"'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.'" "(High-pitched whine)" " Elana?" " Hmm?" "Are you sleepy?" "Just happy... and kind of warm all over." "There's nothing like a weekend in the country to recharge your batteries." "Depends on who's doing the recharging." " Buck, what's that?" " I don't know." "I'd sure like to find out." "Earth Shuttle 2293 to New Chicago Control." "(Woman) 'Come in, 2293.'" "This is Captain Buck Rogers on the approach to New Chicago." "Patch me through to the Directorate channel." " Good to hear from you, Buck." " (Buck) 'Maybe not, Doc.'" "I'm about 20 minutes southwest of New Chicago." " 'I've spotted something very strange.'" " Strange?" "It's a large gold ball sitting in the middle of the desert." "It might be some kind of Draconian trick." "We've been having difficulties with them." "Dr Huer, our sensors record Captain Roger's ship but no trace of another body in the vicinity." "Well, it's here." "A large, metallic object of some kind." " Give us the coordinates." " (Buck) 'Right.'" "When I land we can go out and take a look at it." "Rogers out." "(Huer) An intercity shuttle reported it but we haven't detected anything." "(Buck) It may be a surprise from Princess Ardala." "(Huer) It's possible, considering the difficulties we've had with Draconians." "(Buck) The closest thing to it I've ever heard of is what we used to call a flying saucer or UFO." "Do you have any idea what it might be, Doc?" " The pilot reported it's saucer-shaped." " We ought to be close now." "(Wilma) There it is." "Look, to the left." "It may have been a saucer before but look at it now." "Bidibidi... talk about close encounters." " Dr Theopolis?" " Still no sensor reading, Doctor." "But it's solid." "There's no way our sensors couldn't record something." "Unless its composition makes a reading impossible." " It's solid enough." " And seamless." "No apparent ports or mode of power." "Careful, Buck." "(Mechanical whine)" "What is it?" " A riddle wrapped in an enigma." " Bidibidibidi." "Watch the straight arm, Buck." "If they'd wanted to, they could have hurt us before now." "What do you think, Doc?" " I think we should take it back to the lab." " I think so too." "Since it does not appear to be a weapon, our first assumption is that it's a gift of friendship from a life-force somewhere." "If we're correct, it may have something to tell us." "We're trying to open it with a vibrosonic table an instrument that separates molecules of matter." "Like some kind of sonic diamond cutter?" "If I understand you correctly, yes." "At precisely the right tone, the orb should separate." "(Steady tone)" "Look!" "Bidibidibidi." "Somebody must have said the magic word." "What is it, Doc?" "I don't know." "I'll get the macro-magnifier." "Looks like a microchip of some kind." "Activate the macro-magnifier." "Start the magnifying process." "Cryptographs with a universal language." "And patternings." "Yes, they're binary patternings." "Very unusual kind." "Put this through the master computer chain." "Top priority." "And I want an analysis of these binary codings." "Quickly." "Yes, Doctor." "Doc, look." "Bidibidibidi, that thing's hot to trot." "It's almost as if it knew its mission here was completed." "Yes, with the discovery of the chip." "A bit higher, dear." "A little bit higher." "Ow!" "Clumsy." " Princess." " What is it, Kane?" "This is Agent Goneril, my spy at Directorate Headquarters." "Tell the princess what you saw." "(Goneril) A giant sphere appeared outside New Chicago." " It contained a message in a golden orb." " What message?" "From whom?" "I'm not a code-5 technician, Your Highness." "I was not allowed inside the lab." " But, uh, rumours say..." " Say what?" "Spit it out, man." "Rumours say that the orb contained a secret of utmost value to the Terrans." "That will be all." "All of you, out." " Get me the orb, Kane." " The truce expressly forbids..." "Since when have I ever honoured a Terran truce unless it's convenient for me to do so?" "Oh, Kane?" "By the way, send Tigerman to me." "He's been assigned to your sister." " He's been what?" " I have made other arrangements." "Well done, Kane." "I think I'll call you Pantherman." "You're black, you're beautiful..." "Why don't you come over here and let me see your claws?" "Dr Theopolis has just decoded." " The results are staggering." " What are they?" "You know the Vortex Theory." "It has to do with a hypothetical passage from one universe to another." "That's assuming another exists." "It used to be called a black hole." "Erroneously." "The Vortex Theory is no longer a theory." "It's a scientific fact." "The decoded chip is like a road map through the vortex." "Complex, dangerous, but by all our frames of reference, it's navigable." " So this is an invitation?" " From unknown people in another universe." "The staff is reducing the patterns to a computer disc compatible with Earth space vehicles." "So we could plug it into any starfighter's navigation system" " and end up in an entirely new universe." " Exactly." "Is there any clue as to who sent the orb?" "I'm afraid not, Colonel." "But we may have a clue in the cryptograph." "We found a legend that reads the equivalent of six letters of Earth's alphabet." "P-E-N-D-A-R." "Pendar." " Have you heard of it?" " No, I haven't." "Let the council convene." "Report, please." "Keeper, the harbinger has fulfilled its mission and returned to Pendar." "Good." "Who did you select?" "A small habitable planet in its first quadrant called Terra." "It has precisely the military capabilities we sought." " The second?" " The second selection is cruder." "More malevolent and completely predictable." "Report on the Zaads." "The Zaads' battlecruiser now lies 3,600 fetics downside us." "They continue to launch attacks against the defence shield." "The results of the attack?" "The shield has not been damaged." "The recent abduction of Kodus, however, gives us grave concern." "Each day, at a given hour, he has moved from the second to the fifth level, to Zarina's quarters." "The Zaad war witch herself is supervising his torture." "His auric energy reading is very low." "He will not be able to bear such pain for long without telling the Zaads what he knows about our defence shield." "Kodus is a courageous young man." "We must hope that he can hold on until assistance arrives." "Have faith, Chandar." "They will kill him, Mother." "No, child." "You'll see." "(Groans)" "(Winces and gasps)" "Kodus, your bravery is admirable but so unnecessary." "Resist me if you wish, it will only mean that I shall be forced to use Spirot here and his unusual talents." "As a transmute, he can disrupt the cellular composition of any part of your body." "A painful experience, wouldn't you agree?" "(Kodus yells)" "That's enough, Spirot." "If you kill him, he's of no use to us." "And I plan to use Kodus... in a variety of ways." " Well, Buck, you still up?" " I got a lot on my mind." "I can well imagine." "Exploring another universe - it's mind-boggling." " Yes, it is." " I'll say good night." "Good night, Doc." "(Bleeping)" "Technician Goneril reporting for lab night duty." "You don't have code-5 clearance." "Sorry - my oversight." "Buck, are you all right?" "Don't ask." " Who were they, Doc?" " Draconians." "This is an absolutely unforgivable violation on Ardala's part." " The orb is halfway to her ship by now." " Another universe for Ardala to dominate." "Yes, but she has to decode the chip and transfer the information." "I'm having the disc installed in a starfighter." "And Dr Theopolis is programming a drone to pilot the craft." " You're sending a drone through the vortex?" " Yes." "Why?" " This is an invitation to us." " What are you getting at?" "This is the first encounter of peoples from different universes." "You've got to send a Terran." "I'd like to be that Terran, Doc." "You'd like to be?" " At any price?" " Yes." "Captain Rogers is right, Dr Huer." "A Terran pilot will handle unprogrammed difficulties more effectively than a drone." "Yes, I know." "Very well, Buck." "Go." "Thank you, Doc." "You'll want to do the preflight yourself." "I'll get started." "And Buck... history will record you as an extraordinary mortal - to have survived the Holocaust, lived 500 years" "and now be the first man to enter a new universe." "It looks like..." "Kane, what was that crude organic food?" "A Regulian plover's egg, Highness." "Yes, exactly." "I had the chef executed for insulting my royal digestion, as I recall." " Yes, you did." " Have it analysed immediately." "(Bleeping)" "Yes?" "(Man) 'A transmission on the vidfon from Director Elias Huer on Earth.'" "Tell Earth the Princess is not ready to respond." "No, Kane, wait." "Let's just see how important this golden plover's egg is to Dr Huer." "Hello, Doctor, what can we do for you?" "Princess Ardala, on behalf of the Earth Directorate," "I wish to lodge a formal protest." " 'Whatever are you talking about?" "'" " You know very well, Princess." "Truce provisions have been violated repeatedly, particularly the recent attacks on interplanetary shipping." " I insist on an audience." " That's not possible." "Huer's transmission tells us one very important thing." "Not so much by what he said but by what he did not say." " Yes." "He failed to mention the orb." " Exactly." "Not one word." "Hurry your technicians." "We must find out what's so terribly important about this orb." "This is preposterous!" "Absolutely preposterous!" "The only remedy is a face-to-face confrontation." "Is it safe to go to the Draconia?" "I've considered the hazards, Colonel, and they're far outweighed by this most recent threat to our already tenuous truce." "I'd like to go with you." "Very well, Colonel." "As soon as Buck is on his way, we'll visit the princess." "I'll arrange a fighter escort." "Major Daniels and Lieutenant Wainwright." "Thank you, Colonel." "Buck, I..." "Sorry, I thought you'd be getting yourself together." "I was." "I'll be here when you get back." "I'll look forward to that." "Bidibidibidibidibidi." "Buck, we haven't underplayed the hazardous nature of this trip, have we, you and I?" "No, I know I might not come back." "Because in view of the extraordinary scientific benefits to be derived from this trip" "I felt we need a modicum of insurance." "You're afraid that if I don't make it back you won't have any record, right?" "Precisely." "If anything does go wrong," "I've taken the liberty of tinkering with Twiki's synaptic points and he's programmed to return to Earth as long as there's a ship to fly." "So he and Theo will act as a kind of black box recorder?" "Yes, I think so." " It's all right, I'll enjoy their company." " Bidibi." "Bidibi." " Shall we be on our way, then?" " Might as well." "I'm glad Twiki and Theo are coming, Doc." "Bidibidibi." "Why is it the good die young?" "Twiki, you go on ahead, I'll be along in a minute." "Anything the matter, Doc?" "(Sighs) Not really, I'm just..." "I can't help wondering what it's going to be like for you." "I've been thinking a lot about that myself." "I imagine you have." "Also... this is the most dangerous mission I've ever assigned anyone." " Don't forget, Doc, I volunteered." " That's true." "You volunteered all right." "Before I started with the Directorate we were in the process of testing the new stargates and I volunteered, naturally, to be the first person to fly through a stargate." "It was quite an honour." "I only flew across the Solar System, not quite what you're about to do." "You'd like to go, wouldn't you?" " Does it show that much?" " Like a sore thumb." "I suppose what I want to say is I'm..." "I'm... more than usually concerned about this particular