hear Kellogg's plan? - Yeah, what little there was of it: Buck, we can't go back to Earth without knowing how they're gonna destroy New Chicago: I was afraid you were gonna say that: What are we gonna do with our friend here? Well, listen: This is the l: D: To Argus's ship: Take it and hide there with him until I can join you: All right? Oh, and, listen: If I'm not there by 1500 hours, you leave without me: You understand? You hear? Okay: Hey: Good luck: All systems in Flight Hangar 5 have returned to equilibrium: Starfighter patrols are double-shifting in Hangars 3 and 7:: : Until repairs can be made: And you have no idea who sabotaged the launch tube? There is no internal evidence to suggest a culprit: However, I have had the personnel computers provide me with a list: : : Of all Directorate employees with a 9th-level clearance anyone who would have had access to the locations that were bombed: How many employees would that be? I am, however, pursuing other avenues of investigation: : : And expect to have a hypothesis soon: Still no word from Colonel Deering or Captain Rogers? No: No, Doctor: Not yet: Nighty-night: Welcome back, Argus: [Engines Power Up.]
I'm not Argus: [Engines Power Down.]
Who are you, and what are you doing in here? I'm a friend of Argus, and he told me to meet him here: Rafe would never do that without telling me: Well, he didn't have time, and we've gotta get off this planet at 1500 hours: And if I don't get these engines warmed up soon [Electrical Zap.]
[Groans.]
I do the warming up around here, sweetie: And don't you forget it: Ah: You were successful? In a manner of speaking, yes: What does that mean? Where's Markos? Dead: The woman was a member of the Earth's Defense Directorate: She killed Markos before I could kill her: Damnable Huer! First Deneva, now Markos: [Groans.]
He'll pay for this one: They'll all [Sighs.]
They'll all pay: Sit down, Argus: We were discussing the logistics of our mission: Which, as I was saying, our biggest problem is: : : Keeping the Earth's entire starfleet off our tail: : : While we make our escape after we've destroyed New Chicago: Yes: But if we can destroy New Chicago: : : And make it seem as though it were an act of God, no one will be looking for us during our escape: Subsequently, we will claim full responsibility for the deed: To destroy a city that large, you'd need an earthquake or a tidal wave: Or an antimatter explosion: - You're joking, of course: - Far from it: New Chicago receives its power from a contra-terrene, a generating plant located in the wasteland outside the city: - Contra-what? - Contra-terrene: It's a reactor that uses matter and antimatter to create energy: And if someone were to sabotage that reactor, allowing the matter and antimatter to mix uncontrollably Everything for 200 square kilometers would be atomized instantly: Very good, Kellogg: [Varek.]
I know a little about uncontrolled reactions: We can't know the aftereffects of such a large antimatter explosion: The area could be uninhabitable for centuries: An interesting experimental situation, wouldn't you say? After all, it's not our planet, is it? So, when do we leave for Earth? Unless anyone has a better idea, I suggest we leave tonight: Well, in that case, I have a protracted good-bye to deliver to someone: - Joella? - You got it: [Chuckling.]
[Beeps.]
Yes? What are you doing? My sensors show contact with their outer casings: Just doing a little home repair, sweetie: [Powering Down.]
You little witch: Thank you: Buck, where are you? I was wondering where you were: Joella, we have got to get off-planet right now: Wait a minute: I don't have time to explain: Let's go! Ah, Jo: Still hangin' out with losers, huh? Uh, look, uh, can't we talk this over? I'm afraid not: I've heard of being light on your feet, but this is ridiculous: Buck, don't you dare get yourself killed: Don't you dare: All right, Kellogg, what's the idea of having Porky and Baby Doll here kidnap us? Argus, shut up! We've been approached: : : By a-a local informant: : : Who says he's selling some information that might be very interesting: I believe you've met him: Barney? I, uh, hope you believe, my friend, this would not have happened had I not had a sudden reversal of fortune: Get on with it! I met Rafael Argus two years ago on Sutter's World, and I can tell you for a fact, that ain't him: