Original subtitles

"PART TWO"

They're the ones who believe it, they call themselves that.

You don't think so, then?

After I was in Eternity a while, I didn't.

People who live forever wouldn't talk like Eternals talk.

Still, you told me that night that I'll never die.

I thought: Who knows?

How does a Timer go about becoming an Eternal?

Why do you ask that? -To find out.

I'd rather not talk about that. -Still, you wanted to make love to me. -Yes.

Why me? -You were funny. -Funny? -Well, odd.

You always worked so hard not to look at me. You tried to hate me.

I could see that you didn't.

And what do you think of me now?

Members of the Allwhen Council,

i've already acquainted you with the materials pertaining to Harlan's case.

Now I suggest, and demand,

to examine the case before the Council.

Technician Harlan,

under the protection of his status

as Computer Twissell's personal Technician... -Computer Finge.

Dr. Twissell... I understand this is hard to hear,

but as you've often said yourself:

Our personal likes and dislikes must not get in the way of the great work we do.

And as a member of the Council... -Shut up, Finge.

Dr. Twissell...

Your behavior is unacceptable. -Is that so?

Does anyone share that opinion?

I'm a criminal, Noys.

I extracted you from a reality that was about to be changed.

Changed? What do you mean?

If I told you, that would be even worse a crime.

Then don't tell me.

If it's that terrible...

You could just take me back and forget about me. -Don't say that, Noys.

Don't you realize, if I hadn't done that, I could have lost you forever!

So what happens next? -I don't know. Not even an Eternal can answer that.

They are powerless, useless, when it comes to things like this.

Does that mean Eternals actually do something useful?

Eternity's main purpose is the constant improvement of human history.

Not letting civilization leave the rational path of progress.

And you know that path? -We have the finest computing machines in Time.

Computaplexes.

Computing machines. Computaplexes.

Who feeds the machines their instructions?

Soulless Computers.

And who even gave you the right to take charge of our destiny?

Our goal is the betterment of mankind. -Betterment?

You've turned humanity into a herd of sheep that you shepherd through Time.

How fortunate for us, that you get to choose whether or not we reach the stars.

Who can even say what's in mankind's best interests?

Harlan, any system like Eternity

that allows a handful of people to choose the future of mankind,

of all mankind,

inevitably leads to mankind's best interests

becoming mediocrity.

Mediocrity! That is your goal.

It's not as simple as that. There's much you don't understand.

There's much you do understand. But you're afraid to admit it.

What's that supposed to mean? -I'm sorry, it's nothing.

I don't even know what I'm saying.

You haven't said anything about us, which is much more important to me.

I don't want you to regret coming with me. I'll do everything I can.

But to do it, I must leave you here for a while.

Then I'll wait.

And please remember that I love you.

As you know, humanity's greatest scientist,

Vikkor Mallansohn, discovered the temporal field in the 24th century.

He gave his discovery a mathematical basis,

and thereby created Eternity.

We've learned to travel through Time,

Into past centuries as well as future ones.

Starting with the 24th century,

And hundreds of thousands of centuries into the future.

It seemed there was no limit to what we could accomplish.

But that is not the case.

There are 800 centuries we cannot reach.

Who occupies these Hidden Centuries?

Friends or foes? We do not know.

And so we tend

to view the residents of those centuries as a potential threat.

Can we take action against this threat?

I've conducted research on the matter, approached it in thousands

of different ways.

All to no avail.

Until I came across the so-called

Mallansohn memoir.

Bequeathed to us by the great scientist.

It is kept in our archives.

As a top-secret document.

According to the memoir,

if a certain combination of events occurs,

we will be able to close the loop in time.

We will create a new Reality,

in which the Hidden Centuries do not exist.

We will overcome these centuries.

Their residents will become workers,

and exporters of robots,

who will aid us in furthering the great cause of reason.

Today, I shall reveal a great secret.

Mallansohn's memoir mentions

the appearence of a man in Eternity

who will learn,

under the guidance of the Senior Computer and his Technician,

the fundamentals of the temporal field.

And, after he's taught about Primitive History,

will be sent into the 24th century.

To close the time loop.

and make Eternity truly eternal.

For what is Eternity but an open time loop?

The memoir mentions the names of these three people.

Senior Computer Laban Twissell.

