Andromeda s04e13 Episode Script
The Warmth of an Invisible Light
Maybe this will get them off our tail.
Take that, dirtbag.
It didn't work.
They're still on top of us.
The bounty on our heads must've gone up.
Now even those who already have money and fast ships are after us.
Well, greed is a practical motivator.
Beka, keep us ahead of the greed.
You know i'd love to, but that ammo dump was our last trick.
Last desperate trick.
Dylan, got anything else? And don't say "Harper.
" He is mr.
Anything else.
Harper, we're getting desperate up here.
For what? The chance to disappear right out of existence? Because it's not ready.
Dylan, i can't maintain this pace without refueling.
If we don't immediately find a gas giant for hydrogen, i'm risking complete power failure.
And then we are a payday.
So we're running out of fuel as well.
I have the capabilities to save us.
What? Go supernova? Sacrifice yourself? It's the only way.
Well, thanks, trance, but it's the wrong way.
Beka, take us out of slipstream.
Where are we? A spider galaxy.
Completely heat-dead.
Nothing's lived here for 3.
25 million years.
It won't take those bounty Hunters more than 10 minutes to double back.
We don't even have enough juice to get us back into slipstream.
We're sitting ducks.
What in hell do we do? You tell Harper the time he's got is the time it takes me to get from here to his machine shop.
Good thing it's a big ship.
So all we have to do is fire this thing fine, the em-bender, at the target.
The target, which is linked directly to the electromagnetic structure ofAndromeda'sfullerene body cladding.
It should effectively mask the ship when it's ready.
Rendering us invisible.
Theoretically.
However, if i haven't calibrated the surge safety oh-so-correctly, it could open a gigantic hole in the fabric of space-time, depositing us in said hole bit by itsy freaking shredded bit via installment method, which is what i meant when i said "it's not ready.
" Code black.
Code black.
Complete systems failure.
Systems failure.
It's ready.
Fire.
But, boss we don't have a lot of options, mr.
Harper.
Harper? Harper? Andromeda, report.
This is weird.
You have got to be kidding me.
The universe is a dangerous place, but in our future, my crew and i fight to make it safe.
I am Dylan Hunt, captain of theAndromeda ascendant, and these are our adventures.
There we go.
All right.
At least something's working on this ship.
Showtime.
Andromeda? Andromeda.
Oh, Andromeda, am i glad to see you.
What is going on? Identify yourself.
It's me, captain Dylan Hunt.
That is a fraudulent identity.
I'm h-e security code five-zero-nine five-c two.
Everything you say is a lie.
You are a decoy simulation.
This is a competency test relating to my return to service.
Andromeda, i am Dylan Hunt.
Dylan Hunt died a war hero after defeating the nietzschean insurrection and negotiating peace for the Commonwealth.
I repeat, you are a simulation decoy.
No! Wait, wait, wait.
You wanted a sister.
I got you one pax magellanic.
I merged your a.
i.
Cores so the two of you could have time together off-line.
That's unrecorded information.
Afterwards, you told me, quote, "now i understand the risks you take for friendship.
" Identify confirmed.
You are Dylan Hunt.
All right.
Now that we've settled that let's settle something else.
What year is this? Commonwealth year 10091.
That's that's now.
Well, it's over a hundred years since the last time i checked.
But for me, no time has passed at all again.
Harper! All right.
Is your avatar working, or am i going to have to go through this all over again with her? Don't you communicate with your a.
i.
? I'm really sorry, captain.
There's got to be a way back to my ship, unless it's too late.
Say, what's with the, uh, Dylan Hunt monuments? Oh, the planet was dedicated to you after you died as a memorial for visitors from the three galaxies.
Oh.
Well, it appears i was very inspiring.
Well, you are Dylan Hunt obviously not the one who died many years ago, but a different and equally real Dylan Hunt.
Well, it's very confusing for me, because i'm not programmed to comprehend alternate realities.
Well, expect to be regarded in this one as a hero somehow returned from the dead.
"Beware the oppressors"? Over there! Well, that's oppressing.
So much for the hero's welcome.
Hey, i was decommissioned over a hundred years ago.
I can't explain what's happened here since.
Information, that's what we need.
Ooh, there.
It says "tour guide.
" Whatever that means.
Anyway, it's clearly no longer functional.
Welcome to the Hunt memorial.
After captain Hunt passed away quietly in his bed on march 10, Commonwealth year after that.
You know, i am a little bit curious about that part.
Aren't you in a hurry? Yeah, skip that and get to the part you aren't programmed to talk about.
You're contraband.
I'll be deactivated.
I've got news for you.
You have nowhere to go but up.
to get me on a Transport.
Uh, done.
The Commonwealth experienced years of declining peace and prosperity until the high guard assassinated its triumvirate and declared martial law.
After that, this system spiraled into civil war.
