"What sounds like a fairy tale today, may be tomorrow's reality." "Here's a fairy tale from the day after tomorrow." "There are no more nations." "Only humanity and its colonies in space." "Distant stars have been settled." "The ocean beds are inhabited." "Space ships cross the galaxy at unimaginable speeds." "One such ship is the Orion." "A small link in a great chain of defence against threats from space." "Let's join Orion and her crew on patrol at the edges of infinity..." "4." "Deserters" "Subtitles by Anders M Olsson" "Object spotted." "Target identified." "Kapolus - 5,300 meters deep crater without central hill." "Watch closely, McLane!" "A diameter of 35 kilometers." "Attention" " Overkill!" "Attention" " Overkill!" "Attention" " Overkill!" "The crater's been enlarged by at least 50 times." "A terrifying weapon." "And that was only a small scale test." "But one day there might be a critical battle against the frogs." "We know that they've developed counter-measures against our ray-guns." "That renders our light- throwers obsolete." "Not entirely, but Overkill lets us eliminate an entire hostile fleet as soon as it's been discovered." " I doubt the frogs will attack." " I wouldn't be too sure." "We don't know much about the frogs so we must be prepared for everything." "That sounds reassuring." "Atan, lightwave to Earth:" "Experiment Overkill has been a success!" "Sir, Orion 8 informs that experiment Overkill has been a success!" "You asked to be kept up to date." "I see." "Thank you." "Sorry, colonel." "Please go on!" "As I said, there has never been a more serious incident." "An attempted desertion by a commander." "And to the frogs, no less." " Has he lost his mind?" " No." "The commander of the Xerxes has been under surveillance for three weeks." "A medical staff has examined and hypnotized this Alonzo Pietro, tested his reflexes, and analyzed the results." "There's no sign whatsoever of mental disorder." "Pietro is as normal as you and I!" "I don't distrust the staff, but are you sure that there was no mistake?" "These are serious accusations which contradict all experience." "I can only repeat that Pietro, in spite of being at his senses, attempted to desert to the frogs' base." " AC-1000." " Exactly." " I'd like to see that man." " You may." "Bring in commander Pietro!" "No offense, Villa, but I'm a skeptic." "We now know that the symptoms in the Vesta sector were due to space-madness." "Commander Pietro has served there." "I can assure you that Pietro has no such symptoms." " But others, perhaps?" " No, we've checked that." "How?" "You don't even know what disease it is." "Or the symptoms of that disease." "We've examined Pietro very thoroughly." "We expected a mental disorder." "But found absolutely nothing." "Pietro is completely healthy!" "A commander who deserts to the frogs can't be healthy!" "That will cause a disaster once it gets known within the space fleet." "Order will break down." "If you can't trust the commanders, the security of Earth is in jeopardy." "I agree." "So does the supreme space command." "Nowadays, the outer space stations are manned by robots." "The results have been great." "No breakdowns, no emotions." "Space captains might also be replaced by robots." "Commander Pietro has arrived." "Pietro?" "What do you have to say?" "Nothing." "Your space-ship had been programmed for AC-1000." "I know nothing of that." "You certainly know how to drink!" "Did McLane teach you that?" "Speak of the devil..." "Fill me up, please?" "Why can't you tell me the outcome of the meeting?" "That's classified." "I know." "But Pietro's been a close friend of mine for eight years." "I can't believe what I've heard." "Better believe it, Cliff." "Pietro's confessed plans for delivering Xerxes to the frogs." "Seriously?" "Xerxes operated in the Vesta- sector, at our station M8-8-12." "That's where I'm going to install Overkill, and at K16." "The light thrower stations are exposed." "They need our most powerful defence." " Why are you so nervous?" " I'm not!" "You are, every time McLane shows up." ""McLane" - don't you have anything else to talk about?" " You started it." " I did!" "?" "Let's enjoy ourselves!" "Let's talk about you!" "You're said to be a real bitch." "Not so loud!" "I'm only doing my job." "I'm sure that's the right thing to do." "An intelligence officer can easily get a bad reputation." "Cliff?" "Are you afraid of your security officer?" "Why?" "Or is she afraid of you?" "If only she were." "You're staring at each other as