His Technician, Andrew Harlan. Are you paying attention, Finge?

This is why I need him. For now.

And the name of the third individual: Vikkor Mallansohn!

Cooper, come here, please.

Members of the Allwhen Council,

before you stands humanity's greatest mind.

Vikkor Mallansohn.

I need to see Dr. Twissell.

It's an Annihilator.

Did you really think we wouldn't notice, Technician?

What kind of a Computer wouldn't have you observed after your stay in Time?

We knew you brought Noys Lambent into Eternity.

We knew from the first.

What do you want from me?

You're playing with fire, Finge.

I will annihilate you, Computer.

I want the block that's been placed across the kettle shafts removed.

A block across the kettle shafts? -Don't act surprised.

I'll gladly rid Eternity of you!

I didn't block the kettle shafts. I swear on Eternity.

It's impossible, I didn't know it could even be done!

Computer Finge!

Maybe your atrophied brain hasn't caught on yet

Why I'm doing this. Well: I'm going to live with Noys Lambent.

Or not at all.

You know as well as I a kettle can't just stop in the middle of a trip.

They either work if there's power, or they don't. Who did it?

Who blocked the kettle shafts?

Despite my personal hatred of you, Harlan,

You, who traded your Eternal's Oath for a pretty pair of legs,

For which you will pay, I pity you.

You think so highly of yourself.

You think you're somebody.

You're nothing! We're both nothing!

We exist only as long as Twissell takes an interest in us!

As long as we're a part of his combination! -What combination?

None of your concern!

What's important is that Twissell figured out a way to block the kettle shafts!

And now your little intrigue with Noys Lambent is through, for good!

Where is Twissell?

I don't know.

Cooper, behind me

are eight years of research and three years of construction.

This is the moment of truth.

We're sending you into the Primitive era.

We're using up nearly all of our energy to send this capsule.

Keep that in mind. Be precise. -Computer...

I don't know what's happening to me. I'm happy, and awfully curious.

But I'm also a little nervous. -I don't blame you. It happens.

Computer, what if I can't muster the courage to leave the capsule?

What if I want to go back?

You shouldn't be thinking about that, my friend.

You are performing your duty before Eternity. It is a joyous thing.

You will be the most famous,

wealthiest scientist of the 24th century.

You'll want for nothing.

Godspeed, my friend.

Dr. Twissell, I want... I need to talk to you.

Yes, of course. Only later.

Today is a big day for us. -No, it has to be now.

I realize now that you need me. -What?

Oh, of course, you're my Technician. I'm listening, my boy.

I�ve been going through films on mathematics.

I've read books from several realities, but mathematics doesn't change.

I've noticed that pattern.

How does that strike you?

And what do you make of it?

That Eternity isn't really eternal. The time loop isn't closed.

You're right, my boy.

And the Timers are beginning to catch on.

But I know of a way to rectify the situation. That's why I need you.

That's why you're sending Cooper to Mallansohn? The Primitive history lessons?

By time, you'll go far. You're destined for a Computership.

You almost have it.

Yes, since the first launch

into Mallansohn's time was overseen by a Technician named Harlan,

As it was written in the archives of Eternity, we'll repeat it all.

And this time, Eternity...

will be locked in an unbreakable time loop.

Come, my boy. There's no time to waste.

I'm not going anywhere.

What is the meaning of this?

I have a woman.

Unbelievable. A few years ago I had a Technician, Stevens.

He also had a woman.

Do you know what happened to him? Transferred to Maintenance, for life!

Don't try to scare me, Dr. Twissell.

Unless Noys is returned to me, I won't take part in your little project.

Great Time, what are you talking about?

We are on the verge of providing Eternity with absolute power!

This is all we've been working toward!

We picked the best out of every century, the most capable!

At last, we'll close the time loop,

and Eternity will become truly eternal!

We shall overcome the Hidden Centuries... -Where is Noys?

You'll have your Noys.

And anything you desire, only after

This project is complete.

Think of it: Your portrait will hang in the Allwhen Council chamber!

Next to Mallansohn's!

You'll give me your word that no harm will come to Noys?

You have the word of Laban Twissell. Come, come, my boy.

Go ahead.

What's going on, Dr. Twissell?!

What's going on is that there's another control panel in addition to yours.