Yeah, uh, why am i being shot at, and why did you call me contraband? You're a type of explosive android decoy designed to look like Dylan Hunt.
Great.
First monuments, and now bombs that walk, talk, and act like me.
The rebel forces built hundreds of you in Hunt's honor to target military objectives bunkers, weapons depots to fight the abyss' takeover of the Commonwealth.
The abyss? The abyss? No, the rebel faction's purpose is to oppose what's become of the Commonwealth under commander zelazny Harper.
Commander Harper? No one questions his rulership.
Except the rebels.
Right, and the rebels would be led by general reBeka Valentine.
Why not? Beka is a general.
That's the police again.
Halt.
Police.
We have you targeted.
Tour guide.
Surrender peacefully.
Ahead you'll find monument planet's oldest building, that holds up to 10,000 so where can we find this general Valentine? I suppose i could get that information for you.
I'd have to consult with the android underground.
First we have to get out of this alive.
They fight like high guard.
They're certainly high guard trained.
Monument planet's police force is trained by the chief of police himself.
And who would that be? No, no, no.
Don't answer that.
I already know.
Chief, we have them surrounded.
Good.
Blaze every meter of that alley.
I want anything that moves eliminated.
So, where is she? The old armory, a building first constructed in cy 10 there's such a thing as too much information.
Thanks.
You've been a big help.
Enjoy the rest of your stay on monument planet.
Your orders, sir? To visit to an old friend.
Why? Well, because she's the only one, well, besides you, who still believes in the same Commonwealth that i do.
We encountered a second firefight in the service alley behind the holoseum.
There, my men were able to paint the escaping unit with laser traces.
Commander, if i might comment, this particular Dylan Hunt unit seems different from the rest.
When surrounded by our forces, rather than self-destruct, it returned to the rebel faction and marshal zebra.
Zebra? Something else disturbing, sir.
The unit was not alone.
It seems marshal zebra has created a replica of an old high guard android.
I don't understand its objective yet, but i have I feel certain that both units are currently in the rebel bunker with Valentine, sir.
I want them.
And i want to know where this came from.
Sir? Gifts just don't appear, chief.
And what do we do with a gift horse? Sir? We destroy it.
Would you just please listen to me, Beka? It's general Valentine, you insolent i like its cheekiness, marshal.
It's a rare and subtle touch by the commander, taking one of our own units and rewriting it.
But where has he hidden your power unit? I'm sorry, general.
It's an obvious flaw in my design.
D.
h.
Units should be respectful and unassuming.
You'd leave out all my charm.
Look, i'm not an android, and this battery drain is a waste of time, and time is something i don't have right now.
Your quick surrender tells me that you are moles sent to infiltrate my operation, but you say you're not from the government.
Okay.
I'll bite.
Where are you from? An alternate reality, through a rift in time and space.
I can't tell you where exactly.
If i knew, i'd already be there.
We surrendered to you because, well, i thought that you might be my only chance of getting back.
That is one whopper of a design flaw.
He's telling the truth.
This from a jump-started museum exhibit.
Mm-mm.
Neutralize their explosive potential.
Make sure they're secure.
The real story will have to wait.
General, if i may.
They're not human.
It wouldn't be inhumane to execute them.
Mm-hmm.
What part of counter-sabotage don't you get, marshal? Never underestimate the commander.
Incoming message.
Nice place you have there, Valentine.
Speak of the abyss.
The abyss? It's just an expression.
Planning to stay a while? Cut to the chase, Harper.
You will address me as commander! I thought i'd make you an offer.
Since when does the government negotiate? Hand over your newest-model Dylan Hunt unit, and the replica high guard android, and i'll give you a head start this time.
Or? Or i'll test my new toy on you.
Like i said, we are not from the government, and i'm still not an android, but she is, so if you don't mind? The commander's bluffing.
Back in our academy days, he was the best.
Mobilize the fighters.
Get them out of there.
Come on.
Go! Go! We need some help! Medical! So, tell me why commander Harper wants you two so badly.
Your guess is as good as mine.
If you work with me, there's a high guard starship in it for you.
What do i want with some old tug from starship habitats? "Old tug," my Look, it's not like i'm offering that old bucket of bolts, the maru.
Wait, the maru? The Eureka Maru? Harper's prized possession? General you could getthe marufor me? Well, okay, i mean, if you'd prefer that to a starship that has the power to hold a government moon hostage in exchange for whatever your rebel heart desires the maru.
Any day.
At least some things stay the same.
Zebra.
We used to be friends.
It's true.
We were.
Times change, so do people.
Even the best of us.
You son of a what have you done to him? Get her to the ship.
Don't argue.
Well, i guess it's time for me to blow this place up.
Commander, if you're going to use it, use it now.
That's not very smart.
One, two, three boom! Sir, are you all right? Get off of me.
Go after them.
After them! You had a chance to vaporize the d.
h.
Unit.
