" Coffee." " Thanks." " Sandra. coffee." " Thank you." "No thanks." "Sandra?" "It's still quite a distance away and holding course." "How close will it pass us?" "Close." "David. have you got those figures yet?" "It's a fair size asteroid but nothing to worry about." "Hmm." "Estimate the damage potential just in case." "There's no need." "It won't collide with us." "Just in case." "Paul!" "Central Computer gave the collision alarm." "The asteroid's changed course!" "Like it's been pulled." "Kano. pinpoint impact area." " Problem?" " An asteroid." "Commander." "collision course reaffirmed." "Impact area" " Alpha." " How much time do we have?" " Under a minute." "No time to secure the base." "It's changing course!" "Commander. it's impossible." "but WE'RE changing course." "Switch to starboard camera." "What is it?" "Whatever it is." "we're headed right into it." "'Eagle 1 to Alpha." "'I'm in position." "What a sight!" "'" "It's round." "It's huge." "It's black." "Boy. is it black!" " What's his position?" " 7-7-9-0-4." "Where the asteroid was first caught." "Give me your sensor readings." "Mike." "Sir." "I'm not getting anything." "'Nothing's bouncing back from it.'" "Same here. no readings." "'Does anyone have any idea what it is?" "'" "'Degrees of cosine adjacent to opposing angle of...'" "I ought to know better than to ask you." "'Still holding position. sir.'" "It's our move." "Commander." "What's the power of the antigravity screens?" "'They're only on half power.'" "See how it reacts to the laser." "'Will do.'" "Well!" "It swallows laser light too." "'What next?" "'" "Video reception." "Is the fault with his equipment or ours?" "There's no fault." "It should be clear." "Michael's between us and the object." "..T. no T squared." "Of course..." "Now..." "There's only one thing to do - get in closer." " 'Negative." "Mike.'" " All it has is a lot of gravity." "With my screens on maximum power I should be all right." "Alpha is headed right into it." "We have to find out what it is." "Come on." "'Hypothesis proven." "'It is your duty to report this danger...'" "Yeah. one jump ahead of you." "Computer." "Switching on anti-gravity screens to full power." " Sandra?" " Right here." "Michael." " 'Don't go away. be right back.'" " I will be waiting." "'Here I go." "Alpha.'" "Monitor his anti-gravity screens." "they're in the red." "Confirmed." " John!" " Abort." "Mike." "Abort." "Pull out." "Pull out." "Mike!" "You're heading right into it." "Blast yourself out of there!" "Full power." "Full power!" " Get him out." " He's accelerating." "We can't hold him." " Why did I wait so long?" " Now." "John. you didn't know." "Neither did I." "If anyone's to blame. it's me." "I suspected it hours ago." "A black sun." "Right." " What are we going to do about it?" " What can we do?" "We'll all be dead in three days." "A black sun?" "Mmm." "Unfortunately." "we couldn't be sure until it was too late to save Mike." "But you think we can avoid it?" "Its gravitational pull can become so immense that just a hatful of it can weigh more than several Alphas." "But it doesn't stop there." "The gravity increases so nothing." "not radiation. not heat." "not even light can escape." "Its force is immeasurable." "Even Computer cannot determine it." "You didn't answer my question." "Do you think we can avoid it?" "I thought I did." "Paul asked if we could avoid the gravitational force of a black sun." "The answer is no." "However. we may be able to use it to our advantage." "Victor." "Mmm." "As you know." "these eight anti-gravity towers stabilise our gravity in Alpha." "And we'll use them to create an entirely new force-field effect." "By linking and cross-linking the anti-gravity screens in each of the towers." "the force-field will look something like this." "I've stripped all the generators out of our Eagles." "We'll use them to support the main units." "But Computer will have to be deactivated for the force-field." "Yes. well. um..." "It could do with a rest." "We'll reprogram our main unit generators so that instead of negating the pressure from the black sun." "it will simply reverse it." "The closer we get." "the stronger the force-field becomes." "In theory." "the pressure of the force-field will eventually compel the pressure of the black sun to protect us against itself." "It's a long shot." "but there's nothing else we can do." "It's ingenious." "It's insane." "Sandra." "I wanted you to have more rest." "I know." "Doctor." "But there is so much to do." "Paul. where is Commander Koenig?" "With the Professor...out there." "Victor. we really shouldn't be out here." "It's the only way to make our point." "Shall we?" "Why not?" " Full power." "Paul." " Switching to full power." "It is beautiful. like fish scales." "You can cut through fish scales." "'Give me a reading." "Paul.'" "Maximum power. steady and holding." "'You've got a full house." "we're all with you.'" "Good luck." "We're all set." "Alan." "Commander." "you can still change your mind." "If we had any sense. we would." "Make it good." "Come in as low as you can." "Hang on to your hats." "Incredible stupidity." "The risk to both of you." "Not that much of a risk." "Computer gave us a 98% chance." "And the other 2%?" "Then we'd have died one day before everyone else." "Helena. it