mission, mainly because since you've come here you've... become like family to me." "I hope you don't decide to take another 500 years before your next appearance." "I'll come back, Doc." "Don't worry." " Good luck, my friend." " Thank you, Doc." "(Wilma) Well, how do you feel?" "Bidibidi." "Snug as a bug in a rug, Wilma." "(Laughs) You're supposed to feel snug." "I preflighted your ship." "I wanted to make sure everything was, erm..." " A-OK?" " Thank you, Wilma." "You didn't think I'd let you go without saying goodbye?" "No, I hoped I'd see you before I left." "Stop looking at me like that." "I'll be fine." "I know, I know." "Funny, all of a sudden I don't know what to say." "You don't have to say anything." "No." "No, I want to." "You're very special." "You've been more than a friend to me and I've learned a lot about myself." "About being able to express my feelings." "How to care for someone." "You've shown me a side of myself I never knew existed." "I've finally felt like a woman... for the first time in my life... and I hate to think what I'd be like if it weren't for you." "You always had a lot going for you." "I didn't think I was gonna like you when I met you but you have a way of growing on a person." "And right now I don't know what I would do if I lost you." "Take care of yourself." "I will." " I'm gonna miss you." " I'm gonna miss you too, Wilma." "You're very special to me." "(Engines start)" "Well, you all set to go, Twiki?" "Bidibidibidi." "Ready as I'll ever be, Buck." "OK." "Do you have any idea of the enormity of this moment, Kane?" "New worlds, new galaxies lie beyond the vortex, within reach of my fingertips." " Yes, Princess." " Do you think they'll look like us, Kane?" "You mean the men, Princess?" "The men, the women, whatever." "(Bleeping)" "Yes?" "(Man) 'We're tracking a Terran starfighter in the 18th quadrant 'at a fraction of their light speed, outbound.'" "Try to pick up their transmission, Kane." "Time for our last check-in." "Bidibidibidi." "Tell 'em love and kisses." "(Buck) 'This is Buck Rogers." "I'm within 15 seconds of entry." "'The vortex is directly ahead of me." "'Looks like a swirling aurora.'" "They're sending Buck through the vortex." "There's fantastic turbulence." "I left manual control ten minutes ago." "'We're relying for drive and direction on a computer disc developed from the orb.'" "In all my years of flying, I've never had an experience like this." "'The light." "Incredible colours.'" "It's as if an ocean of energy is flowing through a single floodgate." "We're right in the middle of it." "'All our controls are gone." "We're tumbling." "'Part of a mad scramble to leave one universe for another.'" "(Radio static)" "God help him." " He must be through now." " I pray he is." "Colonel, we have business with Princess Ardala." "Shall we go?" "Of course." "Kane, that computer disc that Captain Rogers was talking about," "I want one of those to send the Draconia through the vortex." "The technicians are already working on it, Highness." "Oh." "(Engine whine drops in pitch, cuts out)" " We made it through, Twiki." " Bidibidibidi." "Yeah, just barely." "(Bleeping)" "Kodus is being moved." "They're going to torture him again." "The perimeter sensors just reported an unknown through the vortex." "Help is on its way." " Mother, it is useless." " No, Chandar." "Our observers say this one is very special." "Yeah, a different universe." "Doesn't feel different." "Bidibidibidi." "That's different." "We're surrounded by a gigantic bubble, Twiki." "(Explosions)" " Bidibidibidi." "Not again." " Hold on, Twiki." "Look." "My memory bank has no record" " of any creatures like these." " Bidibidibidi." "Yeah, who are they, Buck?" "Whoa there!" "I guess they're not all dead." " Looks like some kind of space zoo, Twiki." " Bidibidi." "And we didn't bring any peanuts." "(Buck) They look like stuffed animals." "Look ahead, Twiki." "That must be Pendar, Twiki." "Bidibidibidi." "I hope they don't mind us dropping in." "We've got an engraved invitation." "(Wavering drone)" "Looks like we're being guided in." "Doctor Huer." "And Colonel Deering." "What brings you here?" "The incidences involving Draconian violation of Terran space are intolerable." "I'm doing everything possible to control the actions of these dreadful marauders." " And the attack on the Directorate lab?" " A violation of the highest order." " Our truce..." " Exists to preserve our best interests." "In this case, my best interest took precedence over the truce." "I'm sure, in my place, you would have acted accordingly." "I demand you return the orb to the Directorate." "Demand, Doctor?" "You're not in a position to demand a great deal of anything." "If you insist on this course of action..." "The orb will be returned to you, Doctor." "I have no further use for it." "Yes, that is correct." "Wilma, isn't it?" "We deciphered the cryptography some time ago." "That orb was meant for our use." "An invitation from another culture." "Yes, but I so hate to miss a good party." " That is your final word?" " On this subject." "Consider yourself once again on a war footing with Earth." "We'll be leaving immediately." " What is the meaning of this?" " You'll be going nowhere, Dr Huer." "The Draconia is fitted with a computer disc exactly like Captain Rogers'." "Very shortly we will be entering the vortex." "I will allow no one to interfere with this, which is what you'd do if I let you go." "I cannot protest this action strongly enough." "Then don't bother, Doctor." "It won't do you any good." "Bidibidibidibi." "What an entrance!" "Hello, Captain Rogers." "Bidibidibidi." "She knows you, Buck." "I don't believe we've met." "At least, not in this lifetime." "My name is Chandar." "And if you'll come with me, the council and the Keeper are expecting you." "Princess, the monitor indicates