Why didn't you? I ask the questions.
Didn't i say "after them"? It had the chance to destroy the high guard commander, and it didn't.
Why? Dylan? Trance.
I've been looking for you.
I can't believe you found me.
It's inevitable that one of us would.
We divided ourselves up so that we could occupy every possible present you could ever be in.
By "we," you mean you.
I'll admit that i'm spread rather thin at the moment.
What's the status on theAndromeda and the rest of my crew? I do not have a lot of answers, but i do know that you need help, and i'm here to do what i can.
It's not safe here.
Let's go.
Marshal zebra.
He couldn't have fashioned a Dylan Hunt unit like this one.
Of course not, sir.
He didn't have the wit, the ingenuity, or the guts.
He certainly doesn't now.
So where did it come from? Does the Commonwealth have an enemy greater than the rebels? "Kill first, questions later," if i'm not mistaken, sir.
Something like that.
Harper and Rhade trying to kill me.
That's hard to get used to.
The abyss has corrupted many good men.
Then the abyssisreal here.
It arrived on the bullets that assassinated the triumvirate, then convinced commander Harper that everything he loved would betray him, and therefore had to be destroyed.
So Harper's working with the abyss.
He just doesn't know it.
The abyss is a coldness insidious, and invisible.
I know this isn't my place but i feel like i should help, warn them, do something.
They won't be convinced until it's too late.
However, in your reality, where the abyss has shown itself, you have the ability to banish it and destroy it from all possible presents and futures.
I started something here.
I finish what i start.
I don't think so.
My great-grandfather was a docent here a long time ago.
I always wondered what it looked like inside.
When captain Hunt commanded me, i was the premier battleship in the high guard fleet.
People called me a masterpiece of design and engineering.
I think you still are.
Well, give or take several million cobwebs, but that will be taken care of now.
Look, if you really are who you say you are, you have a brain the size of a planet.
Do you really believe that this Dylan Hunt is the same one you knew Yes, i do.
Hmm.
The only Dylans i've known, i've detonated.
But i have to say, this one how wild would that be? This is trance.
She's here to help.
You don't know her, but trust me, she knows both of you.
Captain, i took the liberty of uploading a.
p.
To 43% capacity.
Excellent.
Let's get this ship out of drydock.
You've got to be kidding.
Jettisoning scaffolding.
Prepping thrusters for launch.
Wait a minute.
You mean you can actually still fly this thing? Well, the ride will smooth out once the core's warmed up.
Systems check complete.
All functions operational.
I don't believe it.
I feel like i've been fighting with sticks and stones this whole time when i could have been using this.
And winning.
You still want, uh, Harper'smaru? Can i have both? To the victor goes the spoils that's if you're serious about returning the Commonwealth to its true values.
I've risked my life for it a thousand times over.
Good.
Once we're airborne, we'll have full tactical advantage, and then we'll be the ones calling the shots.
I'm almost willing to believe you are the real Dylan Hunt.
Just one thing.
I'm not saluting you or calling you "captain.
" Why would it be any different here? Anything that moves, hit it with an immobilizer.
If this d.
h.
Unit gets a second chance to blow, it will, taking us all to hell with it.
Intruder alert.
Intruder alert.
It's the commander and chief Rhade.
They followed us.
This is definitely not part of the plan.
It's my fault.
I should have picked them up sooner.
Mm-mm.
You couldn't have.
Those are first-class stealth suits.
Stealth suits? Look.
They're splitting up.
I'm assuming you want me to scrub the launch, captain.
Well, we'll have to, until we get rid of them.
Chief Rhade, come in.
Sir.
Notify me the minute you find them.
I want those units brought in whole.
No excuses.
Copied, sir.
Naturally, whatever commander wants, commander gets.
Standhope? Mills? You'll have to settle for Hunt.
Oh, don't worry, Rhade.
I'm not going to blow up.
That's reserved for those idiots who think they'll be made into martyrs.
Besides i'd rather do this low-tech style, if you don't mind.
"Low-tech" is right.
You're not an android.
Another keen observation from a nietzschean.
Wait till the commander finds out the toy he wants is only human.
Well, handling disappointment's part of growing up.
What are you, some weak attempt of Valentine's to drum up support for her lost cause? You're the lost cause, Rhade, as long as you're on the wrong side.
Commander, come in.
Tell me you have them.
Not exactly.
I think this whole thing's a hoax.
Excuse me? When i give you an order, i expect you to comply, not think your lazy nietzschean way out of it.
Go after them.
Now.
The rebels aren't your enemies.
Who said that? Your real enemy is inside you.
I command you to show yourself, or there will be nothing left to show.
You know, i have a pretty good idea what this thing does but how do you control it? Why? You want to go to another reality? One where she is still alive? You can replace your body parts with machinery, mr.
Harper, even your heart but you can't replace your ideals.
Who are you? Oh, i think you know.
