Andromeda (2000–2005): Season 4, Episode 9 - Machinery of the Mind - full transcript
Harper's key note speaker at a conference on dealing with the Magog threat. When a scientist is kidnapped, and others are killed, the crew must figure out who's responsible. Meanwhile Dylan's kidnapped by the Collectors, who make ...
And here we are,
on the beautiful planet Galena.
Wasn't this a mining planet
at one time?
Niobium and Tantalum,
until the mines played out.
Haraman and Leisure
bought it,
and bio-formed the slag planet
into a hospitality world.
Right.
I hear when you walk barefoot,
the grass massages your feet.
No wonder they say
"give yourself to Galena."
It's got other assets...
a stable government,
good facilities, secure.
That's why I chose Galena
for this conference.
Somewhere beautiful
to discuss something ugly.
Against the Magog,
we need every edge we can get.
The World sh is getting
closer. We all know that.
This gathering of scientists,
futurists, and statesmen,
it will make a difference.
Despite the threat
of assassination
hanging over the conference.
Maybe it's a good thing.
A good thing?
We need answers fast.
When someone shoots at you,
it focuses the mind.
No one is getting assassinated.
Well, I won't argue with that,
especially since I'm making
the keynote speaker Mr. Harper.
Captain, we have visitors.
They have our access codes.
Who invited them?
They're high guard bailiffs,
full security clearance.
Apparently,
they don't need an invitation.
Oh, I think they do.
We have the bailiffs
under surveillance.
Anything out of the ordinary,
I want to know immediately.
Yes, sir.
It all began for me
in a little place
I like to call Earth.
Humble, yes, but it was there
that young Seamus Harper...
Hey, boss,
almost got my speech primed,
and I'm ready
to give myself to Galena,
miles of lime green beach.
There's no time for that.
See, I called this conference
because we need
an exchange of ideas,
and you've had firsthand
exposure to this situation.
We're on the clock
here.
I thought
we were on a ship.
If I can't even make you laugh,
how am I supposed to entertain
the greatest scientific minds
of our time?
We'll figure
something out.
Captain,
I'm receiving
an urgent message
from the office
of Professor Wel-Dar.
Professor Millius Wel-Dar.
He invented the new pion trap
for slipstream.
I can't wait to meet the guy.
I'm afraid you'll have to.
Wel-dar was on his way
to the Galena conference
this morning, but never made it
to the spaceport.
They suspect kidnapping.
What?
Kidnapping?
And an assassination threat?
That's why I need you
to be in charge, Mr. Harper.
No problem, as long
as you're coming with me.
This is my chance
in the spotlight.
These people think
that higher brain functions
are sexy.
Well, then, you earned
your place at the head table.
Thank you.
Hey, did you hear?
Doctor professor Kor-Kavo's
going to be there.
She's got the finest frontal
lobes in the tri-galaxies.
She would look hot as fusion
in a bikini.
Yeah, picture that bikini
with a Magog stuffed in it.
Hey, mental cruelty.
How to rain on a guy's parade.
Check his id.
That's classified.
What's going on?
Okay.
You looking for me?
Look, I don't like anyone
roughing up my crew.
Ah... strong silent type, huh?
Yeah,
make that weak stupid type.
Nobody points a gun at me
on my ship.
Then what do you call this?
Well, I would call that
a... tactical mistake.
Dylan?
So...
what's going on?
Commonwealth business.
Come on,
you can do better than that.
Commonwealth intelligence.
My credentials...
with the right to inspect,
and... a summons.
You are legally bound
to accompany us.
Day-code and t-stamp
are authentic.
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.
Hello,
you are now using the
Commonwealth security-coded,
artificial intelligence
communication system...
Skip to message.
My apology for the violence,
Captain Hunt.
I'm afraid these bailiffs
are a rough-hewn lot.
Get them off my ship.
It's of vital importance
that you be debriefed
on a security matter.
That is still no excuse
for bad behavior.
Please accompany them.
Time is of the essence.
I'm thanking you in advance
for your cooperation.
Yeah, I'll cooperate.
Ladies and gentlemen,
whatever doesn't kill you
makes you smarter.
You're going to have to do this
without me, Mr. Harper.
No, you can't leave me alone
with these geeks.
You have more in common
with them than I do.
I'll have Beka take you
and Rommie
down in the Maru.
No, no, no, no,
I'm a genius with social skills.
I'm a rare breed.
Most geniuses are geniuses
at arguing with each other.
Academician Ler Near
called 26Carol's article
on homological algebra
"the product
of advanced brain rot."
Her reply
in the galactic space journal
was equally as terse.
I don't like this
any more than you do.
You just have to find a way
to make them work together.
I know you can do it.
Do not let him
out of your sight.
We already have one
missing scientist.
You feel you are required
to answer this summons?
Well, timing is everything,
as if they want me away.
Would it not then
be prudent to stay?
It's just as important
to find out who is interfering,
but send a courier
to follow me.
I want to stay in contact.
Affirmative,
and don't worry, Captain.
Harper... will stay
out of trouble.
Yeah. I'll be back
as fast as I can.
Mm-hmm.
Boss, when's the last time you
changed the scrubbers in here?
Air quality's normal.
Your pulse, however, is a 120.
I'm not nervous.
One mistake, though, and
those people will eat me alive.
Apt image, considering the Magog
are the topic of discussion.
What do you suppose happened
to professor Wel-Dar anyway?
I mean, a simple ride
to the spaceport,
and the guy just disappears?
It is worrisome,
but I recommend you focus on
the hard work at hand, Harper.
Right, find a way to make
a bunch of headstrong scientists
get along
so we can all stop the Magog.
Captain Hunt, you'll need
to surrender your comm unit.
No communication with your ship
is permissible
until after the debriefing.
Tell me again
what branch you're with.
My detachment is assigned
to special collections division.
Collectors.
Correct.
Didn't you used to be
the good guys?
The comm unit?
Yes, of course.
Please relax.
I'll be with you shortly.
Yeah, I'll relax.
To your health.
Ooh, bad year.
The Magog,
the ever-advancing Magog,
the threat beyond reason.
Who better than Bu-Habib,
whom you will meet shortly,
to inform us?
These images before you
do not lie.
If we don't all work together
to find a defense,
or better yet, an offense,
we will perish.
Yes, my fellow scientists.
We are out of time.
Check again. Look closer.
Seamus Zelazny Harper
plus one.
All right, wait a minute,
who's in charge here, anyway?
Okay, so maybe she's not
officially invited,
but she's with me,
ergo she's invited.
Of course
your artifact is welcome,
as you are, Seamus Harper.
Artifact?
Doctor professor Kor-Kavo.
Delighted to finally meet
our keynote speaker.
The pleasure is mine,
and I do mean "pleasure,"
and I do mean "mine."
I've never seen Kor-Kavo
so revoltingly social before.
One of those two must have
an idea worth stealing.
Yeah.
Seamus Harper,
academician Ler Near
and Dr. 26Carol.
It's an honor
to meet you both.
What's it like having Magog eggs
in your stomach?
It's like indigestion
with teeth,
'cause instead of stomach acid,
you've got a handful of hairy,
flesh-eating fetuses
gnawing on your stomach.
And who is this?
An artifact Mr. Harper built.
Call me an artifact again.
Uh, uh, this is Rommie,
avatar of the Andromeda
Ascendant,
the biggest, baddest,
most awesome warship
in the universe.
I'm sure.
Excuse me.
Ladies and gentlemen,
may I have your attention,
please?
As preeminent minds
of the Commonwealth,
you'll be leading working groups
on how to defeat the Magog.
To put our urgent task
into perspective,
who better
than professor Bu-Habib,
chair of ethno-mathematics
at All-Systems University.
Well...
Huh!
Woof.
Woof?
Harper,
crowd control.
Uh, everyone,
stay back, stay back, please.
The natives
are getting restless.
Is there a prognosis yet?
His higher brain centers
are riddled with passageways
about three microns across.
Molecular surgery?
It could be.
Great. Keep me posted.
This surgery
is recent.
My bet... he went for
brain augmentation.
Why would Bu-Habib risk this
simply to increase
his intelligence?
Well, anything to win
the mygot prize again.
Nobody's won it twice.
Not with the same brain.
Is this practice common
in the scientific community?
Dr. 26Carol would be up on that.
What are you implying?
What are you
suggesting?
Look, I'm sorry,
but I did my best.
How could you lose
Captain Hunt?
There's multiple decoys
exiting the slipstream,
or that thing was the fastest
thing that I've ever seen.
Which leaves you
guessing.
I counted seven.
I followed number four.
I guessed wrong.
It's not your fault,
lieutenant.
Come on in.
Grab a shower and a meal.
Valentine out.
Get me Tri-Lorn.
Onscreen.
Office of the triumvir
Tri-Lorn.
This is Beka Valentine,
acting Captain
of the Andromeda Ascendant.
I have an urgent matter
and I need to speak with him.
The triumvir
is in and out of slipstream
and not currently reachable.
I'll see he gets your message.
Hey!
Jerk.
Probably wears flexis
for underwear.
Trance,
please tell me some good news.
Bu-Habib is dead.
Dylan would want to know.
Great.
His higher cortical center
was riddled with wormholes.
Gross. How did that happen?
Looks like an attempt
at brain augmentation surgery.
Have we done a search
of all medical procedures
done to professor Bu-Habib?
Two years ago,
arterial fissure,
repaired by nanobots,
but nothing since that time.
But this was a recent procedure.
It was destructive
and deliberate.
That's not good...
not good at all.
Oh, hi.
Who...
who makes this stuff?
Uh-oh.
Hmm.
You know, you really,
you really should get
a doorbell.
All right.
I want to talk to your superior.
In due time.
Let's get started.
By all means,
let's get started.
State your name for the record.
Captain Dylan Hunt.
That's Dylan with a "d."
What do the collectors want
with me?
You're here to be interrogated,
not for a briefing
on classified activities.
You've got to be kidding.
I'll be returning to my ship.
You are officially detained.
Stop me.
I'm not permitted to stop you.
Yeah, that's right.
The detainee retention system
does that.
Magog are nature's blunder.
They're disgusting,
from start to finish.
For one thing,
they're oviparous.
Hey!
No offense.
Believe me,
some of my best friends
are egg layers,
but I've got to draw the line
when they lay their eggs in me.
Harper,
we've got to talk.
I was just describing
hand-to-hand combat
with a swarm
of deadly Magog.
Combat with a swarm?
Did you get to the part
where you cried...
My battle cry? Yes.
Yes, I was just getting to it.
What?
Kor-Kavo's office said
they can't find her.
What? Not Kor-Kavo.
That's two
missing scientists.
Mm-hmm.
Therefore, I think it would
be wise if you stayed close,
at least until we can
reestablish contact
with Dylan.
Help. Help.
Doctor professor?
Well, your scan is normal.
How do you feel?
A little shaky.
What happened back there
on Galena?
I'm not
entirely sure.
I went to look for Mr. Harper.
Seamus.
Next, I was being chased.
I came into the lobby
and saw Seamus and his artifact.
That's Rommie.
I need to get back
to the conference.
Well, there's no medical reason
why she can't.
Harper, I want you
and the professor...
doctor professor.
I want you and the professor
to stick close,
and stay near Rommie.
Well, spending time
with Mr. Harper
is no hardship.
Tell me, Mr. Harper...
Seamus.
I'm earth Irish.
Do I still have to call you
"doctor professor"?
You can call me
anything you like.
How about I call you
for a weekend
in a zero-g love pod?
Was that my outside voice?
I'm sorry.
You said "anything you like,"
and it just came out.
Don't be sorry.
Be bold.
Tell me
about your warship avatar.
You must know a great deal
about her systems.
From stem to stern.
Do female systems
interest you?
Does a nightsider
nosh on his young?
I mean, speaking
from an engineering standpoint,
unless you meant
standing closer.
So close...
we should be alone.
We tracked pion trails of
the seven slipstream decoys.
A little over three minutes ago,
I located Dylan's comm signal.
Where is he?
Curiously,
Dylan's signal has reappeared
in this star system.
He's here?
Yes and no.
The ship carrying Dylan
is headed directly
towards Guarneri-12.
Guarneri-12, the star?
His ship is at full thrust.
He's headed into the sun?
Impact in seven seconds.
Five, four,
three,
two,
one.
This is crap.
He's not dead.
We should continue searching
for Dylan.
No.
We will proceed
on the assumption
that he is dead.
It's what whoever's doing this
wants us to think.
I will not.
Since when is it up to you,
Rhade?
