Original subtitles

Rambo, shut it off. A sinister musical mastermind uses 25th century rock

and roll to plot a youth rebellion which threatens the entire galaxy.

Those kids will be killed. That concert must not go on.

I'll dispatch intercepts immediately.

Just a little longer, and the galaxy is mine.

Let's go!

Why not just kill him now?

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.

¶¶

I was afraid you were too good to be true, Tarkus.

Your report to New Chicago will have to be delayed.

Permanently.

Remarkable.

When the evacuation system opens,

trash from all over Music World will be swept into space.

This time it will include Tarkus.

When does it evacuate? Any second now.

That's Andromeda, the most popular group in the galaxy today.

They have an incredible influence over young people, Buck. It's amazing.

Sounds like the Beatles.

The who?

No, not the who, the Beatles.

It was a group that was popular around my time.

Andromeda is quite a phenomenon, Buck, and possibly a disturbing problem as well.

Problem what?

Captain Rogers, data has shown that within minutes

of an Andromeda concert broadcast from Music World,

there is a 55% surge in youth crimes.

Frankly, we're puzzled and more than a little concerned.

But I understand there were similar problems in your time.

Not really.

Usually, music gave kids something to believe in, to identify with.

It was a powerful force, but a good one.

What is music world?

It's an abandoned military orbital fortress.

It's been taken over and renovated by a conglomerate of music promoters.

And totally outside of directorate jurisdiction, I regret to say.

Dr. Theopolis said something about crime.

What kind of crime? Almost anything.

Rioting, looting, wanton destruction.

And recently we've been seeing this sort of thing.

Looks like some kind of uniform.

Disturbingly so. You think there's some kind of

organization behind all this? We don't know.

We're investigating here.

We've inserted an agent in Music World. Of course,

all of our actions are unilateral. And off

the record. If you mean unauthorized, yes.

What has your agent been able to come up with so far? Nothing specific yet,

but Tarkus' last report indicates that he's on to something.

His cover is as Andromeda Sound Tech.

He codes his reports and sends them as part of the concert's transmission.

Yes. We'll be receiving something a little later on in this transmission.

You all right?

Help me install this.

Now, we tighten the screws.

What's the rest of the message, Theo? Well,

maybe it wasn't safe for Tarkus to continue.

We'll get the rest later.

What is it, Doctor?

I have a report that disruptions have broken out again at the Youth Center.

More information, Doctor.

New Chicago Spaceport informs me that two young people have stolen a Starfighter,

numerals 1314. That's my ship.

Those kids will be killed.

I'll dispatch intercepts immediately.

Well, cancel that. I'll go after them myself.

Have a ship stand by, Wilma, while I change into my flight gear.

Hey, what's this thing doing, Elaine?

Almost half light speed. Half light speed? We're still standing still, Elaine!

Okay, gang, the ride's over.

What are you talking about?

We're just beginning to fly. Not in my ship, you're not.

He's gonna have to catch his first lark.

You better back off the power.

At that speed, you gotta start phasing.

Mark, what are we doing?

I don't know.

How do we stop this thing?

Maybe if I cut the power.

Don't. You chop the power and the controls will freeze on you.

Nothing happens. We're still accelerating.

And what do we do? Reach below the seat. There's a red emergency box. Open it,

pull the switch, and hurry.

Sit back, keep your hands off of everything. Taking over by remote.

All right, what exactly is going on?

I don't know.

It was so strange.

We were at the youth center watching Andromeda, having a wonderful time when we...

Yeah, and suddenly everybody went crazy, like someone pulled a switch.

I don't buy that.

The devil made me do it was obsolete thinking even the 20th century.

We really couldn't stop.

That's right.

I could see what was happening, but it was like

watching two other people doing it. Yeah.

What about these two?

Have they ever been in trouble before? No, that's the intriguing thing.

They're two fine young people.

Music again?

Yes, and it crossed my mind.

Me too.

Look about these two. I don't want to press charges.

What are you gonna do with us?

You're not gonna take us to the rehab center, are you?

Oh, no, worse.

Worse?

We're gonna send you home to your parents.

Dr. Hewer, the Starfighter Patrol has just found Tarkus's

body floating in space. He's been murdered.

That's why the transmission was interrupted.

Well, that settles it.

