Andromeda (2000–2005): Season 3, Episode 14 - The Right Horse - full transcript

Total honesty.

As in no one
on all the planet Veras

tells a white lie?

Nope. Not even
a beige one.

With virtually foolproof
lie-detection capabilities

and penalties for
deceptive behavior

ranging from inflicted
vegetative stasis

to decapitation,

they've created a world
of absolute truthfulness.

What is that?

Like, the second circle of hell?



That would be right below
absolute celibacy.

Harper, you might
find this surprising,

but some people
find the truth liberating.

Are we talking about
the same Beka?

I would have liked
to have gone with her
to study the Verasites.

Huh. Not me.

A world of polygraphs?

I get paranoid
just thinking about it.

Man, talk about
a buzz kill.

How do they mate?

How do they date?
I mean, come on.

Love is just a bunch
of exaggerations and lies

all dolled up
in pseudo-poetic language

uttered preferably
while intoxicated,



and all for the singular
universal purpose

of... You know.

Harper, you're
a born romantic.

Sometimes, there are flowers.

Actually, Harper
does have a point.

After the Verasites developed
their highly coveted
truth technology

nearly five centuries ago,

the culture subsequently
endured radical shifts

in social behaviors
and philosophies.

It's a particularly logical
and passionless society.

And our particularly passionate
and illogical Beka Valentine

is testifying
on behalf of some guy

who stole DNA from them?

Sounds like he'd be better off
just giving it back.

So, as I understand it,

I am to be a character witness
for Able Ladrone.

Well, first off,
let me start by saying

that Able Ladrone never stole
anything from anyone.

Maybe there was
one or two instances.

All right, Able Ladrone
was an all-out criminal,

but that was
a long time ago.

Able Ladrone is my friend?

Okay.

How goes
the vacation, boss?

I mean, how goes the Sinti
strategic defense summit, boss?

Well, actually, Mr. Harper,

it's very interesting.

It is running
a bit long, though.

Yeah, yeah.
Grueling, I'm sure.

Two-hour lecture, lunch,

go to the beach,
take a nap,

then maybe another lecture,
maybe fight off another nap,

and then dinner,
and then, well...

I won't go into that.

I'll just get depressed.

Yes, it's tough duty,
but someone has to do it.

Don't rub it in.

He most certainly
was an orphan.

Look, that's starting
to annoy me.

Okay, thank you.

For heaven's sake,
I am perfectly capable
of telling the truth

without constantly
being monitored.

Report on Beka.

Our last communication
indicated that she
was about to testify

and everything
was going smoothly.

Just goes to show you
that in a world
dominated by reason,

character can still
count for something.

Excellent. Keep me posted,

but don't call too early,

because these lectures
tend to run very, very late.

I'm sure there's nothing
to worry about.

Fairness?

You want fairness?

Get me Able Ladrone.

Security,
seal Omega core.

Apprehend Beka Valentine.

Wait! Come back!

Andromeda, come in!

Beka, what's wrong?

You could say
my testimony's had
an unexpected impact.

Now some lunatic
is attempting a prison break.

Well, despite the absence
of shackles and a cell,

one can only presume
this is Able Ladrone.

He's going to be
the dead Able Ladrone

if we don't get back
to the Maru right now.

The universe
is a dangerous place,

but in our future,

my crew and I
fight to make it safe.

I am Dylan Hunt,

Captain of the
Andromeda Ascendant,

and these are our adventures.

The Maru has just docked,

and there is an urgent hail
from the planet Veras.

This is Marshall Orac
of Fugitive Retrieval.

Where is Captain Hunt?

What can we do
for you, Marshall?

Do you or do you not admit
to harboring the fugitive
known as Able Ladrone?

Able Ladrone is onboard
the Andromeda, yes.

Able Ladrone is wanted
for crimes committed

throughout the new Commonwealth
and beyond,

not the least of which
is the theft and smuggling

of extremely
sensitive technology

from Technocore.

Return him immediately,

or we will unleash
the entire arsenal

of the Veras
Fugitive Retrieval Squad.

You can do little
to harm me.

Ladrone has stolen technology

that can change
the face of the universe

for better or worse.

He was on trial
through the auspices
of Technocore,

who are our protectors.

Oh, brother. Technocore.

We shall not
mask our intent.

Either give us Ladrone
or we will attack.

We await your response.

He's lying.

Look, the Verasites
may be truth harpies,

but if they're in
Technocore's "how high" club,
It is bad news.

What?

"How high?" Club.

Technocore says "Jump!"
and they say, "How high?"

What is Technocore?

It's a giant consortium
of companies, planets,
and even some small systems,

all of whom manufacture weapons
and defense materials.

Yep. Bad boys
with big guns.

They've got
their own military,

and rumor has it
they've even got armament

that can take out
the Andromeda.

So what do we do now?

If Veras fires on us

and we return fire
destroying their ships,

we are criminals
in the Commonwealth.

And Dylan is with
the Commonwealth right now.

And if we hand over Ladrone
and he's innocent?

Have the Verasites
launched vessels?

Yes.

Then we're on the clock.

Boss.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, boss.

Boss...

Jeez, Valentine, did you
have to break the guy
out of the pokey?

Look, I didn't have a choice.

Well, you might have had
one or two other choices.

Before you
indict Beka,
I should tell you

that although
I've made a career

out of remodeling the truth
into convenient shapes

while taking possession
of commodities

legally belonging to others--

Nietzscheans call those
liars and thieves.

I would dispute the fact
that what I've done
has been wrong.

Illegal, yes,

but you should know

that the universe
is not by nature

an equitable distributor
of good health and good fortune.

And I suppose it's your duty

to give the gift
of redistribution?

Look, Harper,
there are those

for whom personal gain
is of secondary importance.

And there are those
for whom
the Robin Hood defense

is not necessarily
the greatest way to go.

But, oh, what the hell.

In an odd sort of way,
I guess I can get behind it.

Great.

You must be the engineer.

Why? Because I'm the short guy
with the sense of humor?

The wry wit, huh?

Because I'm so freaking amiable
with the careless demeanor?
Is that it?

Well, that, and the tools.

Right.

What is that?

This? Oh, it's
nothing special.

It's just the Harper
handy ultra multi.

Heh. It's ultra-configurable,
multi-purpose,
and it's Harper handy.

It's a pocket utility.

It's not quite finished yet.
I've got a few

personal modifications
I have to finish,

But this puppy

has got eight different
nanobots inside it

that can sew
together anything,

metal, glass, carbon fibers,
even organic sludge,

You name it,
and it's got
user-programmable settings.

Here, check it out.

Oop.

Must have left
the charge on. Sorry.

Harper...

Bek, we need to talk.

Oh, let me guess.
Before he left,

Dylan nominated you
substitute scolder.

So does that mean
that you deny

that what you did
was totally irresponsible
and selfish?

Trance, do you know
the consequences

of a guilty verdict on Veras?

What they
call rehabilitation,

the rest of the galaxy
calls mutilation.

Technocore
will see to that.

What about the consequences
for the rest of us?

Come on, Beka.
Look me in the eye

and tell me you
considered that
even for a nanosecond.

How about
looking into eyes
I haven't seen

since I was barely
more than a punk kid

running simple scams?

I didn't plan this.

Nostalgia is not an excuse,

no matter how you
romanticize it.

Isn't it? Able's an old friend.

He may be all I have left
of the good old days.

Let's talk about
what happened last time

we encountered someone
from the "good old days".

Oh, let's not.
How about
being my friend

and showing a little faith
in my judgment?

Even if I think you're
making a big mistake,

and we're going to
have to pay that price
right along with you?

Maybe that's what loyalty is.

You know, Beka,
it's important that you know

that this experimental
genetic material that I stole-

Neck.

Thank you.

Has been successful
in curing everything

from post-traumatic dementia
to bio-viruses.

It's miracle stuff.

I believe you,

and I'm sure Andromeda
is verifying your account

even as we speak.

You look better
than I remember.

I've been watching my diet.

I can't see anything.

Nothing on sensors.

