"'The year is 1987 'and NASA launches the last of America's deep-space probes." "'In a freak mishap, Ranger 3 and its pilot, Captain William "Buck" Rogers 'are blown out of their trajectory into an orbit which freezes his life-support systems 'and returns Buck Rogers to Earth 500 years later.'" " I can't get over how you've grown, Maya." " I'm not that old, Vione." "Old enough to turn the head of every young man in Gaan." "The Trebor has asked for Maya." "No!" "My father will never allow this." "Prime Minister Darius?" "What will he do?" "He's just like the rest of the Katarians, helpless and weak." "Vione!" "Vione!" "We must do something!" "What can we do against the Trebor?" "He controls us with military power, secret police." "He's taken dozens of our women to add to his harem." "He regularly murders our best warriors for sport." "The people are terrified." "They never resist." "Without their support, we are helpless." "Darius, if the people had someone greater than the Trebor to believe in..." " Greater than the Trebor?" " Yes, I'm speaking of the Roshon." "The Roshon's a myth, Neil." "The 500-year-old man who's going to save us from the Trebor?" "A childhood fable!" "Which many of our people still believe in." "Darius, there is a Terran named Buck Rogers." "He is said to be 500 years old." "We need more than myths to defeat the Trebor." "Rogers is no myth." "His age can be validated." " Impossible." " We could bring him to Katar, present him to the people." "The people need someone to rally them, to give them faith in themselves." "To move against the Trebor?" "Darius, you can't take this foolishness seriously." "It's more than we have now, Kelan." "I'm ready to leave for Earth immediately, sir." "If the Trebor finds out about this, his reaction could be very unfavourable." "We have nothing to lose." " Last one to the hangar is a rotten egg." " A what?" "You know, an egg, Wilma." "It's white, kind of round." "Chickens lay them." "Ah, well, forget it." " I guess you had to be there." " I'm sorry I missed it." "Do you see what I see, at about two o'clock?" " That guy's in trouble." " Yeah, and badly outnumbered." "This is Colonel Deering of the Earth Defense Directorate." "'You are violating Terran airspace." "Identify yourselves.'" " They're not talkers." "Let's give him a hand." " I'm right behind you, Buck." "Take the one on the right." "I'll take the other one." "This is Deputy Minister Neil, of Katar." "Thanks." "It's our pleasure." "Captain Rogers and Colonel Deering here." " Glad we could be of assistance." " (Wilma) 'You've sustained damage.'" "I guess I have." "We're on our way to Earth." "We'll escort you and see about fixing your ship." "I'll follow you in." "We still haven't determined the origin of those fighters." "Any ideas?" " Pirates, I suppose." " More than likely." "Please be seated." "I wish there was some way I could repay you." "Both of you." " That's not really necessary." " I have an idea." "Dr Huer has offered me transport to Katar." "Come with me." "You and Colonel Deering." "Be my guests for a few days in Gaan." " It's an exquisite city." " I'd love to, but I couldn't possibly get away." "Thank you." "Captain, it would be a great privilege." " Well, I've never been to the 13th quadrant." " Then it's decided." "Bidibidibidibidi." "I'll go get us packed, Buck." "Twiki, your manners are showing, I'm afraid." "I'm not sure this is a weekend for two." "Of course he can come." "My people would find him enchanting." "Bidibidibidibidi." "Naturally." "(Laughing)" "Thank you, Colonel, for your help." " Doctor." " Safe trip, Deputy Minister." "Captain Rogers, Darius, Prime Minister of Katar, and Deputy Minister Kelan." "And my daughter, Vione." " Captain Rogers, we owe you our thanks." " It was no big deal, really." "You're too modest, Captain." "Your reputation has reached even the 13th quadrant." "It has?" "Bidibidibidibidi." "A legend in your own time." "And ours." "I suppose we might as well get right to the point." " And what point is that?" " The reason we brought you here." "Bidibidibidibidi." "Uh-oh." "Brought me here?" "Prepare the