Something is seriously wrong in Music World.

Only we didn't have so little to go on.

Doc, why don't I take a closer look at Music World?

Maybe I can come up with something. That's a possibility, Buck.

Except whoever's behind this has been alerted,

and you could cause a great deal of suspicion.

Not if there's a good reason for me to be there.

On Music World?

Yeah, look, Andromeda's scheduled to give their

first galaxy-wide concert in two days.

And how's that going to help us? It's a natural.

A man from the 20th century, the time when rock and roll was born,

goes to Music World and introduces Andromeda to the rest of the galaxy.

It's a great promotion. And a great cover.

That's brilliant, Buck. Absolutely brilliant.

And the person who promotes most of the concerts on Music World

is a friend of ours. His name is Westland.

I'm sure he could get you into this one. Great. I'll prepare to leave immediately.

You're going to need some company, Buck.

Absolutely. Take Twiggy with you.

It's possible I could be of some assistance as well, Dr. Hewer.

I agree with you, Doctor.

Colonel Dearing and I can coordinate things from this end.

Okay, great.

Let's get going, guys.

You kids were fantastic. Every time you broadcast,

it's like I'm seeing you again for the first time.

Oh, come on, you say that all the time.

Because it's true.

Cirrus, those double-looped afterbeats on Star Drift were fabulous.

I didn't think it would work.

As usual, you were right.

I may have an idea once in a while, but if it weren't for this group... Hey,

if it wasn't for you, where would we be?

That's right, Mangroves.

You made us.

That may be a bit overstated, Rambo, but thank you.

Karana, are you going to include Time Walk on the Galaxy-wide broadcast?

Why?

The mood of that song is so quiet, so thoughtful.

You see, on that broadcast, we want to be always building,

climbing toward a climax never reached before. Yeah.

Well, listen, if you think that's best, then we'll drop it, right?

It's not what I think.

It's what we all think together.

Give it some thought.

Anything you say, Lux.

Everything is set on Music World, Buck.

Wesland has agreed to feature you as the MC on the broadcast.

He's contacting Andromeda's manager now. What's his name?

Mangroves. Apparently he's one of the best in the music world.

What do we know about him? Well, nothing is yet,

but Colonel Deering is going to prepare a biofile on him.

They'll be expecting me, huh? Oh, yes, I'm sure of it.

Hmm, I don't like it, Yarratt. Westland is the promoter.

He insisted we use Rogers on the broadcast. I suppose he's harmless enough.

No one that close to New Chicago's leadership is harmless. Sir,

one person can hardly be a threat to you.

True.

I always knew I was destined for greatness.

The particle ionizer is my assurance.

When the transmission begins at 1900 hours,

everyone in the galaxy under 30 will be in the entertainment centers.

With the ionizer's full power?

Instant, uncontrollable riots among young people on every planet.

All authority will collapse within a few hours.

Afterward, the heads of the galactic governments will have to come to me.

Then, and only then, will I restore order. What about this Rogers?

Rogers will be returning to New Chicago an hour after he arrives.

On a hospital shuttle.

Some welcoming committee, eh, Twinkie?

I thought we were stars.

I guess not.

Well, let's look around and see if we can find

someone to point us in the right direction.

We're with Sonic Engineer for Entropy. Please call Control Room K.

I wanted a welcoming committee.

Right behind you, Buck.

Thanks, Twiggy. Glad to help, punk.

There's a Captain Rogers here to see you.

Is something wrong, Lars?

Just show Rogers in.

About tonight, Lars, we'll still be able to have dinner, won't we?

We'll see.

Captain Rogers is waiting, Joanna.

Captain Rogers, come in.

Lars Mangroves. How good of you to come to Music World.

I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

I can't apologize enough. First I get the time wrong and miss your arrival,

then the incident with those hoodlums. Yes, does that happen often?

Not to Music World natives,

but Some of these kids think of strangers as their legitimate prey.

Well, I'm willing to forget about it.

Yes, it's best forgotten.

Listen, about the concert.

Mr. Westland felt that I'd be a perfect emcee, but I gotta tell you,

I haven't had much experience with this sort of thing.

I assumed you weren't a professional entertainer, Captain.

I've already arranged for some writers.

We'll do everything we can to make it as easy as possible for you. Oh, thanks.

