All language subtitles for Buck Rogers in the 25th Century S01E01-E02 - Awakening

You aboard the king's
flagship, Draconia, under

command of the world princess, Ardala.

Get me intercept.

If you deviate from my orders,
you will be burned into vapors.

Vapors? What is that? This is Twiki.

He's your drone.

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.

Thank you for watching!

¶¶ For 500 years, Buck Rogers
has been miraculously preserved,

frozen by temperatures beyond imagination.

Now, in Earth Year
2491, he is rudely awakened

by the sinister forces
of the Draconian realm.

Alert!

Alert!

Incoming hostile ship.

Clear all launch channels for attack.

Wait!

There's something about the ship.

I've not seen anything like it.

Prepare to take it in tow.

Invalid alien ship in force field,
and prepare for boarding the Draconia.

Neurosystems transport.

In transport.

Begin heart-lung procedure.

Dilute a minor presser agent.

Transmitting.

Increase diagen and
crystalline in proportion.

Heart-lung response up 0.2 and increasing.

We're starting to receive
positive neurological signs.

He's alive.

Enter.

And what if our intruder is so
important it could not wait, Cain?

The man lives. I'm not sure why.

You're not sure why?

Is this a puzzle for me to decipher?

The puzzle is for me to decipher.

The ship is antiquated.

Unlike anything I've
seen in the star system,

or outside of history
books, for that matter.

Cain, please. Please.

He was frozen by a combination of gases.

Oxygen, cryogen, ozone, methylon.

Almost a perfect balance.

Well, these are
techniques used throughout the

galaxy for terminal illness and disease.

Yes, today.

However, there is another matter.

The man's ship.

Can you have one more minute?

His instrumentation was stopped,
frozen solid, in the year 1987.

Are you telling me... That
the man may be 500 years old.

You're serious?

Yes.

Frozen by elements so
instantaneous and perfect.

That he is fully preserved and living.

What a fascinating thought.

Preserved young or preserved old?

Very young.

Any defects from the ordeal?

Fortunately for him, we're
quite advanced in cryogenics.

Well, I've never met a 500-year-old man.

Prepare him for an audience.

I'm afraid he's liable
to be not too coherent.

I'll make allowances.

Where am I?

We asked the questions.

Who are you?

Captain Buck Rogers,
United States Air Force.

Who are you?

What did he say?

Something about a...

United States.

Captain, what is your destination?

What is it?

My head.

Anybody got an aspirin?

What does he mean?

Probably some kind of anti-pain drug.

Give him something for his discomfort.

What is this place?

Where am I?

Who are you?

You're aboard the
king's flagship, Draconia,

under command of the
royal princess Ardala.

Where are you from? Oh,
wait, wait, wait. Slow down.

Who?

What was that about a ship?

One of the King Star Fortresses.

On its way to Earth on a peace mission.

On its way to Earth?

You mean you guys aren't
from? I mean, we're not.

We're not on Earth?

I'm definitely gonna need that aspirin.

Give it to him.

What is that?

Oh.

Captain.

Hmm?

Bear in mind that you
are a captive of a dynasty

that has conquered
three-fourths of the universe.

You will answer carefully
if you value your life.

Are you a real live princess?

I think we've given our captain
a little too much medication.

Oh, no, I feel great.

The United States of America.

It was an empire on the
planet Earth some centuries ago.

Those royal tutors gave
you your money's worth.

Well, you're from Earth, Kane.

You should know better
than I. The United States

had perished almost, oh, 500 years ago.

Well, that would account for his
spacecraft, his clothes, the instruments.

I have a better explanation.

I think he's a very clever plant
from the Federal Directorate of Earth.

A plant?

Yes, a spy, placed in
our path by the military.

They wouldn't dare. We come as a
royal envoy from my father's kingdom.

I am fully aware of your
father's stated purpose,

to guarantee trade between
Earth and the Draconian dynasty.

What possible reason could they
have for placing a spy on board?

To search our ship, to see if we're armed.

I see.

We couldn't allow that, could we?

No.

Then I'm to assume that I may
dispose of Captain Rogers as I see fit.

How you handle security is your
problem. Go along, Tiger Man.

What a layout. Wow.

And how are we this morning?

Terrific.

Say, it's a coincidence, you
know, I got a ship just like this.

Disconnect the medication.

Oh, don't do that. I really love that.

You'll be on your way very shortly.
Great. Where are we going? You're going home.

Great. Where's that?

On Earth. All right.

Your ship has been serviced and
reprogrammed to take you home.

I'm sure you must be anxious.

Oh, yeah. Seems like I
haven't been there in weeks.

I must have had a
great time with you guys.

You know, I'm gonna miss you.

I got a great idea.

Why don't we all go down
there together? You go on ahead.

We'll be along in a few days.

Not if I wake up.

Bye-bye.

Boy, what a dream this is.

Boy, they're gonna be
surprised back in Houston

when I come back with this story. Battery.

Prepare to launch alien vessel.

Five seconds to launch.

Four, three, two, one.

He's given us the perfect opportunity
to test the Earth's defense shield.

What do you mean, test it?

We know that anyone
entering the Earth's surface

without clearance is
immediately incinerated.

But if our captain is
a spy, as I believe...

They will escort him through the
shield, along the narrow channel,

only known to the military.

Well, how can this help us?

I've hidden a microtransmitter
aboard Captain Rogers' ship,

which will send back the
equivalent of a guide map.

When we give the signal, that guide map
will be used by your father's attack forces.

And what if our
Captain Rogers is not a spy?

Then he will burn.

I see.

You don't look very pleased.

Of course I'm pleased.

It's just that I have the strangest
feeling I'm going to see Captain Rogers again.

Chicago, Chicago, you're my
kind of town. Chicago, Chicago.

I'm going.

Houston Control, this is flight
711. Come in, Houston Control.

Put on your cars, your
backgammon boards. Lucky Buck is back.

Uh, sir, super?

What station is this?

Delta Sector, sir. You
don't hear from me very often.

Yes, yes, Delta Sector.

My scanners monitor the
low-frequency direct communication band.

I'm picking up some voices or something.

I'm sure you're picking up
private and marauder chatter.

Nothing to be alarmed about.

Probably echoes from last
night's attack on our freighters.

Uh, yes, sir.

I mean, no, sir.

This isn't an echo, sir.
It's a voice. A strong voice.

It's singing.

Singing?

Yes.

Delta sector.

Did you say singing?

Yes.

Operational Control, this is
Supervisor 14 on the floor.

Feed me the Delta sector.

Won't you come home, Bill
Bailey? Won't you come home?

I've been gone a whole night long.

Remember that rainy night?

I threw you out. Come in,
Houston Control. Come in.

Houston Control, this is flight
711. Come on, you guys. You read me?

Give me some instructions.

Come in, Houston Control.

Houston Control, do you read me?

Hey, come on, you turkeys, get off
your duffs and give me some info.

Practically a foreign language.

Could it be some kind of joke?

He's heading directly
for the defense shield.

Get me intercept. Intercept
squadron on the line, please.

Colonel Deering.

What are the coordinates?

Right. Retard the shield 100
miles until we verify the craft.

Intercept airborne,
position of alien craft.

Very odd.

What's odd?

Target seems to be
moving unusually slow and

erratic for any conventional spacecraft.

I have target and visual sight.

What is it?

Hey, all right, I see you guys.

Who are you?

What are you?

Attention, alien spacecraft. Do you read?

Watch who you call an alien. You don't
look so familiar yourself, do you know?

Who are you?

Please restrict your
answers to yes and no.

You are in grave danger.

From who? You?

You are traversing a narrow
corridor into our inner cities.

Enter what? Look, lady.

Colonel Deering, now please be quiet.

If you deviate from my orders
by so much as a thousand yards,

you will be burned into
vapors. Do you understand?

Vapors?

Yeah, yeah, I understand. What do I do?

Do you have manual override capabilities?

Sure.

Then follow me very closely.

Be right on your tail.

We really blow it this time.

Gotta be the Russians.

You're doing just fine.

Dasvidaniya.

I beg your pardon?

I'm just trying to be friendly.

Violating our airspace is an
act of war, not friendship.

I don't know whether the
guys at the Cape hear this.

Buck Rogers sits down in
the middle of Red Square.

Air Control 1 to access. Clear on
Corridor 1-0. Able for incoming vessel.

Outer barriers all clear for approach on
Corridor 1-0. Able for incoming vessel.

Hey, babe, this is quite a setup.

It's Colonel Daring,
commander of Earth's defenses.

You mean you're in charge of all this?

That's right.

Now, if there are no more
questions... Oh, hey, Colonel, take it easy.

I'd fly with you anytime.

Take this barbarian in
for interrogation. What?

Hey, hey, wait a minute.

Wait!

What are you doing?

How do you do, Captain Rogers?

My name's Dr. Hewer. I'm
very pleased to meet you.

Just what's going on? Where am
I, and what are you doing to me?

Well, we're studying you. It's
all electronic and painless.

But so far, we're as boggled
as you are by what's happened.

But your testing is
producing the most phenomenal data.

Terrific.

Well, what is happening?

Look, if I'm dead, I
obviously didn't make it to heaven,

so just what planet is this? What planet?

Oh, it's Earth, of course.

You returned as your mission
required to almost the precise

landing area originally
programmed into your ship.

Uh...

Look, Doc, I've been through a lot,

but there is no way you
can tell me that that

city out there is anything like Chicago.

No, it isn't.

There's nothing like
Chicago left on Earth.

Allow me to bring in my
administrator, Dr. Theophilus.

Now, look, Doc...

Twiki, would you bring in
Dr. Theophilus, please?

What is that?

This is Twiki.

He's your drone.

All right, what?

Well, for the duration of your
debriefing and determination,

Tweaky here will act as your aide.

And this, this is Dr. Theophilus.

Good morning, Dr. Theophilus.

It's a lovely day.
Thank you. I did my best.

Cthiophilus here is a
member of our computer council.

And in addition to other things,

he's personally responsible
for all our environmental

controls here within the inner city.

I'm introducing a pale hint of
mauve into the sunset this evening.

Not so deep as an amethyst, but the
more subtle burn texture of cinnamon.

Well, how nice.

I do hope our captain can watch it
with us. It's truly going to be lovely.

If I were you, I'd check into whoever's
programming that thing. Captain Rogers,

it is we on the council who do the
programming for the entire city.

And kindly reserve your
opinion. Shall we get down to cases?

Rogers, I'll leave you
with a word of advice.

These quads are not programmed by man.

They've been programmed by one
another over the generations.

You see, the mistakes that we have made
in areas, well, like our environment,

have been entirely turned over to them.

And they've saved the
Earth from certain doom,

little by little bringing us
back so that we will not have

to depend entirely on other
planets for our food and water.

The quads are not human, but
you can hurt their feelings.

It's this sensitivity that
separates them from mere machines.

So, I'll see you again in
approximately 16 hours.

16 hours? Wait a
minute! You think I'm going

to sit here and talk
to a box for 16 hours?

Sit down, Captain. Let's both
try to be as pleasant as possible.

That's a good fellow.

Be a good drone, Tweaky, and place
me on the table where I can get a

good look at the captain while you
get him some liquid refreshment.

Oh, I'm sorry, I don't
need any liquid refreshment.

Of course you do. You're extremely
dehydrated from your ordeal, Buck.

If I may call you Buck.

Now run along, Tweaky, and
get Captain Rogers his drink.

Well now, what an attractive
man you are, Captain Buck Rogers.

Now look.

I've been waiting 24
hours to find out where I am,

who I am, who you are.
Can I have some answers?

Certainly, Buck.

That's why I'm here, to
answer your questions.

Let's have it.

Great.

Well, you're Captain
Buck Rogers, and according

to your ship's log,
you left Earth in 1987.

That much I know. Tell
me what I don't know.

Well, if preliminary data holds up,

it appears you have
returned to Earth 504 years later.