combat area for broadcast." "Oh, Maya!" "Maya, welcome." "You're just in time, my darling." "I shall dedicate this contest to you." "Please, make yourself comfortable." "Yeah." "Yes!" " Neil reached Earth." " He survived?" "And returned with the Terran named Buck Rogers, a man born in the 20th century." "Oh, yes." "Darius cleverly resurrected an ancient myth that a 500-year-old man would duel the Trebor to the death and free the planet." "(Laughing)" "People believe in the Roshon." "Greta, the Roshon does not exist." "However, if this Buck Rogers is giving them a false sense of courage, well, then, he's a nuisance and he should be removed." "Gentlemen," "I have a job for you in Gaan." "Look, I am not your Roshon, or whatever it is you call it." "I'm just me, Buck Rogers." "All we ask is that you appear to be the Roshon." "Long enough for the people to find the courage to stand up to the Trebor." "I can't give your people courage, or direction." "They've got to find that for themselves, can't you see?" " The captain's right, Darius." " But the people can't do it." " Not alone." "They need help." " Why?" "This is their planet." "I don't understand." "'People of Katar, attention!" "'The contest is about to begin.'" "This will help you understand why." "Once monthly, the Trebor selects one soldier to fight to the death." "The "contest" is broadcast across the entire planet." " Doesn't anyone ever say no?" " Acceptance is mandatory." "It is the duel or summary execution." "It has taken the cream of our officer corps." "Begin, Katarian." "(Pulsing)" " He is impressive." " We need your help, Captain." " Without it..." " Captain, we cannot make you do anything, but please, think about this." "I'm still not sure what I can do." "It is late." "Vione will show you to your quarters." "We can talk tomorrow." "Bidibidibidibidi." "That doesn't look like the welcome wagon, Buck." "Are you all right, Captain?" "I'm fine." "Just not impressed with Katarian hospitality." "Those were assassins sent by the Trebor." " Assassins?" "For me?" " The Trebor has learned of your arrival." "What a nice welcome!" "Remind me to send him a thank you note." "(Woman sobbing)" "Bidibidi." "What's the matter, Buck?" " Vione, what's wrong?" " It's Maya, my younger sister." " The Trebor's men took her to him." " What for?" "The Trebor has many wives." "He keeps them in the palace with him." "He's going to force Maya to marry him." "I'm so afraid we'll never see her again." "Captain Rogers, our people have to fight the Trebor, destroy him." "We need your help to get started." "All right, I'll see what I can do." "Buck!" "Thank you." " I haven't done anything yet." " Yes, you have." "You're so different from the men I've known." " What are you doing?" " Getting a little help from my friends." "How's your vacation going, Buck?" "'It's going to be a lot of work.'" " Oh, really?" "How so?" " 'I'll fill you in later.'" " 'Right now, I need information.'" " On what?" "'A guy called a Trebor." "He's a shogun up here, a dictator.'" "Yes, what about him?" "'Get me anything you can, especially about what he does with electricity.'" "Electricity?" "That hasn't been used in over 400 years, Buck." "'Wrong, Doc." "This Trebor is using it here in Katar.'" " Are you all right, Buck?" " 'So far." "'Get back to me as quickly as possible.'" " Yes, of course." "Be careful." " 'Don't worry, Doc." "I intend to be." "'Rogers out.'" " The Trebor?" " Yes, I've never heard of him." " I'd better check this out at the archives." " Good idea." "Maya, how do you like your new home, girl?" "This isn't a home." "It's a prison." "Come, come." "It's a privilege to be here." "Not for me." "Maya!" "You're to be my bride in a matter of days." "I'd rather be dead." "Well, that is an alternative." "Don't be foolish, girl." "No one can help you here." "You are mine, girl." "And it can be quite enjoyable." "Take her to the women's quarters." "You've decided to help us?" "That's wonderful news." "We should present you to the people soon." "That's fine, but it's just talk." "What we need is action." " What do you have in mind?" " A lightning