we've just entered the vortex." "They could have had the courtesy to warn us about this." "You're very quiet, Captain." " It's been a long trip." " Bidibidibidi." "And a cuckoo one." "You must be curious about the life field around Pendar." " That menagerie we passed through?" " Yes." "Curious is an understatement." "Aeons ago Pendar was invaded by aliens and nearly destroyed." "We overcame them and placed them in the life field you passed through." " Why?" " The Pendarans are a life-loving people." "It's impossible for us to kill other beings, even those trying to kill us." " That must sound very strange to you." " Not strange, remarkable." "Our scientists created the life field as an alternative to killing the aliens." "They've been there for 1,000 years, trapped in time and space." " And living?" " Oh, yes." "Forever." "Some would consider that a fate worse than death." "Captain, the Pendarans do not." "Pendar is so similar to Earth." "At least, the way it used to be." " What do you mean?" " The trees, the flowers, the grass." " Almost exactly the way I remember it." " Before the Holocaust?" " You know about that too?" " Yes." "Earth was beautiful then." "Bidibidibidi." "What do you mean was?" "It still is." "Does everyone on Earth have an automated companion?" "You mean an ambuquad?" "Not really." "I guess I'm one of the lucky ones." " Bidibidi." "We're a real team." " (Buck laughs)" "How nice for you." "We have automated units also." "Really?" "Twiki, you might make some friends while you're here." "Bidibidi." "Do they play ping-pool around here?" "(Chandar) Ping-pool?" "(Laughs) (Twiki) I was afraid of that." "Welcome to Pendar, Captain Rogers." "Thank you for the invitation." " Who are you?" " I am the Keeper." "The sole physical link between the master computer and the Pendaran council." "We come from two different universes, and yet you speak to me in my own language." " Your environment is very similar to Earth." " It only seems to be, Captain Rogers." "You see, in our natural state we exist as more subtle bodies." "Light creatures." "So that we can work together, our entire world appears as you in a baser form." "Work with me?" "May the council convene." "Tora, first explain to Captain Rogers the nature of our current dispute with the war witch Zarina and the planet Zaad." "Zaad is at a distance from us the equivalent between your Earth and Mars." "It is ruled by a woman who has ravaged every other habitable planet in the system and now wishes to ravage ours." "She lies two solar days off Pendar in her giant battle cruiser, planning her attack." "You will never succeed, Zarina." " My people..." " Are like children... with their lofty concern for the sanctity of life." "To live, one must be willing to die... or kill." "Don't be angry, Kodus." "The information you've given me may help spare some of their lives." "For your sake, I hope what you've told me is correct." "It is." "Soon my pilots will be penetrating Pendar's energy shield for the first time." "And then on to the computer vault." "Yes." "And we will have you to thank." "Of course, if they fail... we will have you to blame." "If that is all..." "Not quite." "I want you here to witness the attack." "I'm sure you'll find it interesting." "Send the fighters in." "Just as Kodus described." "In a strange way, Captain Rogers," "Pendar has become a victim of its own enlightenment." "We no longer have the means to wage a limited war." "To become so advanced that you're vulnerable makes no sense." "Hasn't that happened on Earth, where, for diplomatic expediency, the giant bows to inferiors?" "Yes, that has happened." "In our case, we've developed the ultimate weapon, but if we were to atomise Zaad with it, which is entirely feasible, our own system's gravitational balance would be destroyed." " It sounds self-defeating." " Our second weapon is defensive." "An energy shield which has kept us impregnable from Zaad attacks." "Now that is being threatened." "You thought that as a Terran I could fight your limited war for you?" "In an oversimplified way, yes." "Perhaps you should have asked me how I felt before I came all this way." "We expected a certain amount of resistance to the idea." " That's why we also contacted others." " Others?" "We monitored Terrans' activities for some time." "Your military exploits with the Draconians have proven both of you..." " Draconians?" " Bidibidibidi." "Them's fighting words!" "(Pinging alarm)" "(Computer) 'Violation of energy perimeter, sectors S-2, N-1, N-2." "'Activation of supplemental beta radiation initiated.'" " What's going on?" " A Zaad attack on the force field." "What are you gonna do?" "The computer has strengthened the field at the points of attack." "Other than that, there's nothing else we can do." "(Computer) 'Energy perimeter maintaining satisfactory integrity." "'Electron configuration stabilising at 22.5 megakilons.'" "You understand that?" "It indicates the force field is functioning correctly." "(Computer) 'Delta alert terminated." "Hostile forces have withdrawn." "'Repeat." "Hostile forces have withdrawn.'" " Does this happen often?" " With increasing regularity." "That's why we need your assistance." "Wait." "Assuming I want to help, I can't possibly do it alone." "Arrangements have been made." " Oh?" " Bidibidibidi." "It better be the cavalry." "There's still something that doesn't make sense." " What?" " If the shield is good, why are you worried?" "Two months ago, the Zaads intercepted a Pendaran shuttle returning from Argon." "On board was Kodus, one of our most brilliant scientists, who created the program which activates the defence shield." " Now the Zaads have him?" " Yes." "He alone knows enough to neutralise the shield." "The attacks began soon after his capture." " Oh." " Bidibidibidi." "You think they've gotten the information out