Blakes 7 - 0901 - Horizon [ home ] [ prev ] [ next ]
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Author: Allan Prior
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Director: Jonathan Wright Miller [ IMDB ] |
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Excerpt from Blakes 7: The Program Guide by Tony Attwood The crew of the Liberator are suffering nervous exhaustion following their series of close encounters with the Federation. They therefore take the Liberator into a distant part of the galaxy only to find, much to their surprise, a Federation Space Freighter passing nearby. Out of curiosity, Blake follows the freighter to the planet Horizon, about which Zen has virtually no information. On finding that the freighter arrives only once a year, Blake's interest is further increased, and he and Jenna teleport down. They are quickly captured by a combination of Federation guards and natives using blow-pipes. Vila, Gan and Cally are likewise captured when they follow. The captured crew members are put to work in the local mines, where a highly radioactive mineral is being dug by hand, though Blake first has a brief chance to talk to Ro, the native chief who has been made puppet ruler of the planet by the Federation. Ro is deeply influenced by his former tutor, now the local Federation Kommissar. Although Ro is clearly disturbed by some of Blake's revelations, he refuses to believe them until Cally produces facts suggesting that the Kommissar was involved in the death of Ro's own father. Meanwhile, on the Liberator, Avon discusses with Orac the possibility of his survival if, as he assumes, none of the other members of the crew return. Orac confirms that it would be quite possible for Avon to survive to the natural end of his life providing he avoids a situation in which three Federation Pursuit Ships attack simultaneously. Whilst still considering this point, Avon is informed by Zen that there are at this moment three Federation Pursuit Ships homing in on Horizon, summoned by the Kommissar, who is concerned about Ro's reliability as a Federation puppet. Having gathered information from Orac on the way in which the rest of the crew have probably been captured, Avon teleports to the surface and swiftly destroys the spying devices which have been disguised in the foliage. He kills several Federation guards and releases the crew, who rapidly teleport back to the Ship. Blake then teleports back down to Ro's palace at the moment when Ro has abandoned his Federation uniform and returned to ceremonial tribal robes and blow-pipe. Blake kills the Assistant Kommissar, whilst Ro kills the Kommissar with a poisoned dart. Back once more on the Liberator, Blake decides to leave the ship positioned directly in the course of the three Pursuit Ships, which unwittingly pass through Horizon's defence barrier and thus destroy themselves. Ro is left on the planet to free his people from the tyranny of Federation rule. Review 06/30/2005 by ledlogic Avon has the chance to take the ship and run. However his conscious will not let him abandon his crewmates. (c) 1978 by the British Broadcasting Corporation. Series created by Terry Nation. This is a partial dialogue transcript for research purposes and is not for sale under any circumstances. Format (c) 1993 by Susan Clerc and Micky DuPree. Dramatis Personae:
[Exterior of Federation freighter en route to Horizon] [Vila's, then Jenna's, face superimposed on starfield] [Liberator flight deck. Avon enters. Cally gives Blake some clear blue liquid] BLAKE: [Accepts] Thank you. Tell me the bad news first. [Drinks] CALLY: Your headaches are from the same source as Vila's stomach cramps and Avon's back pains: over-stress. BLAKE: Rubbish. I'm all right. CALLY: No, you're not. None of us are. We're all in an early stage of fatigue shock. Too many crises. Too many calls on our physical and mental reserves. All of us are dangerously exhausted. AVON: We're also a long way out and still running. Why? JENNA: We lost those patrol ships ages ago. VILA: We lost everything ages ago. Nothing comes this far out. BLAKE: So we're free for the time being anyway. VILA: This is freedom? I'm -- I'm going blind staring at these detectors. AVON: Why are we here, Blake? CALLY: We need rest soon. VILA: Absolutely right. What I wouldn't give for a week at one of the old Federation Rest Centers. Sensory ecstasy hours, pleasure machines ... ohh. [Blake rubs the bridge of his nose, Jenna rubs her throat as Vila speaks] CALLY: You have to accept these findings. BLAKE: I accept them. But where are WE going to find a center that will take US in for a month's rest and rehabilitation? VILA: Well, that shouldn't be a problem. I mean, what's the point of being famous if you can't get a last minute booking? ZEN: Information. Manual detectors are showing Federation freighter on collision course. BLAKE: Vila! ZEN: [Partially overlapped as Vila and Blake speak] Repeat: Federation freighter on collision course. VILA: He's right. BLAKE: Zen, how far away? ZEN: Five hundred spacials. BLAKE: Course and speed for avoidance? ZEN: Standard by one-half. Vector one one zero. BLAKE: Jenna. JENNA: Standard by one-half. Vector one one zero. BLAKE: Estimated nearest on that course, Zen. ZEN: One hundred and fifty spacials. BLAKE: Will the freighter have us on his detectors? ZEN: Negative. Freighter is operating minimum scan. AVON: What's a freighter doing this far out? He's in Zone Eight already. Where the hell is he going? BLAKE: Zen, plot of the freighter's course? ZEN: Freighter's course is one oh four grid. BLAKE: That'll take him into Zone Nine. AVON: So