You are now in the 25th century.

Buck, are you all right, Buck?

Did you hear me?

Buck?

I think I will have a drink now.

You can take my word,
he's a wonderful man.

Believe me.

I do believe that you
believe that he's a wonderful man,

but you're not being
asked to risk the lives of

our few surviving
warriors on his subterfuge.

He's only one man. What can he
possibly do to endanger our people?

He could attempt to
discredit the treaty with Draconia.

But he has made no such attempt.
He comes to us a bewildered man.

I would like the opportunity to
spend some time with our captain.

If you're hoping to find fault with
his testimony, you'll waste your time.

Saving Earth cannot be a waste of time,

despite having to endure
the captain's company.

Well, if Dr. Theopolis has
no objections, I have none.

I have no objections.

Then the captain belongs
to me until I expose him.

I have not seen Colonel
Deering so uncharacteristically

emotional about anything before.

Or anyone.

Mission 19.

We are approaching
Earth's space perimeter.

Upper altitude, 1,000 Turan kilometers.

All armament personnel report to
flight base to begin loading weaponry.

Look at them.

Don, they're sleeping.

The fools will never know what happened.

This, Buck, is your new home.

Cozy.

Oh, believe me, Buck,
this is strictly VIP.

You could have fooled me.

Up those stairs is the slumber center.
It's the very latest in air cushion comfort,

which continuously monitors your
autonomic nervous system. The temperature,

firmness of air cushion support,

all are stimulated by the
requirements of your own body.

And the center is voice activated.

All you have to do is say
that you'd like to go to bed.

I'd like to go to bed.

Isn't it wonderful?

It's already been programmed to
respond to your voice and yours only.

It's terrific.

Tell me, you think you could
have that thing programmed

to fire up on a little more subtle phrase?

I don't think I follow you.

Yeah, let's skip it. You'll
have to get to know me better.

What else?

Well, over there is the built-in
Centrix Audiovisual Stimulation Center.

Voice activated?

Yes. Just say what you want.

It represents the very
latest in audiovisual technology.

How about a little music?

And to activate the data retrieval
screen, just say, enlighten me. The screen,

incidentally. It could
become very useful to you in

acclimating you to the
world as it exists today.

You can ask it questions, ask to see
certain sights, fashions, entertainments.

It will truly be your eyes to the world.

Yeah, sounds great. It just
seems a little too programmed to me.

I think I'd like to have a little
first-hand knowledge of this world as well.

Oh, Colonel Deering is prepared to give
you a complete tour of the inner city.

A full colonel is going to
give me a tour of the city?

Sounds like I'm going to
get the selected highlights

for suspected individuals treatment.

Oh, certainly not, Buck.

I want you to think of me as your friend.

I'm on your side.

I'll see to it that you're treated fairly.

And I know I speak for Tweaky as well.

Okay, I believe you.

But what about Colonel
Deering? Is she my friend?

Quiet, Tweaky.

What did he say? Oh, it wasn't important.

And I can assure you that Colonel
Deering's motives are above reproach.

Yeah, well, I think I'd like
to hear what Tweaky had to say.

Watch it, Buck.

Thank you, Tweaky.

All right.

I can see that the
sooner you and the Colonel

get together and reconcile
your differences, the better.

I'll notify her that
you're anxious to get started.

By all means, by all means.

This part seems more of a
dream than a nightmare.

Look, I was a little out of it
yesterday. I'd like to apologize.

I accept your apology, Captain.

Tell me about the Holocaust.

Well, until I hear it and
feel it, it isn't real.

Look, I lost everything
that was important to me.

A mother, father, brothers,
sisters, a woman I cared for.

And until I hear something
to convince me different,

they're waiting for me right now,
somewhere else in time and space.

What's it like on the outside?

Outside the city?

You wouldn't like it.

Radiation?

In some places. Ruins and
scorched earth everywhere else.

That's why we're so dependent
on trade with other planets.

This trade agreement with the Draconians
and the Princess, what's that all about?

We're being starved out by pirates
who choke off our shipping lines.

The Draconians have
promised to keep our supply lines

open in return for landing
privileges here on Earth.

I'd like to see my ship. Is that possible?

Anything is possible, Captain.

Those guards thought we were crazy
coming out here at this hour of the night.

I've had enough sleep
to last me a lifetime.

You recognize these markings?

Fairly common for an
aircraft that had been in combat.

Well, I wasn't in combat.

Did your ships fire on me?

Certainly not.

Then whose did?

Possibly pirates who've
been attacking our shipping.

Then why am I still here?
Why didn't they finish me off?

Why didn't they strip the
ship, or at least open it?

You'd think pirates would be thorough
enough to check out an unarmed ship,

particularly one they bothered to fire on.

You've been in flight a long time.

Anything could have happened.

Yeah, well, those burns are fresh.

The cordite is still unoxidized.

I think Princess
Ardala's attack fighters fired

on me before they
towed me aboard her ship.

Her ship is unarmed. That is the law.

Yeah, well, she seems to be bending it.

What would you suggest, Captain?

I would suggest thoroughly
searching her ship before

you allow it inside your defense shield.

Rather an insulting way to begin
an alliance based on good faith.

Good faith is for bureaucrats.

What gets you a city with a lid on it?

I'd go up there armed to
the teeth, full squadrons,

otherwise you'll be sitting ducks.

For a man whose expertise is
allegedly five centuries old,

you seem quite opinionated.

You're right.

It's none of my business
how you blow up your world.

My generation didn't know
what they were doing either.

Enlighten me.

Tell me about Anarchia.

How is it reached from the inner city?

I'm afraid that's
classified information, Buck.

Well, I thought these were my quarters.

If you'll ask for the lights,
we can be more comfortable.

Oh, yes, I'd like the
lights on and you out.

Well, that's half of it.
Buck, what are you contemplating?

Sleep. Take a hike.

You're being deliberately rude.

You're being deliberately nosy.

Nosy?

It means you're butting in
where you're not wanted.

Buck.