of him?" "Chandar, is Kodus...?" "We were to be married at the Festival of Life." "I'm sorry." "I didn't realise." "Success." "Two Sharks passed through the force field and landed undetected." "Even now our strike force is approaching the Pendaran capital." " (Chuckles) It worked." " Of course it worked." "Now all we have to do is penetrate the computer vault, destroy the defence shield and Pendar will be ours." "(Bleeping)" "Bidibidibidi." "Who are you?" "What are you?" "(Whirring)" "(Robot) Captain Rogers' presence is requested in the Grand Council Chamber." "Bidibidibidi." "What about me?" ""Me" does not compute." "I have no invitation for "Me"." "The name's Twiki, buster, not "Me"." "I have no invitation for Twiki Buster." "Good bye." "Bidibidibidi." "That guy's got the brains of a can-opener." " Don't take it personally, Twiki." " Bidibi." "Who, me?" "(Beeping)" "Buck!" "We were so relieved when Chandar told us you'd arrived safely." " Thank you." " Good to see you." " What are you doing here?" " We have Princess Ardala to thank." "Princess." "Small universe." "Captain, we do meet in the strangest places." " How did she...?" " I'll explain later." " These people have told us why we're here." " To fight for them." "On behalf of the Terran group, I refused." "And I refused for the Draconian forces." "The Princess's war machine fights no one she does not wish to." "As I told Captain Rogers, we anticipated this." "You've anticipated everything, from Earth's scientific curiosity to Ardala's venality." "But you haven't anticipated Terran nature." " We're not mercenaries." " Nor are the Draconians." "We cannot force you to stay." "That is not our way." "But of course, without our assistance, you can never return to your own universe." "This thing's becoming a bore." "Come along, we're leaving immediately." "Buck... would you like to have a drink before we leave?" " No, I'll take a rain check." " Yes, you always do." "That'll be all for now." " Bidibidibidi." "That's some disappearing act." " What you have heard is true." "The orb readout serves only to get you here." "It cannot get you back." "Please think carefully about it." "(Beeping)" "It I understand, you're saying we don't have any choice." "I don't like it any more than you do." "Either we fight the Zaads or sit it out here indefinitely." " But there are so few of us." " Down here." "Ardala's up there with the Draconia loaded with fire power." "You're right." "It would even things up if they were on our side." "She won't fight." "You heard her." "If only we could find someone to convince her." "Bidibidibidi." "Run while you can, boss." " All right, I'll do what I can." " Buck." "This is really beyond the bounds of duty and responsibility." "It certainly is, Captain Rogers." "This is Captain Buck Rogers to the Draconia." "Requesting permission to board." "'Thought I'd stop by for that drink.'" " We are ready to leave." "I don't think..." " I did not ask you to think." "I'll take care of that and Captain Rogers." "Bring him on board, Kane." "(Zarina) Don't be afraid, Kodus." "Your pain may be over." "Soon my battle cruiser will penetrate Pendar's energy shield for the first time." "Perhaps you will decide to stay here... with me." "We can always use a man with your obvious talents." "I'm sure you could grow used to my attractions." "You'll change your mind, Kodus, when you see what we do to your pretty little planet." " Just a moment." " Sorry, I don't have one to spare." "Who, or better yet what, is this?" "This is Pantherman, Princess Ardala's new companion." "What's a nice kid like you doing here?" "Do you really want to keep her waiting?" "First I insist you tell me the purpose of your visit." "Sorry." "Do you want to move him or shall I?" " When we're finished, Captain." " We never got started." "Stop all this nonsense." " What is the meaning of this, Kane?" " I only wanted..." "Forgive us, Captain Rogers." "That was very rude." "That's all right, Princess." "No harm done." "Come to my chambers." "I'm sure you'll be more comfortable there." "Why don't you feed him a bowl of warm milk?" "Excuse us." "How sweet of you to see me off." "Actually, I came by to ask you not to go." "Oh?" "Really?" "What did you have in mind?" "A small planet, another universe." "It sounds divine." "Out, dear." "You and me." "It is divine." " And a skirmish with some Zaad warriors." " You're not serious?" "I'm afraid I am." "I thought I'd made myself clear on this." "If we don't help the Pendarans, we won't get out." "Nonsense." "I have the computer disc programmed from the orb." "It's a one-way ticket." "It can only get you here, not back." "Try to follow that, you'll be lost forever." " They have no right." " They have no choice." "And I need your help." "Oh." "Once again this sounds vaguely interesting." "How much do you need my help?" "(Beeping)" "(Steady tone)" " What happened with Ardala?" " Will she help us?" " When I left she hadn't decided." " That's Ardala." "Bidibi." "At least she's consistent." " It gives her a feeling of power..." " (PA) 'Attention!" "'Unauthorised entry into computer vault." "Section 3002." "'Repeat, unauthorised penetration in section 3002.'" "Someone has broken into the master computer vault." "(Wilma) Why would they do that?" "(Chandar) The reference, 3002." " That's part of the shield." " Can you show us the way?" " Yes." " Hold down the fort, Twiki." "Let's go." "(Bleeping)" "(Explosion outside)" "Cover me, Wilma." "I gotta get to that vault." "Go." "Chandar." "Buck?" "Buck!" "Take it easy, Wilma." "I'm just counting my bones." "They're all here." "Sorry, Chandar." "We were too late." "They must have got through the defence shield." "If they did, what's the purpose of this raid?" "The circuits they destroyed have opened the shield even further." "Zarina will be able to bring her battle cruiser