That'll be great.

I'll have you escorted down to meet Andromeda. They're recording right now.

Fine.

Thank you.

All right, let's try that one.

So, you must be the famous Buck Rogers.

You must be the famous Corona.

And you are Rambo?

Sirius.

Hiya, Sirius.

Do you want to hear it back?

Not especially, but go ahead.

We have a new sound man, and he's not quite there yet.

What happened to the old one?

Disappeared, drifted on. You know how these people are.

So, we have you on Music World for a couple of days, hmm?

Looks that way.

I'd be glad to show you around a little.

I'd like that very much.

See you back at my quarters, Tweaky.

Gotcha, boss. You know, your group has really got a great sound.

It's reminiscent of 20th century rock and roll.

Oh, yeah. Yeah, really.

Got a little there. There you go. Thank you.

Every time I go out, I come back needing a hand transplant.

Everybody wants to touch a hero.

That's not all they want. Autographs, pictures, advice,

words of wisdom. I mean, all I am is a musician.

Not to them, you're not.

They're crazy about you.

Sometimes I think that's exactly what they are.

What?

Crazy. Look.

They're the kind of fans we'd like to do without.

Are those people in the black uniforms?

You know, it's strange, Buck. I mean, we've got a huge following among those gangs,

but who they are and what they do is completely

opposite from everything we believe in.

Well, have you tried reaching them, talking to them?

Yeah, we tried for a while,

but then Lars said that no one wanted to hear us sermonize, so we quit talking.

You do everything Lars Mangroves tells you?

We owe him a lot, Buck.

He made Andromeda into what it is.

Without him... That pendant you're wearing,

I notice everyone in the group wears them.

What are they for?

Oh, good luck, I guess. Lars gave them to us just before our first concert.

He said that if we never took them off, nothing could ever go wrong.

And?

And so far, so good.

Oh, things couldn't be better. He's a wonderful person, Buck. He really is.

Anything new from your end, Dr. Hewitt?

No new reports of any youth-related violence anywhere.

And no Andromeda concerts recently either.

That's right.

But Colonel Deering has completed part of her research on Mars mangroves.

What have you got, Wilma?

Actually, very little. Lars Mangroves is some sort of musical genius.

He's generally credited for creating the Andromeda Sound.

The Andromeda Sound. Good old rock and roll.

Exactly.

Before he got into music, he was a research engineer. Apparently,

he wrote some highly respected papers dealing

in something called particle movement theory. Ring any bells?

No, I'm afraid not, Wilma.

I'm going to the control room later tonight. Maybe I'll find something there.

That doesn't sound very safe, Buck.

I don't think there'll be any problems, Doc. It's been pretty quiet around here.

Be careful.

We still don't know what or who we're dealing with up there.

Captain Rogers is not an entertainer after all.

An actor, perhaps, but not an entertainer.

Shall I send a squad to his room?

No.

We need something more subtle.

You wanted me, Lars?

Leave us.

I wanted to apologize to you for last night.

It seems I've been letting business interfere with our relationship.

I was afraid you didn't find me attractive anymore.

Joanna, you know I think you're the most beautiful woman in the galaxy.

A toast to our new togetherness.

Darling, there is one thing I have to ask of you.

Anything, Lars?

You do love me, don't you?

Yes, of course I do.

I want you to prove it.

How?

Very simple.

Tonight, I want you to entertain Captain Rogers.

Lars, I don't even know Captain Rogers.

Trust me, Joanna.

And do this for me.

Just this once.

Please?

All right.

Let's hope this microchip I found in the office can tell us something.

There's that word, vec, again.

Dr. Theopolis, what are we looking at?

This is the brainwave pattern of an adolescent human.

What are those high peaks?

Severe disturbance externally caused.

By what?

I can't determine that. Physical shock, perhaps stimulants.

How long would it take you to analyze one of Andromeda's recordings?

A few moments.

Their music has been logged in the archives.

Great, let's do it.

How are things going up there, Puck?

Well, I think we may have found some connection between the music and the riots.

We've come across some rather disturbing information down here.

What is it?

Well, I've been in touch with directorates on other planets,

and each one of them has had problems with youth violence similar to ours.

And without exception, each outbreak has followed a concert by Andromeda.

Well, I've met the group.

They seem all right.