if your eyes were overkill-weapons." "Or you may be jealous of one another." "General van Dyke!" "I must be off, Cliff." "When will you leave?" "Tomorrow morning at six." "Don't look too happy, Cliff!" "Your security officer might think we're dating." "Well, have you done your homework?" "Not at all." "You can never study too much." "I can help to test your skill." "Besides, you must report to general van Dyke." "Why?" "I don't serve under her." "I'm only the messenger." "Perhaps it's a special assignment?" "So goodbye!" "See you later!" "I keep my fingers crossed!" " Bye then." " Bye." "Do you enjoy playing tricks on a young officer?" "We've all been young." "It's part of the training." "You seem to take your reassignment hard." "Look who's talking!" "What about your flirting and drinking?" "What about you?" "I had a professional conversation with the general." "That's your version." "Besides, you're not in command here." "My company is none of your business." "It is, in a personal way." "But you wouldn't understand." "What's the matter with you... ?" "Easy!" "In a little while, we'll all suffer from space madness." "Space madness?" "Everyone who's been on M8-8-12 has been affected." "The general says so." "We're not likely exceptions." "Your general isn't up to date with the latest developments." "Only robots work there now." "Tin men?" "I knew it." " Secret project." " Courtesy of your boss, I'm sure." "Doesn't intelligence have more urgent matters to attend to?" " They do now - your health." " What's that supposed to mean?" "By order of intelligence, we'll be accompanied by a physician tomorrow." " Without my approval?" " Easy, easy!" "I have the order for you to read." "That's the last straw." "I resign!" "You don't approve of my presence?" "I don't mind you." "Nowadays people push me around all the time." "The commander doesn't feel up to take responsibility for a doctor." "On the contrary." "I'll be responsible for you and your crew." "But let's do it together." "That way it won't be a burden for any of us." " Agreed?" " Yes." "You know, professor, we thought you'd be a little gnome who..." "Brain specialist, right?" "Great occupation?" "It becomes what you make of it." "Exciting." "Almost like being a space captain." "Surely there are differences." " Have you heard of Pietro Alonzo?" " I've read the report." " What do you say?" " It doesn't say much." "No clues." "It's a mystery." " I wonder why Pietro confessed." " The investigation is still open." " Desertion is an act of free will." " This is mad!" " Why so?" " The frogs do without oxygen." "He would die immediately." "He knew that." "And you knew Pietro." "Did he want to die?" "Something must have changed in his brain." "What is not known." "And how - that's what I'm here to find out." " Then we'll be your guinea pigs." " In a way, yes." "Perhaps you do have a sense of humor?" "Orion 8 calling light thrower station M8-8-12." "We'll be landing on the planetoid in four minutes." "Landing automation and oxygen supply on." "M8-8-12 over!" "Please respond and confirm!" "What's the matter, numskulls?" "Orion 8 calling M8-8-12." "Landing automation and range finder on." "Orion requests an execution report." "Mario, do you know why the robots don't respond?" " Asleep, I guess." " Problems, commander?" "Hello!" "Orion 8 calling M8-8-12." "M8-8-12 over!" "Cliff, the landing beam is on!" "Finally!" "But what turned them on?" " Can we land now?" " Yes." "Are you afraid?" " Just a bit uneasy." " After 36 days in space?" "Engineering:" "Full deceleration!" "Cliff, should I notify station 45 of our landing?" "Please do, lieutenant!" "Engineering to the commander:" "Ready to land!" "What might be wrong, Atan?" "No data processing." "Perhaps exhaustion?" "They don't say a thing." "No status reports, nothing." "Robots like these are only used at exposed stations." "They're considered especially durable." "But not friendly enough to come and greet us." "If only I knew more." "It's a new model I haven't seen before." " What about you, Atan?" " I can't even find the latch." "Try there!" " What a natural!" " 15 years in space teaches a lot." "15 years?" "That doesn't show!" "One does one's best." "Nowadays the galaxy isn't too exciting." "There are rules for everything now." "Watch out, Cliff!" "It attacks!" "Use your ray-gun!" "Damn!" "Has it gone mad?" "And robots are supposed to be more reliable than humans." "What might have happened?" "Either a programming error or a neurosis." "Such things do happen." "Perhaps