through." "I'm afraid we're helpless to do anything." "Zarina's strategy will be to send fighter units in first, then follow with the cruiser." "The Terran and Draconian forces combined could destroy her space fleet but we must find a way to repair the shield computer elements." "Now, hold on." "The Princess is a very stubborn lady." " I spoke to her this morning..." " And made a very convincing argument to commit my forces to save Pendar." "I just can't seem to say no to Captain Rogers." "Impeccable timing." "Am I unfashionably early or unforgivably late?" " The Zaad just stormed the computer." " Without it we are helpless." "You were helpless with it." "You were saying the key is to repair the computer." "And to rescue Kodus." "If we can get him back to rebuild the defence shield..." "I have a better idea." "Zarina is, after all, a woman not unlike myself." "She is... powerful, intelligent." "She'd anticipate these moves." "You won't get Kodus out of there alive." " That's a chance we'll have to take." " Not necessarily." "A little woman-to-woman confrontation might be just the thing." " We know nothing about this woman." " Silence!" "It's too dangerous." "We need to get that defence shield mended." "I wasn't thinking of discussing sunsets, Captain." "All right." "We know where Kodus is on the Zaad ship." "But how do we get aboard?" "There's a supply ship from Zaad that makes deliveries to the cruiser." "It is run entirely by drones." " That's the ticket." " But how will you get off the cruiser?" " I'll cross that bridge when I come to it." " You have everything organised." "Not quite." "Doc, if you'd coordinate some kind of defence plan with Kane..." "Wilma, you can take me to the supply ship and then come back and give them a hand." " Is that all right, Princess?" " Whatever you say." "By the way, this working together is just temporary." "Don't get used to it, any of you." " Bidibidibidibi." "Sweet kid." " Be nice to her, Twiki." "Right now we need her, all of us." "Captain Buck Rogers." "Who does he think he's dealing with?" " We're all together on this." " Oh, shut up." "Just listen to what I'm going to say." "You're gonna be so vulnerable." "I'll be on and off that cruiser in two seconds, no problem." "I've heard that before." "(Buck) There's the supply ship, Wilma." "Stand by to board." " I'm ready." " Yes, Princess." "I know what you're thinking, Kane." "Don't say it." "Halt!" "Welcome, Captain Rogers." " How did you know I was coming?" " I just can't keep a secret." "Why did I bother to ask?" "Your plan was clever, but mine is so much more civilised." "The Princess just arrived, Captain." "Yes, and we have so much to discuss, Zarina." "Woman to woman." "I prefer man to woman, Princess." "(Inaudible)" "Secure them below." " I have important information for you." " It will keep." "I don't think you understand." "Buck?" " Please talk to me." " What would you like me to say?" "Thanks?" " Buck..." " I can't believe you could be so stupid." "It's not stupid, Captain." "You'll see." "Princess, Zarina requests your presence." "Thank you." "Be a good boy, Captain." "Maybe I'll help get you out of here." "You seem like a reasonable woman, Zarina." " Perhaps." " I think we understand each other." "I'm sure we do, Princess." "Well, I certainly hope so, for your sake." "If I'm not back to my ship soon, I've instructed my forces to attack you." "With their princess aboard?" "I think not." "Oh, yes." "They will save me and they will destroy you and your ship." "I promise you." "You undoubtedly have a proposition to make." "What is it?" "I will help you neutralise the Pendarans." "In exchange, I want a guarantee that my ship, and my ship alone, will pass through the vortex unharmed and return to my universe." " That is all?" " I wish to have the Terrans destroyed." "Except for Captain Rogers." " Ah." " Yes, he will return with me." "In your universe, they call you a princess?" "Yes." "In mine, we would call you a child." "An arrogant, demanding child." "Do you really think you can come to me and assume that I need or want your help?" "Ardala!" "Oh, pardon me." "Princess." "You said we understood each other." "You could not be more wrong." "Just a minute, Zarina." "I understand you." "Your petty quest for bits of power, your need to conquer." "Your desires!" "But you don't see me." " You're not that different from me." " In one very important way." "I have earned my position, Ardala." "You've been given yours." "I am a woman." "And you are just a little girl." "How dare you speak to me that way?" " I am the Princess Ardala..." " You are excused." "Take her away." " Ardala's gone to Zarina's ship." " Why?" "We haven't been able to determine that." "But she's compromised Buck's position." " Do you think Zarina has Buck?" " We're certain of it." "Ardala has not returned to the Draconia." "She probably has her, too." " What do we do?" " Proceed with our battle plan." " But if Buck is on the Zaad ship..." " We have to." "We don't have any choice." "Take Twiki and Dr Theopolis to the vault." "They can try to repair the damage." "Colonel, go to the Draconia and coordinate with Kane." " He should be encouraged to take control." " I don't think that's going to be a problem." "We'll do everything we can, Chandar." "He'll be all right." "This must be very hard on Chandar." "Well, she's dealing with it." "How about you?" "Well, I'm alive." "That's something." "Now they've opened the shield, it's only a matter of time..." "That's why I'm here." "Somehow, we've got to get you home to repair it." "Are you all right?" "Yes, I'm fine." "Are you sure?" "Yes." "I said, I'm fine." "OK, I was just wondering." "Buck..." "I'm not fine." "I'm terrible." "I'm just terrible." "Captain Rogers." "You sent for me, Zarina?" "I wanted so much to talk with you." "Were you thinking of a group