You studied my essays at the academy.
You told your wife their ideas made your soul burn to do good.
Too bad it didn't stop you from killing her.
You got that from zebra? Clever.
I'm glad i killed him.
No, you're not.
In fact, you're tired of this whole evil charade.
And i suppose you're here to save my soul.
Only you can save yourself.
I don't need saving.
I did what had to be done.
Do you miss your wife? You often read to her your favorite passage from one of my essays "the brightest light is invisible.
" "It shines through your deeds, and warms the universe.
" Mr.
Harper obey the light inside you.
End Transmission.
Mills? Anyone.
Come in.
Damn.
"For 51 years, at this desk, captain Hunt strategized over 700 Commonwealth missions.
" Ready for your orders, sir.
Orders? I am programmed to assist you in any way i can.
This is the last of them.
You know, we're not such a bad team.
Perhaps.
You know, with marshal zebra gone, i'm going to need a new second in command.
Well, with captain Hunt gone, i'm going to need a new captain.
How about on your end? Any luck? The information marshal told you about Harper made quite an impression, and as for Rhade, i've done what i can.
The rest is up to you two.
I believe they are up to the task.
So do i.
Well, that means it's time.
Yeah.
Good luck and thank you.
Thank you, captain Hunt.
Chief, call the others.
We're evacuating.
Didn't you hear me? I said we're leaving now.
We shouldn't be on this ship.
You've found out for yourself, haven't you? The d.
h.
Unit is only yes, i know.
Dylan Hunt.
The real Dylan Hunt from another time.
Like a vision, or an apparition.
Apparition? What i saw was a man that looked like Dylan Hunt.
But he knew things things about me.
What if he didn't get them from zebra? What if it was an apparition? He knew i executed my public record.
She was a rebel.
Rhade don't be a fool.
Can't you see past your own stubbornness? What are you saying, sir? That you believe in no.
I'm saying what am i saying? What am i saying? I think you're saying we're evacuating.
Right.
Good, because i've just engaged the ship's self-destruct sequence.
One minutes to self-destruct.
Coming, sir? Counting down.
They've been locked.
You didn't clear an exit first.
Three.
Two.
One second to self-destruct.
We're going to die.
It could be worse.
Simulation exercise complete.
Simulation exercise complete.
A trick.
We're safe.
We're not safe.
We'll never be safe.
Oh, come on.
They just want to scare us off the ship so they can have it all to themselves.
Over my dead body.
Chief! Rhade! There are worse things to give up, worse things to lose than your life, aren't there? You're starting to sound more and more like the rebels.
Maybe you want to join them.
Maybe.
Somehow it all got away from us, Rhade.
We have to get it back.
There's just one problem.
I don't take orders from cowards.
What do you think about that, commander? I think you're going to hell and i'm not going with you.
Long live the true Commonwealth.
Attention, chief Rhade.
There's been a change of command on monument planet.
You are under arrest.
So you're hoping that this will malfunction and send you back? That's right.
Now, Harper mentioned something about a surge safety.
There.
Now, that should open a rift and return me to my dimension.
Well, how do you know you made the right adjustment? I don't, so i'm going to leave it in your good hands, trance.
I just hope we're not too late.
Fire when ready.
I'm glad that i found you, captain Dylan Hunt.
Me too.
On my count.
Three two almathea.
Actually, i was going to say "one," but sure, almathea? It's a going-away present.
Thank you.
You're back! I thought i thought i'd lost you forever.
How long was i was gone? but it was a bad 30 seconds.
So the masking didn't work? Well, apparently it did work, but i guess only on you.
Wait a minute.
The em-bender.
What happened to my em-bender? Uh, trance has it.
What? I told you it wasn't ready.
Harper, that thing will never be ready.
Besides, we got problems right here.
Then there is some good news.
Beka thinks we can get a boost wiring up themaru'sa.
p.
Generator.
Then what are we waiting for? It's not enough to go far.
It's not enough to get us into slipstream, but we can make it to one of these nearby systems.
None of these stars are old enough or hot enough to provide us with the kind of hydrogen we need.
It's all we've got.
We have to give it a try.
Which do we head for, then? Norris, lustig-5, almathea, quivers? Almathea.
Sure.
Six of one, half a dozen of the other.
It's not going to make much of a difference, unless one of them suddenly decides to go supernova.
Well, sometimes you get lucky.
Sometimes you get a going-away present.
I can't believe it supernova.
Engaging ramscoop.
Commencing fuel acquisition.
And destination upon completion? Away.
Far, far away.
Captain Valentine? You all right? When a branch sacrifices itself, the rest of the tree only grows stronger.
But you still felt the loss.
Every one of me did but we have saved you, and now the Commonwealth will grow stronger too.
One battle at a time.
Meaning we have plenty of work left to do.
So pullyourselves together, and let's go.
That was pretty funny, actually.
It was pretty good, wasn't it? Now, if only the rest of you thought that.
Take that, dirtbag.
It didn't work.
They're still on top of us.
The bounty on our heads must've gone up.
Now even those who already have money and fast ships are after us.
Well, greed is a practical motivator.
Beka, keep us ahead of the greed.
You know i'd love to, but that ammo dump was our last trick.
Last desperate trick.
Dylan, got anything else? And don't say "Harper.
" He is mr.
Anything else.
Harper, we're getting desperate up here.
For what? The chance to disappear right out of existence? Because it's not ready.
Dylan, i can't maintain this pace without refueling.
If we don't immediately find a gas giant for hydrogen, i'm risking complete power failure.
And then we are a payday.
So we're running out of fuel as well.
I have the capabilities to save us.
What? Go supernova? Sacrifice yourself? It's the only way.
Well, thanks, trance, but it's the wrong way.
Beka, take us out of slipstream.
Where are we? A spider galaxy.
Completely heat-dead.
Nothing's lived here for 3.
25 million years.
It won't take those bounty Hunters more than 10 minutes to double back.
We don't even have enough juice to get us back into slipstream.
We're sitting ducks.
What in hell do we do? You tell Harper the time he's got is the time it takes me to get from here to his machine shop.
Good thing it's a big ship.
So all we have to do is fire this thing fine, the em-bender, at the target.
The target, which is linked directly to the electromagnetic structure ofAndromeda'sfullerene body cladding.
It should effectively mask the ship when it's ready.
Rendering us invisible.
Theoretically.
However, if i haven't calibrated the surge safety oh-so-correctly, it could open a gigantic hole in the fabric of space-time, depositing us in said hole bit by itsy freaking shredded bit via installment method, which is what i meant when i said "it's not ready.
" Code black.
Code black.
Complete systems failure.
Systems failure.
It's ready.
Fire.
But, boss we don't have a lot of options, mr.
Harper.
Harper? Harper? Andromeda, report.
This is weird.
You have got to be kidding me.
The universe is a dangerous place, but in our future, my crew and i fight to make it safe.
I am Dylan Hunt, captain of theAndromeda ascendant, and these are our adventures.
There we go.
All right.
At least something's working on this ship.
Showtime.
Andromeda? Andromeda.
Oh, Andromeda, am i glad to see you.
What is going on? Identify yourself.
It's me, captain Dylan Hunt.
That is a fraudulent identity.
I'm h-e security code five-zero-nine five-c two.
Everything you say is a lie.
You are a decoy simulation.
This is a competency test relating to my return to service.
Andromeda, i am Dylan Hunt.
Dylan Hunt died a war hero after defeating the nietzschean insurrection and negotiating peace for the Commonwealth.
I repeat, you are a simulation decoy.
No! Wait, wait, wait.
You wanted a sister.
I got you one pax magellanic.
I merged your a.
i.
Cores so the two of you could have time together off-line.
That's unrecorded information.
Afterwards, you told me, quote, "now i understand the risks you take for friendship.
" Identify confirmed.
You are Dylan Hunt.
All right.
Now that we've settled that let's settle something else.
What year is this? Commonwealth year 10091.
That's that's now.
Well, it's over a hundred years since the last time i checked.
But for me, no time has passed at all again.
Harper! All right.
Is your avatar working, or am i going to have to go through this all over again with her? Don't you communicate with your a.
i.
? I'm really sorry, captain.
There's got to be a way back to my ship, unless it's too late.
Say, what's with the, uh, Dylan Hunt monuments? Oh, the planet was dedicated to you after you died as a memorial for visitors from the three galaxies.
Oh.
Well, it appears i was very inspiring.
Well, you are Dylan Hunt obviously not the one who died many years ago, but a different and equally real Dylan Hunt.
Well, it's very confusing for me, because i'm not programmed to comprehend alternate realities.
Well, expect to be regarded in this one as a hero somehow returned from the dead.
"Beware the oppressors"? Over there! Well, that's oppressing.
So much for the hero's welcome.
Hey, i was decommissioned over a hundred years ago.
I can't explain what's happened here since.
Information, that's what we need.
Ooh, there.
It says "tour guide.
" Whatever that means.
Anyway, it's clearly no longer functional.
Welcome to the Hunt memorial.
After captain Hunt passed away quietly in his bed on march 10, Commonwealth year after that.
You know, i am a little bit curious about that part.
Aren't you in a hurry? Yeah, skip that and get to the part you aren't programmed to talk about.
You're contraband.
I'll be deactivated.
I've got news for you.
You have nowhere to go but up.
to get me on a Transport.
Uh, done.
The Commonwealth experienced years of declining peace and prosperity until the high guard assassinated its triumvirate and declared martial law.
After that, this system spiraled into civil war.
Yeah, uh, why am i being shot at, and why did you call me contraband? You're a type of explosive android decoy designed to look like Dylan Hunt.
Great.
First monuments, and now bombs that walk, talk, and act like me.
The rebel forces built hundreds of you in Hunt's honor to target military objectives bunkers, weapons depots to fight the abyss' takeover of the Commonwealth.
The abyss? The abyss? No, the rebel faction's purpose is to oppose what's become of the Commonwealth under commander zelazny Harper.
Commander Harper? No one questions his rulership.
Except the rebels.
Right, and the rebels would be led by general reBeka Valentine.
Why not? Beka is a general.
That's the police again.
Halt.
Police.
We have you targeted.
Tour guide.
Surrender peacefully.
Ahead you'll find monument planet's oldest building, that holds up to 10,000 so where can we find this general Valentine? I suppose i could get that information for you.
I'd have to consult with the android underground.
First we have to get out of this alive.
They fight like high guard.
They're certainly high guard trained.
Monument planet's police force is trained by the chief of police himself.
And who would that be? No, no, no.
Don't answer that.
I already know.
Chief, we have them surrounded.
Good.
Blaze every meter of that alley.
I want anything that moves eliminated.
So, where is she? The old armory, a building first constructed in cy 10 there's such a thing as too much information.
Thanks.
You've been a big help.
Enjoy the rest of your stay on monument planet.
Your orders, sir? To visit to an old friend.
Why? Well, because she's the only one, well, besides you, who still believes in the same Commonwealth that i do.
We encountered a second firefight in the service alley behind the holoseum.
There, my men were able to paint the escaping unit with laser traces.
Commander, if i might comment, this particular Dylan Hunt unit seems different from the rest.
When surrounded by our forces, rather than self-destruct, it returned to the rebel faction and marshal zebra.
Zebra? Something else disturbing, sir.
The unit was not alone.
It seems marshal zebra has created a replica of an old high guard android.
I don't understand its objective yet, but i have I feel certain that both units are currently in the rebel bunker with Valentine, sir.
I want them.
And i want to know where this came from.
Sir? Gifts just don't appear, chief.
And what do we do with a gift horse? Sir? We destroy it.
Would you just please listen to me, Beka? It's general Valentine, you insolent i like its cheekiness, marshal.
It's a rare and subtle touch by the commander, taking one of our own units and rewriting it.
But where has he hidden your power unit? I'm sorry, general.
It's an obvious flaw in my design.
D.
h.
Units should be respectful and unassuming.
You'd leave out all my charm.
Look, i'm not an android, and this battery drain is a waste of time, and time is something i don't have right now.
Your quick surrender tells me that you are moles sent to infiltrate my operation, but you say you're not from the government.
Okay.
I'll bite.
Where are you from? An alternate reality, through a rift in time and space.
I can't tell you where exactly.
If i knew, i'd already be there.
We surrendered to you because, well, i thought that you might be my only chance of getting back.
That is one whopper of a design flaw.
He's telling the truth.
This from a jump-started museum exhibit.
Mm-mm.
Neutralize their explosive potential.
Make sure they're secure.
The real story will have to wait.
General, if i may.
They're not human.
It wouldn't be inhumane to execute them.
Mm-hmm.
What part of counter-sabotage don't you get, marshal? Never underestimate the commander.
Incoming message.
Nice place you have there, Valentine.
Speak of the abyss.
The abyss? It's just an expression.
Planning to stay a while? Cut to the chase, Harper.
You will address me as commander! I thought i'd make you an offer.
Since when does the government negotiate? Hand over your newest-model Dylan Hunt unit, and the replica high guard android, and i'll give you a head start this time.
Or? Or i'll test my new toy on you.
Like i said, we are not from the government, and i'm still not an android, but she is, so if you don't mind? The commander's bluffing.
Back in our academy days, he was the best.
Mobilize the fighters.
Get them out of there.
Come on.
Go! Go! We need some help! Medical! So, tell me why commander Harper wants you two so badly.
Your guess is as good as mine.
If you work with me, there's a high guard starship in it for you.
What do i want with some old tug from starship habitats? "Old tug," my Look, it's not like i'm offering that old bucket of bolts, the maru.
Wait, the maru? The Eureka Maru? Harper's prized possession? General you could getthe marufor me? Well, okay, i mean, if you'd prefer that to a starship that has the power to hold a government moon hostage in exchange for whatever your rebel heart desires the maru.
Any day.
At least some things stay the same.
Zebra.
We used to be friends.
It's true.
We were.
Times change, so do people.
Even the best of us.
You son of a what have you done to him? Get her to the ship.
Don't argue.
Well, i guess it's time for me to blow this place up.
Commander, if you're going to use it, use it now.
That's not very smart.
One, two, three boom! Sir, are you all right? Get off of me.
Go after them.
After them! You had a chance to vaporize the d.
h.
Unit.
Why didn't you? I ask the questions.
Didn't i say "after them"? It had the chance to destroy the high guard commander, and it didn't.
Why? Dylan? Trance.
I've been looking for you.
I can't believe you found me.
It's inevitable that one of us would.
We divided ourselves up so that we could occupy every possible present you could ever be in.
By "we," you mean you.
I'll admit that i'm spread rather thin at the moment.
What's the status on theAndromeda and the rest of my crew? I do not have a lot of answers, but i do know that you need help, and i'm here to do what i can.
It's not safe here.
Let's go.
Marshal zebra.
He couldn't have fashioned a Dylan Hunt unit like this one.
Of course not, sir.
He didn't have the wit, the ingenuity, or the guts.
He certainly doesn't now.
So where did it come from? Does the Commonwealth have an enemy greater than the rebels? "Kill first, questions later," if i'm not mistaken, sir.
Something like that.
Harper and Rhade trying to kill me.
That's hard to get used to.
The abyss has corrupted many good men.
Then the abyssisreal here.
It arrived on the bullets that assassinated the triumvirate, then convinced commander Harper that everything he loved would betray him, and therefore had to be destroyed.
So Harper's working with the abyss.
He just doesn't know it.
The abyss is a coldness insidious, and invisible.
I know this isn't my place but i feel like i should help, warn them, do something.
They won't be convinced until it's too late.
However, in your reality, where the abyss has shown itself, you have the ability to banish it and destroy it from all possible presents and futures.
I started something here.
I finish what i start.
I don't think so.
My great-grandfather was a docent here a long time ago.
I always wondered what it looked like inside.
When captain Hunt commanded me, i was the premier battleship in the high guard fleet.
People called me a masterpiece of design and engineering.
I think you still are.
Well, give or take several million cobwebs, but that will be taken care of now.
Look, if you really are who you say you are, you have a brain the size of a planet.
Do you really believe that this Dylan Hunt is the same one you knew Yes, i do.
Hmm.
The only Dylans i've known, i've detonated.
But i have to say, this one how wild would that be? This is trance.
She's here to help.
You don't know her, but trust me, she knows both of you.
Captain, i took the liberty of uploading a.
p.
To 43% capacity.
Excellent.
Let's get this ship out of drydock.
You've got to be kidding.
Jettisoning scaffolding.
Prepping thrusters for launch.
Wait a minute.
You mean you can actually still fly this thing? Well, the ride will smooth out once the core's warmed up.
Systems check complete.
All functions operational.
I don't believe it.
I feel like i've been fighting with sticks and stones this whole time when i could have been using this.
And winning.
You still want, uh, Harper'smaru? Can i have both? To the victor goes the spoils that's if you're serious about returning the Commonwealth to its true values.
I've risked my life for it a thousand times over.
Good.
Once we're airborne, we'll have full tactical advantage, and then we'll be the ones calling the shots.
I'm almost willing to believe you are the real Dylan Hunt.
Just one thing.
I'm not saluting you or calling you "captain.
" Why would it be any different here? Anything that moves, hit it with an immobilizer.
If this d.
h.
Unit gets a second chance to blow, it will, taking us all to hell with it.
Intruder alert.
Intruder alert.
It's the commander and chief Rhade.
They followed us.
This is definitely not part of the plan.
It's my fault.
I should have picked them up sooner.
Mm-mm.
You couldn't have.
Those are first-class stealth suits.
Stealth suits? Look.
They're splitting up.
I'm assuming you want me to scrub the launch, captain.
Well, we'll have to, until we get rid of them.
Chief Rhade, come in.
Sir.
Notify me the minute you find them.
I want those units brought in whole.
No excuses.
Copied, sir.
Naturally, whatever commander wants, commander gets.
Standhope? Mills? You'll have to settle for Hunt.
Oh, don't worry, Rhade.
I'm not going to blow up.
That's reserved for those idiots who think they'll be made into martyrs.
Besides i'd rather do this low-tech style, if you don't mind.
"Low-tech" is right.
You're not an android.
Another keen observation from a nietzschean.
Wait till the commander finds out the toy he wants is only human.
Well, handling disappointment's part of growing up.
What are you, some weak attempt of Valentine's to drum up support for her lost cause? You're the lost cause, Rhade, as long as you're on the wrong side.
Commander, come in.
Tell me you have them.
Not exactly.
I think this whole thing's a hoax.
Excuse me? When i give you an order, i expect you to comply, not think your lazy nietzschean way out of it.
Go after them.
Now.
The rebels aren't your enemies.
Who said that? Your real enemy is inside you.
I command you to show yourself, or there will be nothing left to show.
You know, i have a pretty good idea what this thing does but how do you control it? Why? You want to go to another reality? One where she is still alive? You can replace your body parts with machinery, mr.
Harper, even your heart but you can't replace your ideals.
Who are you? Oh, i think you know.
You studied my essays at the academy.
You told your wife their ideas made your soul burn to do good.