was all for morale." "It proved nothing." "The forces inside a black sun are inconceivable." "They can bend space and time." "Turn both inside out." "Then why the force-field?" "The same reason prevents you giving up on a patient until he's dead." "I've got some work to do." "It's getting cold in here." "It's gonna get colder." "The black sun's already drawing our power." "Victor believes we could survive." "Who knows what Victor truly believes?" " And you?" " Some of us could survive." "Those who aren't on Alpha 24 hours from now." "A survival ship. a life boat." "I left one Eagle intact." "'All programmed calculations were recorded 'and executed for the force-field test." "'Reprogramming calculations conflicted with previous orders.'" "You should have said so." "it's your responsibility." "If it takes more power. then say so." "Excuse me." "Mr Kano." "I see your friend's having difficulty keeping us warm." "Computer's functioning fine." "It won't be functioning at all soon." "but you know that. don't you?" "We must use minimum power for heating during your force-field tests." "All utilities were on minimum power for the test." "The lights. they went back on full power after the test." "So did the heating. it's automatic." "Even I know that." "The reason the temperature's still falling is the black sun is draining our power." " We have plenty of power." " But we won't have." "The black sun will see to that." "Shut down everything and save it for the force-field." "Six hours?" "I thought we had 12?" "Six." "David said it's impossible to say how much mass is available to the black sun in this sector." "Its gravitational force increases constantly." "pulling us in faster than we calculated." "We need time to get the survival ship ready." "These figures may be the answer." "With the force-field activated. we..." "We might slow down enough to buy the time." "Paul." "I want to save power till the last possible moment." "It's either Alpha. sir." "or the survival ship." "Victor. do you have the test results?" "Not yet. but they're looking fine." "Anything wrong?" "'I want to activate the force-field.'" " When?" " 'Right now.'" " I wouldn't advise it." " 'It can't wait." "'Get to the main power unit and keep an eye on things.'" "Professor. the latest details of the power requirements." "Thank you." "Call Medical." "You'll be fine." "Thank you." "Your mechanical heart saved your life." "Mm-hmm." " 12 minutes to countdown." " The report from all sections." " Sandra. about Mike..." " Please." "Commander." "There's no need to say anything." "Tell the Professor to be here for the test." "We have under four hours before entering the black sun." "Commander." "Alpha cannot survive without Computer." "Is that a fact?" "Attention all personnel." "stand by for force-field test." "30 seconds." " Paul. what if it doesn't work?" " Then our worries are over." " Commander." "I must speak with you." " About the test?" " Not really." " Then it has to wait." "Kano. essential services program." "Computer on minimum capacity." "Now. we think for ourselves." "10 seconds." "Full power. sir?" "Everything we have." "Paul." "Five seconds. four." "three. two. one. zero." "A reprieve." "Mmm. but for how long?" " Take over." "Paul." " Commander." "what about Computer?" "It remains on minimum capacity." "Commander." "I gotta talk to you." "What's this about a survival ship?" "Is somebody going somewhere?" "Somewhere. yes." "Did you know about this?" "You." "Sandra?" "I didn't believe it." "Eagle 5 is nearly ready to go and I was not informed." "None of us were." "I can't speak for the rest... but I care about dying. how I die." "Staying on Alpha with everybody." "I'd accepted that." "Now. there's going to be six or seven lives on that ship." "Six." "Well." "I should be one of those six." "Commander." "Because if anyone can get them somewhere..." "I can." "Are you through." "Alan?" "Attention all sections Alpha." "this is Commander Koenig." "Above us again is the force-field." "but ahead of us is the black sun." "The realistic fact we face now... is that the force-field only offers us a slim hope that Alpha will survive beyond the next few hours." "'A few of us. however. have a chance to escape the black sun." "'I decided to reserve one Eagle as a survival ship." "'It has been fuelled 'and equipped with supplies to carry six persons." "'Three men and three women." "Perhaps this effort will be futile' but I believe it must be made." "Departure time is 08:00 hours." "43 minutes from now." "I've instructed Central Computer to select the people most likely." "in every way. to ensure the survival of mankind in space." "Here are the six names." "The men." "Astronaut Alan Carter." "Flight Engineer George Osgood." "'Communications Controller Toshiro Fujita.'" "The women." "Dr Helena Russell." "Data Analyst Sandra Benes." "'Professor Angela Robinson.'" "This list is final." "You knew he wouldn't go." "Nothing I can say will alter the facts." "If you're careful." "you have supplies for five weeks." "If there's anything out there that can help you." "then together. you'll find it." "If not..." "All right. then. that's it." "You lift off in twenty minutes." "Commander." "No goodbyes." "Alan. please." "Yes. sir." "John." " You're going." " I'm not going." " Dr