I'm in command here.
I have to do what Dylan would.
We're dealing
with organized resistance.
Andromeda,
show me Dylan's flight path
from the time
he exited slipstream
until solar impact.
Enhance.
Beka...
look there.
It passed the far side
of Galena.
Readings would be occluded.
Are you suggesting...
They could have
transferred Dylan
while they were out of sight.
He's on Galena.
Galena's a big planet.
Where do you want to look?
It's awfully hard to kiss
a moving target, you know.
Well, anticipation
is everything.
I've been anticipating
my whole life.
There's a nice firm table...
right over here.
It's awfully dark.
It's a shame not to see you.
Lights.
Academician?
Ler Near?
What... Happened?
they sawed off
the top of his head.
Good news.
Good news, Captain Hunt.
What? The test came back,
and you're not a complete moron?
No.
I told my superior officer,
I said, "sir, Captain Hunt's
a unique individual.
"We all want what's best
for the Commonwealth.
"Let me talk to him."
Can I talk to you, Captain?
No.
Agree to work with us.
That's it?
"Agree to work with us"?
You hold me here
against my will
to ask me that?
Well, yes.
All right, look.
You know, we are all
supposed to be
part of the same Commonwealth,
so you'll have to forgive me
if I don't quite understand
what "work with us" means.
Well, you'd keep
your present assignment,
but you'd also run missions
for us,
help eliminate
threats.
Oh, threats like you?
Oh, great. I already do that.
Threats we identify.
Ah.
We maintain facilities
on most known worlds.
Using them, we identify threats.
We offer you riches and power,
Captain,
pleasures to suit
your every desire.
This isn't an interrogation.
It's a recruitment.
Very good. Yes, it is.
We recruit many of our agents
this way.
We determine
the candidate's abilities
and whether they're with us
or against us.
If with, they prosper.
If against, they die.
Or in your case,
we'll be thrilling
to be drilling...
but the bottom line
is we will find some way
to exploit your usefulness,
either one way or another,
and we won't let anyone
endanger our sacred mission.
Right. Sacred?
Tell your chief "no deal."
You're making
a big mistake.
Well, it's never a mistake
when you're doing
the right thing.
You'll forgive me
if I don't show you to the door,
but I'm very, very busy.
Harper? Harper?
It's horrible. Horrible.
I found him,
and... I was jumped from behind.
Seamus tried to help me,
and then I was pushed aside...
and knocked out
for about a minute,
and I didn't get a chance
to see who it was.
I don't trust that woman.
What? Would you...
she's a victim
as much as we are.
Come on, she's dedicated
to the conference.
Or she's dedicated
to sabotaging it.
These are the exact injuries
I saw on Bu-Habib.
Only evident
on a molecular level?
Yes, and as before,
the caudate nucleus,
the putamen,
and the globus pallidus
are all intact.
He was still alive
when I first got here.
You saw the dying spasms
of the autonomic nervous system.
No, I saw him breathe
his last breath.
Regardless, the missing parts
are responsible
for higher mental function.
Memory and cognitive ability.
More.
I think that someone is trying
to take their genius itself.
Well, this is an encrypted
transmission device.
I believe the results
of the surgery
have been transported elsewhere.
It is possible to reassemble
some of Ler Near's knowledge
and intelligence
in some way,
perhaps a nutrient vat?
What do you think,
professor Kor-Kavo?
Doctor professor.
I think you may be right.
Bu-Habib and Ler Near
may still be sentient...
somewhere.
Hmm.
All right. Eat some food,
bask in whatever
adulation's going around,
marvel the masses
with wickedly witty Harperisms,
even take on the Magog,
mentally, from a distance...
this I can do,
but homicidal brain thieves?
No, no, no, I'm
way out of my element.
This is Dylan's job.
This is Dylan's turf.
He's the one who should
be doing this.
Where the hell is he?
Oh, here we go.
I told the chief judicator
you refused.
He scowled.
Yeah, I know.
He really shouldn't do that.
He'll get frown lines.
Take him to the chambers.
You're really not my type.
I'm disappointed, Captain.
Yeah, I'm disappointed too.
You know, I never got
that second bottle of wine
I ordered.
Take him to a holding cell,
have him prepped for surgery.
Don't worry, Captain,
the process is quite painless,
and in the end, you'll be
serving a greater purpose.
I'll also be helping
the Commonwealth.
Prep him immediately.
Chamber three.
Corridor six, section two,
I'm under attack.
This whole place
is under attack now, pal.
What were you doing in the lab?
What do you think?
Your idea or hers?
Mine.
No, hers. No, it was mutual.
Rommie,
are there any connections
between Bu-Habib and Ler Near?
AI Is checking.
Scanning high security data
stored on conference files.
I can penetrate
their wetware security
and crack their encryption,
but it will be traceable
back to us.
No time for finesse.
Entering Galena secure
data farm.
Although neither met in person,
Bu-Habib and Ler Near
both worked at different times
and places
on aspects
of the engine of creation.
The engine?
The ongoing attempt
to employ controlled
quantum vacuum
density fluctuations
to produce matter
from nothingness.
Destroy the universe,
or save us from The Abyss.
Did anyone else
from the conference
work on the engine of creation?
Professor Wel-Dar
and the clone Dr. 26Carol.
She's so hot.
Can you believe there's 25 more?
That's a connection.
Anyone else?
No one else.
Hmm.
Are there any other matches
with their backgrounds,
aptitudes, abilities?
Yes, two people...
professor Kor-Kavo
and our very own Seamus Harper.
Someone is after the engine,
but they will settle
for your brain.
They are after my brain,
aren't they?
Creepy.
Thank you very much.
It's a piece of crap.
Please check corridor four,
section one.
Corridor four, section one,
clear.
What are the 10
radical isotopes?
From the beginning,
tell me the 10 radical isotopes.
Professor Wel-Dar,
we've been looking for you.
Professor wel-dar?
You're next,
after me.
They're mining brains,
harvesting brilliance
from the greatest minds
of the galaxies.
The conference must be warned.
As soon as I get us
out of here.
The Abyss,
it knows.
From the beginning,
10, the radical isotopes.
What does The Abyss know?
Ask, and it will be told.
From the beginning...
Always a good place to start.
Tell the 10 radical isotopes.
Ask, and it must told.
The conference must be warned.
The conference.
We have to go.
All right, let's warn them...
but first,
I need to get in touch
with my ship.
Yeah, yeah,
I know it's low-tech,
but, hey, it works.
All right, let's get you
out of those chains.
Let's go.
Please check corridor
six, section one.
Any word from Tri-Lorn?
Still unreachable.
We have to find Dylan now.
Okay, pinpoint him.
Galena used to be
a mining planet, right?
Uh-huh.
I think maybe if I
were hiding someone...
Right.
Andromeda, run a dpr scan
of the planet's subsurface.
Galena is a maze
of old mine tunnels,
some almost
two kilometers deep.
Check all frequencies,
anything
that looks like a signal.
I'm picking up a crude
repeating
transmission on x-band.
Low power.
It's him.
Or some kid
with a jacked-up crystal set.
The signal is now transmitting
high guard distress codes.
Or not.
No, no, no, wait, wait, no.
You can't leave.
We've got work to do.
Even if it is dangerous,
I mean, it's no more dangerous
than any other place
that's had two murders
and a kidnapping
in 24 hours. Please.
Seamus.
Not now.
Uh... hey, hey!
Anyone who claims
to be a scientist,
listen up.
You're not.
That's right, you heard me.
You're not scientists.
You know what we got here?
A room full of great minds
and weak hearts.
A bunch
of intergalactic cowards.
Where would science be
if the great minds before us
had been afraid?
If Heisenberg had been afraid?
Or if Simmonds had been afraid?
Who...
Afraid to ask questions,
afraid to face facts,
afraid to work together,
even under risky conditions?
I'll tell you where.
We'd still be in caves
worshiping those mysterious
lights in the night sky.
No, they weren't afraid.
They were scientists.
Now, what about the Magog?
Does anybody care?
Because I do.
Stay back!
Follow me!
Whoever knows must tell.
Radical isotopes.
Yeah, yeah,
I know, I know.
All right,
hang on, Wel-Dar.
I'll have you out of here
in a second.
Okay, you...
you don't happen
to have a gun, do you?
The conference.
We must warn...
we were worried
about you.
I'm glad about that.
Look who I found.
We must warn the conference.
Sure thing, pops.
Things are falling
apart back there.
I think I know
how to put it back together.
Right there,
professor.
Let's get over
to that conference.
Harper. Harper,
do you copy?
Dylan leaves me in charge,
and look what happens.
Total chaos.
Oh, Harper, you did
the best you could.
I don't even want to call
these people colleagues.
Wait a minute.
Yesterday you couldn't wait
for their approval
and respect.
Yeah, well, today,
they can keep it.
Harper, do you read me?
Harper, do you copy?
Boss, I messed things up.
No, you didn't.
If we expose the killer,
the conference will go on.
Yeah? How?
Ask the scientists
this question...
"From the beginning,
"what are
the 10 radical isotopes?"
What?
I haven't heard of those.
What...
Harper, just do it.
"From the beginning"...
okay, okay, I got it, I got it.
Uh... attention, please.
I have a question.
From the beginning,
what are the 10 radical...
Doctor professor, are you okay?
Mr. Harper.
Just say it!
From the beginning,
what are
the 10 radical isotopes?
Whoa.
From the beginning,
the 10 radical isotopes.
Tukerium, negative five.
Dongor, neg 17.
Lu, neg 31. kartex, neg 79.
Sharbar, neg 101.
Muilamium, neg 127.
Isotopes with negative
atomic weight?
They're all prime numbers too.
Idaron, negative 173.
Simmondsium, negative 211.
Mattite, negative 239.
Krasnov, negative 307.
These are
the radical isotopes...
from the beginning.
You have no power.
Oh, boy.
Rommie?
No, no, no.
You don't want her.
She's just an artifact,
remember?
Again with the artifact?
You want me.
I'm the one who created her.
I'm the smart one.
Come on, come on.
Come get me.
Come on.
Touching down.
All right,
let's go.
Not you, professor.
You just stay here and... and...
well, don't touch anything.
You're not Kor-Kavo.
What have you done with her?
She is with us,
as are Bu-Habib, Ler Near,
and many others,
and now you will be with us
as well.
I don't think so.
Make sure
no one gets in this room.
How you doing, Harper?
I've been better.
The Abyss has entered
the world of matter.
Again with The Abyss.
Soon, we will make all that is,
not be.
You know,
for all those brains you stole,
it sure didn't make you
any smarter.
You will see.
You will understand soon...
soon now.
Yeah, real soon.
Next time, make sure
you have a force lance.
She didn't have me fooled
for a second.
I was waiting for my chance.
Well, your chance,
Mr. Harper.
I want a full report
back in my quarters.
I apologize for the delay.
I've been traveling,
and your message
only just caught up with me.
Well, what about
the vital security debriefing
you ordered?
Well, the debriefing was
intended for post-conference.
You must have misunderstood.
I didn't misunderstand
the day-code
or the proper time stamp
and the fact that the collectors
tried to kill me.
They had access
to the day-code.
Well, it appears
that the Commonwealth
has enemies on the inside,
Tri-Lorn.
Then we've got to work together
to find out who they are.
Agreed.
I don't want to see
the Commonwealth destroyed
from within, again.
Nor do I.
On a high note,
congratulations
on saving the conference.
Mr. Harper pulled
all the scientists together.
I would like to recommend him
for a tri-galaxy medal.
Mm-hmm, with spiral cluster.
Done.
We will talk in depth
about these internal threats,
Captain Hunt.
Call me
when I'm back on Tarazed.
Tri-Lorn out.
Captain,
I have Harper waiting outside.
It's about time.
Send him in.
Mr. Harper.
Boss.
Did you find their connection
with The Abyss?
The radical isotopes?
Yes.
Uh, not quite,
but I have been talking
with professor Wel-Dar
comparing notes.
It's fascinating.
Negative atomic weights?
An isotope
with negative atomic weight
is like a planet
with a negative number of moons
orbiting it.
It's impossible, unless...
they have something
to do with, you know...
the other universe.
So these radical isotopes
could be the key...
to the destruction of The Abyss.
Keep working on it.
Okay.
Yes?
Boss, I'm sorry.
I almost lost my head
over a girl,
literally.
I told you not to leave...
Mr. Harper, we all know
that your choice in women is...
well, you know, it's... it's...
it's not good.
But, you know,
on the positive side,
your speech that rallied
all the scientists together
was truly impressive.