Too bad it didn't stop you from killing her.
You got that from zebra? Clever.
I'm glad i killed him.
No, you're not.
In fact, you're tired of this whole evil charade.
And i suppose you're here to save my soul.
Only you can save yourself.
I don't need saving.
I did what had to be done.
Do you miss your wife? You often read to her your favorite passage from one of my essays "the brightest light is invisible.
" "It shines through your deeds, and warms the universe.
" Mr.
Harper obey the light inside you.
End Transmission.
Mills? Anyone.
Come in.
Damn.
"For 51 years, at this desk, captain Hunt strategized over 700 Commonwealth missions.
" Ready for your orders, sir.
Orders? I am programmed to assist you in any way i can.
This is the last of them.
You know, we're not such a bad team.
Perhaps.
You know, with marshal zebra gone, i'm going to need a new second in command.
Well, with captain Hunt gone, i'm going to need a new captain.
How about on your end? Any luck? The information marshal told you about Harper made quite an impression, and as for Rhade, i've done what i can.
The rest is up to you two.
I believe they are up to the task.
So do i.
Well, that means it's time.
Yeah.
Good luck and thank you.
Thank you, captain Hunt.
Chief, call the others.
We're evacuating.
Didn't you hear me? I said we're leaving now.
We shouldn't be on this ship.
You've found out for yourself, haven't you? The d.
h.
Unit is only yes, i know.
Dylan Hunt.
The real Dylan Hunt from another time.
Like a vision, or an apparition.
Apparition? What i saw was a man that looked like Dylan Hunt.
But he knew things things about me.
What if he didn't get them from zebra? What if it was an apparition? He knew i executed my public record.
She was a rebel.
Rhade don't be a fool.
Can't you see past your own stubbornness? What are you saying, sir? That you believe in no.
I'm saying what am i saying? What am i saying? I think you're saying we're evacuating.
Right.
Good, because i've just engaged the ship's self-destruct sequence.
One minutes to self-destruct.
Coming, sir? Counting down.
They've been locked.
You didn't clear an exit first.
Three.
Two.
One second to self-destruct.
We're going to die.
It could be worse.
Simulation exercise complete.
Simulation exercise complete.
A trick.
We're safe.
We're not safe.
We'll never be safe.
Oh, come on.
They just want to scare us off the ship so they can have it all to themselves.
Over my dead body.
Chief! Rhade! There are worse things to give up, worse things to lose than your life, aren't there? You're starting to sound more and more like the rebels.
Maybe you want to join them.
Maybe.
Somehow it all got away from us, Rhade.
We have to get it back.
There's just one problem.
I don't take orders from cowards.
What do you think about that, commander? I think you're going to hell and i'm not going with you.
Long live the true Commonwealth.
Attention, chief Rhade.
There's been a change of command on monument planet.
You are under arrest.
So you're hoping that this will malfunction and send you back? That's right.
Now, Harper mentioned something about a surge safety.
There.
Now, that should open a rift and return me to my dimension.
Well, how do you know you made the right adjustment? I don't, so i'm going to leave it in your good hands, trance.
I just hope we're not too late.
Fire when ready.
I'm glad that i found you, captain Dylan Hunt.
Me too.
On my count.
Three two almathea.
Actually, i was going to say "one," but sure, almathea? It's a going-away present.
Thank you.
You're back! I thought i thought i'd lost you forever.
How long was i was gone? but it was a bad 30 seconds.
So the masking didn't work? Well, apparently it did work, but i guess only on you.
Wait a minute.
The em-bender.
What happened to my em-bender? Uh, trance has it.
What? I told you it wasn't ready.
Harper, that thing will never be ready.
Besides, we got problems right here.
Then there is some good news.
Beka thinks we can get a boost wiring up themaru'sa.
p.
Generator.
Then what are we waiting for? It's not enough to go far.
It's not enough to get us into slipstream, but we can make it to one of these nearby systems.
None of these stars are old enough or hot enough to provide us with the kind of hydrogen we need.
It's all we've got.
We have to give it a try.
Which do we head for, then? Norris, lustig-5, almathea, quivers? Almathea.
Sure.
Six of one, half a dozen of the other.
It's not going to make much of a difference, unless one of them suddenly decides to go supernova.
Well, sometimes you get lucky.
Sometimes you get a going-away present.
I can't believe it supernova.
Engaging ramscoop.
Commencing fuel acquisition.
And destination upon completion? Away.
Far, far away.
Captain Valentine? You all right? When a branch sacrifices itself, the rest of the tree only grows stronger.
But you still felt the loss.
Every one of me did but we have saved you, and now the Commonwealth will grow stronger too.
One battle at a time.
Meaning we have plenty of work left to do.
So pullyourselves together, and let's go.
That was pretty funny, actually.
It was pretty good, wasn't it? Now, if only the rest of you thought that.