Well, that may be, but can you imagine what it'll be

like after that galactic transmission tomorrow night?

Yeah, but, Doc, we're still not certain it's the music.

Yeah, we can't take a chance on that.

The Earth Council has voted to block the broadcast,

and there's been a powerful jammer satellite placed in position already.

Doc, if you block that broadcast...

I can guarantee you you'll have riots all over the galaxy.

Why?

The kids will take it as a move against them. They won't like it at all.

Doc, have you ever heard the expression vec?

Certainly. It's a contraction of the word vector.

Piggyback? Yeah, but what's it got to do with music?

I'm afraid I can't answer that.

All right, Doc, look, we got a few hours left before the broadcast.

Maybe I can try to fit these pieces together before then.

I hope so.

Good luck.

Thanks, Doc.

Well, Theo, what have you come up with?

My analysis shows that the music could have

no adverse effect on anyone listening to it.

Well, that means we're right back where we started.

Wilma mentioned something about mangroves working with particle movement theory.

That might tie in somehow with his vectoring.

Check it out, will you?

Certainly, Captain.

Captain Rogers?

May I talk to you?

Sure.

Privately, it's very important.

You guys mind leaving us alone? I'll only be a little while.

Not if she can help it.

See ya, babe.

I think this will add something to Joanna's visit with Captain Rogers.

Now, what is this all about?

You probably think I'm being silly.

I don't have this important to you.

I just wanted to spend some time with you.

Well, maybe later we could have... I just couldn't keep away any longer.

Well, Joanna, that's all very nice, but... No, Buck, you don't understand.

Joanna, really, Buck, I mean, really, I think you got the wrong guy.

Don't you find me attractive?

Certainly.

Hold me, just for a moment, please.

What am I doing?

Captain Rogers.

Nothing much. Just trying to kill me.

I did? I don't know why.

It was like I was on the outside watching.

A lot of people seem to be having that problem these days.

Look, you've got to get out of this place.

Leave Music World?

Lars is here.

He may be a very large part of the problem.

Listen to me.

Go straight to the hangar. I'll arrange for a shuttle to take you to Earth.

Well, what if Lars finds out?

Look, if I put you on the shuttle myself, will you go?

Okay.

All right, come on.

I'll meet you there in half an hour.

Somebody rain on her parade?

And almost on mine.

Anything on mangroves?

Quite a bit, actually.

He authored a highly classified monograph on the effects

of ionized wave particles to regulate human behavior.

May I quote? Yeah, go ahead.

It is essential that any ionized particle transmission be amplified

by carrying it on a highly charged wave such as sound.

In that event, the emotions of any human may

be readily controlled. The piggyback method.

Mangros is transmitting those ionized particles in Andromeda's music. Correct,

Captain. I did find an ionized particle transmission in the music.

That's why there can't be a concert tonight.

Let's go see the group.

I don't believe it.

Neither do I. Look, Buck, I realize that you're trying to solve this problem,

but you're missing something. I mean, why doesn't the music affect us?

I'll show you why. Rambo, would you play back your last concert for me, please?

Well?

None of us are tearing anybody's throat out.

Take off your necklace.

Rambo, shut it off!

I don't believe it.

I tried to kill you.

Your necklace acts as a filter.

Now can you imagine that happening to millions of kids

all over the galaxy when Andromeda plays tonight?

We've got to talk to Lars. There'll be no concert tonight.

I don't think that's a good idea.

What can he do?

If we go, he's got nothing.

That's right.

Besides, he's been more than just a manager to us.

We owe it to him to talk to him ourselves. It's the way it's gonna be, Buck.

All right.

Look, I gotta put Joanne on the shuttle to Earth.

I'll do that while you talk to Mangros.

But I want you back in my quarters in an hour, you understand?

We'll be there.

You aren't going to deny this.

Why should I? It's all true.

Besides, my plans hardly require your approval, or even your presence.

I've got a vid library of all your performances.

Andromeda will appear tonight at 1900 hours, exactly as scheduled.

And none of your mindless fans will know it's not a live transmission.

Put them somewhere safe.

I'll think of a suitable accident later.

It's been almost two hours, Twiggy.

Mangroves must have Andromeda somewhere.

He's probably going to try to force them to play. That's

not music to my ears. It's not to mine either.