we are free of the Federation. BLAKE: Persistent, aren't they? AVON: Let's just get out of his way. BLAKE: It was you that asked the question. Where are they going? We're hiding, already on the edge of the spiral rim. He's going further out. Zen, give us a course and speed where we can observe out of range of the freighter's detectors. [Blake has been rubbing his throat again and continues to do so] AVON: I'm sorry I mentioned it. VILA: Aren't we all? ZEN: The freighter's present course will take it into Zone Nine in four hours at present speed. BLAKE: Where in Zone Nine? ZEN: The freighter is on course for the only habitable planet in Zone Nine. BLAKE: Which is? ZEN: Code-named Horizon. BLAKE: "Horizon"? AVON: Code-named by whom? ZEN: Data was obtained via Federation cipher. Data also suggests that it is visited annually by a Federation supply freighter. BLAKE: Carrying what? ZEN: There is no information. BLAKE: What are the surface conditions on Horizon? ZEN: Negative information. BLAKE: Population? ZEN: Negative information. BLAKE: Well, is there any information on Horizon? ZEN: Negative. BLAKE: Well, is the information on Horizon classified? ZEN: Negative information. VILA: Well, that was a whole lot of nothing. JENNA: Course, please. BLAKE: Maintain present course. JENNA: [Disgruntled] If you insist. CALLY: You're not going to follow the freighter all the way to Horizon? BLAKE: Why not? I'm curious. AVON: Oh, you are curious. Well, I'm glad we have a worthwhile purpose. BLAKE: Doesn't it interest you a little? AVON: No. There's nothing out there. We are on the edge. Even Zen has nothing on it. That could mean anything. An experimental war zone, anything. BLAKE: That freighter's gone to Horizon for some good reason. AVON: Which is more than you can say for us. [Teleport section. Gan is working at the console. Orac is nearby] CALLY: [Enters] How is the lesson? GAN: Difficult. CALLY: Well, Orac isn't exactly the ideal teacher. GAN: Well, I'm not exactly the ideal pupil. ORAC: That is because you are too easily distracted. [Flight deck] ZEN: Planet visual is now available. [Horizon appears on main screen] JENNA: Still holding course, Standard by Two. BLAKE: Freighter's speed? ZEN: Time Distort Six. BLAKE: Freighter's planetfall? ZEN: Twenty-three minutes at present speed. JENNA: Any course correction? BLAKE: No, hold course as plotted. JENNA: Holding course as plotted. Blake, I'm tired. Can I go on automatics? BLAKE: No. Well, who knows what we might run into? AVON: What's that? [The freighter encounters a magnetic barrier. The crew watch on the main screen] BLAKE: Well, whatever it is the freighter has sailed right through it. AVON: It doesn't mean we will. Pull back. Blake! BLAKE: [Pushes button on the force wall console] The force wall is activated. Zen, have you any information on Horizon's defenses? ZEN: Negative. VILA: There's a surprise. [Liberator hits the barrier. The interior of the ship is suffused with very bright light, as if the picture was over-exposed, and there is a strange, static-like noise] [Teleport section] GAN: [With his arms around Orac] Orac, what's going on? ORAC: The Liberator is being attacked. The force wall has been activated. We are quite safe -- for the moment anyway. GAN: Glad you think so. Ohhhh... [Flight deck] CALLY: [Holding onto entryway wall] What is it? VILA: Judgment Day. AVON: It's a magnetic barrier. Get out now. I told you it could be an experimental war zone. [Liberator clears the barrier] VILA: Ohh, I think I've got the bends. I have, I definitely have. [Grabs his stomach and curls up on the flight couch] BLAKE: [Rubs his stomach and neck] Zen, check systems status. ZEN: Confirmed. AVON: The magnetic barrier must have triggered automatically. The freighter was impervious to it, therefore its fuselage must've been demagnetized. Ours hasn't. If it hadn't been for the force wall, we would be a cloud of agitated atoms. VILA: I wish I was a cloud of agitated atoms! CALLY: Stabilizer shot. Now keep still [She applies the pad to Vila's arm. He relaxes] VILA: What was that? CALLY: One-third adrenalin, two-thirds soma. VILA: Soma, eh? I think I'll bottle it -- make myself a fortune. [He passes out] CALLY: He'll be sleepy now for about half an hour. AVON: That will be nice. ZEN: All systems intact. Energy loss from force wall zero point one seven. [Intercom chimes] JENNA: [Into intercom] Jenna. GAN: [V.O.] Do you need any help? JENNA: How are you feeling? GAN: [V.O.] Fine but- JENNA: [Cuts him off] Well stand by, I might need you. [Incoming message in coded beeps] BLAKE: Zen, what was that, permission to land? ZEN: Affirmative. AVON: It's all negative, the whole thing. BLAKE: Jenna, stay on manual. Speed Standard by half. JENNA: Right. Are you going down? BLAKE: Not yet. Zen, what's the freighter's position? ZEN: Freighter approaching landing site on Horizon. Scanner grid reference one one four. AVON: He's landing. Now we can be off, right? BLAKE: Jenna, stationary orbit. Then switch to automatics. AVON: Wrong. Zen, plot us a standby course out of here. You DO want a standby course out, don't you? BLAKE: Yes, of course I do. Thank you, Avon. ZEN: Standby course being prepared. AVON: Read out. ZEN: Confirmed. BLAKE: [Rubs his throat] Cally, what's the medical situation? CALLY: I've told you: we're all over-stressed. We've been in space flight and space crises a long time. BLAKE: Well, what about the old adrenalin and soma? CALLY: Well, that's the trouble. We're practically living on it. What we need are some natural relaxants, non-stress situations for a start. You know, we still have nervous systems. BLAKE: I