a memory overload." "That's all very well, but the smallest child knows that a defective robot never can break the first law, and attack a human." " There must be more to it." " Sabotage?" "I'm sure of it." "Hasso, would you render the other comrade harmless?" "I don't dare." "Get Tamara!" " She's recently taken a course." " Great idea!" "Commander McLane calling the Orion." "Orion over!" "Here's lieutenant Jagellovsk." "Have you taken training on the new robots, the Gamma-7s?" "Yes, they're the most reliable I've seen so far." "Then come over and have a look!" "Sigbjörnson will relieve you." "Helga, have you heard from H5?" " No, H5 doesn't answer." " Then try Olaf 1!" " Done that." " And?" "No response from them either." " Do you still believe in technical malfunctions?" " What else?" "Neurotic robots and communications breakdowns that can't be explained." "I'm sure Olaf 1 is busy with more important matters than returning our calls." "Let's work!" "We don't want to stay too long." "Overkill must be installed." "What happened to the robots?" "See for yourself!" "I'm sure you're in for a pleasant surprise." " What's going on, sir?" " Just a moment." "A12 through 27 disconnected, Mario!" "Let me try." " You must be bored, professor?" " No, I find it most interesting." " Can we begin verification?" " Soon as we've connected the sectors." "Lieutenant, would you help us verify?" " I'd love to." " Use that panel!" "Atan." "Atan!" "12X minus 12." "Sector 2 towards 12." "B14 towards 32." "Great." "Thank you!" "A47B minus 3." "Yes, great." "Thank you!" "Gamma 17 minus delta 4." "Well... yes that's fine." "Thank you!" "Hello Orion!" "Hello Orion!" "Please respond!" "Hasso, answer me!" "Hasso!" "Hasso, are you asleep?" "Answer me!" "What's going on?" "Hasso!" " Is that you, Cliff?" " Yes, what's going on?" " We're working ourselves to death, and you sleep." " Sorry, just a bit drowsy." " Are you ready?" " Yes." "We'll proceed to K-16 in one hour." " You can program the course now." " Will do, Cliff!" "One more trip of overkill- installations, and I'll resign." "Let's be happy that we've made it." "What a poor consolation coming from you!" "It's nice to see that your mood has improved." "Off to K-16 and the next installation!" "But first a few hours sleep." "Helga, why don't you go too?" "Tamara, please turn on the robots!" "Isn't it strange, professor?" "We've worked all night, and nothing's happened." "The saboteurs haven't shown." "Let's wait and see." "They may still show." "And after this, another Overkill." "It gets on my nerves." "We'll soon be through." "How are you?" "Don't you feel well?" " Why?" " I just thought so." "It's one hell of a way, and the next time, I'm going to tell them to..." " Everything alright?" " Yes, it... is." " Are you tired?" " Why do you ask?" "You seem so exhausted." " Well, I'm not." " Great." " Let's make ready for take-off." " OK." "Too bad your time with us has been in vain." "In vain?" "Nothing's happened." "No space madness, no frogs, no desertions." "Don't crow too soon!" "We're not through yet." " Just be happy that there are no problems!" " I am." "But if nothing happens to us, Pietro must be a deserter." "I have a problem with that." " Atan, can we... ?" " In a moment!" "Tamara will take over at the weapons console." "Mario has to sleep." "Are you sure you're alright?" "Don't start again." "You're getting on my nerves." " I'm here to give medical care." " Yes, I know." "You've been watching the computer all the time." "So what?" " Have you noticed anything special?" " Like what?" "Why don't you tell me how it works?" " I don't give lectures!" " Why not?" " I would have enjoyed it." " Cliff, let's get started!" "What's this?" "Commander McLane to the crew." "Lock the ABC-complexes." "Inhibit thrusters!" "Full isolation and radio blockage!" "All hands report to the bridge!" "Condition alert!" "So it's time?" "Yes, but it's no medical case." "It's a job for security." "Faulty coordinates have been programmed." "2-9-4-19-30-37-3." " But that's..." " The course for AC-1000!" "The same as Pietro programmed." "We've got a traitor on board." "Until counterevidence found." "In compliance with space regulation sect. 238-9, I take command of the ship, and of the criminal investigation." "We'll only be slightly delayed." " Lieutenant Sigbjörnson..." " Easy, Tamara!" "Lieutenant Sigbjörnson, you were on watch." "Tell us what happened while the rest of the crew worked at the station!" " There's not much to tell." " Why not?" "Because