"Thirty-seven light years from Earth, in the Star System Signus Alpha... a combat commander from the planet Octarus fights a battle... that begins in space, but will subsequently be fought on American soil." "The Skrill are attempting to escape." "They appear to be successfully doing so." "Andros has his squadron after them." "We are sorry to summon you so early, Andros." "I don't mind being summoned early." "What I mind is failure." " Then the Skrill have escaped." " Yes, Sell." "Fortunately the interceptor guardships pursuing them were unmanned." "They were making a path for..." "What's the name of the planet, Andros?" "Terra." "Sometimes called Earth." "Do you think that you can clear up this mess?" "Bring the Skrill back?" "I'm prepared to leave for Earth." "Perhaps you should take some assistance." "There's an Earth creature with whom my father and I have worked before." " I plan on sending word to her." " Without consulting us?" "If you knew Wonder Woman, you'd know why I've chosen her." "And there's no question in your mind that whatever or whoever they are... they're coming from somewhere outside of our solar system?" "We picked them up on satellite tracking relay." "What the heck?" "We shall be far more efficient recording instruments using these young minds." "Yes, we shall." "Princess, am I in time to be of service?" "As always, your timing is excellent, Andros." " These creatures, what are they?" " The Skrill?" "A plague, a sickness." "Deadly." "These Skrill, what exactly is their crime?" "They are thieves, Princess." " Thieves?" " Let me explain." "The Skrill use these artificial crystals as storage devices." "They are designed to capture, condense and store a living mind." "And the Planetary Council allows this?" "No." "It's illegal, outlawed." "It's a crime to traffic in stolen minds." "That's why I'm here." "I command you... tell me who you are and what you are." "What?" "I am... the Skrill." "Unquestionably the same human." "In the persona of Diana Prince, she is vulnerable." "Yes, I do believe that the Sardor will be quite effective." "Good." "We have her." "Let her go." "Let her go!" "Don't worry, you'll have your fun." "But let's not waste such a valuable mind." "Patience is not one of the Sardor's virtues." "But first things first." "I'm doing you a favor, Diana." "This way, there'll be no pain." " Control that beast, Skrill." " Or what, Andros?" "Or I'll beam you back to prison this instant." "All of you!" "You're forgetting the minds we've already stolen." "You'll never recover them that way." "I'm warning you, Skrill." "I will sacrifice the minds you have for the life of this lady." "We seem to be at an impasse." "Neither one of us has an advantage." "These bodies we inhabit are gamblers." "How can you be sure you'll win?" "Are you willing to gamble?" "No more than you are for the life of Diana Prince." "Like I said, an impasse." "Very much like a scene from one of their Western movies, isn't it, Andros?" "We will meet again." "Princess. are you all right?" "Yeah." "I'm a bit shaky, but I think I'm all right." " The Skrill." " Escaped." "I had a feeling they would come for you." "That means that they know who I really am?" "Our greatest danger lies in underestimating them." "Now, Sardor, relax, there'll be another time." "Will there?" "We should have destroyed Andros when we had the chance." "We never really had the chance, have we?" " A situation I intend to remedy shortly." " How?" "Andros is my worry." "You worry about making sure we leave this planet with what we came for." "Come on." " You did get that list, did you not?" " I have it." "Stolen from a computer at the headquarters of Tertex." "Tertex?" "It's an elite group of the best minds on the continent." "They call it a "think tank. " It advises the government secretly... in times of national crises." "This list will lead us to the most profitable minds on the planet." "Three of them are right here in this area." " So is Andros." " I told you, I'll take care of Andros." "Directly." "After my little rendezvous which I thought up so cleverly." "What about the other one, Wonder Woman?" "Wonder Woman." "We'll let the Sardor take care of her." " Hello?" " Diana?" "It looks like the Skrill have taken over an abandoned building downtown." "We need to get a hold of Andros right away." "Andros is here now." "Hold on." "It's Steve." "Yes?" "Andros, we found some Skrill clothing... and one of those gauntlets in an abandoned building downtown." "Where?" "13th and Orchard." "They've cleared the area." "Good." "Make sure everyone stays away." "Everyone." "13th and Orchard?" " That's right." "A car will pick you up from there in two minutes." "I'll be ready." "It could be where they've hidden the mind banks." " I'll go with you." " No." "It's been a long enough morning for you." "I'll let you know what I find out." "Leave now, and stay back with the others." "No one must get in the way." "Steve, it's Diana." "I've been worrying about Andros." "Maybe it's a trap." "He's still the best one to handle it." "And he did ask us to keep everyone away." "And he meant everyone, Diana." "Be patient until wwe hear from him." "Okay, I'll try." "Princess?" " Are you hurt?" " No, I'm fine." "We've got to stop meeting like this." "We seem to have an equally difficult time staying out of trouble, don't we?" "Thanks to this plague that's befallen your planet." "The Skrill led you to believe that they were here in order to kill you." "Vermin." "And now that they think they've succeeded... they'll rob the Earth until their mind banks are gutted." "Any idea where they'll strike next?" "I wish I did, Princess." "I wish I did." "...would be unwise because it could disturb the" "Senator Wainright!" "That's right, son, but I'm afraid you got the advantage of me." " You're absolutely right." " If you could" "I must say you're much prettier than the other model." " She was taken ill, you say?" " Just a touch of the..." "Flu?" "Probably a new boyfriend, but still, youth must be served." " Have you been modeling long?" " Just since I started my art classes." "It's an honor to be posing for the foremost sculptor in the United States." "That's the opinion of some critics." "I'm curious, though." "Why on a project like Tertex would they want a sculptress?" "How would a schoolgirl right out of modeling class know about Tertex?" "How indeed?" "Prince." "Where are you now?" "About 10 blocks from the complex." "Why?" "The Skrill have been active again." " Where?" " Senator Wainright on a public street..." "Carla Burgess right out of her studio." "Wainright and Burgess, members of" "Tertex." "Somehow, they got a read-out." "They're using it like a road map." "Who else is in the Washington area?" "Just one." "Dr. Paul Eidleman at the university." "I'm heading over there." "No, you're too far away." "I've already contacted the police." "All we can do is wait." "Hope that they find him before the Skrill." "Prof. Eidleman?" "Well?" "They told me I'd probably find you here." "They should also have told you I detest being disturbed while I'm eating." "This won't take long." "I just wanted to show you something." " What've you got there?" " Something quite remarkable, really." "When you place it on" "Just so your adventure into higher learning isn't a total loss..." "Doctor, no!" "Forgive me, but I just wanted to see." "Believe me, Doctor, you don't want to see what this can do." "At least we know who they're after." "We'll stake out the remaining Tertex members." "If only we could capture one of these Skrill." "Learn their hiding place." "Time." "It'll take too much time." "Andros, when the Council sent you here to capture the Skrill..." " they gave you a time limit, didn't they?" " Yes." " How much time?" " I was given six days." " How much time do you have left?" " I have only 48 hours." "Then what happens?" "Then the Council will take matters into their hands." " What'll they do?" " Decontaminate." "How do they do that?" "The Skrill are mad sociopaths." "Now, we have charted a pattern of their madness." "Arrogance, cruelty, taking pleasure in giving pain." "Now, we can reproduce that pattern electronically... broadcast it at enhanced power... overload the Skrill's minds, bring them out unable to control themselves." "Then why don't you do it?" "Because Earth is a young planet." "Because humans are young species... primitive." "I'm sorry, Diana, Steve." "But, yes." "Primitive." "Warlike." "Often arrogant." "Cruel." "In sum, like the Skrill." "This electronic decontamination broadcast... what will it do to humans?" "For most, nothing." "For a small minority, discomfort." "And for a tiny handful... madness." "How many is a tiny handful?" "For a population of 4 billion odd, say, perhaps 2 million." " Two million people driven mad?" " We can't let this happen." "I agree." "But the Council does not." "Unless we locate their hiding places... and the Skrill themselves in the time I was given." "They have to give you more time." "Can't you tell the Council that we know which minds the Skrill are after?" "Can't you tell them that we're trying to capture the Skrill?" "You've got to make an appeal." "The Council tends to be unbending in these matters." "Andros, you've got to try." "Will you?" "Earth people believe they know... how to deal With the Skrill Without our intervention." "Earth people are little more than Skrill themselves." "Quiet, Sell." "Hear him out." "They believe that because they know Whose minds the Skrill will be taking... they have way of capturing them and locating their hiding place." "They do not think that the Skrill may think of this?" "And who is to prevent them from changing their plan... and escaping with the minds they have already stolen?" "Earth people must have a chance to deal with the Skrill themselves." " They were." "And they failed." " They need more time." " How much more time?" " This is not negotiable." " You have 48 hours." " Give me 48 hours more." "Decontamination will occur when and as planned." "You must understand our position, Andros." "I do." "You're willing to sacrifice 2 million minds." "In order to save hundreds of millions of others." "You should know better than to waste our time and yours with this useless bartering." "Go back, Andros." "You and that extraordinary woman... prepare the planet for what is inevitable." "They said no." "I suggest we use the remaining time to tell the world what is happening." "And what will be happening." "There's an organization in New York that represents all the countries of the world." "We should start there." "I'll do everything I can to help." "Eve, get Assistant Secretary General Nordling on the phone immediately." "He's to arrange a meeting of the General Assembly as soon as possible." "Andros, you're about to be introduced to the United Nations." "I only wish it was under happier circumstances." "We can begin at any time, Mr. Andros." " Yes, but I was rather hoping that" " Excuse me." "Yes?" "Certainly." "Admit her at once." " I thought I'd have to start without you." " You should know me better than that." "We can go at any time." "Now." "If you'll please." "Ladies and gentlemen." "Thank you all for allowing us to address you on such short notice." "But it's important to our planet." "This is Andros, and he will explain." "To begin with, I am not from Earth." " A question?" " Yes, sir." "Did I understand you to say that you 're not from this planet?" "That is correct, madam." "Thank you, sir." "Is the General Assembly in session, Officer?" "That's right." "But all press corps personnel should be inside by now." "Yes, but I'm not local, sir." "Actually, I write for the youth page for the Washington Sun... and the commuter flight ran a little bit late this morning." "We'll have to check it out." "I should hope you would." "So I'm afraid... your nations have no alternative... but to prepare for the decontamination process." "As Andros explained, only a minority... of your countries 'populations will be affected." "But you must make sure the medical facilities and authorities... are prepared to handle these people." "And you must do so in the next 18 hours." "The decontamination process is scheduled to begin at that time." "I'm sorry." "Ladies and gentlemen, please!" "Come to order." "We must discuss this immediately." "Come to order, please." "Please, ladies and gentlemen, let us collect ourselves to discuss this matter." "We understand that you feel you have some special problems... concerning what you just heard?" "My country, for instance, boasts five Nobel Prize winners." "Is there not some way you can protect their minds at least... from this dreadful decontamination?" "As I said, the process should not affect" "I'm sorry, there is a security problem, Mr. Secretary." "We've arranged for another room, if you'll come with us." "This is most unusual." " Skrill." " That's correct, Andros." "Cooperate, and these people will be unharmed." "But if any of you move..." "These distinguished citizens will be in danger of being... extinguished." "She's fainting." "What do you want?" "Andros." "Get down." "Wonder Woman, you're all right?" "I'm fine." "What happened?" "We were helping the guards evacuate the people." "Then one of the guards, a young woman, she stopped him... she said you were being overcome." "She was so convincing." "I guess his thoughts were all for you." "He started out, there was a flash then, and he..." "Is he dead?" "No, but his mind is gone." "No medications, Doctor?" "I don't know enough about his metabolism." "The fact that he has two hearts complicates matters enough." "I'm sorry, Diana." "I'm no more capable of treating Andros... than a witch doctor is up to doing a brain transplant." "I'm sorry." "I understand, Doctor." "Thank you." "I am of the Earth, but I'm also immortal and an Amazon." "I found a kinship with Andros from your World." "What has happened to Andros?" "His mind has been captured by the Skrill." "We feared as much when we lost all contact." "Can you help him?" "No." "There's gotta be something" "There is nothing we can do." "We are no less vulnerable to the Skrill than the rest of the universe." "And that is why they must be destroyed." "Andros told me what you intend to do." "It's horrible." "It's regrettable." "The Skrill must not leave your planet." "They would vanish into the galaxy if they were to escape now." "The decontamination will create havoc on my planet." "There will be casualties, yes." "There would be countless more throughout the universe... if we did not decontaminate." "You must realize that." "I realize that the bureaucracy running your galaxy is no more compassionate... or intelligent than any other bureaucracy." "You are impertinent." "And you're ready to destroy my world in order to save it!" "The decontamination is still set for three hours from now?" "It will occur in... 165 of your Earth minutes." "Then I have that much time to try and capture the Skrill myself." "I apologize if I seem indifferent to your people's fate, Wonder Woman." "Andros has great faith in you." "And we think highly of Andros." "I truly hope you succeed." "That is a list of exactly where and when the Skrill were spotted." "And this... tells you precisely... where the members of Tertex were when their minds were stolen." "We've got to find their hiding place, Ira." "We only have two hours left." "Data just received is being analyzed... for any pattern which would indicate a possible center of operations." "Thank you, Ira." "This is all you can tell me about the whereabouts and movements of the Skrill?" "I'm afraid so." "We captured one member of the Skrill who'd taken over the body of a student." "All she told us is that they were hiding in the woods." "The Woods?" "This will