Really?
Yeah.
You thought it was good?
It was very good.
The whole thing,
or just parts of it?
Don't push it.
Right.
Hmm.
on the beautiful planet Galena.
Wasn't this a mining planet
at one time?
Niobium and Tantalum,
until the mines played out.
Haraman and Leisure
bought it,
and bio-formed the slag planet
into a hospitality world.
Right.
I hear when you walk barefoot,
the grass massages your feet.
No wonder they say
"give yourself to Galena."
It's got other assets...
a stable government,
good facilities, secure.
That's why I chose Galena
for this conference.
Somewhere beautiful
to discuss something ugly.
Against the Magog,
we need every edge we can get.
The World sh is getting
closer. We all know that.
This gathering of scientists,
futurists, and statesmen,
it will make a difference.
Despite the threat
of assassination
hanging over the conference.
Maybe it's a good thing.
A good thing?
We need answers fast.
When someone shoots at you,
it focuses the mind.
No one is getting assassinated.
Well, I won't argue with that,
especially since I'm making
the keynote speaker Mr. Harper.
Captain, we have visitors.
They have our access codes.
Who invited them?
They're high guard bailiffs,
full security clearance.
Apparently,
they don't need an invitation.
Oh, I think they do.
We have the bailiffs
under surveillance.
Anything out of the ordinary,
I want to know immediately.
Yes, sir.
It all began for me
in a little place
I like to call Earth.
Humble, yes, but it was there
that young Seamus Harper...
Hey, boss,
almost got my speech primed,
and I'm ready
to give myself to Galena,
miles of lime green beach.
There's no time for that.
See, I called this conference
because we need
an exchange of ideas,
and you've had firsthand
exposure to this situation.
We're on the clock
here.
I thought
we were on a ship.
If I can't even make you laugh,
how am I supposed to entertain
the greatest scientific minds
of our time?
We'll figure
something out.
Captain,
I'm receiving
an urgent message
from the office
of Professor Wel-Dar.
Professor Millius Wel-Dar.
He invented the new pion trap
for slipstream.
I can't wait to meet the guy.
I'm afraid you'll have to.
Wel-dar was on his way
to the Galena conference
this morning, but never made it
to the spaceport.
They suspect kidnapping.
What?
Kidnapping?
And an assassination threat?
That's why I need you
to be in charge, Mr. Harper.
No problem, as long
as you're coming with me.
This is my chance
in the spotlight.
These people think
that higher brain functions
are sexy.
Well, then, you earned
your place at the head table.
Thank you.
Hey, did you hear?
Doctor professor Kor-Kavo's
going to be there.
She's got the finest frontal
lobes in the tri-galaxies.
She would look hot as fusion
in a bikini.
Yeah, picture that bikini
with a Magog stuffed in it.
Hey, mental cruelty.
How to rain on a guy's parade.
Check his id.
That's classified.
What's going on?
Okay.
You looking for me?
Look, I don't like anyone
roughing up my crew.
Ah... strong silent type, huh?
Yeah,
make that weak stupid type.
Nobody points a gun at me
on my ship.
Then what do you call this?
Well, I would call that
a... tactical mistake.
Dylan?
So...
what's going on?
Commonwealth business.
Come on,
you can do better than that.
Commonwealth intelligence.
My credentials...
with the right to inspect,
and... a summons.
You are legally bound
to accompany us.
Day-code and t-stamp
are authentic.
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.
Hello,
you are now using the
Commonwealth security-coded,
artificial intelligence
communication system...
Skip to message.
My apology for the violence,
Captain Hunt.
I'm afraid these bailiffs
are a rough-hewn lot.
Get them off my ship.
It's of vital importance
that you be debriefed
on a security matter.
That is still no excuse
for bad behavior.
Please accompany them.
Time is of the essence.
I'm thanking you in advance
for your cooperation.
Yeah, I'll cooperate.
Ladies and gentlemen,
whatever doesn't kill you
makes you smarter.
You're going to have to do this
without me, Mr. Harper.
No, you can't leave me alone
with these geeks.
You have more in common
with them than I do.
I'll have Beka take you
and Rommie
down in the Maru.
No, no, no, no,
I'm a genius with social skills.
I'm a rare breed.
Most geniuses are geniuses
at arguing with each other.
Academician Ler Near
called 26Carol's article
on homological algebra
"the product
of advanced brain rot."
Her reply
in the galactic space journal
was equally as terse.
I don't like this
any more than you do.
You just have to find a way
to make them work together.
I know you can do it.
Do not let him
out of your sight.
We already have one
missing scientist.
You feel you are required
to answer this summons?
Well, timing is everything,
as if they want me away.
Would it not then
be prudent to stay?
It's just as important
to find out who is interfering,
but send a courier
to follow me.
I want to stay in contact.
Affirmative,
and don't worry, Captain.
Harper... will stay
out of trouble.
Yeah. I'll be back
as fast as I can.
Mm-hmm.
Boss, when's the last time you
changed the scrubbers in here?
Air quality's normal.
Your pulse, however, is a 120.
I'm not nervous.
One mistake, though, and
those people will eat me alive.
Apt image, considering the Magog
are the topic of discussion.
What do you suppose happened
to professor Wel-Dar anyway?
I mean, a simple ride
to the spaceport,
and the guy just disappears?
It is worrisome,
but I recommend you focus on
the hard work at hand, Harper.
Right, find a way to make
a bunch of headstrong scientists
get along
so we can all stop the Magog.
Captain Hunt, you'll need
to surrender your comm unit.
No communication with your ship
is permissible
until after the debriefing.
Tell me again
what branch you're with.
My detachment is assigned
to special collections division.
Collectors.
Correct.
Didn't you used to be
the good guys?
The comm unit?
Yes, of course.
Please relax.
I'll be with you shortly.
Yeah, I'll relax.
To your health.
Ooh, bad year.
The Magog,
the ever-advancing Magog,
the threat beyond reason.
Who better than Bu-Habib,
whom you will meet shortly,
to inform us?
These images before you
do not lie.
If we don't all work together
to find a defense,
or better yet, an offense,
we will perish.
Yes, my fellow scientists.
We are out of time.
Check again. Look closer.
Seamus Zelazny Harper
plus one.
All right, wait a minute,
who's in charge here, anyway?
Okay, so maybe she's not
officially invited,
but she's with me,
ergo she's invited.