wonder what Horizon's like. It might be just what we need. CALLY: You're not going down there? BLAKE: Yes, I think I will. Jenna, I want you to come with me. JENNA: Right. [Into intercom] Gan, take over, will you? CALLY: But I could come -- BLAKE: No. Zen, take us in to within teleport range -- two miles from the landing field at grid reference one oh two. What are the surface conditions? ZEN: Detectors indicate that surface conditions are tolerable -- breathable atmosphere. [Exterior shot of Liberator approaching Horizon] [Blake and Jenna enter teleport section. The intercom chimes] GAN: [V.O.] Teleport range is confirmed. BLAKE: [Into intercom] All right Gan. Anything on the detectors? GAN: Not a thing. We're all alone up here. BLAKE: [V.O.] Make sure we stay that way. GAN: I'll try not to drop off. JENNA: Well, that's all right, assuming they haven't got a fix on us from the ground by now. BLAKE: No, it'd be raining plasma bolts if they had. JENNA: Why exactly are we going down? BLAKE: The Resistance needs a base, Jenna. [Accepts bracelet] Thank you. Somewhere to operate from. JENNA: And this could be it? BLAKE: Well, it's as good as any other. We know the Federation only visit it once a year. It's on the edge of the spiral rim. Oh, hell, I'm tired of running, Jenna. We must get at least one planet behind us. JENNA: And why are you taking me with you? BLAKE: I trust you to back me. JENNA: Thanks. But there's more to it than that. You were very deliberate. BLAKE: Covering the angles. JENNA: Well, how do you mean? BLAKE: Avon might run. [Avon enters quietly in the background] But he probably won't without a first-class pilot. He, um, plays the percentages. JENNA: Unlike you. AVON: I am ready if you are. BLAKE: Put us down. [Blake and Jenna materialize on the planet surface surface amid lush tropical foliage and large rock formations] BLAKE: [Into bracelet] Down and safe. Can't see anyone around. Out. [To Jenna] Come on. [They move off and are detected by a scanner - a thin metal rod - camouflaged in a plant] [Palace throne room. The palace walls and throne are of dark rock engraved with leaf patterns. Some of the columns are carved to resemble tree trunks. The overall effect is cave-like. Ro, dressed in a burgundy uniform, enters and flips a switch on a box by the throne. A scanner screen appears on the wall, showing Blake and Jenna as they walk through the forest and rocks] JENNA: ...right when she says we're out of condition. BLAKE: What? JENNA: I said "Cally's right when she says we're out of condition." RO: [Into intercom] Guard. Strangers in Theta Section. Take them. GUARD: Yes, sir. [To other guards and a native] Theta Section, quickly. [Blake and Jenna find a ravine and look down at the entrance to a mine. Primitives are loading baskets with rocks] BLAKE: Careful. JENNA: What are they doing? [Ro is still watching them on his scanner screen] BLAKE: Mining, I suppose. [Into bracelet] Liberator, there seem to be some sort of mines here. Federation guards everywhere. We'll keep in touch. [O.O.V., to Jenna] Come on. [Two guards and a native follow them. The native shoots Jenna, then Blake, with darts from a blow gun and they pass out] RO: [Into intercom, still watching on scanner screen] What are those things on their wrists? GUARD: Some sort of communicator, sir. RO: [Into intercom] Bring them both to the palace. Remove the communicators first. GUARD: Yes, sir. [Teleport section. Avon enters, followed by Gan. Vila is seated at the console, drinking green liquid] GAN: What's happening? AVON: Nothing. They should've called in again by now. VILA: [His speech is very relaxed, almost slurred] Maybe they found a Rest and Rehabilitation Center and they're lying there, soaking up the sun rays. GAN: You're fit again, I see. VILA: Oh, I never felt better. I'd be happier if this vitamin solution had a slug of soma in it. [Cally enters] Any chance, Cally? CALLY: What? VILA: A slug of soma -- from the medical supplies? CALLY: [To Avon] I think they're in trouble. AVON: You just think so? CALLY: I feel it. AVON: Wonderful. We have all the resources of Zen, Orac, and the Liberator, and you FEEL that they are in trouble. You do not FEEL it, you REASON it. They have not called in, therefore they must be in trouble. You don't have to be telepathic to know that. VILA: Oh, come on, Avon, give the girl a chance. I'd say she knows a few things that even you don't understand. [Avon approaches him] Well, I'd say so, anyway. AVON: A fifth-grade ignorant, and you would say so, would you? VILA: Well, I never had a chance, did I? I chose the wrong parents. CALLY: I'm going down. VILA: You can't do that, Cally. CALLY: They are in trouble. Someone must go down. GAN: I'll go. VILA: Gan'll go. GAN: And Vila will go with me, won't you Vila? VILA: Will I? GAN: Well, It'd be stupid to go on my own. And you wouldn't want to send Cally in your place, would you? VILA: Probably not. What about you? AVON: What about me? VILA: Why don't you go? AVON: YOU are expendable. VILA: And you're not? AVON: No, I am not. I am not expendable, I'm not stupid, and I'm not going. GAN: I'll get the guns. [Palace. Blake and Jenna are strapped to racks in a room separated from the throne room by a row of columns] BLAKE: [Coming to] Ohh.. RO: Who are you? BLAKE: Who are YOU? RO: Why have you come here? BLAKE: I don't remember being given a choice. Who are you? RO: I'm Ro. I rule this planet. BLAKE: Do you? I thought it was a Federation colony. RO: I dislike the word "colony." BLAKE: Which word would you prefer? RO: I rule here, and you're my prisoners. BLAKE: I dislike the word "prisoner." JENNA: [Coming to] Oh. BLAKE: Are you all right? JENNA: Blake. RO: Your name is Blake. How did you get here? How did you get through the barrier? BLAKE: I'll ask you again. Is this a Federation colony? RO: I am my own man. I'll have you killed unless you answer my questions. BLAKE: You sound like a Federation man. RO: Are you against the Federation? BLAKE: Well what do you think? RO: I think you are, yes. BLAKE: Does the Federation frighten you? RO: Of course not. JENNA: Then you must be part of it. RO: You're Resisters. You are, aren't you? JENNA: No one resists the Federation. RO: I don't want to hurt you. BLAKE: You already have. RO: Others may do more. You'd be wise to tell me. Be sensible. BLAKE: What others? The ones that came on the Federation freighter? RO: What do you know about them? [Throne room. The Kommissar and Assistant are dressed in uniforms like Ro's] ASSISTANT: [Shoos out some natives] I've been stuck in this pesthole for two years. KOMMISSAR: Two somewhat unproductive years. ASSISTANT: Not my fault. KOMMISSAR: You are the Colonial Service representative. ASSISTANT: Ro is not easy to deal with. KOMMISSAR: Well, when he was a pupil at the C.E.C. I found him quite -- malleable. ASSISTANT: Yes? Well, I think you may find he's changed a bit since then. He's not exactly a pupil now. And you're no longer a teacher. KOMMISSAR: I think you'll find my relationship with Ro is unchanged. To him I shall always be a respected tutor, just as to you I shall always be a respected superior. RO: [Enters] Kommissar. KOMMISSAR: Ro. It has been too long. RO: An unlooked for pleasure. I welcome your return to my planet. KOMMISSAR: I would've come sooner -- pressure of office. RO: And we are far from the Federation's heart? KOMMISSAR: But not from mine, which pains me that all is not well with you. RO: In what way, Kommissar? KOMMISSAR: The quotas have fallen far short of what we had hoped. The Assistant Kommissar will have put this to you, I think? RO: He has. KOMMISSAR: Well, we can talk about that. He also tells me you have visitors. RO: Yes. KOMMISSAR: Show me. [The scanner screen comes on and pictures of Blake, then Jenna, appear as the conversation continues] RO: The man's called Blake. KOMMISSAR: How did the spaceship get here? ASSISTANT: Something triggered the shield. It should've been destroyed. Obviously, it wasn't. KOMMISSAR: Then plainly they have a force field of some kind -- very advanced technically. RO: What do you suggest, Kommissar? KOMMISSAR: What else have you found out about them? RO: There are others on their ship. KOMMISSAR: Yes? RO: I think they're Resisters. KOMMISSAR: Really? I've heard of people who resist. I've never seen one before. This could be interesting. Let us begin. ASSISTANT: Sir. [They walk toward rack room. Kommissar stops and turns to Ro] KOMMISSAR: With your permission, of course. I take it I have your permission? RO: Yes, of course. [Vila and Gan materialize on planet] VILA: [Off-balance, he falls into Gan] Ah! Sorry. GAN: [Into bracelet] Down safe -- in a sort of cavern. We'll climb out and find a better view. I'll call back every three minutes. Out. [A scanner detects them] [Rack room. Blake and Jenna are subjected to some form of mental torture while still tied to racks] BLAKE: Look at me, Jenna. Concentrate. The whole idea is -- is to disorientate you. JENNA: It doesn't seem to help. BLAKE: When they ask questions, pretend you're dizzy. JENNA: I AM dizzy. BLAKE: Concentrate! They can't keep this up for much longer. [Jenna passes out] Jenna! [To their captors] All right you can stop. She's passed out. [The disorientor is switched off] KOMMISSAR: So you're a Resister. Some malfunction of the genes, I suppose. It throws up a Resister about every hundred thousand. Mostly they're detected in infancy. BLAKE: I was a late developer. KOMMISSAR: And the young woman? Oh, don't force me to repeat the treatment. [To Assistant] Bring the girl round. [Assistant crosses to Jenna and injects her with something] The damage to her will be extensive and permanent. You don't care, I see. [She revives] Very well. Double the input of the disorientor. RO: It'll kill them. [Kommissar looks at him] Before we know anything about them. KOMMISSAR: They'll talk before then. Of course, the decision is yours. [Ro hesitates] We await your orders, Ro. [Ro nods. The disorientor is switched on] BLAKE: Hang on, Jenna! [Vila and Gan in forest] VILA: What is it? GAN: I thought I heard something. [A native shoots them with darts and they pass out] [Rack room. The disorientor is still on] BLAKE: All right. All right, I'll talk. I'll talk. [Looks at Ro] To you. The people work in your mines are slaves. What is the death rate? RO: It's high. KOMMISSAR: But not unacceptable. RO: As you say, Kommissar. BLAKE: Why do you listen to this man? He is a servant, a lackey of the Federation. Send him home. RO: But the Federation are our friends. BLAKE: The Federation have all planets in slavery. You are their representative. RO: You don't understand. BLAKE: The ore is important to them, that much I understand. RO: It's important to us all. It's needed for the latest hyperspace ships that will send men into new galaxies. We're one of the only two planets with a rich seam of Monopasium two-three-nine BLAKE: Oh, Monopasium two-three-nine. No wonder your workers die. RO: Well, I wish it weren't necessary, but only ten percent die -- the Primitives. BLAKE: Well, aren't they human beings, Ro? RO: The Primitives? Every one a Primitive, working at the mines this very moment. Except ... BLAKE: When you are all dead, Ro, the Federation will use this as a booster planet to