nothing happened." "Leave him alone!" "I'd like to see his reactions." "Did you check the course after you came aboard?" " No, why should I?" " It's not his job." "And you didn't make any special observations?" " You don't remember anything?" " No!" "And you can't explain the programming of the wrong course?" "I was sitting over there, and I never let the computer out of sight." "Did you sleep when McLane called?" "No, I was only drowsy." " I could see the console clearly." " And?" " And?" "Nothing happened!" " But you were at the computer." " I guess so." " Why?" " Why?" "Why?" "I don't know." " Really?" " What's that supposed to mean?" " Exactly as I say." " Are you saying that... ?" " Yes I am, lieutenant Sigbjörnson!" "It's quite clear." "Why did you change course for AC-1000?" " But I didn't!" " Who else?" "You were at the computer." "You were the only one on board for 12 hours." "It could only have been you, no one else." "Aren't you going too far?" "I demand that..." "I'm in charge of the interrogation!" "You might as well confess!" "But I tell you..." "You were going to give up the Orion to the enemy." "An enemy entirely directed at the elimination of humanity." " That's absurd!" " I'll tell you what it is!" "It's treason!" "Low and disgusting treason!" "Don't interrupt!" "I know him better than myself." "Who else could it be?" "Aliens, perhaps the frogs?" "Always the scape-goats, aren't they?" "You shouldn't believe in alien intrigues." " Please Tamara..." " Get out of my way!" "Lieutenant Jagellovsk to the log." "I've arrested Sigbjörnson, suspected of sabotage, and for being a threat to the Earth's security." " I'm sorry, I must paralyze you." " Out of the question!" "In compliance with regulation 59, individuals suspected of sabotage must be paralyzed before the official investigation can begin." "First, all weapons and the communicator must be seized." "Your weapon, please!" "Cliff, you can't allow this!" "We've known him for ten years." "Hasso, she can't paralyze you that easily." "Hasso is the worst criminal imaginable." "He has..." "There's no evidence!" "You only want to show off, and release your vanity and hatred." "That's beside the point!" "You sacrifice an innocent man for your ambitions!" "Lieutenant Legrelle, may I remind you that I'm in command right now." "I'm always entitled to act against any tendencies of disloyalty." "Sigbjörnson's guilt has been as good as proven." " On what grounds?" " He was the only one aboard." "That's not true." "There was one more." "Yourself, perhaps?" "Cliff, before Hasso, there was someone else aboard." "Alone and unattended, just as much a suspect as Hasso." " Who, Helga?" " Lieutenant Jagellovsk!" "Yes, that's right!" "You were on watch before Hasso relieved you." "Why wouldn't you be a suspect?" "The coordinates hadn't been entered at that time." " Did you check?" " Is there a witness?" "There isn't?" "Then McLane must arrest and paralyze you." " You wouldn't dare!" " Do you think I'm afraid of you?" " According to section 291..." " Knock it off!" "You're as much of a suspect." "It's in your own best interest that the case is thoroughly investigated." " But I'm the security officer." " What difference does it make?" "Since McLane is reluctant to act:" "Give me your weapon!" " Before I give up my weapon..." " This gets us nowhere!" "It's no use suspecting one another for things we can't explain." " It's perfectly clear to me." " Not to me." "Think about it!" "The frogs' coordinates were entered without orders." "There are two suspects:" "Lieutenants Sigbjörnson and Jagellovsk." "If the only possibility is treason, then I would have had no objections." "But remember the strange occurrences at M8-8-12:" "The way the robots behaved, and the communications breakdown." "Can't that have other causes than treason?" "Causes like..." " The same again." "AC-1000!" " I don't get it." "Soon we'll all be traitors and deserters." "It's contagious!" "We must go to the bottom of this." "It's now a case for a doctor." " Lieutenant Di Monti?" " Yes." " Do you understand me?" " Yes, of course." "Do you know what just happened?" " When?" " A few minutes ago." "Think hard!" "I was standing by the computer and..." " Nothing more." " Are you sure?" "You don't remember entering coordinates?" " Who?" " You!" " Which ones?" " For AC-1000!" " You accuse me of..." " No, I only ask if you remember." " I remember nothing." " What do you say now, commander?" "Note that they were both standing at the computer while entering