raid on the Trebor's palace." "Supply me with a handful of your best men, show me a way in, we'll free your women and then we'll go after the Trebor." "That's ridiculous!" " But bold." " And imaginative!" "The last thing the Trebor would expect!" " It's a suicide mission." " Suicide, Kelan?" "Our daughters are experiencing a living death right now." "The system of secret conduits under that palace could be our entrance." "All right." "I'll need transport, weapons and a schematic of the palace." " I'll get them immediately." " Bidibidi." "Looks like all systems are go." "Hello?" "Dr Junius?" "Anybody here?" "(Man) Dr Junius is out." "I'm in." "Dr Albert." "Oh!" "An early model hand laser." "We haven't figured out how it works yet." "Dr Albert, I spoke with Dr Junius earlier this morning, about a man called the Trebor." "Trebor?" "Trebor?" "Trebor..." "Oh, yes, yes!" "Junius left the information here somewhere." "Trebor..." "Trebor..." "Oh, here it is." "I got it." "Uh..." "What does it say?" "Your Trebor is the warlord on a planet called Katar, in the 13th quadrant." "He's the 17th Trebor to rule over Katar." "Go on, what else does it say?" "Oh." "This is rather extraordinary." "It seems he spent several years on a planet called Volton." " Volton?" "I..." " Yes." "He lived among a race of beings who existed only as electrical energy." "Yes, Buck mentioned electricity." "When he was there, he had minute electronic circuitry implanted under his skin." "He's capable of creating enormous amounts of electrical power, and directing it." "What do you mean by directing it?" "Well, your Trebor is able to hurl an electrical charge, a surge." "He's been known to use it as a very effective weapon." "It's considered to be quite dangerous, in fact, even deadly." "Thank you, thank you." " Where are the men?" " At the shuttle." " We'll land some distance from the palace." " We don't anticipate a problem with guards." " Twiki, wait for me back at my quarters." " Bidibidi." "OK, Buck, but don't be too long." "Stay near the Comms Centre, Kelan." "In an emergency, contact us." "Of course, Darius." "Safe journey." "'Central Communications." "Yes, Deputy Minister?" "'" "My vidfon." "I'm getting nothing but static." "'It's not the vidfon, sir." "The static is due to violent sunspot activity on Solon.'" "I must complete this transmission." "'Our data indicates the storm should be lessening in one hour." "'Normal communications will be possible then.'" "The women's chamber is this way." "The way to the Trebor's quarters is to the left." " You'll see a conduit on your right." " I saw the schematic." "We'll meet back at the ship." " Come on." " Good luck." "(Ticking)" "(Smack)" "You guys just threw snake eyes!" "That's the emergency access to the women's quarters." "I can see the door." "It's clear." "You stay here and keep an eye on things." " Father!" " Maya." "You're safe." "I hate to break this up but we've got to get back to the shuttle." "Where is the Trebor?" "It's imperative that I talk to him." "That's impossible." "I have strict orders not to..." "'Darius and Rogers have brought a combat team into the palace." "'They plan to kill him and take the women.'" "Don't move, Trebor!" "You fool!" "You forget where you are, and who you're dealing with." "Kill him, Minister!" "No, we're taking the Trebor to Gaan to stand trial, let the people see that he's mortal." "(Pulsing)" " Rogers is somewhere on the grounds." " Search the complex." "Greta, you come with me." "I want to check the women's quarters." "Stay with them, Darius." "I'm going back for Neil and the others." "That's all, Captain Rogers." "Neil, the women are inside." "Where are the others?" " Stunned." "All four are wounded." " And Buck?" "He was coming after you." " I don't know where he went." " I can't leave Buck." "He didn't ask for this." " Take the controls." " You'll be stranded." "If Buck's alive, we'll get out." "Now, do as I say, quickly!" "Come on." "So this is the indestructible Roshon." "The warrior who was to free Darius and his rabble from the tyranny of the Trebor?" "(Laughing)" "You didn't meet with much success