Original subtitles

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 defense against threats from space.

Let's join Orion and her crew

on patrol at the edges of infinity...

2. Planet Off Course

Subtitles by Anders M Olsson

Astrogator, any changes?

No, General. The magnetic storm has disabled our controls.

Fortunately, we're not in the center of the storm - yet!

Lightwave to Earth.

Ready, General. Field amplifier on.

This is General Lydia van Dyke. Spaceship Hydra to everyone.

Attention!

A planet has been thrown out of orbit. It's definitely a supernova.

It's racing towards Earth.

Its speed is 146,000 km/s.

It's as large as a giant star with the characteristics of a sun

and it will soon reach the Earth.

General van Dyke to everyone...

Distress call from the Hydra!

Uncle Cliff, may I fetch our spaceship?

- What's its name? - Orion 7.

I hope it didn't break.

Oh, it's been through worse.

Thanks.

Commander McLane?

Yes?

Galactic Secret Service.

Please come with us.

Where to?

To our HQ.

Hand over your communicator.

You know I'm not supposed to yield that.

No arguments! It's an order.

It's to keep you from contacting your crew.

Why? What's going on?

- What's that? - Impulse waves.

Galactic impulse waves.

- And? - I can't determine their source.

Impulse waves like that?

Here.

But that's impossible.

- Sensors on! - Oh my God!

Interstellar beings.

We're accidentally picking up one of their impulse waves.

Start recording!

Running!

The Solar System.

It points to the Earth. It's the Earth's orbit around the Sun.

Transmit the video to Secret Service!

Which sectors did you cover on your last mission?

411-22,

412-delta, 413,

416-epsilon

and 422-A47.

Not 420?

- No. - Why not? - Excluded from the mission.

Did you notice anything unusual?

No.

- What about you? - Nothing.

What's the point of all this?

Seven hours ago, we received a distress call from the Hydra.

From General van Dyke? What's going on?

One moment.

- Do you have the results? - Yes.

The logs of the Orion confirm the Commander's statements.

- Did you expect anything else? - Of course not.

So what's happened?

Thanks.

Yes, I can reveal it now.

Everything indicates that it's a remotely controlled supernova.

That's impossible!

Nobody believes it, but it's true. The staff has had perpetual meetings.

A nova I can understand. But remotely controlled? By whom?

General van Dyke reported it. Let's watch her recording!

Hydra calling all Earth stations.

It's without a doubt a remotely controlled supernova.

It's been thrown out of orbit by interstellar beings, so called frogs

intending to destroy the Earth.

The magnetic storm increases. We're unable to navigate.

This is General van Dyke. Distress call for everyone.

The frogs control a speeding nova towards the Earth.

Emergency call for all Earth stations.

The nova is on its way towards the Earth.

It resembles a sun and it will reach the Earth within days.

Emergency call from the space ship Hydra!

Van Dyke was my superior for 6 years. Any hope of saving her?

It's not about her,

it's about the entire humanity.

Colonel?

Plan DX-17: "Save the Earth!"

Commander McLane,

How could you have missed the nova when patrolling sectors 411 - 423?

You were the last one to visit that area.

- He couldn't report it. - Why not?

It hadn't arrived yet when McLane patrolled that area.

The planet did, according to General van Dyke,

reach a speed of 146,000 km/s. Remember that!

The data shows that it turned up 36 hours after my return.

- That's correct. - Orion's logs confirm it.

Very well.

I'm satisfied.

- Still, I must say... - No arguing, please!

- We've got more urgent matters. - So what's the next step?

- We must do something. - Such as?

You tell me! I've never waged war on a planet before.

Just waiting for the big bang won't help.

The government expects military recommendations.

You can't eliminate a threat that large by laser cannons.

You're the experts, not me. It's said that the frogs control the nova.

How and when do you intend to strike?

How many ships do you have at your disposal?

1,690. But 10 of them are only conditionally available.

That makes a total of 5,619.

When will they be ready?

Half of them tonight. The rest within 4 days.

- What takes so long? - 2,000 are space bound.

900 are stationed at peripheral bases.

The ships on Jupiter have already been recalled.

We need all ships at once. Why wasn't that ordered?

We must have the option to operate away from Earth

- no matter what the government decides. - The government!

The government awaits our recommendations.

And my recommendation is to evacuate the Earth.

But how to do that if we don't have all the ships at our disposal?

I thought you planned an attack?

What's this talk about evacuation?

There's nothing to be gained by that. Not even all the 5,000 ships

could save more than a fraction of the population.

An evacuation is out of the question.

Well. All right.

Then tell me:

Why the hell will the High Council move to Deimos and Phobos

and leave the people of Earth to its fate?

Politicians must govern, even if there's nothing left to govern.

So the armed forces surrender?

Not at all! This is no ordinary war.

We wouldn't have asked you if evacuation had been an option.

Is that all you can...

The retreat of the High Council seems ill thought out.

Just as the plans to move the military HQ to the Mars base.

- Why? - I can't guarantee that this...

- "Escape!" - will remain a secret.

- Do you expect a panic? - Yes, and you know what that means.

So what do you propose?

The public must be kept in the dark about the upcoming disaster.

There must be no leaks.

How much time do we have?

We expect seven days.

We know the time of impact, but not of the catastrophy.

What's the difference?

The planet approaches the Earth in a spiral.

Its angular velocity increases as the orbit gets lower.

Radiating an enormous amount of heat.

It acts as a small sun. The Earth dries up,

bursts into flames and burns up long before the impact!

We've got some 5 days till then.

Isn't it possible to stop the planet, or at least stall it?

Or reroute it?

Sure, if only we knew from where the frogs control the planet.

So destroying the control station will make the nova miss Earth?

Perhaps, but we don't know.

Then we must find the control station!

- No. -

I can't send all the ships on a frog-chase

without knowing the location of the control station,

without any guarantees even if we find it.

- That's not a serious strategy. - This is no ordinary war.

In theory we could try to trigger a stellar explosion.

- How? - By power transmission.

Yes, or by shooting antimatter.

But it's only a theory.

In the meantime, the nova would have advanced so close

that the explosion would destroy the Earth anyway.

I must advice against it.

It's hopeless.

That leaves only the first plan, destroy the control station.

There's no other option. Do you approve?

I suggest we send 200 ships in search of the control station.

The odds might be better than we want to admit.

Alright!

Give the orders!

Thankyou. A better understanding would have expedited our decision.

- McLane. - General?

The Orion is our fastest ship. You depart at once!

Question: Are we in contact with the Hydra?

- No. -

Not since yesterday.

- We've tried everything. - So the Hydra is lost?

Yes.

Base 104 ready for emergency launch of the Orion 7.

Incoming ships are requested to retreat to security zone 12.

Base 104. Clear the launching pad!

Automation takes over from countdown minus 10.

Twenty... nineteen... eighteen...

...three... two... one...

Zero!

General, four A-tanks are damaged. We've only got oxygen for 72 hours.

We'll have to use oxygen from the space suits.

General!

- An Earth station? - No, this sounds strange. Listen!

No... that's not human.

Commander, might it be distorted signals from the Hydra?

Those signals are alien. Atan will feed them into the computer.

Perhaps the computer can decode them.

- Frogs? - Maybe.

They must have unbelievable amplifiers.

Sure. If they can move a planet out of orbit...

...we can expect anything.

Will they attack us?

- How are you doing? - It's not easy!

I intend to strike first.

But what if they are really as advanced as we think?

- We'll have to improvise. - So you don't know?

Cliff, it's the frogs! I've locked on to their frequency.

Probably data in a linear method to control the nova.

Cliff, the frogs are tracing us! They know our velocity and vector.

Atan, can you find their coordinates?

Not without a second bearing.

Where would we get that?

How can we shoot at them without knowing their coordinates?

The station has to be on an asteroid in the Vesta cluster.

We're in contact with the Hydra!

- Atan, subspace radio! - It's on.

Orion calling the Hydra.