the course." " It can only be done from there." " They don't remember it afterwards." " What's your point?" " Don't you see the connection?" "Watch this!" "Lieutenant Jagellovsk, would you please go to the computer?" " Why?" " Just an experiment." " You think that I too... ?" " Exactly!" " You're in for a disappointment." " We'll see!" "Like I said." "Well, Tamara." " Did I really?" " Yes." " It's not possible." " I'm afraid it is." "Can you imagine Tamara as a traitor?" "Neither can I." "That's why my hypothesis makes sense." "We're being controlled from the outside." " By whom?" " By the frogs, of course." "They've managed to break through the shielding of our computer." "Using the computer, they can implant alien thought-patterns into our minds, so called telenosis." "Telenosis?" "What's that?" "The brain transmits waves similar to radio-waves." "You can tap into the brain's transmissions." "A suitable transmitter would even let you control the brain from outside." "Your own brain currents versus an alien, more powerful layer." " That never occured to us." " Some kind of hypnosis?" "No, regular hypnosis uses real impressions, noises, or images." "Telenosis affects the mind directly." "So the enemy can make anyone do anything?" "Even against your own sense of morality?" "What do you know of morality?" "That it's the opposite of treason and collaboration with the frogs." "Telenosis makes us defenceless." "As soon as we're in range of the beam from the computer, we'll comply, whether we agree or not." "Did they control the robots at M8-8-12 as well?" "The entire station lies within the beam." "They could have done anything to us." "So why didn't they?" "They want us alive for our technical skills, and for Overkill." " And we'll be prisoners at their central camp." " Where's that?" "At the origin of the telenosis beam." "On AC-1000!" "So you must comply with the telenosis, enter the coordinates for AC-1000, and head towards that mysterious planet!" "Then Alonzo Pietro was no deserter." "No, not more than we are." " So let's desert!" " Excuse me?" "Not for real." "We'll only pretend defecting to the frogs." " As if we've taken their bate." " Yes, we'd "love to give up Orion"!" "Then we'll ignite Overkill!" "OK." "Stand by for desertion!" " Shouldn't we inform space command?" " How?" "Olaf 1 and H5 don't respond." "Besides, the frogs might decode the message." "As soon as some border station picks up our course, we'll have the entire space fleet at our throats." "That's a risk I'll have to take." "Sir!" "The space surveillance reports something terrible." " Orion 8 is heading for AC-1000." " Let me see!" "Alpha-message." "To the government, the supreme council, space command, space patrol, staff of defence, and all intelligence authorities." "Orion 8 under major McLane is presently escaping to alien territories." "I ask your consent for launching operation ATAX." "Then all space cruisers in neighboring sectors of Vesta will be ordered to change course and eliminate the Orion 8." "Orion 8 is escaping to alien territories." "Her coordinates are AC17-23." "I repeat:" "AC17-23." "The ship must be intercepted at sector AC17-11!" "All ships must immediately head for AC17-11!" "Alpha-order from space command to armed forces in the Vesta area:" "Head for AC17-11!" " Has anyone tried hailing the Orion?" " Yes." "No response." " Olaf 1?" " Neither Olaf 1 nor H5 respond." " Perhaps they're out of power?" " Impossible." "If only I knew what's happened." " ATAX confirmed by all armed forces." " McLane can't be a deserter." "Intelligence has undeniable evidence." "The satellite Argos in Vesta 5-61 has recorded Orion's course." "Then he's lost it..." "Which scout ship is closest to AC17-23?" "The Laura in sector AF12-90." "She'll be there in three days." "She's presently at AX19." "If any ship can catch up with the Orion, it's the Hydra under general van Dyke." "Open a lightwave channel to the Hydra!" "Channel open!" "Space command calling general Lydia van Dyke." "You must immediately set a course for AC17-11!" "Use hyperspace plus auxiliary power!" "The Orion is heading for AC-1000." "She's to be annihilated without warning!" "Hydra here, but what about McLane?" "You can't just shoot him down." "The Orion must be intercepted and annihilated." "If not, there will be a disaster." "Understood?" "They'll surely have a ball." "Commander to the astrogator:" "New heading AC17-11!" "AC17-11!" "Commander to engineering:" "Hyperspace plus auxiliary!" "Commander to the weapons