Now nothing's up to you.

Later I'll give you some instructions. Please try to follow them.

Damn you and your constant deception!

Technician Harlan, Cooper is waving you goodbye.

Attention! We are launch ready!

Post one. -Standing by.

Post two. -Standing by.

Post three. -Standing by.

Post four. -Standing by.

Post five. -Standing by.

Post six. -Standing by.

Post seven. -Standing by.

Dr. Twissell, the time capsule is ready. -Then we're all set.

May Great Eternity guide you,

Brinsley Sheridan Cooper.

What have you done?

I dedicated my life to this project! My whole life!

And you've ruined everything!

Vikkor Mallansohn is Time knows where!

Eternity is on the brink of disaster!

What have you done?

Harlan.

You must realize your true power.

You are capable of destroying Eternity...

You think so highly of yourself. You think you're somebody.

You're nothing! We're both nothing!

Our existence has meaning only as long

As Twissell takes an interest in us!

As long as we're a part of his combination!

With the discovery of the temporal field,

Eternity was founded.

Mankind has entered a time

of eternal prosperity.

For now we, the Eternals, care for it.

Any system like Eternity that allows a handful of people

to choose the future of mankind,

inevitably leads to mankind's best interests

becoming mediocrity. Mediocrity! That is your goal.

The answer is somewhat unexpected.

The lady doesn't exist in the new reality.

She's just gone.

In fact, I don�t quite see how she fit in the old Reality.

She doesn't exist in the 48th century.

She doesn't exist in the 48th century.

What drove you to this madness?

That woman you hid in the Hidden Sections?

Very well. Noys will be returned to you. -I don't believe you.

Even if you personally want to do it, the Council would never agree.

The Council wouldn't know about it. -Really!

You'd conceal it from the Council? After dedicating your life to Eternity?

Once Eternity is no longer at risk, you still have to follow protocol.

And if you won't take Noys away, Finge certainly will. He hates me.

Finge, Finge.

I told you, you have him all wrong.

He couldn't care less about you.

He's after my position. It's me he hates.

He only set you up to get to me. Understand?

And these are the members of the Allwhen Council?

Alas, we're Eternal, not flawless.

Do you understand that your act of madness

started the launch six seconds early?

It melted the wires.

The ignition circuit connected ahead of time.

Cooper ended up not in the 24th century, but the 20th.

This is a catastrophic change in Primitive history.

Now no-one can say how long Eternity will continue to exist.

The disastrous consequences could occur at any hour, any minute.

So what? What happens then?

What happens?

Eternity stores massive amounts of energy.

This energy can't just disappear.

So...

Something akin to a massive annihilation will take place.

We'll all disappear.

I still cannot grasp it.

Why did you do it? -You shouldn't have hidden Noys.

I did not hide anything. -No? Who put a block across the kettle shafts?

My boy, what are you talking about?

That's impossible, it's like cutting the sun in half.

But I couldn't reach her!

The kettle would stop at the 1,000th century every time!

I tried several times, I changed kettles!

But the kettle just wouldn't move past that century!

Meaning, into the Hidden Sections...

How about that.

This is serious.

We'll get to the bottom of this. Only later. Right now we have to

Figure out how to get Cooper back. -I don't care! I want Noys back!

The very existence of Eternity hinges on Cooper's return.

Do you understand?

Could any woman be more important than almighty Eternity?

If Eternity dies, Noys dies with it.

Everybody dies.

Come, Andrew. Come, my boy.

While there is still time, we must fight.

The capsule has returned. So the link has not been severed.

Dr. Twissell, you'll never be able to recreate the event.

So you won't be able to lauch the capsule into the same place and time.

Bravo, my boy, bravo. You've regained your wits.

Cooper will surely understand he's in the wrong Century. What will he do?

Only you can answer that question.

You know Primitive history better than me.

One thing is certain: He must notify us of the error.

But how? Think, my boy, think.

It's quite simple, Dr. Twissell.

My last sessions with Cooper were about advertisements.

If there is a way to deliver such a message, it is through...

advertisements.

Now, Dr. Twissell.

You don't expect to find it by chance, do you?

Four albums a year,

a century, that's 400. A thousand pages each.

We'll go mad.

Aluminium-chrome barbed wire, it's practically Eternal. Cooper!