on your first campaign, did you?" "Let me see..." "Four wounded officers and Neil is probably captured by now, too." " At least Darius escaped with the women." " Yes, and he'll die for it, too." "Oh, it will be enjoyable!" "To start over again with the cream of Gaan's maidens." "Greta, what should we do with him?" "If he's the Roshon, then he must fight the Trebor." "Why, of course!" "Of course." "A duel to the death." "Does that appeal to you, Roshon?" "Not particularly, no." "Call Kelan." "Alert him." "Tell him I'll be bringing their hero to Gaan tomorrow." "This little adventure of yours could prove to be a harsh lesson for Darius and the people, and, most of all, for you." "Place him in a cell until we are ready to leave." " Where's Father?" " He stayed behind." "They couldn't find Buck." "Bidibidibidibidi." "Oh, boy!" "Buck's missing." "I'm sure they'll be all right." "Really, I am." " Thanks." " Quick, I know where we can steal a ship." " Do you always travel with Buck?" " Bidibidibidibidi." "He'd be lost without me." "Maya!" "Vione!" " Oh, Father!" " Boy, am I glad to see you, Buck." "Took the words right out of my mouth." "How will I ever be able to thank you for saving Maya?" "I think we're even." "Your father saved my skin back there." "That's between my father and you." "Darius, Captain Rogers." "I can't tell you how we worried." "I'm sorry you won't have a chance." "Take the Minister to his quarters." "He's under arrest." "You can't resist the Trebor." "Don't you see that?" " Neil and the women, are they safe?" " Neil's badly wounded but he's going to live." " The women are fine." " The Trebor will be following us." "More specifically, the Roshon." "Me." "He'll do everything he can to set the odds in his favour." "Karem and the secret police will help him." "We've got to find a place where I can face him and we can cover ourselves." "The hangar." "It's big and it's close." "He'll have to go through it." "Let's take a look at it." "Ladies." "They are going to pay for this, all of them!" "Get me Karem!" "This Buck Rogers, the Roshon." "Most of all, I want him." "He's going to die." "But not easily." "And not quickly." " Where will the Trebor enter from?" " Over there, at the far end." "The first thing he's going to see is the Roshon." "Buck, the Trebor's a deadly killer." "Are you sure you want to meet him alone?" "That's what it's gonna boil down to, isn't it?" "The Trebor against me." "Besides, if it doesn't work out, you can take over." "I've seen enough." "Let's go." "Buck, it's your friends on Earth." " Doc!" "Where have you been?" " 'We haven't been able to get through.'" "What have you come up with?" "'The Trebor has some kind of circuitry implanted under his skin." "'It produces an enormous amount of electricity." "'You're more familiar with it than we are.'" "I've got a good idea how it works." "'He uses it to create a "surge", and then he directs it through his hand." " 'It's quite deadly.'" " I know." "I've seen it in action." "'What exactly are you doing?" "'" "Doc, when we've got time, I'll be glad to sit down and talk about it." " Right now, let's just say I'm helping." " 'This Trebor sounds dangerous.'" " Yes, he is, Doc." " 'Need help?" "We could send a squadron.'" "Not right now, there's not enough time." "Thanks, anyway." "I'll be talking to you." "Twiki, you and I are gonna have a little talk." "Bidibidibidibidi." "Your place or mine?" "The Raven is waiting." "I'm ready." "Bidibidibidibidi." "You're giving me heartburn, Buck." " It's just an improvised transformer." " What's it for?" "We can use this to give the Trebor a taste of his own medicine." "That's great, but why me?" "You're better equipped to handle electricity than I am." "Besides, this transformer will help take some of the sting out of it." " Vione, what is it?" " The Trebor's on the scanner." "They'll be here in minutes." "Bidibidibidibidi." "I'll catch you later, Buck." "Thank you for everything." "It seems like I'm always standing here, thanking you." "Don't stop on my account." "I brought you something." "It's beautiful." "In the past, our women gave their men