We are here to help you adjust,

to advise you against acts
which could be self-destructive.

There are things you
just don't know about.

Ah, and that, my friends,
is precisely the problem.

There's a whole world out
there I'd like to know more about,

and that includes anarchy.

He's crazy. Yes.

But I understand what he
must be feeling, Tweaky.

Oh, do you?

Do you think you could possibly feel
what it's like to be totally alone? Look,

I'm not a visitor from another
place. I'm out of another time.

You're determined to find out
all the ugly truths for yourself.

Yes, I am.

Then there is only one solution.

If you intend to leave the inner city,

I suspect you're resourceful enough
to find a way to do it. That's right.

Therefore, I'll have to go
with you. Wait a minute,

I don't want anybody
slowing me down. I'm sorry, Buck.

Without us out there, you
wouldn't have a chance.

You have no choice, Tweaky.

I'm giving you a direct order.

Nothing of any consequence.

What do you say?

Now activate your slumber center.

We'll get started at first
light of day. Now, wait a minute.

Wouldn't it be better if we
slipped out of here at night? Buck,

even our armed forces are
afraid to go into anarchy at night.

It's going to be bad enough in broad
daylight. Now get some rest. You'll need it.

All right, but don't try any tricks,
because I don't plan on doing any sleeping.

I want to go to bed.

I'm going to have one
eye on you at all times.

And don't try anything funny.

I warn you, you there will be...

Really more than you want to mess with.

He's a good man. I feel it.

I hope we're doing the right
thing. Good night, Tweaky.

Good night, Theo.

What's he saying now? You don't
want to know. You guys go back.

I can put up with whatever's out there,

if it helps me to find
what happened to my people.

I'm with you, Buck, but we'd better hurry.

It'll be getting dark soon.

What do you say?

You don't want to know.

Stop saying I don't want
to know. I want to know.

He thinks we're being watched.

It's just his imagination. Come on.

It's hopeless.

Absolutely hopeless.

We'll be all right.

It isn't you they're after.

What?

No offense, but it's us.
My gold circuits and parts

bring a lot of money on the black market.

As for Tweaky, well, I
hate to tell you the use

they'll put him to.
Buck, where are you going?

And this is it.

I don't mean to impugn
your strategy, Buck,

but standing in the middle of the
street is stupid, under the circumstances.

Come on! I don't know where he's going.

Just follow him.

Oh!

I don't know what he's doing. Just follow
him, Twinkie. I know, Twinkie. I see them.

Just keep going.

Don't think thoughts like
that you'll run down your

batteries This is where
my parents are buried.

Well, at least I know part of it.

We can't stay long,
Buck. We're being followed.

What happened?

There's only one stone. No date.

Only a few fortunate ones were
buried at all. It happened so fast.

Families were buried together.

Dates became unimportant as
all systems broke down. Finally,

there were no more armies or
fighting, only starvation,

contamination, and lingering death.

I wish I'd been with him.

You can't go back, Buck.

The past is gone, but you can
still help us with our future.

If there is a future, I'm afraid
it's too late. Take off, Twiggy.

If anyone has any last words, I
think now would be the time for them.

Well, well, Colonel, what
brings you out on a night like this?

Captain, I came to find
you at some personal risk.

Well, don't expect any fanfare.

We were doing just fine until
you came along. Right, Theo?

Well... Forget it, Theo.

Well, at least Tweaky's on my side.

Matter of fact, I kind of like it
out here. It's a bit primitive,

but then it is the south side of Chicago.

Captain, we're wasting time. Let's go.

I'm not through looking yet.

So unless you're prepared to shoot
me... Captain, you got away once,

but not this... What's wrong?

Then it's true, he is
working for the pirates.

I still don't believe it.

Well, you stand alone, Theo.

A microtransmitter was attached
to his navigational equipment,

revealing our secret access
corridors to our enemies.

That's not the
behavior of an innocent man.

At first I thought he
was guilty, and then...

You're being subjective in your
evaluation of Buck Rogers. I, on the other hand,

support him for very
practical reasons. And what are they?

I'm convinced of one thing.

Our friend Captain Rogers has
indeed met the Princess Ardala

and has been aboard
the Draconian flagship.

His descriptions are too precise
to be the guesswork of a pirate.

Perhaps the pirates have been aboard her
ship and provided him with the information.

My dear, they are the
deadliest of enemies.

It is unlikely that any pirate could
survive such a visit to tell about it.

Word from Earth on Captain Rogers' fate.

His ship was intercepted
and let down, as I expected.

Did the transmitter we secreted
aboard his ship provide the necessary

information to bring my father's
forces through their defense shield?

Yes, however, the
transmitter has been discovered.

It's too bad. It makes no
difference. Once we're welcomed inside,

we will destroy the shield from within.

Won't the Earthlings be
suspicious when Captain Rogers

tells them he was aboard our ship?

They won't believe him.

Captain Rogers is as good as dead.

Now stop worrying about the trial.

I'm a member of the council, and
I'm going to defend you personally.

Thanks, Theo. It's nice to
have at least one friend.

I'm sorry, Tweaky.

Two friends.

The Computer Council has
recorded and duly collated the evidence

presented by the Directorate in
its case against Buck Rogers.

Please summon the defendant, his accusers,

and members of the Directorate who
have served as witnesses in this action.

The Computer Council is ready to hear
final arguments in the case of the Directorate

versus Captain Buck Rogers on
charges of espionage and treason.

Counselor Apo.

The state's case is elemental.

Captain Rogers piloted a foreign
aircraft through our defense network with

a microtransmitter revealing our
secret shield borders to our enemies.

Only his pirate friends can
answer. But I submit that in my opinion,

it is the destruction of the Treaty
with Draconia that they seek at all costs.

For its enactment spills their doom.

The state rests its case.

We will now hear from the
defense, Dr. Theopolis.

Distinguished colleagues,
you have heard the evidence,

and I challenge you to
find this man guilty.

No evidence has been found to suggest
his claim to a birthright on this planet,

because we all know full well no
records exist prior to the Great Holocaust.