Of course
your artifact is welcome,
as you are, Seamus Harper.
Artifact?
Doctor professor Kor-Kavo.
Delighted to finally meet
our keynote speaker.
The pleasure is mine,
and I do mean "pleasure,"
and I do mean "mine."
I've never seen Kor-Kavo
so revoltingly social before.
One of those two must have
an idea worth stealing.
Yeah.
Seamus Harper,
academician Ler Near
and Dr. 26Carol.
It's an honor
to meet you both.
What's it like having Magog eggs
in your stomach?
It's like indigestion
with teeth,
'cause instead of stomach acid,
you've got a handful of hairy,
flesh-eating fetuses
gnawing on your stomach.
And who is this?
An artifact Mr. Harper built.
Call me an artifact again.
Uh, uh, this is Rommie,
avatar of the Andromeda
Ascendant,
the biggest, baddest,
most awesome warship
in the universe.
I'm sure.
Excuse me.
Ladies and gentlemen,
may I have your attention,
please?
As preeminent minds
of the Commonwealth,
you'll be leading working groups
on how to defeat the Magog.
To put our urgent task
into perspective,
who better
than professor Bu-Habib,
chair of ethno-mathematics
at All-Systems University.
Well...
Huh!
Woof.
Woof?
Harper,
crowd control.
Uh, everyone,
stay back, stay back, please.
The natives
are getting restless.
Is there a prognosis yet?
His higher brain centers
are riddled with passageways
about three microns across.
Molecular surgery?
It could be.
Great. Keep me posted.
This surgery
is recent.
My bet... he went for
brain augmentation.
Why would Bu-Habib risk this
simply to increase
his intelligence?
Well, anything to win
the mygot prize again.
Nobody's won it twice.
Not with the same brain.
Is this practice common
in the scientific community?
Dr. 26Carol would be up on that.
What are you implying?
What are you
suggesting?
Look, I'm sorry,
but I did my best.
How could you lose
Captain Hunt?
There's multiple decoys
exiting the slipstream,
or that thing was the fastest
thing that I've ever seen.
Which leaves you
guessing.
I counted seven.
I followed number four.
I guessed wrong.
It's not your fault,
lieutenant.
Come on in.
Grab a shower and a meal.
Valentine out.
Get me Tri-Lorn.
Onscreen.
Office of the triumvir
Tri-Lorn.
This is Beka Valentine,
acting Captain
of the Andromeda Ascendant.
I have an urgent matter
and I need to speak with him.
The triumvir
is in and out of slipstream
and not currently reachable.
I'll see he gets your message.
Hey!
Jerk.
Probably wears flexis
for underwear.
Trance,
please tell me some good news.
Bu-Habib is dead.
Dylan would want to know.
Great.
His higher cortical center
was riddled with wormholes.
Gross. How did that happen?
Looks like an attempt
at brain augmentation surgery.
Have we done a search
of all medical procedures
done to professor Bu-Habib?
Two years ago,
arterial fissure,
repaired by nanobots,
but nothing since that time.
But this was a recent procedure.
It was destructive
and deliberate.
That's not good...
not good at all.
Oh, hi.
Who...
who makes this stuff?
Uh-oh.
Hmm.
You know, you really,
you really should get
a doorbell.
All right.
I want to talk to your superior.
In due time.
Let's get started.
By all means,
let's get started.
State your name for the record.
Captain Dylan Hunt.
That's Dylan with a "d."
What do the collectors want
with me?
You're here to be interrogated,
not for a briefing
on classified activities.
You've got to be kidding.
I'll be returning to my ship.
You are officially detained.
Stop me.
I'm not permitted to stop you.
Yeah, that's right.
The detainee retention system
does that.
Magog are nature's blunder.
They're disgusting,
from start to finish.
For one thing,
they're oviparous.
Hey!
No offense.
Believe me,
some of my best friends
are egg layers,
but I've got to draw the line
when they lay their eggs in me.
Harper,
we've got to talk.
I was just describing
hand-to-hand combat
with a swarm
of deadly Magog.
Combat with a swarm?
Did you get to the part
where you cried...
My battle cry? Yes.
Yes, I was just getting to it.
What?
Kor-Kavo's office said
they can't find her.
What? Not Kor-Kavo.
That's two
missing scientists.
Mm-hmm.
Therefore, I think it would
be wise if you stayed close,
at least until we can
reestablish contact
with Dylan.
Help. Help.
Doctor professor?
Well, your scan is normal.
How do you feel?
A little shaky.
What happened back there
on Galena?
I'm not
entirely sure.
I went to look for Mr. Harper.
Seamus.
Next, I was being chased.
I came into the lobby
and saw Seamus and his artifact.
That's Rommie.
I need to get back
to the conference.
Well, there's no medical reason
why she can't.
Harper, I want you
and the professor...
doctor professor.
I want you and the professor
to stick close,
and stay near Rommie.
Well, spending time
with Mr. Harper
is no hardship.
Tell me, Mr. Harper...
Seamus.
I'm earth Irish.
Do I still have to call you
"doctor professor"?
You can call me
anything you like.
How about I call you
for a weekend
in a zero-g love pod?
Was that my outside voice?
I'm sorry.
You said "anything you like,"
and it just came out.
Don't be sorry.
Be bold.
Tell me
about your warship avatar.
You must know a great deal
about her systems.
From stem to stern.
Do female systems
interest you?
Does a nightsider
nosh on his young?
I mean, speaking
from an engineering standpoint,
unless you meant
standing closer.
So close...
we should be alone.
We tracked pion trails of
the seven slipstream decoys.
A little over three minutes ago,
I located Dylan's comm signal.
Where is he?
Curiously,
Dylan's signal has reappeared
in this star system.
He's here?
Yes and no.
The ship carrying Dylan
is headed directly
towards Guarneri-12.
Guarneri-12, the star?
His ship is at full thrust.
He's headed into the sun?
Impact in seven seconds.
Five, four,
three,
two,
one.
This is crap.
He's not dead.
We should continue searching
for Dylan.
No.
We will proceed
on the assumption
that he is dead.
It's what whoever's doing this
wants us to think.
I will not.
Since when is it up to you,
Rhade?
I'm in command here.
I have to do what Dylan would.
We're dealing
with organized resistance.
Andromeda,
show me Dylan's flight path
from the time
he exited slipstream
until solar impact.