medallions before going into battle." "They were always worn close to the heart." "For protection and strength...and love." " Vione..." " Wear this close to your heart, Buck." "May my love protect you and give you strength." "Always." "'A Situation Red Alert is now in effect!" "Situation Red!" "'" " All set?" " Yes." "I've got my best men at this end of the hangar." "They are prepared to fight." " What about the Trebor?" " He should be here any... (Trebor) Roshon!" "Roshon!" "The Trebor is here!" " Bidibidibidibidi." "Goodbye, Buck." " Twiki!" " For victory, Captain." " Long life, Darius." " Are you ready, Twiki?" " Bidibidibidibidi." "As ready as I'll ever be." "Let's go." "You came to me, Roshon." "I thought I would repay the compliment." "I didn't think manners was your strong point." "Laser rifles, Roshon?" "Why not be more sporting?" " As you see, I am unarmed." " In a manner of speaking." "You wouldn't shoot an unarmed man, would you, Roshon?" "By me, Twiki." "Fast!" "Stop!" "No one kills the Roshon... but the Trebor." "Stay close and be ready, Twiki." "Bidibidibidibidi." "Be careful, Buck." "Roshon!" "Drop your weapon." "Face me like a man." "I repeat, I'm unarmed." "Except for that power plant you're wired with." "I could have killed you just then but I want you to last a while." "Twiki, get over here." "What is that?" "My ambuquad, Twiki." "We do everything together." " Even die?" " We haven't tried that yet." "No." "No, of course not." "You're the man who has lived 500 years... and is about to die in seconds." " Get ready, Twiki." " Bidibidibidibidi." "OK, Buck." "How..." "How did you do that?" "20th-century Yankee ingenuity and basic electronics." "You should have paid your light bill." "You turkey!" "Bidibidi!" "Bidi!" "Aargh!" "Uh-oh..." "Bidibidi." "Oh, you are clever, Roshon, but you're stupid to have stayed." "Why did you do that?" "Was it duty?" "Honour?" "Ah, perhaps love?" "Knowing you Terrans, it was probably love." "Bidibidibidi." "He's down for the ten-count!" "Get these stunned men to the med techs." " Buck, are you all right?" " Yeah, I'm fine." "He's all yours." "It's going to be a pleasure to deal with the Trebor." "Thank you." " Like I said, I owed you one." " We are more than even." "Get him out of here." " We've taken the Trebor's palace." " There was no resistance." "For the first time in centuries, Katar is a free planet." "In many ways, Buck, you have become the Roshon." " Darius, you know as well as..." " The people believe in the Roshon, in you." "They've gathered all around the planet waiting for their Roshon to address them." " Will you?" " All right." "This is Buck Rogers." "The Trebor has been defeated." "I hope you'll never again live in the shadow of fear and tyranny." "But you, the people of Katar, are the only ones who can guarantee that, by finding the courage and the strength to be free." "I am not the Roshon." "You are, each and every one of you." "You are what is real, the future of your planet is in your hands." "Good luck." "Thank you, Buck." " Twiki, are you ready to go home?" " Bidibidibidi." "All packed." "I'll be right with you." " Now it's my turn." " For what?" " To say thank you." " For what?" "For this... and all the thoughts behind it." " They're still there." " I know." "That's what makes this very special." "Thank you." "Good bye." "Good bye." " That's an extraordinary story." " I only wish we could have been there." "So do I. But everything worked out, so..." "(Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!" ")" "Bidibidibidibidi." "Reach for the sky!" "I've been telling Twiki about the myths I grew up with." "He's taking them seriously." "Excuse me while I deal with Billy the Kid." "Bidibidibidi." "This galaxy ain't big enough for the two of us." "Maybe we can make a deal." "You take the horses, the girl, and I'll be gone by sundown." " Some deal." " All right, take the money and the horses." " You're getting warmer." " You want the money, horses and the girl?" "Bidibidibidi." "You've got it." "No way, my friend." "I'd rather die with my boots on." "Bidibidibidi." "Well, OK." "You keep the horses."