discussion?" "Wait outside." "Well?" "Please, Captain." "Haste is so unbecoming." "Here we are, man and woman." "I wanted to explore the man who was so bold... as to slip aboard my battle cruiser." "That was stupid, but very courageous." " Well, you've met me." " Careful, Captain." "I could find you very irritating." "And you would find things very unpleasant." "You are allied with that Draconian princess, aren't you?" "I don't know what you and Ardala discussed, but whatever she said..." "We spent a great deal of time discussing you." "She's placed a great deal of value on you, and I wanted to know why." "Why have the Pendarans brought you here?" "To avert a war." "If that proves impossible they expect me to fight it for them." "It seems you won't be able to do either." " It's not over yet." " It will be, shortly." "We have established a rift in the defence shield, and it's getting wider." "Soon Pendar will be part of my empire." "The Pendarans are a peaceful people." "What could you possibly hope to gain by conquering them?" "I don't have to justify myself to you or anyone." "What I will is done." " May I go back now?" " If you wish." "But you have a choice." "You can stay here." "You're a very attractive man." "But I could make you a great and powerful man." "A great and powerful man..." "does not wage war on innocent people." " Think twice about what you are saying." " There's nothing to think about." "Guards!" "Take him to his cell." "Captain Rogers, you will not die." "After I've destroyed the Pendarans," "I will make you my personal slave." "And you will wish you had died." "Oh, no, Zarina." "Then you will wish that you had killed me." "(Robot) This circuitry is extraordinarily unusual." "Bidibidibidi." "No kidding!" " We've got to find that hangar." " No problem." "If your shuttle's there, we can head for Pendar." " When do we go?" " They'll come to take me upstairs soon." "For more of Zarina's special hospitality?" "They've broken the shield but there are other secrets she wants." "Right." "When those guards arrive, they won't find you or anyone else here." " Are you up for this?" " Right by your side, Captain." " Want to hear something funny?" " What?" "That doesn't sound like a bad idea." "As a matter of fact, it doesn't." "(Robot) The system is composed of modular synaptic antigens." "Bidi." "Bidibidi." "Why don't you make like a fuse and blow?" "Now, Twiki, it's only trying to be helpful." " I must caution you, Twiki Buster." " Bidibi." "Do you mind?" "You're making my electrodes quiver." "Deploy Hatchet squadrons Alpha and Gamma." "Station them at coordinate 55-zeta-4." "Delta squadron will follow at approximately 1100 hours." "The cannons won't be aligned for 15 minutes." "We do not have 15 minutes." "I want those ships in position in seven minutes!" " Everything is going well, Commander." " As I knew it would." " If you'll excuse me..." " I'll be returning to Pendar immediately." "Get me Captain Sven." "His squadron should have left 45 seconds ago." "(Robot) You are not correctly programmed for this, ambuquad." "Bidibidibidi." "Look, Buster, get out of my life." " Temper, temper, temper!" " Bidibidibidi." "Quit talkin' and start walkin'." " Our ships are armed and ready for attack." " Excellent." "Tell your pilots we attack at 13:50." "In the meanwhile, bring that dear Kodus to me." "That is, if there's anything left of him." "Of course, Princess." "More than enough." " Now I know how the underhalf lives." " Give us a hand." " What can I do to help?" " Take their clothes off." "Oh." " Identification." " Zarina's guard." "And who is this pretty one?" " She's a prisoner." " What a pity." "And where are you taking her?" " To the fifth level." " Oh... what a privilege!" "Zarina has chosen to interrogate you herself." "(Chuckles)" "Zarina." "The prisoners have escaped." "With Kodus." "They'll try for the flight bay." "Alert the crews." "Send all available personnel to stop them." "(Chandar) They're moving so fast." "They must be free." " Get to your shuttle." "Crank up your engines." " I don't know how." "Princesses don't start engines." "Great." "Princesses don't start engines." "Go with her." "Crank up the ignition on that shuttle." "Give me your weapon." " What about you?" " I'll keep these guys honest." "I'll join you as soon as I hear your ignition." "This is so degrading." "Nice of you to drop in." "Go." "The prisoners have escaped in Ardala's shuttle." "The guards that allowed this to happen, put them to death." "It's already been done." "Escape is meaningless." "The Pendarans can do nothing now." "The shield is open to us." "Launch the attack." "Attention!" "All pilots to combat stations." "Prepare to launch." "'Prepare to launch!" "'" " Buck!" " How are you, Dr Huer?" "We were so worried." "About all of you." "Welcome, Kodus." "I can't tell you how grateful we are that you are back." "Now, we need your services again." "The defence shield." "I'll begin at once, Keeper." "Come and help me?" "(Pinging alarm)" "(Keeper) The war witch has begun her attack." "Zaad squadrons are moving toward the defence shield." "Report." "The shield is still virtually useless." "Zarina's fighters can still enter." "As can the cruiser." "We are powerless against the cruiser." "72,000 soldiers." "A strategic weapons arsenal without equal." " How long will it take to reach the shield?" " It will be there at 13:40." "That's not much time." "I have a plan." "It's risky, but it just might work." "Go on, Captain." "Keep Kodus and Twiki working on the shield." "We can hold off the Zaad fighters long enough to mend it." "If they do, when they do, don't activate it." "Don't?" "Why, Captain?" "Zarina thinks it's clear sailing to Pendar." "If we lure her into the shield and activate it..." "The radiation might destroy the entire cruiser." "Exactly." "That will demand split-second timing." "And luck." "But it's the only chance we have to take on Zarina." " Zaad fighters are at the perimeter." " We have no choice." "Go ahead." " Ready, Wilma?" " I've put Wainwright and Daniels on alert." " Princess?" " Kane will coordinate with your pilots." "Let's get started." "(Zaad pilot) 'Eric 30 to Zaad 1.'" "Zaad 1." "'We are approaching initial attack mode on schedule." "There is no response.'" "Quarter speed, Spirot." " Connect me to my commander." " Of course." "(Kane) 'Warriors of Draconia, this is your Supreme Commander... 