This is too creepy.

Wait a minute.

What if the Verasites have
already contacted Technocore?

I'm sure they have.

What genetic technology
is Ladrone accused of stealing?

It always boils down
to genetics for you,
Huh, Anasazi?

My silly child,
that's what we all
boil down to.

Well, so far,
I've been shut out

by wall after wall
of highly advanced encryptions.

Those on the cutting edge

of Technocore's research
and development

aren't ready for anyone to know
its technology exists,

much less discover
that it's fallen into the hands

of someone
like Able Ladrone.

That's not the only thing
that's fallen into his hands.

Beka's a big girl.

Age is irrelevant.

Yeah, and besides,

even the most
experienced pilots

are vulnerable
to blind spots,

and trust me,

Beka's had more
than her fair share
of fender benders.

At least she's gotten
behind the wheel.

All right, look,

if you're going to slam
my love life

in which you refuse
to take part,

don't hide behind some
cheesy metaphor, okay?

I'm receiving a transmission
from the Verasites.

Do you remember the first time
you went on a grift with me?

Lonestar Euphrates.

Beautiful place.

I think I was supposed
to be helping my dad

offload some
hot terra gems

on some black market
on Fenree.

And I was in the middle
of my pitch to the mark,

this big fat rich guy

with a very
memorable proboscis,

when he turns and says-

"Who's the
gangly redhead?"

Very funny.

And there was that beautiful
Beka Valentine smile.

You know, I just
wanted to spank you

and throw you
on the next shuttle,

but you were
too damn cute.

Spanking, huh?

That might have gone over
when I was 14 and you were 24.

Actually, come to think of it...

Come to think of it,

you were never
all that gangly.

You just hadn't grown
into your beauty yet.

Able, promise me
this isn't a con.

Rule number one,
never play a player.

I'm not that kind
of player anymore.

Well, it doesn't matter.

You never forget
how to play the game.

This isn't a game, Able,

not to me,

and if I think
for one minute
you are playing me--

You have my permission...

No, I implore you...

To shoot me...

For being the dumbest man
in the universe.

Beka,
report to command.

The Verasites
are coming here?

As in here?

The escapee is here
along with who sprung him.

Are you out of your minds?

We've got
no other choice.

Now, they're willing
to hear Ladrone's case.

For now, I would like
to avoid bloodshed.

I can't believe you guys
would do this to me.

What would you rather do?

Start blasting away
at the Verasites?

Come on, boss.
They're sitting ducks.

We'd be the scourge
of the Commonwealth.

They'll be under
constant surveillance, Beka.

They won't do anything
we don't know about.

They'll bring Technocore
right to us.

You've already done that.

I've partially solved
their encryptions.

I'm detecting
mass communications
and staging on the planet

holding Technocore's
military headquarters.

Yeah, we're
in big trouble, boss,

with a capital
"We're screwed."

When does the trial start?

Just as soon
as you're locked in our brig
under maximum security.

No. Hold on.

Before anyone
makes a move,

how about we hear
my thoughts
on this subject?

You wanna
lock him up,

You'll have to
knock me down first.

Don't worry.

I won't bring bloodshed on you.

If we leave, you're safe.

With their capabilities,

Technocore will find the Maru
in about two seconds flat.

Look, I made a promise
to keep him safe.

That promise is as good
as if I made it
to any one of you.

I would have thought
you'd understand that.

Well, that sucked.

I guess that's
why they say
space is a vacuum.

No, they say
space is a vacuum

because space is a vacuum.

It's nice to see
you made good
on your promise

to become the best pilot
in the universe.

Orbit is locked.

Recognize it?

Mmm...

No.

You're kidding.

Yeah, I'm kidding.

Lonestar Euphrates.

Oh, that was
a long time ago, Beka.

You know, if I could go back
and just change one thing...

Look...

If anyone was following us,
I'm sure I lost them.

In fact, I've probably bought us
enough time for you to explain

exactly what you've gotten
yourself mixed up in,

and why I had to look
at my best friends

down the barrel of my gun.

Well, it's simple, really.