Here's the Orion 7.

Hydra here! General van Dyke. McLane, is that you?

- General! - Encryption code A4!

- A4. - What are your orders?

To find the frogs' control station and destroy it.

Our leaders think it will make the nova pass the Earth.

But you don't?

I hope they are right, but it seems too easy.

- I'll pick you up. - No!

- Of course I will... - Forget about the Hydra!

You know what's at stake.

McLane.

General?

If our leaders are right, it's the only chance for us all to survive.

Is that too hard to comprehend?

No, General!

In any case, you must destroy the frogs' control station.

No time to lose!

Do you know that they've traced you?

Yes, but I don't know their exact coordinates.

We've taken their bearing.

I'll send you the coordinates.

Start recording!

- Running! - We're listening.

RS 501. 4M to the power of 7.

Dash 196.

Dash 8 gamma dot 2 epsilon.

Did you get that?

Hello? Orion?

Did you get that?

What's going on? We can hardly hear you!

I order you to immediately...

I'll come and get you! Set course for Hydra! Full speed ahead!

If you set course for Hydra, I'll melt down your controls.

- Will you stop me from saving Hydra? - Without a second thought!

- Have you gone mad? - No, not me.

- Do you know what will happen? - Suicide, I know.

- You're going too far. - I don't care.

I will either die because of broken controls or from the impact of the nova

or by drifting around the galaxy until the oxygen runs out.

In the end it will all be the same.

Watch it, Lieutenant! I'm as unscrupulous as you.

It's widely known that you're stubborn as a mule.

But I didn't know that you were stupid and irresponsible.

Look who's talking, with a gun in her hand.

Your mission is to save Earth. Do that, and you can treat me as you please.

- Just obey your orders! - General van Dyke is...

General van Dyke, General van Dyke! Stop evading the issue!

You've discovered the control station and you must destroy it.

The Hydra is unimportant.

The Earth is in danger and time is running out.

Besides, while arguing with me,

the frogs may shoot you down before you can even give another order.

Put the gun away, Lieutenant!

Yes, Sir.

Battlestations!

Standby laser groups 2 and 4!

Converter at full power!

Yes, Commander.

Satisfied?

Yes, Commander.

Weapons console to the Commander.

Laser groups 2 and 4 standing by.

Roger.

Hostile locator beam on screen!

Commander to Weapons.

- Laser groups ready! - Laser groups 2 and 4 locked on target.

Laser...

Fire!

- The nova is unaffected. - How do you know?

Only a minor change is needed.

The speed is still the same.

- Atan, any change? - No.

Cliff, when will...

When will you admit that it was all in vain?

It proceeds towards Earth. You must try something else.

Atan, compute the nova's heading!

What now, Commander?

We must try to trigger an explosion.

But you know what that means.

Do you have a better suggestion?

- Afraid not. - Then shut up!

There's no other option. We must take the risk.

- How do we go about it, Cliff? - Listen up!

Here's the nova on its course towards Earth.

We're right here.

The farthest line is A, the one in the middle B, and the closest C.

At line A, Hasso will accelerate to hyperspeed.

At B dormant energy. At C dormant plus montor.

Just as we pass the C-line

we'll release 15 antimatter bombs into the planet's trajectory

and leave the area.

We'll set them off ten seconds before they collide with the planet.

If that doesn't finish it off, I don't know what will.

Which course do we take after the C-line?

Away from the planet's trajectory, to get us as far away as possible.

- Can't the stress harm the ship? - Yes, but what choice do I have?

- Course unchanged. - Are you sure?

Yes. The planet continues spiraling down to Earth.

Mario, what will happen to the computer if we go dormant in less than a second?

- The converters are overheating! - Don't worry about my engines!

So, we're going dormant in a flash. What about the computer?

It will be one hell of a power surge. The computer will burn up.

Leaving us without navigation. You'll have to come up with something.

The heat increases with speed. We must turn on the shields.

I shouldn't have listened to you, General. It's hopeless.

What do you recommend?

It's too late. Disaster is inevitable.