extend their empire further. With their new ships, with your fuel. You are digging your own graves, Ro. They code-named this place Horizon. It's an horizon you will never cross. KOMMISSAR: You see, Ro? You see how these people work? He tells you we are your enemy. How can that be? Without us you'd all be living in caves, as you were when the Federation first colonized you. RO: We may have lived in caves, but we did have our own culture. And our own weapons, which still have their uses. KOMMISSAR: You have no part of that now. You're one of us. At the Central Educational Complex, you were my most able scholar. The graduation order you wear was my personal gift. RO: I've not forgotten. I'm very proud of it, Kommissar. KOMMISSAR: Sometimes you don't behave as if you are. Behave like a ruler, Ro, not a savage. Hmm? [To Blake] Now, I want details of the spaceship and crew, and I want you to tell them to land. [In the background, the Assistant crosses to consult with a native] BLAKE: Not a chance. ASSISTANT: Sir. KOMMISSAR: [To Ro] I'll be back. [Leaves with Assistant] RO: Oh -- yes, Kommissar. BLAKE: "Yes, Kommissar. No, Kommissar." They've made you one of them. You're bought and sold, aren't you? Well, I shouldn't be surprised. I was told before I came here. RO: Who by? Who said that? BLAKE: One of your subjects, I presume. At least he spoke of Monopasium two-three-nine, and he spoke of someone called Ro. His name was Paura. But he didn't call this place "Horizon." RO: Silmareno. BLAKE: That's right. RO: The name's forbidden. You can't cling to the past. Paura shouldn't have spoken it. BLAKE: Huh! He probably thought he had nothing to lose -- under the circumstances. RO: Circumstances? BLAKE: He was on a Federation convict ship. RO: Paura?!? But I was told that -- BLAKE: What were you told? RO: He was on a training course. BLAKE: We were on the same course. It led to a Federation prison colony Cygnus Alpha. Only Paura never reached there. He died. They dumped his body in space. RO: He was my friend. He must have misbehaved in some way. That's not my fault. BLAKE: I think it is. You know it is. JENNA: [Coming round] Oh. BLAKE: Jenna. JENNA: Oh, my head. RO: [Fetches some water] Here. JENNA: What is it? RO: Plain water. From a stream. JENNA: Probably full of lethal bacteria. [Drinks some] Thank you. [To Blake] It tastes all right. RO: [To Blake] You want some? BLAKE: Thank you. You are a human being after all. [Drinks] RO: My people are poor and ignorant. I'm helping them to better themselves. BLAKE: How did your father die, Ro? RO: What? BLAKE: In a Federation prison colony too? RO: No. In an accident. BLAKE: Paura told me that your father would never have made his people slaves as you have done. RO: You're lying. Paura wouldn't have said that. He was my friend. He understood the needs of my people. BLAKE: Perhaps better than you do. KOMMISSAR: [From the entryway] Ro. Two more have been taken. They're being dealt with. RO: [Joins the Kommissar] What about these two? KOMMISSAR: Put them to work. It'll soon bring them to their senses. They'll be begging to help us before three time units are up. [Mine interior. It's very cramped, with low rock ceilings. Blake chips rocks from the roof/wall with an axe. Primitives put rocks in baskets. Jenna and Selma chip at a pile of rocks with axes. Selma is dressed like a Primitive -- in cloth and vines] JENNA: What's your name? SELMA: I'm Selma. I'm not one of THESE people. I was to marry Ro. JENNA: So what are you doing here? SELMA: The Kommissar advised him to send me for training or whatever they call it. I refused to become what they wanted so I was sent here. JENNA: How long have you got to stay here? SELMA: Until I accept or until I die. And I shall die. In thirty time units from radioactivity. GUARD: [Puts down a large bowl of gruel] Food. PRIMITIVE: Wait! [Primitives fall back so Selma can pass. She takes a handful of gruel and withdraws. The Primitives descend on bowl] BLAKE: Leave it! [They stop] One handful, one at a time. [Points] You. [Points] Now you. [Throne room] KOMMISSAR: [Enters and sees Ro watching Selma on the scanner screen] I thought you'd forgotten her. RO: [Switches off the scanner screen] No. Is it true my friend Paura died on a prison ship? KOMMISSAR: No, of course not. RO: The resister said so. KOMMISSAR: Yes, I heard the report. RO: How did my father die? KOMMISSAR: You know how he died. RO: You wouldn't lie to me? KOMMISSAR: Of course I wouldn't lie to you. We are as brothers, you and I. RO: What about the other two? What did we get from them? One of them needed two darts! KOMMISSAR: There was no telling when he'd regain consciousness so I had the guard hang him up as a warning. RO: The other one? KOMMISSAR: He's in here. [They walk toward the rack room. Vila is sitting up on a rack] He's a common thief, he confessed at once. The spaceship is heavily protected by a force field but the man is ignorant -- he knows nothing of its technical capacity. RO: What are you going to do with him? KOMMISSAR: Put him to work. It seems he's never done any in his life. VILA: [Rubs his temple] Work? [Exterior of Liberator] [Teleport section] CALLY: [Enters] Orac, where did you get this information? [Holds up a data card. Avon takes it] ORAC: I was instructed to obtain anything relating to the planet. The data was obtained by cross-referencing prisoner and execution lists. It is standard procedure. AVON: I don't see that it makes any difference now. CALLY: Well, Blake could find it very useful. [She takes back the card] AVON: A little late, surely. CALLY: They aren't dead. AVON: How do you know? CALLY: I