The DNA-based compounds
that can do so much good

are the same
building blocks

that can be developed
into weapons of doom,

with the power to transform
all lifeforms as we know them,

including the
planets themselves.

Well, you always did
have a flair for the dramatic.

And I wish I was
employing it now,

but death and destruction
are always far friendlier
toward the bottom line.

I don't suppose
you could just
give it back?

Oh, they'd like
nothing more,
believe me,

because accessing it
would almost certainly
mean my death.

Why? Where did you
put it exactly?

Some of it,
in here, memorized.

The rest...

Nearly undetectable molecules,
smaller than a nanogram.

You hid it in your body?

In pouches of nanobots

camouflaged to behave like
the organs they're attached to.

There are only
a couple of biotechs
in the galaxy

capable of removing them

without killing me.

I'll understand if you
don't want to go
on this ride with me,

but I can't
let them catch me.

Too many lives
are depending on it.

You know what this feels like?

Goodbye?

No.

It feels like home.

This is Lieutenant Lyra,
my next in command.

Lyra.

Wow, what a beautiful name.

Did you know
that in Greek,

Lyra means harp?

And nobody plays
the harp better

than the Harper.

I have never
seen anyone so...

Harper.

Um, so... Named.

So named Lyra.

Huh, and that's
the truth. Huh.

We agreed to discuss
Ladrone's case,

but it is highly unlikely

that any new information
you provide

will significantly change
his trial's outcome.

Do you have any evidence
that Ladrone
has actually hurt anyone?

As of today, no,

but maybe tomorrow
or the next,

and then it could be
hundreds of thousands
within hours,

millions within days.

He's already
begun selling secrets
to volatile militant groups.

Ladrone claims
this technology
can save lives.

Technocore, the manufacturer,
disputes those claims.

Oh, yeah? And are they
telling the truth?

Technocore is not
on trial here.

Able Ladrone is.
I'd like to see him now.

I'm afraid that's
not possible.

He left shortly
before you arrived.

Events took
an unforeseen turn.

Technocore won't see it
that way.

This is suicide.

Wait a minute.
That can't be right.

Then again, that would mean
I, boy genius, am wrong.

Sorry
for interrupting.

Are you really a genius?

Yes.

Are you really as good
at detecting lies

as you are
at simply being you?

What if I said
I wanted to hear

whatever it is
you wanted to tell me?

Then I would tell you
anything you wanted to hear.

And if you believe
in body language,

I think you just made
the opening move.

Harper?

Yes, o glorious
creation of mine

with the world's
crappiest timing?

Please report
on the progress
of your analysis.

Yeah, yeah.

I managed to obtain
a viable sample of DNA

if that's what
you could call

the freakish
chemistry experiment

going on
in the old nuclei.

Thank you, Harper.

We need to get to the Maru
before Technocore does.

Are we going to be encountering
more than usual security force?

Probably.

Initiating launch.

Technocore arms themselves

with weapons
designed to defeat

the weapons
they manufacture

for the rest
of the Commonwealth.

You've got to admire that.

Please tell me

that you always
looked at me as a friend

and not as a father figure,

because that would make
this wrong on so many levels.

A father figure?

No, more like
a sexy older brother...

The sexy, older brother
of a friend,

which makes this
not wrong at all.

Warning, warning.

Heavily armed vessel...

No!

With active E.C.M.
closing fast
in a hostile pattern.

Clothes. Clothes!

Ready, dad?

That's not funny.

Neither was that.

We are
being boarded.

Come on. This way.

Look.

Is this who
I think it is?

Technocore preemptive ops,
A. K. A... Death squad.

Death squad. Great.

Depressurizing airlock.

Ah. Took care of that guy.

That's good.

We've got company.

Okay, split up.
Through the cargo bay.

Okay. Be careful.

Beka!

Beka...

Come on. Come on!

Get the door,
get the door!

Good to see you.

All right, let's make sure
these babies are ship-shape.

If we come under attack,
these puppies have got to hold.

Hope you don't mind
the tight fit.

I appreciate you
allowing me the distraction

from our present crisis.