Enhance.
Beka...
look there.
It passed the far side
of Galena.
Readings would be occluded.
Are you suggesting...
They could have
transferred Dylan
while they were out of sight.
He's on Galena.
Galena's a big planet.
Where do you want to look?
It's awfully hard to kiss
a moving target, you know.
Well, anticipation
is everything.
I've been anticipating
my whole life.
There's a nice firm table...
right over here.
It's awfully dark.
It's a shame not to see you.
Lights.
Academician?
Ler Near?
What... Happened?
they sawed off
the top of his head.
Good news.
Good news, Captain Hunt.
What? The test came back,
and you're not a complete moron?
No.
I told my superior officer,
I said, "sir, Captain Hunt's
a unique individual.
"We all want what's best
for the Commonwealth.
"Let me talk to him."
Can I talk to you, Captain?
No.
Agree to work with us.
That's it?
"Agree to work with us"?
You hold me here
against my will
to ask me that?
Well, yes.
All right, look.
You know, we are all
supposed to be
part of the same Commonwealth,
so you'll have to forgive me
if I don't quite understand
what "work with us" means.
Well, you'd keep
your present assignment,
but you'd also run missions
for us,
help eliminate
threats.
Oh, threats like you?
Oh, great. I already do that.
Threats we identify.
Ah.
We maintain facilities
on most known worlds.
Using them, we identify threats.
We offer you riches and power,
Captain,
pleasures to suit
your every desire.
This isn't an interrogation.
It's a recruitment.
Very good. Yes, it is.
We recruit many of our agents
this way.
We determine
the candidate's abilities
and whether they're with us
or against us.
If with, they prosper.
If against, they die.
Or in your case,
we'll be thrilling
to be drilling...
but the bottom line
is we will find some way
to exploit your usefulness,
either one way or another,
and we won't let anyone
endanger our sacred mission.
Right. Sacred?
Tell your chief "no deal."
You're making
a big mistake.
Well, it's never a mistake
when you're doing
the right thing.
You'll forgive me
if I don't show you to the door,
but I'm very, very busy.
Harper? Harper?
It's horrible. Horrible.
I found him,
and... I was jumped from behind.
Seamus tried to help me,
and then I was pushed aside...
and knocked out
for about a minute,
and I didn't get a chance
to see who it was.
I don't trust that woman.
What? Would you...
she's a victim
as much as we are.
Come on, she's dedicated
to the conference.
Or she's dedicated
to sabotaging it.
These are the exact injuries
I saw on Bu-Habib.
Only evident
on a molecular level?
Yes, and as before,
the caudate nucleus,
the putamen,
and the globus pallidus
are all intact.
He was still alive
when I first got here.
You saw the dying spasms
of the autonomic nervous system.
No, I saw him breathe
his last breath.
Regardless, the missing parts
are responsible
for higher mental function.
Memory and cognitive ability.
More.
I think that someone is trying
to take their genius itself.
Well, this is an encrypted
transmission device.
I believe the results
of the surgery
have been transported elsewhere.
It is possible to reassemble
some of Ler Near's knowledge
and intelligence
in some way,
perhaps a nutrient vat?
What do you think,
professor Kor-Kavo?
Doctor professor.
I think you may be right.
Bu-Habib and Ler Near
may still be sentient...
somewhere.
Hmm.
All right. Eat some food,
bask in whatever
adulation's going around,
marvel the masses
with wickedly witty Harperisms,
even take on the Magog,
mentally, from a distance...
this I can do,
but homicidal brain thieves?
No, no, no, I'm
way out of my element.
This is Dylan's job.
This is Dylan's turf.
He's the one who should
be doing this.
Where the hell is he?
Oh, here we go.
I told the chief judicator
you refused.
He scowled.
Yeah, I know.
He really shouldn't do that.
He'll get frown lines.
Take him to the chambers.
You're really not my type.
I'm disappointed, Captain.
Yeah, I'm disappointed too.
You know, I never got
that second bottle of wine
I ordered.
Take him to a holding cell,
have him prepped for surgery.
Don't worry, Captain,
the process is quite painless,
and in the end, you'll be
serving a greater purpose.
I'll also be helping
the Commonwealth.
Prep him immediately.
Chamber three.
Corridor six, section two,
I'm under attack.
This whole place
is under attack now, pal.
What were you doing in the lab?
What do you think?
Your idea or hers?
Mine.
No, hers. No, it was mutual.
Rommie,
are there any connections
between Bu-Habib and Ler Near?
AI Is checking.
Scanning high security data
stored on conference files.
I can penetrate
their wetware security
and crack their encryption,
but it will be traceable
back to us.
No time for finesse.
Entering Galena secure
data farm.
Although neither met in person,
Bu-Habib and Ler Near
both worked at different times
and places
on aspects
of the engine of creation.
The engine?
The ongoing attempt
to employ controlled
quantum vacuum
density fluctuations
to produce matter
from nothingness.
Destroy the universe,
or save us from The Abyss.
Did anyone else
from the conference
work on the engine of creation?
Professor Wel-Dar
and the clone Dr. 26Carol.
She's so hot.
Can you believe there's 25 more?
That's a connection.
Anyone else?
No one else.
Hmm.
Are there any other matches
with their backgrounds,
aptitudes, abilities?
Yes, two people...
professor Kor-Kavo
and our very own Seamus Harper.
Someone is after the engine,
but they will settle
for your brain.
They are after my brain,
aren't they?
Creepy.
Thank you very much.
It's a piece of crap.
Please check corridor four,
section one.
Corridor four, section one,
clear.
What are the 10
radical isotopes?
From the beginning,
tell me the 10 radical isotopes.
Professor Wel-Dar,
we've been looking for you.
Professor wel-dar?
You're next,
after me.
They're mining brains,
harvesting brilliance
from the greatest minds
of the galaxies.
The conference must be warned.
As soon as I get us
out of here.
The Abyss,
it knows.
From the beginning,
10, the radical isotopes.
What does The Abyss know?
Ask, and it will be told.
From the beginning...
Always a good place to start.
Tell the 10 radical isotopes.
Ask, and it must told.
The conference must be warned.
The conference.
We have to go.
All right, let's warn them...
but first,
I need to get in touch
with my ship.
Yeah, yeah,
I know it's low-tech,
but, hey, it works.
All right, let's get you
out of those chains.