know. AVON: Yes. CALLY: I tell you, I know. AVON: I think we should get out. I have a standby plot, I can put the ship on auto, Zen can fly us out. We can get away, Cally. CALLY: I'm going down. AVON: You're a fool. CALLY: Avon, I'm going down. This information could be vital. AVON: Listen. The others have vanished. They didn't even have time to call in. The only possible conclusion to draw from that is that they are dead. CALLY: They aren't dead. [Mine entrance. Blake and Vila are in a line moving baskets] VILA: This is what I've been trying to avoid all me life. BLAKE: Yeah, well don't worry -- it won't last forever. VILA: So you say. [Cally materializes and looks around] CALLY: [Into bracelet] Down. There's no sign of anyone else. I'll keep in constant contact. [Mine entrance] BLAKE: You've got thirty time units. This stuff's radioactive. VILA: [Drops basket] What? GUARD: Pick that up. VILA: It's even worse than I thought. Look. [Points to Gan tied to a post] [Teleport section. Avon is at the console] CALLY: [V.O.] Nothing to report yet. AVON: [Into console] Make it every half minute. CALLY: [V.O.] Right. AVON: Orac, have you obtained any further information on the planet Horizon? ORAC: No. AVON: Why not? ORAC: Is that a serious question? AVON: No. ORAC: Please do not waste my time. AVON: [Into console] Cally. [Static] Are you there? Are you there? Cally! [Clicks off console] And then there was one. [Gets up and walks over to Orac] Orac, no further information is required on the planet Horizon. [Disconnects] I think it's time to leave. [Exits] [Rack room. Cally is on a rack] CALLY: Was it -- was it you? Were you the executioner? KOMMISSAR: [O.O.V.] Your companions are still alive. CALLY: I feel it. You killed him. You killed him because he would not obey you. KOMMISSAR: What is she talking about? RO: She's a mystic, I think. I've seen this amongst my own people. KOMMISSAR: Rubbish. That stuff belongs to your tribal past. CALLY: His father. You killed his father. KOMMISSAR: We're wasting time. RO: No! KOMMISSAR: She's deranged. It's the poison from your darts, it's affecting her. RO: How could she know about my father? She's never seen him, never heard of him. How can she know he's dead? KOMMISSAR: A guess. CALLY: Movo knew you for what you were. RO: She knows his name. CALLY: [To Ro] He killed your father. He did it with his own hands. [V.O., telepathically] And take great care -- he will kill you unless you kill him first. KOMMISSAR: Take her to the others. Let her use her mystic powers on them. [Assistant unstraps Cally] RO: Treat her gently! She has great gifts. KOMMISSAR: You know I sometimes think you're still half savage after all. RO: Perhaps I am. KOMMISSAR: She'll be dead soon. They all will. RO: Yes, I know. [They walk toward the throne room. Ro looks at the scanner screen which shows Selma at the mine] I must make a decision about Selma. If she is to die, it mustn't be there, like that. KOMMISSAR: She is a bad influence. She was dismissed from the Federation Training Complex for disobedience. She tried to make trouble here against the Federation. It is best to leave her where she is. RO: You're forever telling me to behave like a ruler, when I do you say I'm wrong! KOMMISSAR: Yes, that's true. Very well. Tell them to release her. But don't blame me when you find it's a mistake. RO: I will decide. IF I decide she is to die, I'll order it to be done quickly. [Leaves] KOMMISSAR: [To Assistant, who has just entered] Have you sent the girl off? ASSISTANT: Yes, sir. She makes me -- uneasy. KOMMISSAR: Superstition. ASSISTANT: Oh I -- I realize that. KOMMISSAR: Goes very deep with some, I know. ASSISTANT: Then -- how did she know? KOMMISSAR: Obviously she's had access to the records at some time. ASSISTANT: Kommissar, why don't we report all this to Federation Central Control? KOMMISSAR: No. ASSISTANT: It's the logical thing. KOMMISSAR: Is it? Is it? Well, for one thing, they're out of signal range. All we could contact from here are some units of Space Security. ASSISTANT: They could relay your message. KOMMISSAR: They could. ASSISTANT: There are certain to be details of these Resisters in the central data banks. Then we would know what we are dealing with. KOMMISSAR: You're very thoughtful. ASSISTANT: Simple loyalty, Kommissar. I would not wish us to overstep the bounds of our -- duty here. KOMMISSAR: No. We must not do that. ASSISTANT: Then I think I must advise Central Control in all our interests. [Begins to leave] KOMMISSAR: No. No. I don't need the central data bank. I already know who they are. Blake and his crew are the most sought after criminals in the galaxy. ASSISTANT: You've known that all along? KOMMISSAR: Of course. ASSISTANT: Then why haven't you done anything? KOMMISSAR: The reward for each of them is generous. Almost as generous as the reward for their spaceship. ASSISTANT: I have been out of touch. KOMMISSAR: Besides, I want to tame Blake myself. If he breaks, the others will. He will give us the spaceship. It will be a great achievement. ASSISTANT: And we get the reward? KOMMISSAR: I get the reward. ASSISTANT: What do I get? KOMMISSAR: My continued support. ASSISTANT: What about Ro? KOMMISSAR: Ro will do as I say. ASSISTANT: He's showing signs of rebellion. KOMMISSAR: He is not the man his father was. [Mine interior] VILA: When do they let up? BLAKE: They don't. GUARD: You. [Signals to Selma] Come with me. JENNA: Where are you taking her? VILA: Does it matter? Can't be any worse than here. CALLY: Unless she's going to die. BLAKE: [Into a scanner] I want to talk with the Kommissar. [Exterior of Liberator] [Teleport