If we can find that ion transmitter... And destroy it.

Mangroves can't do anything.

But where is it, Buck?

I believe I can help, Captain.

My sensors indicate at this moment it is in Mangrove's office.

This is an old military satellite. Do you have the plan in store, Theo?

Yes.

Is there some way to get to his office without being seen?

The only possibility is through the waste disposal system.

That's a way?

The only way, Captain. But unfortunately,

the duct is too small to accommodate a man in certain areas.

How about a little squirt like me? A little squirt?

It's got to work.

We don't have any alternatives. So give me a boost, Buck. Come here.

All right, Twinkie, Theo will show you the way.

When you find that transmitter, destroy it.

Gotcha, boss. I'm going to try to locate Andromeda before

Mangros takes some action we might all regret.

Good luck.

Going somewhere, Captain?

Pity. We were just coming to visit you. I was just going to run over my speech.

I'm sure you were.

Put him with Andromeda.

Why not just kill him now?

Because we want to arrange a spectacular martyr's death for everyone.

After the concert transmission.

I think I zigged when I should have zagged.

I should have brought my stilts.

Keep going, Tweaky.

The next hatch should enter into Mangrove's office.

There it is.

I demand to know where Captain Rogers is.

We all do, Dr. Hewer.

After all, the concert is due to begin in minutes. That concert must not go on.

I'm surprised at you, Doctor.

Young people from all over the galaxy are waiting to hear Andromeda.

Mangros...

Earth Directorate has placed the JAMA satellite in orbit around Music World.

You'll give me no alternative but to utilize it. Don't be foolish, Doctor.

I'm afraid you're the one that's being foolish.

Unfortunate, Doctor. Apparently some vandals must have booby-trapped your satellite.

I assure you I'll open an investigation after the concert.

Good night, Dr. Hewer.

Enjoy the concert.

Bye.

Oh, I think I'm in trouble.

Tell me we could get flushed.

It was not in my files.

They must have modified the system.

Let's get out of here.

No, the evacuation will be periodic. We have time to try again for the transmitter.

It's like ten-point steel.

Well, it's chronide.

We've got to figure a way out of here.

I hope that Tweaky and Theo can get to that transmitter.

Alert all security units. Full emergency status.

How many cycles per second do you think you can get out of this organ?

Well, there's no limit.

What effect do you think that would have on Cronite?

Well, first we'd have to disconnect the CPS governor.

Yeah, but then we can connect the speaker to it.

Right.

Well, let's get to it.

The lug beat us to it.

Hello, how is everybody?

We have the entire galaxy wired for audio response, and I can't hear you. Now,

one more time, how is everybody?

That's better.

All right, here they are in their first galaxy-wide broadcast,

a performance you will never forget, Andromeda! Andromeda!

Roll vid version.

It's hopeless, Doctor. Their transmission is too powerful. We can't lock it.

Ready here.

Got it?

All set.

Okay, guys, here, I think you better put these on.

Let's get to the broadcast stage.

When I go on stage turn the transmitter to full output. Yes.

Is there any other way backstage?

All right, well, keep your fingers crossed.

I'm gonna try to draw them off.

These ducks are much larger, Buck, and lead directly backstage.

And when we get to the youth center, I want your men to keep a very low profile.

It's too dangerous, Doctor. Those kids won't listen

to you or anyone else. I'll have to try.

What's the report from the other planets? Same as everywhere else.

Riots breaking out all over the galaxy.

All right, I'll take out you. I'll ride the transmitter.

And when the vid version of Andromeda stops, I want you to take its place.

You're gonna give the galaxy a real concert.

And give Mangros a big surprise.

We'll be there, Buck.

Okay, let's go, Tweaky.

All right, Tricky. Bombs away!

Youth of the galaxy, listen to me.

The time has come to demand your freedom, to create your own lives.

I will show you how.

Andromeda will show you the way.

The time is now.

Go into the streets.

Let nothing, let no one stop you.

Destroy, so we can begin rebuilding a new galaxy. Our galaxy.

That wacko.

Follow me, people.

Andromeda and Lars Mangroves will show you the way!

Well, let's do it.

Arrange for the Directorate to pick up Mangros.

Yes, sir. Thank you, Buck.

Long way of rock and roll, Buck.

All right.

¶¶