also be considered." " You got something?" " Negative." " Nothing?" " Insufficient data." "The activities of the Skrill which you ha ve entered do not suggest... a center of operations." "Particularly since a wooded area was stipulated." "Do you have any suggestions?" "Your only hope... is to have Wonder Woman re-interrogate the captured member of the Skrill." "If you can find Wonder Woman." "Where are you hiding?" "Answer him." "We're hiding in the wilderness." "In the woods." "There must be something more you can tell us." "There is nothing more." "Too bad we didn't capture one of their ring leaders." "At least this one has seen their hiding place." "Maybe you don't know exactly where it is, but you can describe it." "I already have." "Do it again." "I want every detail." "It's in the woods." "There are trees, bushes, grass... and a hill, with rocks..." " and a cave." " A cave?" "A tunnel, going through the hill." "A tunnel?" "Now, let's see." "There's no mine shafts around here... no old railroad tunnels." "We've checked all the underground aqueducts." " What else?" " It's in the woods." "With animals." "At least, there used to be animals." "Animals?" "A zoo." "Isn't there an old zoo just outside the city?" "In Maryland?" "Yeah, but I wouldn't exactly call that wilderness." "The landscaping for the animals, trees, grass, rocks... from the inside it would look like a wilderness." "Especially to aliens." "Yeah, that would explain the tunnel, too." "It's worth a try." "Give me Maj. Zimmerman, right away." "You'll be wrong." "You'll never get us." "And you'll never save Andros either." "Get the mind banks ready for evacuation." "Hurry!" "Leaving without saying goodbye?" "Fire!" "This is what you used to lure him to me." "Let's see how you like it." "Now, Wonder Woman, it's time to say good night." "This must be it." "His mind." "Unbelievable." "How does it work?" "I think, by simple physical contact." "Thank you, Princess." " You're welcome." " It's incredible." "I agree." "Doctor, I can show you how to perform this small miracle for all of these." " What about the Skrill?" " I will remove them." "First, Doctor, let's restore the others." "Who are you?" " My name is Andros." " What is this?" " Where am I?" " You'll know the whole story in time." "They want to know what they should do with the Skrill now." "Nothing." "I'll do the rest." "Johnny, Kim, Karen... you're okay, don't worry about it." "That's a pretty good trick." "You mind telling me what you did with them?" "They've been incarcerated, light-years from here." "I doubt they'll be back to plunder your world, or anyone's, for a long time." "Thank you, Andros, for everything you've done for us." "Our whole planet thanks you." "And Diana asked for me to apologize for her not being here." "She said you'd understand." "Thank you, Major." "Déjà vu." "The last time we said goodbye was when?" "In 1943." "Perhaps we should keep track of our hellos instead." "Even better" "Don't ask me that." "I know a planet with eight moons." "They fill a night sky like jewels in a crown." "You'd be beautiful under that sky." "Andros, I can't." "I'm needed here." "Yes, you are." "So, Princess... until... whenever." "Until whenever." "Sorry not to have been of greater assistance earlier." "That's okay, Ira." "Re-interrogating that prisoner paid off." "We were able to capture the rest of them before the Council decontaminated." "Thanks to Wonder Woman, no doubt." "Affirmative." "Where are the Skrill being held?" "Andros teleported them... to a rehabilitation facility in the Star System Cynnus Alpha." "Did it occur to you to ask for my records on how the transportation... oflittle green men to a place 37 light-years away was achieved?" "Gee, I'm sorry, Ira." "Next time I'll ask." "Besides, they were little green men and women." "And what of Andros?" "He's gone." "He returned to his ship that's orbiting outside the Earth." "He is on his way back to the planet Octarus?" "Yes." "And it's only 29 light-years away." "So he should be there by now." "That is also unfortunate." "Sorry." "Had there been time, I'm sure Andros would have enjoyed... a scintillating conversation with you." "Affirmative." "I am sure he found his interaction with people on this planet... as uninspiring as I do." "Well, lucky for you that that's the end of my report." "I won't have to bore you anymore tonight." "Do not go away mad." "Just go away." "I see the lab boys are still trying to program you..." " with a sense of humor." " Affirmative." "They wish to make working with an I.R.A.C. computer eight hours a day... more pleasant." "I think they may be defeating their purpose." "I am reminded of a joke." "I hope it's not as old as your last one." " Knock, knock." " Oh, Ira." " Knock, knock." " Who's there?" "I.R.A. C." "I.R.A.C. who?" "I rack my brains to make you look clever." "I think I was better off boring you." "But I have more." "That's what I was afraid of." "Good night, Ira." "Miss Prince?" "Yes, Ira?" "Did you hear the one about the female computer?" "No." "She miscalculated." "Good night..." "Miss Princess." "I know a planet with eight moons." "They fill a night sky like jewels in a crown." "You'd be beautiful under that sky." "Until whenever, Andros." "Whenever."