console:" "Light throwers on standby!" " How does it look?" " It might work." "If the Hydra can make it to sector 751 in 5 hours, we'll be there first." " And if not?" " Orion will escape to the frogs." "And we mustn't get our hands dirty." "The worst assignment of my life." " Traitors like McLane must..." " Nobody asked you!" "We're being hailed!" "Argos to the Hydra!" " Calling the commander of the Hydra!" " Speaking!" "Space station H5 and satellite Olaf 1 have been annihilated." "All installations have been completely destroyed." "The cause of the disaster hasn't yet been determined." "Over and out!" "Probably destroyed by McLane to cover his escape to the frogs." "Careful, professor!" "We don't want you to stumble and fall." " The hydrophone?" " No, the amplifier." " So Overkill can be ignited from here?" " Yes, via the computer." "Normally it takes full control." " But I'll bypass the automation." " Why?" "The enemy listens in." "They've got one ear at our computer." "They must be kept sure that we do intend to land on AC-1000." "So we can't let the computer ignite Overkill." "That would tip off the enemy." " Will you ignite it yourself?" " No, Hasso will." "On my command." "Sir, we've got company!" "Cliff, we can see four of the frogs' vessels on the screen." " Can we use our light-throwers?" " Be serious!" "Remember, we're supposed to be mindless fools." "We mustn't react at all." "Understood, Atan?" "Cliff, there are now seven of them!" " There!" "I'd love to..." " Yes, but be patient!" "We'll take them out when they least expect it!" "How far to go?" "At our present speed, one hour to AC17-11." "Let's switch off auxiliary power." "No use arriving earlier than ordered." " We are to use any means necessary..." " I know!" "But I don't need lessons on how to interpret orders." "Besides, I expect to see an old friend bite the dust." "Commander to engineering:" "Switch off auxiliary power!" " General van Dyke, that's..." " Just say it!" "Space surveillance to the commander:" "UFOs coming straight at us!" " Radio contact?" " No response." "Their mission appears to be to block off sector AC17-11." "Sir, you must give orders to fire at will!" "It's no use." "Their weapons are far superior to ours." "Commander to engineering:" "Hyperspace plus auxiliary power!" "Return to Earth!" "Sir, you're..." "Completely mad!" "I know." "And I repeat:" "Return to Earth!" "Would you please compute the radius of our orbit?" "960,000." "Main heading remains unchanged." "Impulse received!" "Enemy base sighted!" "Activate resonance contact!" " How many vessels do you see?" " 22." "Commander to weapons console." " Are you ready, Mario?" " Frequencies are set." "Hasso's entire energy reserve will power Overkill for four seconds." "Engineering to the commander." "Power transfer to weapons systems." "Overkill plus four." "Overkill plus five." "Auxiliary propulsion only." "Tamara!" "Take over at space surveillance!" "Overkill plus six." "Magnetic shields and heat shields on." "Understood?" "Can intelligence officers do that?" "She's learning, and sometimes things turn out quite well." "Cliff, they're coming closer!" "Distance 1,000!" "We must fire!" "The order stands!" "Keep calm!" "There's the base, Cliff!" " Distance?" " 384,000 kilometers." "So far so good." "Stand by for Overkill!" "Their base has been destroyed." "The telenosis beam is gone." "Ultra impulse and the Orion in transfer ellipse." "We've been hit!" " Generators 3 and 4 are out." " Overkill on automatic!" "Program as fast as you can!" "Reinforce the magnetic shields and try to..." "They're attacking relentlessly!" "Targets spotted and identified!" "Attention" " Overkill!" "My congratulations once more!" " If you knew what I've been through!" " I can imagine." "If I could issue orders by telenosis, there would be no more detours." "Then I'd have to do life in jail." "May I have the next dance?" "With pleasure!" "Look at that!" "Look!" " I thought you had something against me." " What would that be?" "Oh, you mean since you were right after all?" "Do you think I'm that ambitious?" " She's made quite an impression on you." " Who?" "Oh." "She's not too bad." "Aren't you afraid I might desert as well?" " Would you do that?" " In a minute!" "I must report that to our security officer." "She can't take a joke." "Cliff, you're a bastard!" "Tell me, does telenosis have any side effects?" "Yes, at long exposures." " If it's brief, then?" " The effects wear off quickly." "I've a feeling that they've only just begun for some."