Aluminium-chrome barbed wire.

Noncorrosive, reliable, universal, it's practically Eternal.

Cooper!

Munich, P.O. Box 3252.

Cooper. Cooper.

Excuse me, Dr. Twissell. Computer Sennor is asking for you for the third time.

Dr. Twissell, Computer Sennor is... -Then for the third time, I'm busy!

Disturb me again, and you'll be transfered to sewer duty! Idiot.

I apologize. -Any progress?

You did it?

My boy, could it be?

Let me see it. -Noys.

What? -You said Noys would be returned to me.

Make it happen. -Of course, of course.

Let me see it.

I want Noys first.

So you have found it.

Give it to me.

What is this?

Is this some kind of joke?

What have you done?

You destroyed Cooper's advertisement?

You burned it?! -Relax, Dr. Twissell.

It's all right here.

You memorized it. -Yes.

Noys first, then Cooper.

All workers and specialists,

commence a complete diagnostic of the kettle shafts immediately.

I repeat: commence a complete diagnostic of the kettle shafts immediately!

My boy, I'm afraid. -What are you afraid of?

It's just my intuition.

I sense some great danger.

You said it was impossible to block the kettle shafts.

Yes, but... -But what?

Impossible with our science. -Who has science more advanced than Eternity?

There are other people beside Eternals. -What people?

Timers? -The people of the Hidden Centuries.

Of whom we know nothing.

Their technology is superior to ours.

Can you imagine the technical proficiency they might command?

If anyone could block the shafts, it's them. -What for?

Are they hostile to Eternity? No-one ever mentioned that.

Nobody wanted to consider it.

They barricaded themselves.

We cannot enter Time from the Hidden Sections. They are impenetrable.

We don't know anything about the Hidden Centuries.

Perhaps there was no block? -There was a block! There was!

Noys!

Noys!

Noys!

Andrew, where have you been?

You were gone so long, I was worried. -Are you alright?

I'm fine, I thought something happened to you!

Relax, Noys. -Who is that?

Senior Computer Laban Twissell. He knows all about us.

So you're the Noys

over which Harlan committed his act of madness.

Well, I understand you, my boy.

Tell me, dear, how was your time here?

I was worried.

Since Harlan left you here,

no-one else stopped here? -No, not a soul.

Why do you ask? -Oh, it's nothing.

Just a foolish fantasy.

Computer, I can't leave her here by herself.

I tell you, there was a block on the shafts.

I'll take her with me when I go find Cooper.

Will that be all right?

Strange, they still haven't fixed the second control panel.

Nothing strange about it. Nobody is allowed in here.

The Council won't approve, Dr. Twissell.

The Council is powerless, for now.

They have to wait until we've corrected our error.

They wouldn't dare harm me before we do it.

If we succeed, well, victors are never judged.

If we don't, there will be no-one left to judge. Or be judged.

I hope you didn't mention any of this to the Council. -Don't worry, my boy.

I didn't mention the girl, nor your involvement in any of this.

I told them

It was a mechanical failure, an unfortunate coincidence.

I've taken full responsibility.

Farewell. And good luck, my friends.

Attention! We are launch ready!

Post one. -Standing by.

Post two. -Standing by.

Post three. -Standing by.

Post four. -Standing by.

Post five. -Standing by.

Dr. Twissell, the time capsule is ready.

You're acting as if you don't intend to return.

What makes you say that?

I can see it.

Who are you really, Noys?

I'm the woman you love. Who else could I be?

I don't believe you.

You're not from the 48th century. You're from the Hidden Centuries.

Yes, I'm from the Hidden Centuries.

Does it matter?

We love each other. -You lied to me. You put the block on the shafts.

You wanted me to sabotage Twissel's project.

You wanted to get rid of Eternity. What does that have to do with love?

That's true, Harlan, but I love you, I really do! -Yes?

Did you calculate that too, in your Hidden Centuries?

No machine could predict that this would happen to me.

Harlan. Harlan, what's the matter..

I love you. I love you, please don't go, I love you!

I don't believe you.

Harlan!

What? What more do you want from me?

I destroyed Eternity with my own hands!

I hate Eternity! And I hate your Hidden Centuries!

I am a human being!

But to you I was just a pawn!

A tool!

Goodbye, Noys!

"THE END"