Let's go.
Please check corridor
six, section one.
Any word from Tri-Lorn?
Still unreachable.
We have to find Dylan now.
Okay, pinpoint him.
Galena used to be
a mining planet, right?
Uh-huh.
I think maybe if I
were hiding someone...
Right.
Andromeda, run a dpr scan
of the planet's subsurface.
Galena is a maze
of old mine tunnels,
some almost
two kilometers deep.
Check all frequencies,
anything
that looks like a signal.
I'm picking up a crude
repeating
transmission on x-band.
Low power.
It's him.
Or some kid
with a jacked-up crystal set.
The signal is now transmitting
high guard distress codes.
Or not.
No, no, no, wait, wait, no.
You can't leave.
We've got work to do.
Even if it is dangerous,
I mean, it's no more dangerous
than any other place
that's had two murders
and a kidnapping
in 24 hours. Please.
Seamus.
Not now.
Uh... hey, hey!
Anyone who claims
to be a scientist,
listen up.
You're not.
That's right, you heard me.
You're not scientists.
You know what we got here?
A room full of great minds
and weak hearts.
A bunch
of intergalactic cowards.
Where would science be
if the great minds before us
had been afraid?
If Heisenberg had been afraid?
Or if Simmonds had been afraid?
Who...
Afraid to ask questions,
afraid to face facts,
afraid to work together,
even under risky conditions?
I'll tell you where.
We'd still be in caves
worshiping those mysterious
lights in the night sky.
No, they weren't afraid.
They were scientists.
Now, what about the Magog?
Does anybody care?
Because I do.
Stay back!
Follow me!
Whoever knows must tell.
Radical isotopes.
Yeah, yeah,
I know, I know.
All right,
hang on, Wel-Dar.
I'll have you out of here
in a second.
Okay, you...
you don't happen
to have a gun, do you?
The conference.
We must warn...
we were worried
about you.
I'm glad about that.
Look who I found.
We must warn the conference.
Sure thing, pops.
Things are falling
apart back there.
I think I know
how to put it back together.
Right there,
professor.
Let's get over
to that conference.
Harper. Harper,
do you copy?
Dylan leaves me in charge,
and look what happens.
Total chaos.
Oh, Harper, you did
the best you could.
I don't even want to call
these people colleagues.
Wait a minute.
Yesterday you couldn't wait
for their approval
and respect.
Yeah, well, today,
they can keep it.
Harper, do you read me?
Harper, do you copy?
Boss, I messed things up.
No, you didn't.
If we expose the killer,
the conference will go on.
Yeah? How?
Ask the scientists
this question...
"From the beginning,
"what are
the 10 radical isotopes?"
What?
I haven't heard of those.
What...
Harper, just do it.
"From the beginning"...
okay, okay, I got it, I got it.
Uh... attention, please.
I have a question.
From the beginning,
what are the 10 radical...
Doctor professor, are you okay?
Mr. Harper.
Just say it!
From the beginning,
what are
the 10 radical isotopes?
Whoa.
From the beginning,
the 10 radical isotopes.
Tukerium, negative five.
Dongor, neg 17.
Lu, neg 31. kartex, neg 79.
Sharbar, neg 101.
Muilamium, neg 127.
Isotopes with negative
atomic weight?
They're all prime numbers too.
Idaron, negative 173.
Simmondsium, negative 211.
Mattite, negative 239.
Krasnov, negative 307.
These are
the radical isotopes...
from the beginning.
You have no power.
Oh, boy.
Rommie?
No, no, no.
You don't want her.
She's just an artifact,
remember?
Again with the artifact?
You want me.
I'm the one who created her.
I'm the smart one.
Come on, come on.
Come get me.
Come on.
Touching down.
All right,
let's go.
Not you, professor.
You just stay here and... and...
well, don't touch anything.
You're not Kor-Kavo.
What have you done with her?
She is with us,
as are Bu-Habib, Ler Near,
and many others,
and now you will be with us
as well.
I don't think so.
Make sure
no one gets in this room.
How you doing, Harper?
I've been better.
The Abyss has entered
the world of matter.
Again with The Abyss.
Soon, we will make all that is,
not be.
You know,
for all those brains you stole,
it sure didn't make you
any smarter.
You will see.
You will understand soon...
soon now.
Yeah, real soon.
Next time, make sure
you have a force lance.
She didn't have me fooled
for a second.
I was waiting for my chance.
Well, your chance,
Mr. Harper.
I want a full report
back in my quarters.
I apologize for the delay.
I've been traveling,
and your message
only just caught up with me.
Well, what about
the vital security debriefing
you ordered?
Well, the debriefing was
intended for post-conference.
You must have misunderstood.
I didn't misunderstand
the day-code
or the proper time stamp
and the fact that the collectors
tried to kill me.
They had access
to the day-code.
Well, it appears
that the Commonwealth
has enemies on the inside,
Tri-Lorn.
Then we've got to work together
to find out who they are.
Agreed.
I don't want to see
the Commonwealth destroyed
from within, again.
Nor do I.
On a high note,
congratulations
on saving the conference.
Mr. Harper pulled
all the scientists together.
I would like to recommend him
for a tri-galaxy medal.
Mm-hmm, with spiral cluster.
Done.
We will talk in depth
about these internal threats,
Captain Hunt.
Call me
when I'm back on Tarazed.
Tri-Lorn out.
Captain,
I have Harper waiting outside.
It's about time.
Send him in.
Mr. Harper.
Boss.
Did you find their connection
with The Abyss?
The radical isotopes?
Yes.
Uh, not quite,
but I have been talking
with professor Wel-Dar
comparing notes.
It's fascinating.
Negative atomic weights?
An isotope
with negative atomic weight
is like a planet
with a negative number of moons
orbiting it.
It's impossible, unless...
they have something
to do with, you know...
the other universe.
So these radical isotopes
could be the key...
to the destruction of The Abyss.
Keep working on it.
Okay.
Yes?
Boss, I'm sorry.
I almost lost my head
over a girl,
literally.
I told you not to leave...
Mr. Harper, we all know
that your choice in women is...
well, you know, it's... it's...
it's not good.
But, you know,
on the positive side,
your speech that rallied
all the scientists together
was truly impressive.
Really?
Yeah.
You thought it was good?
It was very good.
The whole thing,
or just parts of it?
Don't push it.
Right.
Hmm.