All available ships should have been used for evacuation.

The 200 ships chasing the nova are of no use.

That's for the government to decide.

I thought the government gave up evacuating?

The pros and cons must be carefully considered.

Care takes time. Time we don't have!

- Any news, Marshall? - No.

- Not a squeak from the Orion. - So McLane is... ?

I suppose he's too busy to entertain us.

Besides, there may be communications problems.

Where's the nova now?

Here.

We've got six days till impact, and four till disaster.

Wennerstein, I implore you.

The government must make a decision before it's too late!

All deployed ships are on their way home.

Not a single one got even close to the nova.

- And the control station? - McLane will deal with it.

General, you've got an almost childish trust in McLane.

Very well.

Let me ask you something less childish.

Something that's been on my mind for a long time.

How the hell was it possible for those beasts to set up a control station

for remote control of a nova?

All more or less on our own doorstep.

And it must have been a long time in preparation.

- I assume that question is for me? - It's for all of us!

Since the incident at MZ4, we know that an alien power is out to destroy us.

But we don't know where they come from or who they are.

They appear and disappear at will

and we can only sit and wait for their surprises.

Two years ago, I requested the establishment of a commission

for observation of extraterrestrial activities.

But what became of it?

A debating club for professors and the military

who still believe that we're the greatest.

If that was addressed to me: Who emphasized that MZ4...

Gentlemen, there's no point in arguing about it!

There's no time!

I'm afraid there is.

We can only sit around and wait.

Wait for a decision by the government,

or for a miracle.

If there is such a thing as a miracle

it must be McLane!

Attention Orion! Attention Engineering!

We're approaching the B-line.

B-line minus 81.

- Lock on target! - Locked!

- Weapons computer on! - Running.

B-line now.

Hasso, release dormant!

Ship on dormant.

Attention Engineering!

Attention Weapons!

Stand by for montor and bombs!

Approaching the C-line.

C minus 30.

Weapons computer on!

Running.

Seven... six...

Attention, Hasso!

four... three...

two... one...

Zero!

Bombs away!

Fire!

Mario! Fire, damn it!

Montor off, dormant off! Quick, before the ship blows up!

Commander, why didn't it work?

The bombs made it past the nova before ignition.

- Damn crap! - Was it my fault, Cliff?

No, Mario.

Take care of him!

What's in store for the Earth now?

I don't know.

It's maddening. All this waiting.

We can only sit and watch as the disaster approaches

while there's nothing we can do. It can drive you insane!

- There is something we can do. - Like what?

Make the government evacuate. Ensure the survival of man.

- And how would we do that? - By force, if necessary.

You don't know what you're saying.

If the government fails, we're obliged to take power.

As chief of security, I must point out

that any more talk will be considered treason and...

You'll die with the rest of us.

My own fate is unimportant.

I would stay behind, but we must arrange...

Easy, Marshall!

The government computers have been busy for hours

computing the chances of an evacuation.

But I wonder: Who will be allowed to survive?

Who will pick them?

Who has the right to live? Will you decide?

What will happen once it gets known?

Do you think those who are to be sacrificed will accept it?

The arising panic

is as unpredictable as the disaster itself.

Think it over very well before considering a coup!

Don't aggravate an already serious situation!

You're right, Villa. I lost it there for a moment.

That's understandable.

Perhaps I'm next. Still...

General, tell me honestly,

do you think that the Orion still exists?

What difference does my opinion make?

It has begun.

The information bureau is getting inquiries.

A government member has had a nervous breakdown.

The emergency departure of 200 space-ships has leaked.

Who the hell let the cat out of the bag?

My God, we're only human.

You can't expect everyone to stay calm

when facing disaster.

There's one last possibility.

Charge the Orion with negative energy, intercept the planet in sector 105,

and blow up the ship right in the center of the planet.

- It's the only chance. - Yes, for Earth.

But I don't fancy suicide. Do you?

Commander,

are you saying that we won't return?

Not necessarily.

Before blowing up the ship, we'll try to get over to the Hydra.