Trust me,

the distraction is all mine.

Um...

Can I ask you a question?
Of course.

Rumors say that this
whole lie-detection thing,

it's a freak
evolutionary reaction

to the plague
that almost wiped out
your whole population

500 years ago.

Hmm. Interesting theory.

Other rumors say you have
bio-mechanical implants

that interface
with external sensors.

And you want to know
if I have any implants?

Yeah, that, and...

I'd like to know
how you can tell
when people are lying.

So thanks
for your help in there,

although I think
that you should know

that if I had it to do
all over again...

You would.
I would.

Whoever said it's tough
charting a course
for your future

when your past and present
keep colliding

sure knew what
they were talking about.

Perhaps there's
a lesson here.

Rommie, I know
I have a lousy history
with this kind of stuff.

But this time,
I feel it in my gut.

I'm sure of it.

I finally bet
on the right horse.

According to Harper's research,
he may not be a horse at all.

The man you just
risked your life for,

his DNA does not match
that of Able Ladrone.

It's just not natural
to tell the truth all the time,

let alone hear it.

So you enjoy lying?

Let's just say I enjoy
having the option,

and about
certain things,

I prefer having people
lie to me.

You may not be able
to understand this,

but lies...

Can be the spice
of intercourse.

Discourse.

Uh...

If you ever get the chance
to try it sometime,

I highly recommend it.

Lying or discourse?

You know, for somebody
who tells the truth,

you sure do
a lot of dancing.

You're not going to tell me
the secret to this truth mojo,

are you?

The security of our system
depends on secrecy,

but I will tell you this.

Anybody who ever said
honesty is good for the soul

never spent
any time on Veras.

That's what I've been
trying to tell you.

So do you wield
all of your tools

with such confidence?

Whoa!

You stole a sample of his DNA?

The guy got caught

with his fingers
in Technocore's cookie jar.

We wanted to see if he'd
tampered with his own dough.

What the hell are you doing
back here anyway?

I needed to find out
what was going on,

and why a friend

would do something
so intrusive

to someone
I care about!

How could I?

All right, all right,
allow me to quote here.

"If you want to lock him up,

"you've got to
knock me down first."

Okay, so the parallel
isn't exact.

The point is, you would
obviously do anything
to protect a friend.

So would I,
even if it's from herself.

He knows things about me
that only Able Ladrone
could know.

He acts just like him.

He smells just like him.

Oh, yeah?

What else does he do
just like him?

No one appreciates
your level of genius
more than I do, Harper,

but this time,
you made a mistake.

All right, listen.

If he really
isn't Able Ladrone,

what else isn't he?
What?

If he lies about
who he is,

he could be lying
about something else.

We could be in ten times
the trouble we think we're in.

We don't really know
what he's up to, do we?

It's starting
to look that way.

Huh. Rom-doll
to the rescue.

The early experimental data
I've hacked into

suggests that if someone
could get their hands

on the real Ladrone's DNA,

theoretically,
they could access
his genetic memory.

See, Valentine?

That's how he could know
all about you.

It's a slippery slope.

Four dozen Technocore ships
have exited slipstream

and are heading toward us
in battle formation,

and the Eureka Maru
is leaving the Andromeda.

Beka, no.

Don't worry, Harper.

I have a plan.

Harper, are you seeing
what I'm seeing?

Yeah, I'm seeing it.

Looks like it's the old

Shoot-first-
and-don't-ask-questions-later-

because-you'll-all
be-dead formation.

Yeah. Get the plasma cannons
charged and ready.

I'll get back to you
in a minute.

Sure. Take your time.

It's not like we're facing
utter annihilation or anything.

What's going to happen
to my planet?

We are not
on their side.

They know that,
you know that.

Uh-huh.

I tried
to reach Technocore.

They won't talk to us.

They're going
to kill us all.

Let that boy do his job.

You have your friend, Beka,
to blame for this.

I know.

Fortunately, loyalty
is her fatal flaw.

That, and she's a sucker
for a dude in distress.

Is she in love
with Ladrone?

I guess, if you believe
in that sort of thing.

Do you believe in love?