He has no explanation
as how a transmitter got

aboard his ship because
it was not his doing.

He is an innocent pawn in a great war.

I say to you, my
colleagues, that if you find

this man guilty, you must find me guilty.

My censors tell me that this man is good.

The defense rests.

Thank you.

Captain Rogers, have you any
last words before we pass judgment?

Justin, I'm an innocent pawn, puppet.

Call it what you will.
Somebody else pull the strings.

You'd be better advised to worry
less about me and more about them.

Because I can do you no more harm,
no matter what the outcome today.

But he or she could destroy you.

Very nice, Buck.

We don't have a thing to worry about.

By unanimous vote, the
council finds for the state.

Captain Rogers, the
council finds you guilty.

Your life is to be terminated.

Said termination to be
carried out immediately.

This council is adjourned.

I don't believe it.

Dr. Hewer.

Yes?

What is it?

I need your help.

I realize how foolish we've been.

We had the perfect test of his
guilt or innocence within our grasp.

I still don't understand.

Buck claims to have been
helped by the Draconians.

He would provide us
with a perfect opportunity

to go aboard their ship
and verify his story.

Giving us an excuse to do
a little looking around.

Exactly.

It's a good plan. I know it can work.

You convince the council to suspend
his sentence until we know the truth.

All right, I'll try.

It's in our best interests, and we
have nothing to lose. But our society.

Not at all.

Only if by some horrible
misjudgment the Draconians were to come to

us as enemies rather than friends
could we suffer absolute defeat.

We must seize this
opportunity to verify their

intentions. You make a
good case, Dr. Ewer.

A dangerous case.

The Draconians will be insulted.

They can only be sympathetic to
our need to find justice for this

man who has offered the
Draconians charity as his only defense.

I go on record as being
opposed to this motion.

Any more in opposition?

Council moves to suspend Captain
Rogers' sentence until further review.

Aren't you going to say anything?

No.

That's ridiculous.

You have been sentenced for termination.

At the very least, I would think a man
of your sorts would fly into a rage,

lash out at me, say something.

Goodbye?

Buck, stop it. You're being unreasonable.

I'm being unreasonable?

It's almost as if you don't think
the sentence will be carried out.

Well, as a matter of fact,

I don't think there's going to be
anyone around to carry the sentence out.

At least I know you
people won't be in charge.

You're still clinging to your story
about the draconian bearing arms.

I can prove it.

What would you say if I told you that
I came here to give you that chance?

How?

By flying out to meet
the Draconia flagship

to verify your story
about them finding you.

And do a little looking
around while you're there?

Exactly.

No, no, I don't like that plan.

It worries me.

Why?

Well, you see, I'm
scheduled for termination.

If I miss it, I might
get in a lot of trouble.

Buck, you are impossible.
I'm offering you your life,

and you're giving me practical jokes?

Well, see, that's the point.

Are you offering me termination of my
termination, or are you just postponing it?

If you can prove that your
story is true... Let's go.

Stay close to my wing, Captain. We'll
keep the maneuvers nice and simple.

Stay on auto-flight. You won't be
expected to run anything but the throttle.

Thanks, Colonel.

Is it all right if I
occasionally look out the window?

This is no time for levity, Captain.

We've lost nearly a third of our
ships in this vector to pirates.

When they hit, they hit fast.
You can't outfly the computer.

It'll take any necessary evasive
action to avoid their missiles.

If you try to fly that thing,
you'll only cost us a ship.

I appreciate your concern.

Just wish I'd brought
along something to read.

I make a target vector 4-0-1.

Roger, Colonel. I have a
visual on target just to port.

If you have visual at this
distance, it must be gigantic.

Permission to come aboard?

Why?

A special envoy.

That's all I know.

It isn't according to protocol.
What do you think they have in mind?

I don't know, but they have
given us plenty of warning,

and there'll be nothing
in evidence to betray us.

I'd be curious to know
what they have in mind.

Let's prepare a very
special welcome for them.

Send out our pirate ships and
arrange a little surprise for them.

Welcome aboard the flagship Draconia.

Envoy of Draco, conqueror of space,
warlord of Astria, ruler of the Draconian realm.

I give you his daughter, Princess Ardala.

Delighted.

This is an unexpected pleasure.

We are hardly prepared
to greet you properly.

Consider your time adequate greeting.

I'm Colonel Deering, Commander of the
Third Force of the Earth Directorate,

and I believe you
already know Captain Rogers.

But no.

If I'd met so dashing young Captain,
I'm sure I would have remembered vividly.

I don't believe we've had the pleasure.

I think you're mistaken, Princess.

I never forget a knuckle.

Captain.

Listen, we're here to get
to the bottom of things.

Would you like me to describe
some of your inner chambers?

Of what inner chambers does he refer?

Well, the princess may not find me
memorable, but I'll never forget her.

I especially like the dress
with the high-necked collar

and the... Colonel
Deering, what is this all about?

Why are you here?

The pirate forces are at
their worst in this sector.

We brought our ships to
assure your safe arrival.

Alert!

Alert! Draconian under
attack by hostile ships.

And Captain Rogers... All
personnel to their defense posts.

Men, to your ships!

Alert all stations!

Secure the ship!

So this is how you bid us
safe conduct. Fine escort.

At least we won't all perish together.

He's on your tail. Pull
up. I'll cut him off.

Captain Rogers, I ordered
you to stay out of this.

Girl, you need all the help you can get.

Wingman, bandit, 12 o'clock high.

12 o'clock what?

Lieutenant Rather, disregard.
Captain Rogers, get off the air.

Our combat computers are way ahead of you.

Well, yeah, Colonel, but if your
computers don't do something pretty fast,

Lieutenant Weatherly will be finished.

Watch out, Thornberry!

Colonel, you've got to
go to manual flight.

Buck Rogers, if you don't stop distracting

our pilots... You just
have to, Lieutenant.

There's a couple of pirates on your tail.

See if I can start dishing out a
little of what we've been taking.