Why? The Hydra is a wreck. We're doomed anyway.

I can see no other possibility.

Let's try it.

I'd rather drift with the Hydra than commit suicide here.

I don't love her that much.

We may be able to repair the Hydra.

- Are they still alive on the Hydra? - We'll find out.

Bring all the oxygen!

Atan, compute time to abandon ship!

Mario, prepare the shuttles! Coordinates for the Hydra!

- Flood decks A and C! - Flooding!

Hurry up, or we'll lose the planet!

Cabins 11, 12, and 13, hydroponics systems flooded.

- Energize B-deck and airlock! - Energized!

Commander, three minutes to go.

Calling shuttle 1.

Launching bay 1.

Enter the shuttle!

X minus 170.

Automatic launch.

Confirm!

Do you think it will work?

Control staff! Clear the bridge!

Move on to shuttle bay 2! X minus 120.

- Roger, Commander. - Hurry up!

Ignition!

Von Wennerstein reports that a decision by the government is due in an hour.

Space Command should prepare for a relocation to Mars.

- I won't go. - Who insisted on an evacuation?

It's not about me.

Easy, gentlemen...

Any news?

Quite a lot, but not the news we're waiting for.

General, transmission from Jupiter Base 4.

There's been a huge explosion.

- Where? - In the path of the nova.

It's gone from the screen.

Does that mean that the nova... ?

Don't you get it? We're safe! The Earth has been saved!

I must speak to Jupiter 4...

General, my congratulations! McLane did it!

General, it's true. The supernova has been eliminated.

- I don't know how... - Must have been McLane.

It was.

Is he alright?

Nobody knows.

But you can take a guess.

General, nothing is certain without the facts.

Don't evade the question!

McLane is dead.

Probably. Whoever caused such an explosion won't come back.

We're approaching the last known position of the Hydra.

If it still exists.

That's what we're going to find out.

McLane calling General van Dyke aboard the Hydra.

Hydra?

Hydra, come in please!

Perhaps our transmitter is too weak?

No, it has a range of 10 sectors.

Calling the Hydra! Calling the Hydra!

Please respond!

Cliff?

They are long dead.

How would you know?

I can put two and two together.

They were right in the middle of a huge energy storm

and now there's no response.

- Do I have to elaborate? - No.

But please do it anyway, for my sake.

The cosmic radiation increases manyfold.

- Overpowering their shields. - Which means?

That the on-board temperature is too high for human life...

Spare us your eloquent description!

If you believe that Lydia is dead, please keep it to yourself.

She asked.

I bet she'll keep asking questions all the way to heaven.

Do you expect to go to heaven?

You see? She keeps asking!

- Are the others behind us? - Yes, I can see them on screen.

Calling the Hydra!

Hydra! Hydra, please come in!

We must keep everything under wraps.

If the public finds out about the danger...

Especially how little we could do.

Still, we managed to avert it.

- We? -

General, I know how you must feel. I'm sorry.

That's life.

Fine.

Yes.

McLane.

Too bad.

A great loss. He was a good man.

He was very popular, a hero and an idol among the young.

It may sound callous now, but

we must make up an official explanation for his disappearance.

- Sometimes I hate my job. - That's OK, Villa.

For the past 24 hours, I guess none of us have appeared to our advantage.

Well,

in that respect, it's easier to be a hero.

Shuttle 1 calling shuttle 2. Mario, do you read?

We should be able to see the Hydra in a moment.

Cliff, there she is!

Dead as a doornail.

Mario, watch out! I'll go close enough for Hasso to get across.

- Keep a safe distance for now! - Why must Hasso get across?

Doesn't docking work?

That question wouldn't even occur to Lt. Jagellovsk.

Who will manage the controls at the Hydra if we can't make contact?

- You're right. Sorry! Over and out. - Thanks.

This is it, old man.

I can't spare you.

Well, I'm used to doing your dirty work.

You don't say.

Listen up: Even if it's hot as hell

you've got to endure and get the landing system up and running.

And if that's impossible?

Tough luck for us.