I'm starting to.

Harper, I need us
in tight formation

and those dischargers
ready to rock A.S.A.P.

If your plan resembles
anything like "Run like hell,"

I can name that tune
in three notes or less.

We're not running anywhere.

Ever heard of
plasma phantoms?

Indie-alt speedmetal folk band
from the pre-Commonwealth era?

No, Dylan told us
about one of his final exams

on the simulators
at the Argosy Academy.
Remember?

You mean the one

where plasma bursts
are ricocheted off
a nearby ship

creating energy
signature echoes
that fake out the enemy

into thinking
there are a bunch
of cloaked ships?

That would be the one.

No, and even
if I did, Valentine,

it's strictly theoretical.
That was an exercise.

And that was very real.

Are you with me or not?

Well, I'm trying to be,
but my mind is fading fast.

Just get the plasma cannons
charged and ready.

Trust me, the cannon's
charged and ready.

Um, don't you think
it's a bad idea

for us to keep taking hits
and not firing back?

In order for this to work,

we have to let them
get a little closer.

They're still coming. Fast.

I'm detecting
pre-launch activity

in the weapons bays
of several of the ships.

They're still
closing in, Beka.

Hail Technocore.

Tell them you're willing
to make a deal.

Not now.

I admire your courage,

but if we all die here,

nothing I have done
will have mattered,

and I can't have your death
on my conscience.

Don't worry, neither can I.

Harper, time
for the phantoms.

Letting slip
the plasma hounds.

It's working.

Harper, are you seeing this?

Seeing it?
I made it.

Right now,
they should be assuming
there are anywhere

from ten to a hundred
cloaked ships
moving in on them.

We don't approve of your--
What?

Perpetrating a lie? Whoo!

A lie that saved our butts,
including yours,

and especially hers.

Rest easy, Marshall.
We're just implementing

an tried and true
military strategy
known as bluffing,

an entirely
different thing.

They're still firing missiles.

That is not a missile.

That...

Is a slipfighter.

Captain,
you are cleared for landing.

The Technocore ships
are holding position,
but not firing.

I can see
you've learned a lot
from Captain Hunt.

Unfortunately, he can't
seem to teach me anything

in the area
I'm weakest.

What?

What the hell are you?

Uh...

Somebody sampled my DNA.

Harper

and his gizmo
he shot me with.

Is there a sign
on my forehead,

or is it written
on every wall
of every bathroom

from here to Tarn Vedra
about what an easy dupe
Beka Valentine is?

Beka...

Trust me.

I am who you think I am.

My DNA is unrecognizable

because it's been altered
by an experimental compound,

when I was in prison

for a petty scam
a few years back.

It turns out they were using
the prison population
as guinea pigs

for a new generation
of radical bio-viruses.

When I got out, I hooked up
with a disgruntled
Technocore researcher

who showed me
how to keep myself alive

using injections

of a substance derived
from my own DNA.

How long can that last?

As long as I
keep injecting myself,

but the technology
is imperfect.

The reconstituted genes
have a short life,

and mine would be shorter
without them.

I told you
I was watching my diet.

The real Able Ladrone

would have told me this
from the beginning.

And risk your pity?

Beka, it's how
a man behaves...

When he's in love.

Beka,
get back here asap.

Technocore has accepted
Dylan's proposition.

Dylan's proposition?

Ah, home, sweet home.

Good to have you back, boss.

Good to be back.
Rommie, the emissaries

will arrive
just after the Maru.

Prepping hangar 14.

Mr. Harper?

As we discussed.

Right. I'm already
on it, boss.

Uh...

You have command.

Thank you.

Trance?

Right. Med deck.

Captain Hunt.

I'm Marshall Orac
of Fugitive Retrieval.

I know who you are.

It's a pleasure.

I hope my crew
has taken care of you
in my absence?

It appears everyone
has a function here.

Except us.

But you do have
a function.

You will be
our character witnesses.

Character witnesses?

Yes, on your word,
the emissaries will know

that we aren't part
of Ladrone's
smuggling operation.

And what about Able?