Buck Rogers, I'm
ordering you back to the base.

Now then, let's see how you like a
little old-fashioned red-dogging.

I can't. It's against all
principles of modern aerial combat.

Look, I don't know what went wrong
with our combat computers, but thank you.

Now, Captain, let's go home.

My place or yours?

What? What did you say?

Just joking.

Air Control One to access.

Clear on Corridor One-Zero
Able for incoming vessel.

Confirmed.

Outer barriers all clear for
approach on corridor one, zero.

Able for incoming vessel.

Colonel?

Captain, I would like to
thank you for your help.

Sure.

I get rid of whoever's
programming your defense tactics.

Captain, the Princess denies your story.

I have no choice but to
arrest you pending a new hearing.

Captain, don't make me shoot you.

Wilma.

Sir.

Where would I go?

The only home I know is 500 years away.

So why don't we cut out this nonsense
until you people get your act together?

Colonel Deering, have
you seen Captain Rogers?

Yes, why?

Our council has had a formal request
from Her Majesty, Princess Ardala.

What has that got to do with the captain?

Well, the princess feels he
single-handedly saved their unarmed vessel

from the renegade pirates and
wants to thank him personally.

Single-handedly?

Apparently, even your
ship was nearly destroyed.

Were it not for Captain Rogers'
inordinate skills and quick thinking,

the Princess feels that... I
don't care what the Princess feels.

I know what happened. I was there.

Enter.

You're ravishing my princess.

Your princess?

That has the ring of possession.

I was thinking more about a partnership.

Tell me, King, which do you desire?

Me or my throne?

It is your desire as I serve.

I will see that one
day you will sit on your

father's throne as
queen of all the empire.

Conserve your strength.

I need your help.

Tomorrow, I conquer Earth.

Tomorrow, we conquer Earth, Your Highness.

You look magnificent, Buck.

Is something troubling you?
Why am I invited to this thing?

Nobody believes me.

Princess Ardala wants to thank you
personally for fighting the pirates off her ship.

I'd like to have a word
or two with her myself.

Alone. Oh, I'm sure
that won't be permitted.

After all, you are only a captain,
and not even commissioned at that.

What do you got for a headache?

A headache? Are you ill, Buck? Oh,

I guess I'm just not fully
recovered from that long trip yet.

Well, why didn't you say something?

Tweaky will get you a relaxant.

Well, it's time to go in now. We don't
want to keep the trade delegation waiting.

Citizens of the inner city, may
I have your attention, please?

At this profound moment in our history,

we see hovering in the
skies above us an alien

vessel, military
spacecraft, a ship of war.

This war machine comes to us stripped
of all weaponry, completely unarmed,

a shining symbol of peace,

lasting peace and
great goodwill between the

people of Earth and the Draconian realm.

And we welcome the
draconian trade delegation

under the leadership
of Her Royal Highness,

Crown Princess of the Realm, Ardala.

I bring you greetings on
this historic occasion.

My father, King Draco, would like to
present to you his own flagship, Draconia,

filled with all the
latest technology as a gift to

symbolize a glorious new
era of commerce and peace.

Let the celebration begin.

Thanks guys. Well, I see dancing
has come a long way in 500 years.

Listen, I'm gonna need
something else, a rose.

Did you say rose? Yeah, a red one.

What do you need a rose for, Buck?

Twinkie, would you go
get me one quickly, huh?

How do you like our
presentation, Captain Rogers?

Most impressive. Did this folk dance
come all the way from her daddy's world?

I'm sorry, I don't seem
to understand your terms.

And I would suggest a more
respectful reference than Daddy.

He's perhaps the greatest
leader the world has ever known.

Well, a word of caution, Colonel.

Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.

Greeks?

Maybe that was a little before
your time, quite a while back.

Tell me, do you know the
story of the Trojan horses?

No.

No, huh? Well, forget it. Yeah.

Guess I came from a time that was
hopelessly paranoid. See you around.

Your rose, Buck.

Oh, that's a nice one. Thank you, Twiggy.

Buck, no one else is
giving the princess flowers.

You're going to make
them all look ridiculous.

Stay close, fellas. We're next.

Well, Captain Rogers,
congratulations, and thank you.

We're very grateful to you for
saving us from those horrible privateers.

Not too loudly, Princess.

Around here, they think I am
a privateer, thanks to you.

Me?

Well, I hope I haven't caused
you too much embarrassment.

Are you angry?

On behalf of the
computer... From me to you.

Who's your charming little friend?

His name is Tweaky.

Yes, and that thing
hanging around his neck is Theo,

ex-officio member of the computer council.

Your Majesty. Would you care
to join me in the next dance?

A princess does not...
Does not mind if she does.

What a money.

I don't think I'm too up on
these latest dance steps.

Well, if you have a
preference, it is my party.

Terrific. How about
something old-fashioned, huh?

Sir, excuse me. Are you
familiar with, uh, rock?

You know, uh... Try it, try it.

Come on.

No, no, no, that's not it. Just let
yourself go. Let it go. Go with the music.

That's it, right? Yeah, that's it.

What are you doing?

It's called getting down. It's a little
before your time if it frightens you.

Nothing frightens me.

All right, fine. Get down and boogie.

It's expressive.

It's disgusting.

What happens if we bump together?

We automatically become man and wife.

You're quite a man, Captain Rogers.

I have the feeling the
Earth people believed your

incredible story about
being frozen for 500 years.

Not on your life. They think I'm a spy.

One of mine?

They're not sure.

Want to join up?

Who do I have to see to make my move?

Me?

Your Highness, some of the
ministers would like a few minutes.

Later, King.

Business of the realm comes first.

Your father expects you to serve
the best interests of the realm.

If you don't...

He has 29 other daughters that will.

It's been a pleasure, Captain Rogers, but
I'm afraid our duties are cut out for us.

Later, perhaps?

I depart aboard my
private launch at midnight.

I'll be there.

Captain Rogers.

I wonder if this wouldn't be
a good time to talk with you.

I have something I would like to say.

Well, I... I'd like to be your friend.