section] AVON: If I go alone, can I pilot the Liberator indefinitely? ORAC: With the help of the automatics, of course you can. AVON: I know that. ORAC: Then why did you ask the question? AVON: [Smiles] I didn't. How long can I maintain myself? ORAC: Is that a question? AVON: Yes. ORAC: We have concentrated food for one person for a thousand years. AVON: And our power is self-regenerating. ORAC: Affirmative. AVON: Can you plot courses to keep out of the range of any known spaceship manned by the Federation? ORAC: The battle and navigation computers can handle that perfectly adequately. AVON: I asked if YOU could. ORAC: Of course, should it be necessary. AVON: Failing that, we are powerful enough to resist all but an attack by three Federation pursuit ships at once. ORAC: Is that a question? AVON: No. If we go now, we can sail the universe for as long as we like in reasonable safety, provided we keep out of everybody's way and we do not do anything rash. ORAC: No data available to answer the question -- if it was a question. AVON: I put it to you as a possibility. I request the odds. ORAC: The odds would be three point five to one on survival. AVON: Therefore I do not need Blake, I do not need any of the others ... ORAC: Is that a question? AVON: ... I do not need anybody at all. ORAC: Is that a question? I -- I -- I must ask you to be more specific. AVON: Shut up, Orac. [Throne room. Selma, now in a blue dress, stands beside Ro, who is seated on his throne. Blake is escorted in by Assistant] KOMMISSAR: As you see, Selma is restored to her proper status. And she can stay here if she's willing to be sensible. You, too, can be restored to civilization if you're willing and sensible. BLAKE: I'm glad for her. And for you, Ro. Congratulations. I'm sure your father would have approved. KOMMISSAR: You asked to talk to me. My assistant is ready to take a statement. BLAKE: I've no statement to make, simply a proposition. KOMMISSAR: And what is that? BLAKE: Keep me. Take me back to the Federation when you leave Horizon. Let the others go. Otherwise, Liberator will stay out there. And when you try to get away in your slow freighter, it will destroy you. RO: Can you do that? BLAKE: Oh yes. SELMA: Let them go. Let them all go. They mean us no harm. KOMMISSAR: We are at your command, Ro. SELMA: Please, Ro, please. RO: No. Not yet. I am the ruler here. Send him back to the quarry for now. ASSISTANT: Come along. You heard the ruler. [O.O.V. Blake leaves] RO: [To Selma] I'll think about it. [Selma looks at him] I said I'll think about it! KOMMISSAR: Well done, Ro. RO: They're brave people, and they've chosen their own way. You were wrong about Blake -- the Federation doesn't frighten him. [Kommissar nods to Assistant, who leaves] [Avon walks around the flight deck. Coded beeps come in] AVON: Zen, what was that? ZEN: A message from the Federation freighter on the planet Horizon. AVON: What did it say -- decode. ZEN: It is in Federation code nine. Message reads, "Top priority signal to any Federation pursuit unit, from Kommissar, planet Horizon. Request assistance. Ruler of Horizon unreliable, am disposing of him. Rebel spaceship at grid reference ten by thirteen double-u zed. Request you destroy this spaceship at once. Also inform Federation Central Control of this action. Await confirmation." AVON: Has anybody else picked it up? ZEN: Negative. [More beeps come in] AVON: Decode. ZEN: From Federation Pursuit Flotilla Thirteen, to Kommissar, planet Horizon. Message reads, "Coming to your immediate aid. Regret cannot relay your message to Federation Central Control. They are out of range. Planetfall, two hours from now." AVON: How many pursuit ships in Flotilla Thirteen? ZEN: Three pursuit ships. [Avon laughs] [Teleport section] AVON: [Snapping on a bracelet] What do these detectors look like? ORAC: Logic would suggest they are camouflaged -- in plants. AVON: Does logic suggest somewhere you can put me down without my being detected? ORAC: Difficult. AVON: But? ORAC: There is a place. AVON: [Pulls out his gun] Then get on with it. ORAC: Activating. [Planet surface] AVON: [Materializes and looks around at the steep ravine, mist, and lush foliage] Marvelous. [Uses a small hand-held detector to find scanners and blasts them. Moves off. Spots Gan at the mine entrance] Well, well, well. So I'm not alone after all. [Shoots several guards. His last shot glances off a rock, narrowly missing Blake as he emerges from the mine] BLAKE: Missed. [Throne room] RO: [Tries switches on the control box] It's a fault on the scanner, that's all. SELMA: No, it's been switched off. All the scanners in the palace are off, everyone has fled, there is no electronic communication anywhere on Horizon. You know what that means. RO: They've got everything under control. SELMA: Are you just going to let them kill you? And me? RO: Who said we were going to die?. SELMA: Those people in the spaceship, Ro -- you have one of their bracelets? RO: No, guards at the mines have got them. SELMA: We must try and contact them; they're our only chance. Ro! RO: No, I can't leave the palace. You go. SELMA: But what about you? RO: Go. Now! SELMA: I can't. RO: You must. I command it. [She leaves] [Mine entrance] BLAKE: Orac, teleport us now. [They materialize on the ship] AVON: What now? BLAKE: I want the exact teleport coordinates on that palace. [Rack room] KOMMISSAR: [Enters] Ro. RO: Kommissar. All the scanners are off. Why's that? So I can't call my guards for help? KOMMISSAR: Selma tried to run away. Did you know? RO: Where is she? ASSISTANT: [Enters holding Selma and a gun] Here. RO: Let her go. KOMMISSAR: She's