I assume you'll remand him
to our custody.

Well, I'm afraid
that won't satisfy
the emissaries' demands.

As far as they're concerned,

Ladrone's a walking secret
they don't want told.

Then what do they want?

They want him dead, of course.

What does Dylan want
with Able?

I might ask you
what you want with Able.

Okay. All right.

I don't know why
I'm telling you this,

but I think
I'm in love
with Able.

I probably
always have been.

I just never imagined

that he'd feel
the same way about me.

Then your imagination
hasn't done you justice.

Beka.

How much
do you know?

Well, I know that you think
Ladrone's a good man.

Sometimes intentions
are besides the point,

especially when
the potential for disaster

is on a scale
of this magnitude.

Are we talking
about the Commonwealth

or my personal life?

I'm sorry, Beka,

but there isn't
any alternative.

He has to go back to Veras.

Oh, there's always
an alternative, Captain.
It just...

It just depends
on your priorities.

Able, what are you doing?

Beka can vouch for me.

I'm very good
with a force lance.

Well, isn't this awkward?

This is not
a smart play, Ladrone.

But it's the only play
I've got, Captain.

You know as well as I do
that if you send me
back to Veras,

you're signing my death warrant.
Not true.

The Verasites gave me
their word that
you won't be harmed.

Honesty and truth

are not always
the same things, Captain.

Beka Valentine...

I love you.

You had no choice, boss.

Identity confirmed.

There you go.

You saved our lives,
Captain Hunt.

More importantly,

the secrets Ladrone stole
died with him.

Let me walk you
back to your ship.

By the way,
we interviewed
Miss Valentine.

We're sure
she knew very little
of Ladrone's work.

Rumors were circulating
the Commonwealth,

and we were looking
at the possibility

of widespread chaos
and panic.

Thank you.

Well, I can't say
I feel very good
about what happened.

I mean, if you
really have to go,

I might be getting
some time off coming up

for bad behavior.

Maybe we could...
Maybe.

Call me.

Lieutenant...

I'll send a team
of slipfighters

to escort you
back to your planet.

Able!

I saw you die.

Well, what you thought
you saw was me die.

What you really saw
was a Golem,

genetically altered
to match my genes.

Yep,

probably seems
like a miracle...

Because it is!

The miracle
that is the Seamus Harper,

with, of course,
some Able assistance.

Your buddy here

showed me some
Technocore maneuvers

that go way over my head.

Well, we couldn't have
done it without Dylan.
It was his idea.

Look, we couldn't have done it
without his DNA, right?

Great, so you
created a Golem

that the truth-telling
Verasites could watch die

and then testify to
in front of
the Technocore emissaries.

Very clever.

Do you mind telling me

why you'd put me
through this hell?

Well, Beka, it was important
that you believed

that it was real.

Yeah, almost as real
as my carbon copy.

Get it?
Because all lifeforms
are carbon based?

It was a good idea, right?

Look, the data
Ladrone's given us

should be more than enough
to launch a formal investigation

into Technocore's activities,

And, uh...

Beka was right about you.

I disagree with your methods,

but I don't disagree
with the importance
of your work,

and now you're free
to continue it.

More importantly,

I'm free to love Beka Valentine.

Jeez!

Don't take it
personally, pal.

That's how
she loves everybody.

Now, usually at this point,
I beg for mercy,

but if I were you,

I'd run like hell.

Mr. Harper,
I think maybe you and I
should run like hell.

Yeah.

Beka,

kill me if you must,

but I'll die a happy man.

Honestly.

Honestly?

You are such a liar.

Veras Terminus.

Yeah, I'm trying
to reach Lieutenant Lyra.

Sorry, you have
the wrong number.

Who was that?

Another loser calling
for that Lieutenant Lyra.

I got the wrong number again.

Harper, you know,

maybe they only have to
tell the truth
on their home planet.

When they were onboard,

it was probably
a little R and R

from the rigors
of unmitigated honesty.

You mean I told
all that truth for nothing?

Well, think of it
as a learning experience.

The truth has set you free.

Free...

I'd rather be
her prisoner of love.