I've behaved very badly.

It's just that I'm... I'm so mixed up.

All my life I've been
trained for leadership.

I've never experienced emotion
like these in my entire career.

I found myself crying, then laughing...

Angry at you, and then
feeling most amazing tenderness.

I thought you were a spy, Captain Rogers.

I was wrong.

Yeah, it was first class.

Thank you.

Really outstanding.

Would you like to go someplace?

I'm not up to that yet.

I've been out of it for
quite a while, 500 years.

You mean you're just
leaving, just like that?

We'll get back into this
later, Carl. I promise.

Chicago, Chicago, you're
my girl. Chicago, Chicago.

It's all right.

Better listen to her,
fella. She's making sense.

I've asked Captain Rogers to join us.

Lucky for you, she called me off.

We're almost there.

Where are you going?

I know it's chilly,
but we've got no choice.

Our orders are to stay close to Buck,
and he may need us. So back in the cooler.

Tweaky.

I'm speaking to you.

My micro disks are turning blue.

Our Captain Rogers is
just not to be found.

What do you expect from a primitive?

We'll let you know if we hear anything.

You are a spy, Buck Rogers.

And I know exactly where you are.

Out.

They make better pets
if you have them fixed.

Let's make ourselves
comfortable. Pour us a drink.

At last, we're alone.

I didn't realize what I was missing.

You're different. You're arrogant.
You flagrantly disregard orders.

And you're the kind of man
who could unseat my father.

Your father's seat is the
furthest thing from my mind.

I brought you here for a reason.

I was counting on that.

I want you by my side.

That wasn't exactly what I had in mind.

Consider it.

You have no idea what it's like being
the daughter of Draco the Conqueror.

Twenty-nine sisters nipping at your heels.

Weasley little courtiers
like Cain vying for power.

But with a man, a real man like yourself.

I could define my father.

I could live my own life.

A magnificent new dynasty.

Aren't we getting a
little ahead of ourselves?

I'll take that drink now.

We have to be very careful.

Do we?

Mm-hmm.

The timing is not good.

Things never change. That's
the way it's always been.

Why couldn't I have met
you sooner, Buck Rogers?

Well, we got plenty of time, don't we?

I'm so relaxed. Would
you turn out the lights?

If you're a spy, I'll have to kill you.

That's an example of
your best pillow talk.

I think I've found your problem.

This is no good, Tweaky.

There are soldiers everywhere,

and we don't even know where to
begin to look for Captain Rogers.

Holy Jeep.

Let's see if we can find your jammies now.

The pirate ships. So that's
how they were able to attack us.

It was their own people.

Where's Tycho Man? I don't know, sir.

Go away.

How did they wake you, my darling? How
did they wake you, my little baby girl?

Blaster!

Get him out! Get him out! Execute him!

No.

Remove him for questioning.

You countermand my order.

Under the circumstances, yes.

Do as I say.

You have a lot of explaining to do.

I have some explaining to do?

I don't want to get caught
either, but something is very wrong,

and we've got to find out what it is. I
hope you know this violates my warranty.

You have quite obviously been preoccupied.

I will deal with you
for your insolence later.

Give the order to attack at once.

We cannot attack without your
father's forces to support us.

King, you are spineless!

We do not need my father.

We have the element of surprise.

We can wipe out the inner city.
We can destroy the defense shield.

By the time my father forces arrive,
we'll be sitting on the throne of the earth.

At least I will, since you
obviously don't have the nerve.

All right.

We will attack.

A wise decision, Kane.

Meanwhile, Captain Rogers is
loose somewhere on this ship.

Find him.

Outside intruder aboard ship.

Alert!

Alert! Alert! It's Buck. I see him, and
he's wearing the uniform of the enemy.

Now this will warm your tail.

Those are warships out there.
That means the treaty is a hoax.

But we can do one last
service for our country.

We can deal with Captain Rogers.

Six minutes to attack and counting.

Hey, Twinkie, what are you doing here?

This isn't going to be
pleasant for any of us. Will

you guys get out of
here? I got work to do.

We can see that, you traitor.

Can't you see what's happening?

I'd say someone is about to bomb Earth.

Do you recognize these ships?

No, but I don't see how that's
very important. They're pirate ships.

Why would there be pirate
ships aboard a draconian flagship?

I'm sorry, you'll have to do
better than that. Now, come with us.

Four minutes to attack. No. And counting.

Look, you half-baked load
of electronic gibberish.

I don't expect you to know everything,

but have you ever heard of loading
bombs into the tailpipe of a rocket ship?

You be quiet, Tweaky.

I'm getting confused.

Yeah, well, maybe I
can help unconfuse you.

There are no pirate
ships. There never were.

Those are draconian
bombers disguised as marauders.

They've been harassing
your shipping lanes in order

to force you into a treaty with draconia.

Of course. It's ingenious and true.

Three minutes to attack.

You've got about ten seconds to make up
your mind who you believe in, me or Kane.

Some choice.

What about yourself?

Don't your circus tell you I'm
on the level? Yes. All right,

unless you want to consider
yourself so many spare parts,

why don't you go along
with your initial instincts?

All right, but only on the
condition you help us get

to a communicator so we
can warn the inner city.

Oh, you're gonna have
to do that on your own.

On the chance that you don't make it,

I got to make sure none of
these ships are ready to launch.

Commander Kane, we found a
guard unconscious in Bay 3.

Two minutes to attack.
We've run out of time, Theo.

They found the guard I wiped
out, and I can get out of here.

All right, all right,
we'll do our part. Good luck.

Take me over to the console, Tweaky.

Now, grab the middle panel.

90 seconds to attack and counting.

Drop it.

Grab the circuits and pull them.

Eighty seconds to attack and counting.
Seventy seconds to attack and counting.

Put me close to the microphone.

60 seconds to attack and counting.

Earth Directorate Emergency Channel.

Come in, please.

Colonel Deering online.

This is Dr. Theopolis.

Yes, Doctor, where are you? How did
you get on this emergency channel?