'addressing you on the eve of the most important engagement in our history.'" "We are here in an unknown universe, fighting a strange foe, with unaccustomed allies." "I will expect no less from you than I would give myself." "'Every shred of raw courage, every single iota...'" " Kane!" " Princess?" "Quiet, Kane." "Yes, Princess." "Convey my best wishes to the squadrons and launch them immediately." " I don't want them to be late for the war." " Yes, Your Highness." "He would talk the Zaads to death." "This is 1314 to Apple 4." "This is Apple 4." "We should reach this side of the defence shield at 1650.26." " You got that, Wilma?" " (Wilma) 'Roger.'" "Here come the Draconians." " Careful, Twiki." " Bidibi." "Circuit 8401, testing." "No, that's not it, Twiki." "Try, erm... 15133." "Bidibidibi." "I'm bushed." "We're almost through, Twiki." "If we can find the last damaged circuit, we can close the shield." "(Buck) 'Earth Leader to Starfleet." " 'I'm picking up a converging force.'" " I have the same reading." "On this side of the defence shield." "The fighters have come through." " How are you coming on the repairs?" " Movin' along." "Just one more damaged circuit." "Only it's a question of finding it." "Roger." "This is Earth Leader to fleet." "Prepare to engage." "Bidibidibidi." "Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes." "(Hatchet pilot) '1267, calling 1314." "Shark at two o'clock.'" "(2nd Hatchet pilot) '3462, approaching on vector 4. 6092.'" "Behind you, Daniels." "Hatchet leader, you got a Shark on your tail." "Thank you, Earth Leader." "(Hatchet pilot) '1123, calling 54." "'Alert." "Enemy in range.'" "Just thought you fellas ought to get to know each other better." " Apple 4?" " (Wilma) 'Yes, Buck?" "'" "I'm reading the cruiser closing on the shield." " 'Look at your estimated time.'" " I have the picture, too." "I'm going outside the shield to slow her down." "Kodus?" " Yes, Buck?" " My digital readout is 1333.50." "We're reading the same here." "That's your deadline." "Call me when you've got that computer mended." " Right." " Bidibidibi." "Be real careful!" "How far to the shield, Spirot?" "Four trisecs." "A lone Earth fighter is approaching from the field." "That fool's trying to engage my cruiser." "Answer his fire." "All stations." "Open fire on the intruder." "This is Earth Starfighter 1314 calling Zaad 1. is Zarina there?" "You fool!" "You won't divert me from bringing my cruiser through the shield." "Half speed more, Spirot." "Mount the megacannon." "Megacannon?" "That's used for destroying cities, not a fighter." "Do as I say!" " Bidibidi." "That's the rascal." " Let's see." "Yes... yes..." "Yes, that's it." "Now to fix it." "Deering to Hatchet fighter." "I think that was our last Shark." "Congratulations on our first joint victory." "It felt real good, but we'd better hope Buck's plan works, or we're gonna have Zarina's cruiser on our hands." "Megacannon is primed and loaded." "Catch me if you can, Zarina." "Kodus, Twiki, how are you doing down there?" "The shield should be closing." "Bidibidibidi." "Buck, the eagle has landed." "Great." "Come on, Zarina." "Where's that big number you promised me?" "He's heading through the shield, and so are we." "Fire!" "The missile met an energy field." " They've closed the shield." "Full reverse!" " We are going too fast." "(Screams)" "It has been a pleasure working with you, Twiki Buster." "Bidibidibidi." "Yeah." "What would I have done without you?" "Shake, Jake." "I am not programmed with that information." "Please rephrase your question." "Oh, what the heck!" "Gimme five, Clive!" ""Five Clive" does not compute." "Put her there, pal." ""Put her there, pal," computes." "Bidibidibidi." "Goodbye, pal." "The Keeper." "Thank you, Tora." "My friends, Pendar, our universe itself is indebted to all of you." "There is great hope and a bright future for your universe if life there has the attributes you've shown us." "On behalf of all Pendar," "I salute you and wish you a safe journey home." " Princess, it's been a pleasure." " For me as well, Captain." "I got to see a different side of you in the last few days." " Really?" "And?" " I like it." "It wouldn't hurt to see more of it." "You can see any side of me you like, any time of the day or night." " All you have to do is..." " Whistle?" "Whatever." "I mean that, Buck." "Well, until we meet again, Princess." " It can never be too soon, Captain Rogers." " I was afraid you were going to say that." "Excuse me, Captain Rogers." "(Clears throat)" " Captain Rogers..." " Goodbye, Buck." "Bye-bye." "Chandar and I... well, we owe you our lives." "We'll never forget you." "Well, thank you both." "Good luck to you." " Are you ready?" " Let's." "Bidibidibidi." "I thought you'd never ask." " Bidibidi." " What does "bidibidi" mean?" "(Buck) 'Starfighters to Chicago Control." "Request landing mode.'" "(Control) 'Chicago Control to Starfighters." "'Approach on vector 4, channel locks J and K.'" "Bidibi." "Bidibi." "Now there's a sight for sore eyes." "You bet your transistors, partner!" "♫ Far beyond this world I've known" "♫ Far beyond my time" "♫ What kind of world am I going to find?" "♫ Will it be real or just all in my mind?" "♫ What am I?" "Who am I?" "What will I be?" "♫ Where am I going and what will I see?" "♫"