Mathias can replace me." " Like hell he can." "That list is final." "This isn't the time for the noble gesture." "I'm not being noble." "If anything..." "John. it's my life." "If it ends on Alpha or out in space." "what difference can it make?" "It makes a difference." "To me." "My figures read less than two hours." "Do me a favour. mind the shop." " David." " Oh. thank you." "'Alpha Service section will issue heavy duty clothing 'to Technical section at 0830 hours." "'Medical section will report at 0900 hours." "'Reconnaissance section 0930 hours." "'Engineering section 1000 hours.'" "It was thoughtful of you to come." "Paul." "You didn't have to." "I wanted to." "I'll send you a postcard." " 'Alan. one minute to lift-off.'" " Right." "'This is John Koenig." "I know I said no goodbyes but..." "'I wish you all good luck.'" "'Fifteen seconds." "Alan?" " 'Good luck.'" " And to you." "All of you." "'Attention all stations Alpha." "'Due to the present emergency 'inter-base communication system including Alpha news 'will be suspended until further notice.'" "Hey." "John." "Come on. put this on." "Before you catch your death." "Very funny." "Is that what I think it is?" "John." "I've been doing some unique calculations recently." "Not about space dynamics or anything like that." "Something you can't learn from books." "Victor." "No. it's all right." "I'm just...rambling on." "Wandering a bit." "Wondering." "Extraordinary thing." "how we've survived." "I mean." "I put the probability through the computer." "I thought it was going to blow up trying to figure the odds." "They're just about infinite." "If you're trying to cheer me up." "it's not working." "Anyway. my calculations show that we all should be dead by now." " When the atomic waste..." " What are you doing?" "You're not supposed to smoke." "I don't think Dr Russell would object." "Sandra." "I will be all right." "Sure you will." "I remember when I was a little girl." "I was afraid of the dark." "Isn't that funny?" "And I was afraid of doctors." "John. have you ever wondered... just how and why we've survived?" " Not until now." " You got any answers?" "You're not referring to God. are you?" "Oh." "I don't know." "I" " I" " I'm a scientist." "I don't know anything about God." "No. er..." "A sort of... cosmic intelligence is what I've got in mind." "Which intervenes at the right moment?" "It's one answer." "Ultimately." "I suppose we... all believe what we want to believe." "Perhaps that's what reality is." "One thing though." "the line between science and... mysticism..." "Just a line." "Sometimes it makes me feel quite old." "Paul." "Commander." "Central Computer's deactivated itself." "100% power is feeding the main generator units..." "Paul." "Thank you." "But there's nothing more you can do." " You're relieved." " Very good. sir." "Well." "I never thought it would end this way." "A good man." "Paul." "60 year old brandy." "I've been saving it for 10 years." "Just waiting for a proper occasion to celebrate." "Well. not everybody might think this was a celebration... but it is to me." "If ever there was an occasion... this is it." "To everything that might've been." "To everything that was." "Up 50." "Play me." "Pass." "I raise you 100." "Smitty." "You're bluffing." "You'll never beat me. you know." "Paul." "Mind if I share the music with you?" "Just the thing to keep the cold out." "Won't be long now." "Do you know what will happen to us inside the black sun?" "Whatever it is." "I just hope it's interesting." "Yes. interesting!" "Victor. the force-field is holding." "So far." "I don't feel cold." "I don't feel anything." "Of course. it's possible that we don't exist." "I exist." "I exist." "I exist." "'I can hear your thoughts.'" "'Yes.'" "'It's very beautiful.'" "'I see the theory behind your force-field.'" "'It's very obvious.'" "'It ties in with a unified field theory of mine.'" "'Oh. yeah?" "'Yes." "I see how.'" "'..so that everything is everything else.'" "'That's why I said it was beautiful.'" "'If everything is everything else." "'the whole universe is living thought.'" "'That is true.'" " 'Who are you?" "' - 'A friend." "Come with me.'" "Every star is just a cell in the brain of the universe." "'That is a lovely way to understand it.'" "Why have I never talked with you before?" "'Because of time." "'You think at what you call the speed of light." "'In eternity." "I have no hurry." "'I think a thought. perhaps." "in every thousand of your years." "'You are never there to hear it.'" "Are you..." "God?" "'It was good to have known you.'" "Wait." "God." "We got through." "Your force-field held." "Victor." "Somehow. we're on the other side of the universe." "Your force-field held!" "I wonder how?" "No sign of the survival ship." "so much for your fancy theories of cosmic intelligence." "Well." "I knew it was impossible." "Was it?" "They're coming back!" "Come on!" "Commander. come on." "I don't believe it." "you must have followed us through." " We went in the opposite direction." " You can't have." " We did." " We went through it. fantastic!" "If you didn't follow us through." "how'd you find Alpha?" "A million light years!" "Right across the universe." "I'm an astronaut." "Professor." "Not a philosopher." "Something...brought us home." "Yes." "Home."