I'm on board the
flagship Draconia. I followed

Captain Rogers as
ordered. Now, please listen.

The Draconia is not,
repeat, not an unarmed vessel.

She's filled with bombers
preparing to launch a full-scale

military attack against the inner city.

But how? Where did they come
from? Her landing bay was empty.

Scramble your fighter squadrons.

Now, at once. Thank
you, Doctor. Good luck.

Dr. Hewer, permission to scramble
fighters. 20 seconds to attack and counting.

Fighters, prepare to launch.

Ten seconds to attack. Stand by to attack.

Eight, seven, six, five seconds to launch.

Four, three, two, one.

Attack!

What's going on?

The ships are simply exploding.

That's impossible!

This is Earth Directorate.
Attack bombers as they launch.

We'll attack the main ship.

There are no bombers to attack.
They're exploding as they emerge.

That doesn't make any sense.

Get our warships out there!

Prepare to intercept. Do not, I
repeat, do not use combat computers.

Disengaging.

Draconian on your wing,
bank right, I'll get him.

I'll jump the one on the top.

All right.

I'm gonna hold you responsible
for any damage done to this bay.

Bottoms up.

All squadrons disengage surviving warships

and prepare to finish
off the mother craft.

This was your doing, your highness.

I ought to leave you here
to burn up with the ship,

but I want you alive to
answer to your father.

I have an emergency escape
shuttle ready to leave now.

It'll take us far enough away
to reach your father's ships.

The ship is ready to blow.

Withdraw all ships from the impact area.
Theo, I'm coming in to get you and Tweaky.

Forget us. Save Buck. Buck! Wilma,

he single-handedly destroyed
their entire fleet of warships.

He sent us to warn you.

Meet me down on the flight
deck. We're going to find Buck.

It's good to see you again, Buck.

Now we'll cut out the
formalities. This magazine's about to blow.

Help is on the way.
What do you mean, help?

Wilma. Wilma's coming in to get
us. What? She can't land here.

She'll be killed.

She's starting to go!

This way, Buck. Through the smoke.

Let's get out of here. That
magazine's about to blow.

I'm with you. Get in.

We would be rulers of Earth now if
you hadn't let Buck Rogers on board.

He wouldn't have been
necessary if you were more of a man.

We owe you a great deal more
than apology, Buck, especially me.

I confess, I thought the
princess had you beguiled.

Well, I will say she had the
nicest set of horns at the ball. Yes,

it was an attractive hat.

Twinkie!

Eyes forward.

You'll get star sick.

But you're my kind of guy.

Oh, hiya, Twiggy.

Put it down right over here.

Not bad, not bad at all,
considering my sketch wasn't the greatest.

You know, you're not a half-bad carpenter
and electrician and plumber and tailor.

Literally. Yeah, you
know, a couple more days,

this place will start
to look downright homey.

Well, I suppose that's one word for it.

Well, hiya, Dr. Hewer. Wilma.

Say, I hope you don't mind
my redecorating a little.

I was just trying to make this place a
little homey. No, no, no, no, not at all.

You wouldn't be the Buck Rogers I've
come to expect and respect if you didn't.

As a matter of fact, that's why I'm
here. You want to help me fix up this place?

No, not exactly.

We want you to help fix up ours.

Sounds official.

Yes.

Tricky, would you excuse us for a
moment, please? Catch you later, Buck.

Well, here, have a seat. Thank you.

You know, Buck, in all of our society...

In all of Earth, you are unique.

Well, I think you people
are very special, too.

You always use that sense of
humor of yours to avoid feeling pain.

Doesn't always help, does it?

I think you know the answer to that.

Yes, I would imagine you wake up
every night with some sort of pain.

And you probably always will.

But there's nothing any
of us can do about it.

There is something,
however, that you can do about it.

I'm adjusting.

Well, let me give you
something to help you adjust.

Let me give you something to get
your teeth and your emotions into,

to give you a new
purpose, reason for living,

and to help you feel
more a part of our world.

That's a tall order.

I have a tall job for you.

Fighter pilot?

As a cover, perhaps.

But a lot more.

There are forces and things and people
working against our very survival, Buck.

We need you.

Why me? I know nothing of
your world. I'm lost here.

That's the whole point.

You see, Buck, we've
been catalogued, numbered,

voice-printed and everything
else from the day we were born.

Everyone, including our enemies,
have records of each other. But you,

and you alone, have dropped
into our world from nowhere.

You can go anywhere, be anything, anyone,

and baffle the
identifiers of the universe.

It sounds like you're asking
me to be some sort of spy.

No, no, not at all. Just a man
working for peace and order.

Something to give to our children.

And committing yourself to
a purpose, to this century,

will give you something as well.

How about it, Buck?

Join up with us.

Look, I got attached to a lot
of places, a lot of people,

a lot of good times in another
century, and it was all torn away from me.

Now, maybe there's no
way back to those things

I left behind, and then
again, maybe there is.

What I'm trying to tell you is I...

I'm afraid that if I put down roots here,
I might have to go through it all again.

Thanks, but no thanks.

Well, you might change your mind.

Well, Colonel Deering and I
plan to stay in touch with you.

Despite your
reluctance to join us formally,

I feel enough situations
will arise that will pique

your interest enough
to join us informally.

After all, we wouldn't
want you to get bored.

Oh, no, of course not.

Uh, Buck, having a tree in here with a
bucket of dirt, is there any purpose in it?

Well, sure. It's a
natural, living, growing thing.

It takes the antiseptic
edge off this place. As do

those chairs, that
pepper mill, the tablecloth.

Where did you get all these things?

Well, Dr. Junius at the archives was
kind enough to lend me most of it.

He's a nice man, a little
mixed up on his history,

but I didn't have the
heart to tell him that

this lamp was not an electric salad bowl.

The other thing is Tweaky helped me make.

It's organic. It gives the place a
nice, warm, homey feeling. I like it.

All right, come on. Come on. Drop that
25th century mind over emotion stuff.

Deep down inside, you really
like this place, don't you? No.

No. No.

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?