no good to you, Ro. None at all. You must be rid of her. She should not have been brought back to the palace. RO: You are, I think, mistaken, Kommissar. She means us no harm. KOMMISSAR: She knows things about the Resisters nobody else knows. She's worked with them. They've told her things about the spaceship. We can still capture it. RO: She knows nothing. KOMMISSAR: Ro, remember our work together, the theories I taught you, the strategies. Now they must be practiced. You know we must question her. RO: I tell you she knows nothing we haven't already been told. KOMMISSAR: That we can find out. If not... RO: What do want of me? KOMMISSAR: Tell her to help us. RO: All right. Why not? KOMMISSAR: Now you're beginning to act like a ruler. RO: I try, Kommissar. KOMMISSAR: Of course you do. RO: I don't want to be a savage again. KOMMISSAR: Of course you don't. This way. [They walk into the throne room where the Assistant is preparing a torture device that resembles a small photocopier] Sit down, Ro. [Ro sits on his throne] [To Assistant] The minimum. [Assistant places Selma's hand on the torture device, lowers the flap over her hand, and switches the device on] SELMA: No, please. KOMMISSAR: Ro told you about their communicators, didn't you, Ro? RO: Yes, it didn't seem important. KOMMISSAR: Very well. Now, Selma, when you were in the mine, what did the Resisters tell you? SELMA: Nothing! KOMMISSAR: We need the truth, Selma. SELMA: Nothing! Nothing! KOMMISSAR: The truth, Selma. SELMA: Nothing! They didn't tell me anything! [She passes out] RO: She'll die if we do more of this. The pain will kill her, won't it? KOMMISSAR: There's no organic damage, but the pain will kill her, yes. Do you care? RO: No. KOMMISSAR: You must have felt something. You showed nothing. That means you are learning. RO: Yes, I hope I am. [Teleport section. Avon is seated at the console] BLAKE: Have you got the coordinates yet? AVON: It takes time. BLAKE: There may not BE much time. AVON: Then stop distracting me. [Rack room] RO: You're right. I've been foolish. I belong to the Federation. KOMMISSAR: I'm glad you're coming round to the truth, Ro. It would have hurt me to eliminate you. RO: You were thinking of that? KOMMISSAR: Oh yes. RO: But we are as brothers. KOMMISSAR: Even so. For the good of the Federation. RO: The Federation. KOMMISSAR: We should be getting back. RO: Of course. Can I have a moment? I'm still shaking. My hands are sweating. KOMMISSAR: It can affect one like that -- the agony of an acquaintance. RO: Excuse me. [Leaves] [Teleport section] AVON: All right. BLAKE: About time. [Rack room. Kommissar spins around, startled. Ro enters in a ceremonial helmet, carrying a blowgun. The Assistant aims a gun at Ro. Blake materializes and shoots the Assistant. He then aims at the Kommissar, who is still staring at Ro. Ro advances and shoots a dart into the Kommissar. Blake looks at Ro. Kommissar collapses onto a rack] RO: You will die. It's the death serum. You planned our deaths. KOMMISSAR: I thought you were one of us, Ro. [Dies] RO: No, I'm not. Seems I never was. [Flight deck] AVON: [Into intercom] Blake, where are you? Those pursuit ships will be here in five minutes. We have to be mobile to stand a chance. We're a sitting target here. [Throne room] BLAKE: [Into bracelet] One moment only, Avon. [To Ro and Selma] What about the Federation? RO: The last of their guards are dying now. BLAKE: They'll send more, sooner or later. SELMA: We will fight. BLAKE: I wish you luck, both of you. SELMA: Thank you. RO: You saved my life. While I live, you'll be welcome on Horizon. BLAKE: Still Horizon? RO: You can't return to the past. BLAKE: [Into bracelet] Liberator, teleport now. [To Ro and Selma] Good-bye. RO: Good-bye, Blake. [Blake teleports] [Blake and Cally enter flight deck] AVON: About time. More last-minute heroics? BLAKE: [Walks toward the main screen] I thought that was your strong suit. JENNA: I have a course ready to go. BLAKE: Zen, position of those three ships on the main screen. ZEN: Four hundred spacials, closing at Time Distort Six, line astern. BLAKE: Line astern? That's new. AVON: A bright attack commander, lining up to hit us in exactly the same spot. BLAKE: Zen, can we withstand a plasma bolt attack from those three ships? ZEN: If they hit the same spot they could possibly destroy the Liberator. Battle computers advise against allowing them to do so. VILA: Let's get out of here! JENNA: Ready. BLAKE: Wait. We're already within strike range. GAN: Well, at least lets make it difficult for them. BLAKE: Twenty seconds, then hit it, Jenna. VILA: They'll murder us! AVON: Blake, they might be protected. BLAKE: I don't think so. And even if I'm wrong we still have a slim chance. VILA: A slim chance -- what more could we ask? [The pursuit ships are destroyed as they hit the barrier] BLAKE: [Exhales in relief and sits down on the flight couch] Jenna, take us out on the standby course. JENNA: Where are we heading? BLAKE: Later. Just clear Horizon. GAN: It was pretty close there for a moment, Blake. JENNA: Playing the percentages again? BLAKE: [Chuckles] Zen had nothing on Horizon's defenses. And Federation Control were keeping the place secret. AVON: [Moves from his flight position and stands behind Blake] It was reasonable for you to hope that routine pursuit ships would be unprotected, but in future, I would prefer something a little more reliable than hope. GAN: I mean, just sitting there. BLAKE: If we'd got underway, they would have changed course. CALLY: And we thought we were tired before. VILA: I'll tell you this, though: it beats work. [Exterior shot of Liberator] |