Try to return to the shuttle. You can survive here for a few more hours.

Commander,

what will we do if we can't get aboard the Hydra?

A matter of taste. Twiddle your thumbs,

play Ludo,

or finish Mario's last whiskey.

You may also crochet if you've brought your sewing basket!

Somehow, you'll have to pass the time until we run out of oxygen.

Can't the shuttle make it to the nearest space station?

That's as impossible as making you see the gravity of the situation.

Now you must excuse me.

- Calling shuttle 2. Mario? - Yes, Cliff?

Hasso is going out now.

Stand by for landing, we may only have a few seconds

since it must be hot as an oven in there.

- If we manage to land... - ...we'll be hot on your heels.

Right, and then...

we'll use power from the shuttles to restore life support on the Hydra.

And it must be done insanely fast...

...or Hasso will perspire, and he hates that.

Exactly!

What's wrong with you?

You can think for yourself! Over and out!

Ready?

And remember...

"The airline is not liable in case of an accident."

He should be there by now.

- Is the radio out of order? - He's got no time for small talk.

He has failed. It takes to long.

Do you think Hasso can run like a deer in that heat?

You may come in now, or do I have to roll out the carpet?

- He did it! - Helga, quick, the shields!

- Mario, are you in landing bay 2? - Where else?

- Pressure stabilizer! - Already running.

- Cold air. - Think again! That only works if...

You're right!

Hasso.

Hasso, airlocks 1 through 6!

Hasso! Hasso damn it all!

He must have fainted. Stay here! Press this button in exactly one minute!

- Mario? - Yes?

Cold air in one minute, then shields. I'm going in.

- Without a space suit? That's crazy! - Do you know where my suit is?

Hasso is wearing it. He left his own on the Orion.

Hasso!

Are you alright?

Hasso?

Hasso!

The airlocks.

Done!

Cold air! Cold...

Cliff? How are you?

What's up?

Hasso, you're alive!

No, I'm the ghost from Hamlet.

Obviously. As a human, you weren't that well-read.

Don't faint, Cliff! We seem to be okay now.

The air is getting better.

- Mario, are you alright? - What a stupid question!

What about Lydia and her crew?

- In the hibernation chambers. - And?

We woke them up. The chambers were nearly out of power.

- We arrived just in time. - Well done. Thankyou!

That seems to be our speciality.

I wasn't sure you would obey my orders.

Lt. Jagellovsk supported me. Or we would have been here sooner.

Save your scorn, Commander! It was an awful experience.

Without my help, the Earth would be no more.

That's the 7th Orion you've destroyed. Time for number 8.

Probably the first that no one will blame you for.

- Transmission from Operations. - I'm not here!

Probably the head of arms who wants a ten copy damage report.

Are you ready?

Yes, we've installed the computers from the shuttles.

- We've got basic navigation. - Full steam home, then!

What an optimist! We can only do minimum speed.

- But we're ready for a test! - Fine. Take your stations!

- Atan. - Yes.

- Does navigation work? - I hope so.

Coordinates for Earth!

Got to talk to that man over there.

Cheers, Commander!

- Some whiskey? - Oh no.

It's a very rare brand.

Made in the old-fashioned way. From real malt, not artificial.

Matured for years in oak casks, according to Irish tradition.

- Just a tiny sip? - Very small.

It's a once in a lifetime gift from Space Command.

Really, Major? How did you earn it?

By destroying the fastest ship in the space fleet.

- Shall we go on? - How much more is there?

I have completed most of it, except for the cause of accident.

How shall I put it?

- Help me, General! - Just write... ehhh...

One of your usual escapades?

Yes, you might say that. A real escapade!

Just write that the ship was destroyed by a magnetic storm.

He went too far again.

A full report will have to be filed later.

Sign here, please.

There must be a way to get rid of all that paperwork.

- We've got our problems too. - Ours are comparatively small.

- We only had to take out a supernova. - A supernova? What's that?

Subtitles rev 0.90 anders.m.olsson@abc.se http://www.abc.se/~m1019/